Dermot Kennedy @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion - Philadelphia
June 20th 2023: Dermot Kennedy, Sasha Alex Sloan @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion - Philadelphia
Dermot Kennedy - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
Dermot Kennedy closed out the US run of his worldwide tour on June 20th in Camden, NJ. This tour is in support of his latest album, Sonder, which was released late last year. It’s been exciting to see the expansion of Dermot’s career from playing small venues like Underground Arts a handful of years ago, to now playing venues like Madison Square Garden, doused with upscale production. Dermot also switched things up a bit on this tour stepping away from the guitar for the majority of songs, which you could tell was a bit of a struggle. The show was kicked off by the lovely Sasha Alex Sloan.
Sasha Alex Sloan
Shania Twain @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion - Philadelphia
June 9th 2023: Shania Twain, Breland @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion - Philadelphia
Shania Twain - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
I’ve recently been following Shania Twain’s journey and I can’t help but really take it all in seeing her perform. If you want to get a take on what she’s been through, not just in the last few years, but her whole life, be sure to check out the recent Netflix documentary “Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl”. Shania has gone through monumental loss in her life and has come out striving, something truly inspiring. Especially as a female in music you also have to respect the genre-bending she’s done for Country music and women in music. Not to mention literally losing her voice, struggling with COVID, divorce, and coming back swinging with her latest album Queen of Me (which is full of fun new bops), proving she’s still got it and no one should underestimate her.
Setlist
Waking Up Dreaming
Up!
Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)
I'm Gonna Getcha Good!
Roll Me on the River
You're Still the One
Giddy Up!
Any Man of Mine
Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?
Honey, I'm Home
Inhale/Exhale Air (with BRELAND)
Rock This Country!
Nah! / She's Not Just a Pretty Face / Waiter! Bring Me Water! / When / Thank You Baby! (for Makin' Someday Come So Soon)
(If You're Not in It for Love) I'm Outta Here!
From This Moment On
Happy Birthday to You (Mildred J. Hill & Patty Hill cover) (Dedicated to Nicole, a fan who posted on instagram)
Number One
Party for Two
Forever and for Always
Queen of Me
Encore:
That Don't Impress Me Much
Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
Breland
Young the Giant / Milky Chance @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia
June 11th 2023: Young the Giant & Milky Chance, TALK @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia
Sameer of Young The Giant - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
Last year Young the Giant released their 5th studio album, American Bollywood, an album showcasing the themes around Sameer Gadhia parent’s move from India to the United States and what they went through as American immigrants. The stage design immediately caught my attention, capturing themes of the album while also adding on fun themes like a disco ball. Another exciting element of the show was the break up of the setlist into four different Acts (much like the album), sprinkling three or four songs split up with a mildly Wes Anderson video breaking up the sets.
This tour was also special because we were treated to a co-headlining bill comprised of Germany’s Milky Chance. The band was also celebrating a recent album release with Living in a Haze. Featuring their signature sound of New Wave and blending elements of reggae and club beats, you can’t help but have a little dance and fun.
Milky Chance
TALK
Doyle @ Headliners Music Hall - Louisville
June 8th 2023: Doyle with Red Devil Vortex, Savage Master, and Nothing Wrong at Headliners Music Hall - Louisville, KY
Doyle | Photos Courtesy of: Emily May
Doyle (aka Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein) brought his USA Tour 2023 to Headliners Music Hall in Louisville recently to a modest but hyped crowd of fans! Well-known as the guitarist for the horror punk band The Misfits, he formed his solo band in 2012 and has released two albums. The band came out ready to give 110%, with singer Alex “Wolfman” Story jumping around the stage, climbing on top of the guitar/bass cabinets, and going out into the crowd! Doyle, with his shirtless muscular physique, his spooky, skeletal-looking white and black face makeup, his custom-made “Annihilator” guitar, and short black hair with a devil’s lock moved around the stage, pounding his guitar while intensely staring out at the crowd. Performing songs from 2013’s Abominator and 2017’s Doyle II: As We Die, Alex introduced every song as a love song, saying “You can dance to it if you want”. The band had an infectious energy on stage that couldn’t help but carry over to the crowd. It was a spooky good time! Opening the show this evening were local bands Nothing Wrong and Savage Master, as well as LA hard rock/alternative metal band Red Devil Vortex, who all played incredible sets that got the crowd ready for the evening ahead!
