This Week in Philly: 7.25.2013
XPoNential Music Festival When: July 26-28 Where: Susquehanna Bank Center & Wiggins Park Price: $125 for all three days to all accessible stages
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XPoNential Music Festival When: July 26-28 Where: Susquehanna Bank Center & Wiggins Park Price: $125 for all three days to all accessible stages
2. In an attempt to save her friendship with Lisa, or as Lisa puts it: "try really hard to lie to her more," Maggie heads to Queens to track down the woman who posted the fateful Don–break–up YouTube video and tries to convince her to take it down. Shockingly enough, the woman, who Maggie (with the help of Sloan) located via Foursquare, decides go the fame whore route and exploit her interaction with famous financier Sloan instead of take pity on Maggie's situation. Laundromat lady's lengthiest line described why her Sex and the City fanfic wasn't really fanfic but something more nuanced instead. Anyone still surprised that she didn't take the video down? Of course not, so Lisa gets to see it. A nasty argument breaks out between the former best friends, and their relationship is left at "landlord and tenant" because according to Lisa, they're both too poor to live alone. The upside: Maggie finally gets the green light to go to Uganda and get traumatized.
One of the hardest things to do in the music industry is to live up to the hype of devoted fans, and "Blessed Unrest" finds Sara Bareilles is up for the challenge. Lead single "Brave" ropes in skeptics and dispels any doubt that Bareilles has lost her poppy touch. She soon follows up with a reflection on starting life in a new city on "Little Voice"-reminiscent track "Chasing the Sun." "Hercules" deviates from the classic Sara B. style put forth in the first two tracks, and exercises some background vocal and rhythm experimentation. The real risks she takes on this album, though, come with slow and sad "Satellite Call," which can really hit or miss depending on a person's mood, and overtly synthy "Eden." "Eden" is definitely outside of Bareilles' comfort zone, but she pulls off the '80s feel with graceful lyricism and well-played build ups. The true triumph comes with the elegant and heart wrenching ballad "Manhattan." Lamenting the end of a relationship that was intimately tied with the most glamorous of all boroughs reminds listeners that Bareilles is the best at catharsis. The bare emotion put forth in the song is what will make this number a sure radio hit. Essentially, it's what would happen if Christina Perri was any good. There's a little something for everyone on the album, from depressingly sad to upbeat and inspiring. Bonus track "I Wanna Be Like Me" brings back the can-do attitude of "Brave" for those who felt a little distressed at the slightly downward tone of the rest of the album. Lovey dovey "1000 Times" and "I Choose You" bring back the hopes for love that were previously dashed in Manhattan, and "Islands" brings an incredible mix of originality to Bareilles' musical style while staying almost hauntingly true to the sound she's been delivering since her first mainstream CD. In the end, the tunes are all pleasing and interesting to the ear, but it's the lyrics that will keep people around for a second listen. It's rare for such straightforward lyrics to be so poignant. Reviews of this album call Bareilles' songwriting "literate" as if that's some kind of rarity, and sometimes it feels like it is. Lines from songs of declared lyrical geniuses like Bon Iver are much more poetic and inaccessible than the plain faced distress of Bareilles on a track like Manhattan where she declares "You can have Manhattan / Cause I can't have you." Bareilles is a songwriter for the people, and that's why she's so loyally loved. It's also why this album is killer. Grade: A Download: "Islands" Sounds Best When: Walking leisurely in NYC
Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival Where: Saunders Park in Powelton Village When: July 20, 12 p.m.-7 p.m. Cost: Free!
Chance the Rapper seems to be all that your cool, musically conscious friend can tweet about these days. He/she is all "'Acid Rap' is some real shit, yo!" Cue eye roll. Except "Acid Rap" is some real shit, and Chance the Rapper is that next big thing. His mixtape garnered universally positive reviews, including praise from the next Steve Jobs himself (oh, Kanye, what are we going to do with you?), and there are some seriously funky beats to be heard. Most talked about is lead track "Good Ass Intro," but those searching further into the mixtape will find that "Favorite Song," featuring the totally talented but wholly underappreciated Childish Gambino, is another notable gem. Trust me when I say this is about to be your jam. Also that last sentence will be funnier when you listen to the song. Okay, now go download it.
1. They changed that ridiculously slow-paced intro from last season. Thank God. Instead of a slideshow of the most famous journalists soundtracked by boring music, a more upbeat jingle plays while shots of the hustle and bustle of everyday news reporting flash on the screen. Much more realistic and significantly less snooze-inducing. Thanks for catching on, Sorky.
