Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: June 30th

 The Barbary:
  Headliner: Islands
  Opening Act: Steel Phantoms / Active Child
  Doors: 6pm / Show: 6:30pm
  Tix:$10

  The polymorphous pop band is back to push their third studio album, Vapours. The 2006 debut, Return to the Sea, found eccentric and mellifluous pop tunes performed with a cast of characters from Montreal's thriving music scene (including members of Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade), helmed by Nick Diamonds and Jamie Thompson. Thompson departed amicably from the group shortly after the album was released, and 2007's Arm's Way found the band turning in a new direction towards lushly orchestrated, guitar-driven prog-rock. Thompson has returned to the band for Vapours, a record that flits back and forth between moody synthesizers and drum-machine-heavy beats, while remaining firmly rooted in the classic pop sensibilities and multitude of melodic hooks that Islands is known for.


 The Khyber:
  Headliner: Life in Antartica
  Opening Act: Arms for Apollo / Something Round the Eyes
  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$8

  
  This progressive Indie band from Philadelphia is made up of members, Andrew Remington (Percussion), Michael Stampler (Guitar and Effects) and Craig Blankenship (Bass and Effects). They claim to have influences in the sci-fi realm and Steven Hawkings. They are very experimental, yet sound tuned in to what progressive is. Three members - Three loud instruments. Michael's guitar speaks as the rest answer back in a conversational way that only those in the room can truly feel and understand. ROCK ON!!

 Trocadero:
  Headliner: Virtual Virgin
  Opening Act: Split Red / Dena Miranda Jazz Ensemble
  Doors: 8pm / Show: 8:30pm
  Tix:$9

  
  The one man sound machine is hitting the stage tonight. His 80's progressive and new wave style will bring you nostalgic rhythms only fit for time travel into those eras. Vocals and instruments mixing together to form impulses. Great to dance, chill, relax... but to DO SOMETHING with besides twiddle your thumbs. Then, when you think you got him all figured out, he'll switch it up on you and Phunkdefy your ears. Yet, he'll still be groovin' you!!

 World Cafe Live:
  Headliner: The Real Feel
  Opening Act: Kaligata / High Kick                
  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$15

 
  With the benefits of friendship, talent, musicianship and a catalogue of smoking-hot originals, The Real Feel has crafted a sound that is nearly impossible to find in many of today's Rock Clubs. The band members' varied influences and musical sensibility offer something for every taste. Rock, Blues, Funk, Soul, and Reggae inspirations are found in The Real Feel's diverse repertoire. While the group's physical stage presence does not match with the theatrics and wardrobe selections of modern stadium and concert hall acts, their tonally cool, purified sound erases any need for visual aesthetics. Bringing dynamic energy out of their instruments, the band's full-bodied songs alone serve their musical purpose.

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: June 29th

 The Khyber:
  Headliner: Lesser Animals
  Opening Act: Herring Bones / Comrades / Regretter
  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$8

 
  A band from scranton who draws influences from bands like Manchester Orchestra, Silversun Pickups, and Animal Collective.

 Trocadero:
  Headliner: ZooBombs
  Opening Act: The Cutbacks
  Doors: 8pm / Show: 8:30pm
  Tix:$8

Members Don Matsuo(conductor,vocals,guitar),Matta(keyboards),Moostop(bass) and Pocky(drums) hail from Tokyo and are a genuinely thrilling live unit, passionately committed and unafraid to put themselves on the line. Their refusal to accept obvious formulas, creative desire to continually shift and rapidly move forward has meant testing audience expectations and always appearing to be one step ahead of themselves. They're the "Next Successful band of the Japanese Next Wave". The supersonic Tokyo band somehow morphed from Stonesy punk-rock maniacs to freaky jazz-rock jammers without missing a beat, or losing a tad of their record-breaking intensity. Band leader Don Matsuo repeatedly risked everything, pushing the audience to the brink with endless jams before dissolving into a gloriously noisy release.


 North Star Bar:
  Headliner: David Bradford
  Opening Act: Matthew DiVenti
  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$7

  
  Fresh to the local music scene, David Bradford's proficient acoustic guitar style and warm, soulful voice invite you into his heart, and opens yours for exploration.  Inspired by the wonders and challenges in life, his passionate and thought-provoking lyrics take you on a journey of spirituality through the universal language of music.  His style ranges from upbeat tunes with catchy, memorable hooks to the heartfelt ballads that express the trials and joy with which the human race can identify. Having been in a few bands in Philadelphia and been given the privilege to set foot on stages. 