RED DEVIL VORTEX
SAVAGE MASTER
NOTHING WRONG
Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island - Chicago
June 1st 2023: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, SASAMI @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island - Chicago, IL
Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Photos Courtesy of Emily Nava
On Thursday, June 2023, Yeah Yeah Yeahs brought their tour to Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, Illinois. The NYC indie rock trio's last Chicago performance was at Riot Fest in 2022, and it was clear from the start that fans were very excited about their return that night. Starting off the night was the bold and intense SASAMI, who brought a rock and roll energy while expressing her excitement about opening the show. Yeah Yeah Yeahs took the stage and played songs from all of their previous releases, including songs from Cool It Down—their first new album in 9 years. Lead singer, Karen O, captivated the audience with her fierce energy and throughout the night, made references to the band's history and dedicated their song "Maps" to a number of people, with a special nod to the LGBTQIA+ community in honor of June 1st being the first day of Pride Month. Yeah Yeah Yeahs will continue their tour in the United States through mid-June before touring around the world in places such as Australia, Europe, and Asia for festival dates all summer long.
SASAMI
Valley @ House of Blues Chicago - Chicago
May 31st 2023: Valley, Aiden Bissett @ The Salt Shed - Chicago, IL
MUNA - Photos Courtesy of Emily Nava
On Wednesday, May 31st, 2023, Valley brought their Lost In Translation tour to an eager crowd at House of Blues Chicago all the way from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. TikTok sensation Aidan Bissett opened the show with catchy guitar-based indie pop songs and plenty of crowd interaction. Valley kicked off their set strong with arguably their most popular hit, "There's Still A Light In The House" from their 2019 album "MAYBE". The crowd jumped up and down so much throughout the night that the floors of the venue were shaking! Valley played songs from all of their previous releases and a few new songs from their soon-to-be-released album Lost In Translation. Towards the end of the set, vocalist Rob Laska came into the audience and walked through the crowd for one of their more intimate songs "Paper Cup (sorry for myself)" before heading back onstage to close out the set with fan-favorite "hiccup", a song with a mention of Chicago in its lyrics. Valley's bright and nostalgic pop sound, as well as their interactions with each other on stage and with the crowd, made for a very fun and entertaining show that will be remembered by fans for a long time. Don't forget to check out Valley's "Lost In Translation" when it comes out on June 23rd, 2023 and see Valley on tour in a city near you!
Aidan Bissett
Hippo Campus @ The Fillmore - Philadelphia
June 1st 2023: Hippo Campus @ The Fillmore - Philadelphia
Nate of Hippo Campus - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
Minneapolis 5-piece, Hippo Campus, made their Philadelphia stop of the Wasteland EP Tour on June 1st. Lucky online folks also got to catch the live stream of the show (thanks to Veeps). The venue was packed with Hippo Campus fans from ogs to new blood. Philly’s Drexel University (semi-alum), Gus Dapperton, opened the show to what seemed like a large fanbase filling the room as well.
Hippo Campus treated the crowd to a perfect mix of classics across their catalog from “baseball” to “South”, sprinkling in their new country-infused tracks from Wasteland. The band always does an amazing and flawless set, set to a moody perfectly lit stage.
Gus Dapperton
Paramore @ Capital One Arena - Washington DC
June 2nd 2023: Paramore, Genisis Owusu, Bloc Party @ Capital One Arena - Washington, DC
MUNA - Photos Courtesy of Krystina Brown
Paramore played their biggest DC show to date Friday at Capital One Arena. It was a warm welcome since the last time the group came to the DMV area in 2018. Kicking the show off with the song "You First" from their new album "This is Why", it set the tone for a night of new music and old favorites from the band. The stage setup was incredible, with large screens giving fun visuals of Hayley and the band throughout the show. Mid-way through the show, drummer Zac Farro performed one of his singles from his group Halfnoise called "Baby". It was a night of fun, angst, and memories as Hayley expressed the group's appreciation of their fans for so many years. Another fun moment was when the group invited the first Gen Z congressman, Maxwell Frost to the stage to sing "Misery Business" along with a fan from the crowd. The show closed with their lead single "This is Why". The show felt so freeing and welcoming, it was like getting back together with old friends and not missing a beat. Paramore has gone through so many experiences as a band over the years and you could see the growth and maturity that was refreshingly exciting. They continue their North American tour through August 2 in Saint Paul, MN.
Genisis Owusu & Bloc Party