View Take a Walk: South Street in a larger map When beginning your journey, make sure to take a glance at the Schuylkill River as you cross the South Street Bridge. Sometimes it actually looks blue if the sun hits it right! First Stop: Ants Pants Café 2212 South St. There just can never be enough places to get brunch. Ants Pants is a tiny little Australian place on 22nd and South with a bacon stack to kill for. They also have a unique selection of Australian specialty drinks, including the Flat White and the Long Black. And honestly, when has a day ever gone wrong when it starts with bacon? Second Stop: Sweet Freedom Bakery 1424 South St. Maybe it's not so logical to hit a bakery right after you just ate your own weight in brunch, but Sweet Freedom's salted caramel cupcake is totally, TOTALLY worth it. Did I mention that all their baked goodies are totally vegan and allergen-free? That means you, gluten/peanut/other inconvenient allergy sufferers, are no longer being cheated out of to-die-for treats. Also, nobody is about that backtracking life, so you might as well hit it as you go by. Third Stop: One of a Kind 1120 South St. Stop in here for some very reasonably priced glass pipes, hookah pipes and other fun smoke shop paraphernalia. It looks like a tacky rasta place at first glance, but a step into this cozy shop will reveal that there's some very interesting retail items awaiting its customers. But seriously, "fun smoke shop paraphernalia." Fourth Stop: Wooden Shoe Books 704 South St. Not your ordinary book shop, the Wooden Shoe refers to themselves as an "anarchist bookstore." The place is collectively run, as in nobody has a position higher than anyone else — hence the anarchy. Basically, the Wooden Shoe is trying to provide its shoppers with off-the-beaten-path literature that questions the values of everyday society. Now that is some hipster s***. Fifth Stop: The Bean Café 615 South St. It's been a long day of walking and radical lit, and you're in need of a cup of coffee. Look no further than the Bean Café, a coffee shop with a very special quirk — the bathroom has insanely cool graffiti artwork all over the walls. The graffiti starts when you begin to walk down the stairs to the bathroom and basically overtakes the walls by the time you get there. It's guaranteed to make your coffee stop a lot more interesting. Sixth Stop: Retrospect Vintage 508 South St. Retrospect is the quintessential higher end but not ridiculously priced vintage shop. It captures the heart of South Street with its funky old school styles, and probably has the original (and cheaper) version of that cute 54 dollar top you just saw at Urban. Final Destination: Tattooed Mom 530 South St. And now you've arrived (well actually passed on your way to Retrospect and then only slightly backtracked to, but shhh we'll let that one slide) to Taco Tuesday at Tattooed Mom where tacos cost a dollar and all drafts are half off from 5-7 p.m. This punky dive bar might at first seem inaccessible, but the bartenders are very friendly despite their face piercings, and many people consider it the best place to get a drink on South Street — probably because of Tuesday dollar tacos and beer. Or Wednesday three dollar burgers and beer. Or Thursday 50-cent pierogies and beer. P.S. If you and and a special friend have a really good time, Condom Kingdom is only a block away at 437 South St. for you to purchase some provisions!
Family Fun Fourth
In honor of DOMA being struck down, add Sara Bareilles' most recent single "Brave" to your summer song collection. The single was inspired by a gay friend of the singer who recently had trouble coming out of the closet. It's signature Bareilles: a light-hearted melody coupled with simple but powerful lyrics. The piano prodigy has been delivering us fun anthems since her breakout hit "Love Song," but "Brave" is especially relevant with the recent developments in the gay rights movement. Above all, though, it's catchy as hell. One listen and you'll be whisper-singing "I wanna see you be brave" as you walk to that internship/class/job. So download it.
"Sweater Weather" might not be exactly in the summer spirit, but "dark pop" band The Neighbourhood's most recent single is hauntingly catchy. The song is currently dominating the alt music charts, and even though it's almost anti-summer with lyrics like "I hate the beach but I stand in California with my toes in the sand," there's something about it that's dangerously sexy and fun just like every good summer song should be. It doesn't hurt that the hook is undeniable indie gold with a beat that is guaranteed to stick in your head. On top of all that, though, The Neighbourhood have been on a quick rise to fame ever since their mysterious entrance into the music scene. Googling these guys won't get you much more than four names and a tour date but they are a hot ticket, already selling out their Philly tour stop and a number of others. Now is the perfect time to download "Sweater Weather" and see what all the hype is about.