 Johnny Brendas:
  Headliner: Quadron
  Opening Act: King Britt / Rucyl
  Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm
  Tix:$10 

 
  They're taking the world by storm and hailing from Denmark, the tandem of Robin and Coco have created the most lush and sophisticated shows. Combining magnificent vocal arrangements with a wash of sonic beauty, Quadron creates intense emotion with their music. Robin creates melodies with lush orchestration and deep beats, intellectual and crisp. Coco layers these with her voluptuous timbre, together completing the sound of Quadron. They remind us of the future, creating classics we've never heard before but remember like our hearts knew them yesterday. This will be a rare and special evening.

 World Cafe Live:
  Headliner: Toubab Krewe                                            Opening Act: Grimace Federation
  Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm
  Tix:$17, $22

  
  Blending American and West African influences into a sound all its own, Toubab Krewe has set "a new standard for fusions of rock 'n' roll and West African music". Since their formation in 2005, the magnetic instrumental quintet has won a diverse and devoted following at performances everywhere from Bonnaroo to the legendary Festival of the Desert in Essakane, Mali, the most remote festival in the world. The band developed their unique sound over the course of numerous extended trips to Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast, where they immersed themselves in the local culture and studied and performed with luminaries.

New Music : June 22, 2010 - June 28, 2010

Eminem "Recovery"
Billing only a few A-list guest stars prominently, the rapper sounds invigorated to be working with new producers including DJ Khalil, Just Blaze, Jim Jonsin and Boi-1da, and the record is an improvement over last year's "Relapse" and 2004's "Encore." Yes, he ping-pongs wildly between emotional states, sometimes as arrogant and misogynistic as ever, nakedly confessional at others, and downright inspirational on his recent No. 1 hit "Not Afraid." How much of that is real and how much is role-playing? Who cares? Most of the 17 tracks are hugely entertaining, his lyrical flow remains untouchable, and in the post- Lady Gaga universe, "authenticity" in pop is a moot point anyway.

The Roots "How I Got Over"
The Oft delayed album finally releases. Between the samples and the guest stars, plus the band's innovative musicianship -- remember, these guys have proven themselves adept at everything from jazz to Afro-beat -- this one should raise some eyebrows. "Right On" is built around a sample from elfin indie icon Joanna Newsom's 2004 breakthrough "The Milk-Eyed Mender," "Dear God 2.0" drops rhymes over the music of Jim James and the Monsters of Folk. John Legend pops up on two cuts on the album as well as members of Brooklyn art-rockers Dirty Projectors. Produced mainly by Black Thought and Questlove, the album also includes a killer funk-soul title tune that recalls Bobby Womack's classic "Across 110th Street."

Cyndi Lauper "Memphis Blues"
As she takes a trip to the River City, tons of luminaries welcome Cyndi - her straight-up blues set includes performances by B.B. King, Johnny Lang, Allen Toussaint, Ann Peebles and Charlie Musselwhite. Also making appearances are session players with credits on sides for Stax and Hi Records. Occasionally the timbre of Lauper's voice and her choice of selections and overall delivery is heartfelt and impeccable, ranging from a playful take on "Early in the Morning" to a smoldering country-blues interpretation of "Rollin' and Tumblin'." Blues purists may turn up their noses, but Lauper fans and curious music lovers will find much to admire here.

Herbie Hancock "The Imagine Project"
This jazz legend has always been big on collaborations, but the credits for his latest creation read like the U.N. roll call, check this out - India.Arie, Jeff Beck, Pink, Seal, John Legend, Ceu, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, The Chieftains, Juanes, K'NAAN, Los Lobos, Tinariwen, Dave Matthews, Chaka Khan, Wayne Shorter and Anoushka Shankar. This international celebration of peace and global responsibility finds Hancock interpreting songs immortalized by artists John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, Bob Marley and Peter Gabriel. While the whole concept sounds rather like Planet Starbucks on paper, some of the arrangements offer cool surprises, including the Afro-beat change-up during "Imagine" and a dose of Stevie Wonder-style '70s funk on "Tamatant Tilay/Exodus."

