Thursday and a Little Beyond

It is definitely Autumn. The weather is getting a bit cooler, kids are back in school and bands are out on their fall tours.


It's the last hurrah down the beach. The Dewey Beach Music Conference starts tonight and runs through Saturday. With over 100 bands from all over the country at 7 different venues, it is sure to have something for everyone. The best part is all nighttime shows are absolutely free! Local acts playing that we have covered are Philly favs The Swimmers and Hershey's The April Skies. And it's not just a local showcase either. Milwaukee's Fever Marlene and Brooklyn's In Flight Radio are just a few non-regional acts making their way to southern Delaware.

mp3: The Swimmers - St. Cecilia
mp3: The April Skies - Here Comes the Rush
mp3: Fever Marlene - Lemon King Mahoney
mp3: In Flight Radio - Red Flags

Big shows tonight and tomorrow as Cut Copy comes through the area with countrymen The Presets. Also on the bill is synth-pop duo Heartbreak. You can catch them at The Troc in Philly tonight, but it is a little late if you don't have tickets to the Friday show at 9:30 Club as it is sold out.

mp3: Cut Copy - Lights and Music

Another set of indie darlings are doing the city swap. SubPop artist Oxford Collapse is taking the stage tonight at Black Cat with Takka Takka. Then they head up to Philly for a show Friday at the Manhattan Room.

mp3: Oxford Collapse - Please Visit Your National Parks
mp3: Takka Takka - Everybody Say

Salt Lake City's Alt-country group Band of Annuals is joined by Hymns for two shows in the area. Starting Thursday at DC9, they end up at The Fire Saturday.

mp3: Hymns - Stop Talking

For a more local flavor, The Talking Head is featuring Rahim supporting new album Laughter with the Snowmen and Deleted Scenes. Over at IOTA, Bellflur is on stage with Pree.

mp3: Rahim - Through a Window
mp3: Deleted Scenes - Trying to Remember
mp3: Bellflur - First to the Moon

Celebrate A Long Weekend

I love holidays that change the day of the week year to year. Having the 4th fall on a Friday, creates one huge weekend that starts Thursday and doesn't end until you stop partying on Sunday. Some may head to the beach (like me) and suffer through some crappy cover bands all weekend. Even though Philly is the city where our independence was declared, the pickings for a good show are light, but our nation's capital is happening, and there are a few shows elsewhere. So put down the fireworks and head to a show.

Kicking it all off Thursday is David Ford, who has been through this area recently more times than I can count. The best part is it's free, part of the WTMD First Thursdays. So get to West Mount Vernon Park early, Steve Hefter and Friends of Friends starts at 5:30.

Up in Philly, it's the latest tour of the Smoking Popes at Johnny Brenda's, with a new album in tow. Sure there will be new songs, but the classics are bound to come out. They are joined by two Philly bands, Restorations, making their performance debut (welcome to the scene) and Thinking Machines.

mp3: David Ford - Go To Hell
mp3: Smoking Popes - Need You Around

Not music related, but something just very offbeat, Thursday is wedding day for Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross. No, really, this is legit. Public ceremony 8 PM at Independence Hall.


Of course, Friday is our nation's birthday and it's usually celebrated by a cook-out and going to the park, listening to the symphony roll through the Sousa marches and the 1812 Overture and ends with watching some outrageous fireworks display. Well, add XPN sponsored Freedom Fest in the Marion Court Room in Lancaster, PA to that list. Headlining is former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell, supported by 11 other regional acts, such as The April Skies and Kheris. Gates open at 3 and go until midnight.

If you are down in DC for the festivities, make a stop across the river to IOTA and catch locals The Sketches.

mp3: The April Skies - Here Comes The Rush
mp3: The Sketches - Dizzy

For the post-4th party hangover, Saturday has a great local bill at the Black Cat, featuring Wye Oak joined by Metropolitan, in what may be their last DC show in a long time, and Bellflur.

mp3: Wye Oak - Family Glue
mp3: Metropolitan - Homeroom
mp3: Bellflur - Volcano Song

To close out the weekend, pick your city, pick your genre. For a more Latin flavor, head to the Black Cat for Dengue Fever and Chicha Libre. They will also be in Philly on Monday at Johnny Brendas. Feeling a little retro? Get an '80s new-wave flashback with Void Vision in Philly at the Manhattan Room. And for the absurdist in all of us, The Two Man Gentleman Band is at the Metro Gallery in Baltimore. Think They Might Be Giants performing Americana and Bluegrass.

mp3: Chicha Libre - Indian Summer
mp3: The Two Man Gentleman Band - William Howard Taft

Snowden, Colour Revolt and The Epochs

Still touring on the success of the 2006 release Anti-Anti, Atlanta-based Snowden (signed to Wilmington's own Jade Tree Records) have come a long way since I saw them at the tiny Continental Club in Austin back in '06. Recently touring with Kings of Leon, they had to push back recording their next album. At the show, make sure to check out the bass player. She is a show in herself.

Joining them for the tour is Mississippians Colour Revolt supporting a new album, Plunder, Beg and Curse. Things must be going much better than a year ago when they got their vehicle and gear stolen in Texas right before SXSW (most was recovered). Slighty infused with southern rock, but nothing that will make you feel like screaming "Freebird".

Also on the bill are regional favorites The Epochs. Bellflur joins the mix at the DC show.

5/13: DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
5/14: Philly @ North Star *Special All Ages Show*

Snowden - Time of the Season (Zombies Cover)
Snowden - Anti-Anti
Colour Revolt - Naked and Red
The Epochs - Opposite Sides
Bellflur - First To The Moon

Tuesday, But Is It Friday?

Thanks to the holiday falling on a Wednesday, we are in for a weird week. Though today is actually Tuesday, we have the concert slate of much later in the week. You are most likely off tomorrow, so check out a show.



Update - Moz show postponed. New date TBA.
Let's start off in Baltimore with the biggest show of the night. Morrissey is playing at Rams Head Live. There really isn't much else to say.

Morrissey - Suedehead
Morrissey - We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful



For those of you looking for a cheaper alternative in Baltimore (or something to do after Morrissey ends well before midnight), there is a great show at Metro Gallery. It is literally 5 bands for $5 and oh so worth it. You have Philly's A Sunny Day in Glasgow joined by local favorites (and excellent bands) Thrushes and Monarch. The Offering and Pianowire round out the bill.

A Sunny Day In Glasgow - The Best Summer Ever
Thrushes - Into The Woods
Monarch - Family Glue


Down in DC, Rock 'N Roll Hotel has an interesting show. Kansas bands Minus Story and Old Canes come to town to spread their indie goodness.

Minus Story - Stitch Me Up
Old Canes - Taxi on Vermont



Finally, DC favorites Bellflur have a show at Black Cat. They'll be joined by Palomar and Les Sans Culottes.

Bellflur - First To The Moon
Palomar - Bury Me Closer
Les Sans Culottes - Les Cactus