Philadelphia Night Market June 20 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Cost: Pay as you go 72nd & Ogontz Avenues Philadelphia's most prominent street food festival, the Philly Night Market, will be returning tonight at 72nd and Ogontz Avenues. From 6-10 p.m., you will be able to find samplings of Philly's ethnic restaurants and food trucks. The market is sponsored by the Food Trust and is an awesome opportunity to sample all that Philly food you've been meaning to try. Local musicians will also be providing entertainment.
From the opening guitar strumming on "Appreciation," the first track, you will be acutely aware that Jimmy Eat World is staying true to their sound on “Damage,” their eighth full-length studio album. By the end of the song, you will also be acutely aware that they've kept their hearts on the same sleeve they've always had them on. The beautiful thing about a band like Jimmy Eat World is that they have maintained their musical identity throughout their 20-year musical career, but with each new album there seems to be something original created. This album brings subtlety to the front lines, with its lyrics being the most powerful part of the track list. There lacks a rocking anthem akin to past hits like "Pain" and "The Middle," (although "I Will Steal You Back" tries for this status, it doesn't quite get there) but that's balanced out by the especially honest lyrics featured on tracks like "You Were Good." With confessional lyrics like "So I'm not who you wanted but /You're still the one who sets the fire in me / Guess I'll drink what I'll drink / Until the loving touch I need is not a need," lead singer Jim Adkins reminds everyone of their deepest relationship insecurities in the most cathartic way possible. Early tracks "Damage" and "Book of Love" play like the most classic of Jimmy songs, with emotional and very real lyrics played over solid upbeat rock tunes. This will most likely be the more frequently played part of the album in your iTunes because the back end of the album tries to balance out the more upbeat openers with slower, more saddening tunes. "Please Say No" and "No Never More" achieve their goals well, but the album hits a little bump with the too-slow "Byebyelove." The song might have worked better if two of the three preceding songs hadn't been slowing it down since the rocking high point that is "I Will Steal You Back." However, “Byebyelove” is almost unbearably slow surrounded by more slow songs. This space in the album could have been utilized much better with something angry and fast to keep the listeners more interested. Instead, "Byebyelove" might even lose its listeners before the last (and best) song of the album, "You Were Good." Consider this explicit advice to keep listening because that last track is worth it. “Damage” won't leave your ears awestruck with musical brilliance, but maybe it's not supposed to. This compilation is the mac n' cheese of Jimmy albums, offering the honest lyrics and solid melodies that fans have come to love over their long and lucrative musical career, but maybe not quite living up to the almost impossible expectations set by "Futures" and "Bleed American." Overall, it's essential for the die-hard Jimmy fan and a good introduction for the Jimmy newcomer. Grade: B+ Download This: "You Were Good" Sounds Best When: Trying to be less angry about past failed relationships.
The U.S. Open June 13-16 Merion, Pa. Cost: $70 and up While this technically isn’t in Philly, and there is a large part of the world who could care less about golf, it's still a pretty big deal that a leg of the PGA Tour is making a stop only a half hour away from our lovely city. Already causing nightmarish traffic jams in the Main Line suburbs, the U.S. Open offers the opportunity to see golf bigwigs like Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott (no, not that one) and number one ranked Tiger Woods tee it up. Bloomsday at the Rosenbach Sunday, June 16 12-7:30 p.m. Cost: Free! Bloomsday is the international holiday to celebrate all things James Joyce and for twenty years, Philadelphia's Rosenbach Museum and Library, which houses Joyce's original “Ulysses” manuscript, has hosted one of the biggest Bloomsday celebrations. The event takes place outdoors and features Joyce enthusiasts reading selections from Joyce's celebrated “Ulysses” all day long. Not only that, but local Irish pubs — most famously Fergie's Pub at 1214 Sansom St. — participate in a pub crawl in celebration of the literary masterpiece. Good books and good beer, isn't that what summer's all about? F. Harold Comedy Festival June 11-16 Cost: One night - $10, full festival pass - $25 The third annual F. Harold Comedy Festival is taking place at the Walnut Street Theatre from June 11-16, and features sketch comedy, stand-up comedy, improv and storytelling. Each night features eight half-hour blocks of a mix of the aforementioned types of comedy. It's the only exclusively local comedy festival that takes place in the city, and $25 is a damn good price for six full nights of comedic entertainment. Scavenger Hunt at the Art Museum Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m. Cost: $34.50 (college student discount) Watson Adventures presents the Murder at the PMA Scavenger Hunt! A murdered curator has left a trail of clues connected with secrets in works of art, and you and your team of savvy detectives need to crack the code and find out whodunnit. Teams of 3 or more are suggested as this hunt is supposed to be especially "challenging." So maybe this is a bit of a contrived activity, but an excuse to dress up like a detective and hold a magnifying glass is definitely shaking things up a bit this summer. Plus, the price of the hunt includes admission to the museum. Local XPN Concerts The Porch at 30th Street Station Wednesday, June 19 at noon Cost: Free! Every Wednesday XPN presents a free concert at noon featuring one of Philly's rising musicians. This coming Wednesday, it's alt rock singer-songwriter Matt Duke. Known for his acoustic performances and reference-heavy lyrics, Duke could be "the next big thing" that you knew about first. Flag Festival at the Betsy Ross House June 14: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., June 15: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $5 Philly is helping celebrate June 14’s Flag Day with its annual Flag Day Festival at the Betsy Ross House. While regular Betsy Ross House tours are running every day this week, Flag Fest really gets kicked off at noon on Friday with the city's Official Flag Day Ceremony at noon. Then, on Stars & Stripes Saturday, an array of activities including Funicular Aerial Circus, Give & Take Jugglers, Bag Lady Theater and Professor Horn’s Punch & Judy puppet show will be featured as well as arts & crafts activities and stories from Once Upon a Nation storytellers. The fun starts at 10 am on Saturday on Arch Street between 2nd & 3rd.