Mily Cyrus "I Can't Be Tamed"
The Pop-Princess ropes in at least one notable guest on her new album. The latest from the tweenie features a timely cover of Poison's "Every Rose Has It's Thorn," complete with backing vocals by Bret Michaels. But the bulk of the disc -- which Cyrus is saying will be her last for some time, while she concentrates on acting and "growing up" -- is given over to party fare like the twirling Euro-disco of "Who Owns My Heart" and the fun, feral title tune. Our only major complaint? Stop tweaking her vocals with so many studio FX and auto-tune! We like it when Miley sounds like a chain-smoking truck stop waitress.

Chemical Brothers "Further"
The UK electronic duo of Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons have worked with Q-Tip, Beth Orton, Hope Sandoval along with members of Oasis, Mercury Rev, and New Order. So who's featuring on their latest full-length? Um ... nobody. These eight lengthy cuts are relying on their ability to configure blips, bleeps and other odd sounds into compelling grooves. And it works, from the eerie yet seductive opener "Snow" to the mind-bending tones and ebullient deep house elements of "Swoon," with the epic "Escape Velocity" as the masterful centerpiece. However, "Further" isn't entirely devoid of collaborations: The album is accompanied by eight original films made by Adam Smith and Marcus Lyall to sync up with the music.

Robert Randolph & The Family Band "We Walk This Road" 
With his scorching virtuosity and a devotional background (the Pentecostal church supplied his earliest musical influences) his cross-platfrom appeal makes him equally suitable for Bonnaroo, blues fests and SportsCenter promos. Randolph’s first album in four years, on which he and his Family Band ease back on the throttle for a more restrained version of their Sly Stone/Stevie Ray Vaughan blues-gospel-funk fusion. With the guiding hand of producer T Bone Burnett, Randolph’s noise is still joyful with a simmer when it used to be an inferno, but that’s purely by design. The new album is framed as a modern repurposing of African-American music drawn from all corners of the past century. It was recorded over two years and shaped by what Randolph has said were listening sessions to archival, sometimes public-domain, compositions. The album was designed to breathe life into a few dusty corners of Americana, a la Bruce Springsteen’s folk-meets-New-Orleans-revival Seeger Sessions project, but it’s also distinctly modern; Road starts off not with a big, Randolphian bang - “Traveling Shoes” sounds like it could burn the varnish off of stages this summer, this studio version comes off plastic-wrapped. Get ready for some real feel funk and blues.

Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)

• Sara Farmer "Oh Little Fire" 
• Various Artists "Broken Hearts & Dirty Windows: Songs of John Prine" 
• Elvin Bishop "Red Dog Speaks"
• Lee Brice "Love Like Crazy" 

BET Awards Recap - A Star Studded Show With Plenty of Comebacks

The 2010 BET Awards show last night was full of memorable moments. Host Queen Latifah was very musical, first singing to famous members of the audience, then returning to her rap roots and rhyming about the royalty in the audience - herself and Prince, who is to receive BET's lifetime achievement award. The unexpected happened during the performance of Chris Brown in an emotional tribute to the Late Michael Jackson.

The troubled, young pop star has mostly kept a low profile since pleading guilty to felony assault for roughing up, then girlfriend, Rihanna back in February 2009. But here he took center stage and performed Jackson's signature dance moves with almost eerie accuracy. Brown was introduced by Jermaine Jackson. He mimicked the "Gloved One" well, wearing his fedora and spangled glove and moonwalking across the stage to "Billie Jean." But, as Brown grabbed a microphone to sing "Man in the Mirror," he broke down in tears. His voice cracked, and appeared to not be able to sing and perform on. At one point he crumpled to the stage in apparent agony. It was a moving moment made even more so by the song's lyrics that dug deep into Brown's conscience of his recent past.

Kanye West opened the show atop a volcano onstage to begin the show of comebacks. For West, he was expected to offer up a special performance, one of his first high-profile appearances since he slipped out of the spotlight in the wake of his controversial interruption of country singer Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards.

T.I. also made a triumphant return to television in his first TV performance since being released from prison in December. He was supported by having Travis Barker on drums during his performance of "Yeah Ya Know." Later, T.I. returned to the stage to sing "Hello, Good Morning" with Diddy-Dirty Money, Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj, who won for female hip-hop artist.

Usher sang "There Goes My Baby" with a string section during his performance.  Drake, named best male hip-hop artist, performed "Thank Me Later." B.o.B. was joined by Keyshia Cole, and later Eminem, on "Airplanes." Eminem continued with his new single, "Not Afraid," backed by a choir.

