The Local Weekend: Moz, Bloc Party and Much More

The Ting Tings (via band's myspace)

Guess it doesn't matter that half of the regional artists are in Texas or slowly making their way back home, because there are some absolutely stellar shows this weekend to check out. Loads of huge names, plus quite a few locals that you don't see much of.

Friday

The Ting Tings are at 9:30 Club for a sold out show (seems to be a lot of them recently). Along for the ride is Hottub.

Mikael Jorgensen of Wilco has a little side project called Pronto. They are in town for two shows, first and the North Star in Philly Friday. Get there early to catch some great local acts. Opening are New Motels, The Knobs and Levee Drivers. Saturday its an early show at IOTA (5pm!) with the District's own Shortstack. And be sure to check out Pronto's latest release on Contraphonic, All is Golden.

mp3: Pronto - When I'm On The Rocks (via contraphonic.com)
mp3: New Motels - Drama of the Hollywood Scene (via band's Sonicbids)
mp3: Shortstack - Pretty Saro (via band's website)

Echo & The Bunnymen and The Church are reincarnated in the form of Baltimore's E Joseph and the Phantom Heart, playing music that takes me back to my formative days. These guys are good and they are heading to DC for a show at The Red and The Black.

Not so bad for a Friday, but Saturday and Sunday get even better.

Saturday/Sunday

What can I really say about Bloc Party that hasn't already been said. I have been hooked since I saw them at ACL in '05 and picked up Silent Alarm the same day. The live show is incredible and to make it even better, Longwave is the opener for the two shows in the area. Philly's Electric Factory has them Saturday, while DC's 9:30 Club gets the honors Sunday.

mp3: Longwave - Sideways Sideways Rain (via tra.kz, direct link)

Storytelling musicians can be found at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Saturday when The Mountain Goats and John Vanderslice come to town. This should be a great show, up close and personal.

mp3: The Mountain Goats - Sax Rohmer No. 1 (via band's website)
mp3: John Vanderslice - White Dove (via artist's website)

Now most of you won't known the name Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers, but I can tell you, the music is very Squeeze-esque. Maybe because Glenn is a founding member. Head to the State Theater Saturday and be sure to catch The Spring Standards opening.

mp3: The Spring Standards - Your Lie (via band)

And speaking of older Brit popsters, I will be at The Academy of Music in Philly Sunday enjoying the musical stylings of on Steven Patrick Morrissey. Oh there will be new songs and there will be old songs and Boz will play the hell out of the guitar and you better believe some old Smiths gems will be unleashed. Set to open is the next big thing out of the Manchester scene The Courteeners, hand-picked by Moz himself

On the local scene, favorites Telograph is at the Rock & Roll Hotel with The Picture out of Brooklyn and Mittenfields Saturday. You can also catch Mittenfields Sunday with Portland's Oh Captain My Captain at Galaxy Hut.

mp3: Telograph - The Fever (via band)

Baltimore's Future Islands teams up with Double Dagger and Child Bite at the Zodiac Saturday. You may hear some of DD's new stuff off of the forthcoming album More, which is set to be released on Thrill Jockey in May.

mp3: Future Islands - Old Friend (via band's website)
mp3: Double Dagger - The Psychic (via band)
mp3: Child Bite - I Like Friends (via joyfulnoiserecordings.com)

In the mood for something a little more electro, get to The Red & The Black for Blip Blip Bleep. Also on the bill is Achtung Panda and JMC.

The Philly area has a couple of local shows for Saturday evening. Johnny Brenda's is hosting Frog Holler for a CD release party. Hezekiah Jones is slated to kick off the festivities. Down Wilmington way, a couple of my local favorites The Sky Drops and East Hundred entertain at Mojo 13.

mp3: Frog Holler - To Turn Back Now (via band's website)
mp3: Hezekiah Jones - Nothing's Bounds(via band's website)
mp3: The Sky Drops - You Don't Crawl (via band's website)
mp3: East Hundred - Slow Burning Crimes (via band's website)