Song: Get Lucky by Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams No question here. Daft Punk's newest single "Get Lucky" is going to be the hit of the summer. Between its smooth groove and the infectious summer feel of lyrics like "She's up all night til the sun/I'm up all night to get some," we're probably looking at "Hips Don't Lie"-levels of radio play in the coming summer months. Download this (and probably all of "Random Access Memories") right now. App: Happy Hour Finder Because Googling stuff like this is just not worth the two dollars you would be saving. Happy Hour Finder is EXACTLY what it sounds like; you're provided with a list of happy hours and prices for basically every surrounding dining establishment/bar that serves alcohol. Five o'clock class? More like five o'clock nachos and margaritas at Copa. For ten dollars. - Cassandra Kyriazis
Fall Out Boy is back and they've brought with them that pop–punk sound that used to inspire our braces–clad and zit–tastic selves to scream–sing–along every time FOB came on the radio. Featuring a diverse set of guests like Elton John and Big Sean, "Save Rock and Roll" will most definitely cure you of any FOB nostalgia you’ve been having recently. Not even Courtney Love could kill the fun vibe on this album—“Rat–a–tat” (feat. Lady Cobain herself) has the same fun vibe that “Dance Dance” did all those years ago. Their sound has evolved in some ways and regressed in better ways, but the most glaring differences on this album probably come in the shorter song titles and slightly slower lyrical delivery from lead singer Patrick Stump.
Going down south this summer? Don't miss this four–day concert experience (that's what previous Bonnaroovians would call it) in good old Manchester, Tennessee. With artists like Paul McCartney, Billy Idol, Matt & Kim, Earl Sweatshirt, Passion Pit and the Lumineers headlining, Bonnaroo offers the most even distribution of up–and–comer, super–popular–right–now, and forever relevant musical acts (and there's comedy, too!) A camping area is provided for you in your general admission ticket and you'll be stationed with a bunch fellow barefoot, music–loving hippies. Don't fret though, there are bathrooms and showers for you to use as well. Not to mention, a "Broo'ers Festival" tent featuring over 20 different breweries, and more food trucks (including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options) than you'll know what to do with.
12:20-12:40: If you’re baked, check out Penn Jazz (Penn’s very own jazz ensemble group) in the Upper Quad. For more info, check out http://www.pennjazz.com.
Prior to winning a date with Tad Hamilton and charming Superman and… well, I don’t really know what else because Kate Bosworth really hasn’t been in a lot of movies. Though, she's starred in a little surfing flick entitled “Blue Crush.”
The Cold War Kids’ last album was a departure from the indie sound they exhibited on “Robbers & Cowards,” as they chose to go for a more mainstream sound. “Dear Miss Lonelyhearts” is a return back to their indie roots and their original sound. There’s a few misses with the title track and “Fear & Trembling,” but songs like “Miracle Mile” will pump you up just as much as “Tuxedos” will get you thinking. The album is something like the inverted giant drop at amusement parks; you start off being shot upwards then calm down a bit before another shot followed by the slow return to the ground. The title track might make you feel like the ride is malfunctioning before you hit the ground, but “Bitter Poem” brings you home safely.
1. GODSMACK: For those of you who weren’t duped into thinking these guys would be the headliner, it’s a metal band. Yes, a metal band. A moment of silence for all of us who received heart–stopping text messages from gullible roommates.
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