80's R&B Phenom, El DeBarge also made a comeback at the 2010 BET Awards Show. His familiar falsetto voice seemed undiminished as he performed his hits "All This Love," "I Like It," ''Time Will Reveal" and "Rhythm of the Night."

Alicia Keys performed a medley of her hits, bookended by two awards. She won for female R&B artist and best collaboration for her song with Jay-Z, "Empire State of Mind."

John Legend will also receive a special honor Sunday. The Grammy winner was handed BET's humanitarian award for his work the Show Me campaign, which aims to eradicate poverty worldwide through education and health care.

The BET Awards honor the year's best in music, sports and film in 19 categories.

Trey Songz was named best male R&B artist, Serena Williams won sportswoman of the year and LeBron James was sportsman of the year.

Jay-Z led nominees with five nods, including two for video of the year, for "Empire State of Mind" and "Run This Town."

Beyonce, Keys, Songz and Melanie Fiona had four nominations each.

Tween sensation Justin Bieber is up for best new artist, while fellow tween star, Selena Gomez, is nominated for the Young Stars award.

NIIIIIICE ...

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: June 25th

 Kung Fu Necktie:
  Headliner: Bastard Noise
  Opening Act:
  Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:30pm
  Tix:$10 - $12

  
  Founded in 1991 as a side project of members of the powerviolence band Man Is The Bastard. Current members are Joel Connell (Man is the Bastard, P.H.C., Neanderthal) W. T. Nelson (Trogotronic, Geronimo, Unicorn), and Eric Wood aka Throatrake (Man Is The Bastard, Antennacle, Neanderthal). Although The Bastard Noise utilizes many instruments, their project has come to be known and recognized by the idiosyncratic sound of their purpose. This project has come full circle to the roots of where it began with a return to a powerviolence/progressive repertoire and traditional instrumentation such as amplified bass guitar, keys and drums along with the unique electronic instruments characteristic of its sound. Good to bring to live shows!!

 First Unitarian Church:
  Headliner: Floor
  Opening Act: Gods & Queens / Javelina
  Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:30pm
  Tix:$13-$15

 
  Floor was formed in 1992 by Steve Brooks (guitar), Anthony Vialon (bass), and Betty Monteavaro (drums). Jeff Sousa became the drummer in late 1993, and Steve and Anthony switched to just having two low-tuned guitars with no bassist. Several vinyl-only 7" EPs were released until their first break in 1996. They reformed with a new line-up for one show in 1997 with Henry Wilson on drums and practiced only occasionally until 2001. This time they finally released their first full-length album, self-titled 'Floor', before splitting in 2003 for good. Steve Brooks went on to form the band Torche. Henry Wilson went on to form the bands Dove and House of Lightning.

 The Khyber:
  Headliner: Slick Idiot (Featuring En Esch, formerly of KMFDM)
  Opening Act: Mona Mur / Vivid Twisted / Body Hammer / Mr. Maniac
  Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm
  Tix:$10

  
  Formed after the temporary break up of KMFDM, Slick Idiot is more than club worthy with pulsating beats and synthetic sounds alongside of a solid industrial metal sound. EN ESCH, known for his gritty and sexually charged vocal style blending politics with perversity, and guitarist Guenter Schulz with thrashing and unique fret work  (both formerly of KMFDM) will be accompanied  by drummer Gregg Dziemba and singer Erica  Dilanjian. These guys combine  techno-driven rock with harsh industrial strength and groovy tunes  resulting in a distinctive dancefloor sound. 

 The North Star Bar:
  Headliner: iNFiNiEN
  Opening Act: The Fractals / Controlled Storms
  Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm
  Tix:$10

The Philadelphia-bred members of iNFiNiEN combine eclectic musical personalities into a visionary, unified force. With rock, jazz, soul, world, and classical influences, the quartet plays intricately composed songs with a focus on improvisation. After playing together for four years, they've discovered their own voice both live and in the studio. Their diverse influences are portrayed, but the sound produced is unique. iNFiNiEN has been compared to Bjork, Radiohead, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and John Zorn’s Masada. Far from the typical rock band, they explore new territories of sound by using exotic scales, chords, and rhythms. The drums project driving tribal beats, mixing elements of hardcore, funk, and jazz. The bass moves through a complex and constantly changing web of deep grooves. The guitar and keyboard create a wash of texture and colorful melodies. The fluid female vocals add a strong emotional element through soulful poetry and deliberate dynamics. iNFiNiEN stirs listeners through a moving musical adventure.

 Johnny Brendas:
  Headliner: Buried Beds (Record Release Party)
  Opening Act:BC Camplight / Scott McMicken
  Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm
  Tix:$10

  
  Promoting the release of their sophomore album, Tremble the Sails, this Philly band formed as a warehouse duo in 2003 by old friends Eliza Jones and Brandon Beaver and grew over several years into a chamber group of banjos, string quartets, electric guitars, broken glass, and aching harmonies. Their Americana influenced melancholy won them “Best Band” in Philadelphia Magazine's "Best of Philly 2004" issue and a spot on the Believer Magazine’s yearly music compilation. They were joined in 2004 by Thomas Bendel (drummer extraordinaire) and Tom Mallon (bass magic) and soon after by Hallie Sianni (string siren). After many years of goodtimes, Mallon retired and was replaced by Dave Hartley (War on Drugs/BC Camplight).

 World Cafe Live:
  Headliner: Dan Bern

  Opening Act: Common Rotation

  Doors: 6pm / Show: 7:30pm
  Tix:$30, $40

  
  Dan Bern has more stray thoughts, makes more obscure and askant connections, tries on more hats, slips into more pairs of shoes, eavesdrops on more conversations, reads more minds, and hears more voices than the rest of us. Some 14 years, 17 records, and several hundred songs under his belt, nobody has quite found a box big enough to fit Dan Bern in. His live shows—an entertaining and offbeat amalgamation of multiple personas—are as close as fans ever really get to the complete Dan Bern experience. 

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: June 23rd

 The Khyber:
  Headliner: Driving Vegas
  Opening Act: Lennen
  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$8

  
  Driving Vegas has soulful driven vocals with an alternative edge. Meshing the R&B styling of Jon Legend and the pop/rock feel of Gavin Degraw, Driving Vegas is a fresh new sound creating their own dynamic genre that creates an interesting mesh and crossover. Formed in early 2009, front man Zach Blessing and drummer Kevin Whitaker came together with a unique piano and vocal driven band laying down the foundation for many of their current song list. Bassist Dave Thompson was next and after filtering through a few guitarists Nate Fowler landed the gig in July 09. Greg Guenther was last to join Driving Vegas in late September of 2009.   

 The Trocadero:
  Headliner: Thrice
  Opening Act: Kevin Devine / Bad Veins / The Dig
  Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:30pm
  Tix:$22

   
  This Irvine California-based quartet has charted more musical territory since its inception in 1998 than most bands do in their entire careers. From the garage-band punk riffs of early 2000's to the lofty, groove-based jams of 2010, this charity-supporting, Thomas-Pynchon-referencing, sonnet-incorporating band has dabbled in elements both abstract and unknown to most mainstream music listeners. If there’s anything that Thrice proves when they play, it’s that the diversity of their songs doe more to satisfy fans and ensure a smooth concert. The enigma around Thrice endears it to their legion of dedicated fans. The band’s frequent incorporation of intellectual, philosophical, religious, and conceptual elements into its music offers a level of depth not often found in many mainstream artists. GET IN!!
  
Johnny Brendas:
  Headliner: Sun Airway
  Opening Act: Ravens and Vultures /Eat Your Birthday Cake
  Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm
  Tix:$10

  
  FINALLY! Whew! A lot of local fans have been wanting this show for more than year, since they've heard the first Sun Airway songs start to percolate through the internet. Born from the ashes of Philly band The A-Sides, Sun Airway is the collaboration with results that are intoxicating. With the release of their EP last year, fans got to sample "Oh, Naoko". Now, they're anxiously awaiting Sun Airway's forthcoming full-length LP - Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier. For their first live show ever, Sun Airway has become a 6-piece band. Get Psyched!

Johnny Brendas:
  Headliner: Andre Watts w/ the Philadelphia Orchestra
  Opening Act: None Listed

  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:Lawn - $10 ; $50, $40, $30

  
  The most respected and honored pianist before the American public today, André Watts comes to town to share the stage with the Philadelphia Orchestra and put us all in tune even in the heat of this weather. He made his Philadelphia debut in 1957 at age eleven thrilling audiences both downtown and in the summer and went on to a celebrated world-wide career. He returns to play again with our great orchestra Beethoven’s most romantic piano concerto, No. 4 in G. And speaking of Romantic, the evening also holds the Symphonic Dances by Sergei Rachmaninoff, written for and dedicated to our great Philadelphia Orchestra.

 World Cafe Live:
  Headliner: Samantha Crain
  Opening Act: Frontier Ruckus

  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$15

   
  "Each contact with a human being is so rare, so precious, one should preserve it.” That suggestion is the muse impelling the conception of Samantha Crain’s sound. hailing from Ramseur Records. Her sounds have critics describing her literary writing style as “the Native American spirituality of N. Scott Momaday’s In The Bear’s House just as likely influences the songstress as the violence and destructive sexuality of the Depression-era characters in Erskine Caldwell’s Tobacco Road” (Paste Magazine). Rolling Stone critic Will Hermes wrote of her vocals: “Her voice is gorgeously odd — all fulsome, shape-shifting vowels that do indeed billow like fog. But while her moody country rock is full of dark themes, she rarely gives in to them.” She's a refresher course on an old way to making music. Her shows are as much to be raved about as her albums. Be privileged to be in the same room as Samantha Crain. 

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: June 17th

 First Unitarian Church:
  Headliner: Mates of State
  Opening Act: Todd Barry / Suckers
  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$14-$16

  
  Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel — the he and she music factory known as Mates of State — have never failed to generate a trademark wall of sound built on dozens of varied keys, drums, and alternately lushly layered and playfully dueling vocals. On their newest album, "Re-arrange Us", they move beyond these boundaries (their traditional organ sound is a distant memory, replaced with organic piano and synth sounds) with additional instrumentation, not to mention a quantum leap in song craft apparent on instantly indelible gems like now, jigsaw and get better. Throughout their show, Kori's piano and the emergence of both Mates' lead vocals from their trademark harmonizing signal the next stage of Mates of State's evolution.

 The Khyber:
  Headliner: Adamo Drive
  Opening Act: Debutante Hour / Dany Dany
  Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm
  Tix:$8

  From flea market frenzy to flea circus freakiness, Adamo Drive comes to you in the jolt of a pinball explosion blasting off into the treacherous land of Cosmic Rock n Roll. Flailing riffs, warbling as if playing an unborn anthem, Adamo Drive re-traces the steps of Rock n Roll from the past to the future, adding water colors to black-and-white in a barbarian-meets-alien kind of world. Whether you like to be down home on the ranch or rolling over the edge of a rollar coaster, this rock organization will dunk your head in a reverb tank and pleasantly land you on another green, dancing planet. Most importantly, it's rock with a surprise inside.

 Johnny Brendas:
  Headliner: Pissed Jeans
  Opening Act: Eddy Current Suppression Ring / Pop. 1280
  Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm
  Tix:$10

  Promoting their third album release, "King of Jeans," these guys conjure their essence perfectly—-masters of the mundane, beasts of the banal, high priests of the humdrum. These four, white, male high school graduates hardly look further than their own appendages for artistic inspiration, content to execute their own brand of brash and heavy punk music. From simple minds and simple fabrics comes Pissed Jeans.


  North Star Bar:
  Headliner: An American Chinese
  Opening Act: Secret Colours / Orbit Leslie / We Used to Be Family
  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$8

  This band gives you options - for example, On their "Panic Pilgrim" EP, they were largely in a nomadic folksy storytelling mood (best exemplified by the subdued bounce of "Blaine Wiggins, Failed Magician"). But they also pulled off the odd acousto-rocker ("No, No Like That"). Cuts from their newest release, "Utopian Tree," seem to sound like neither side, adopting either a dreamy Elephant 6 bent ("Metropolis") or going in the direction of, like, a technotronic hellbent Polyphonic Spree ("Chasing Rabbit"). The result? Everybody will like at least something they play, and at least somebody will like everything.


  World Cafe Live:
  Headliner: Suzy Bogguss

  Opening Act: None Listed
  Doors: 6pm / Show: 7:30pm
  Tix:$33 - $43

  
  Her ingenuity and integrity are the hallmark of a musical career that spans two decades, thirteen studio albums, and countless miles on the road. Spontaneous showmanship of her live performance truly brings Suzy's talent and versatility as an artist to the forefront. Suzy is the recipient of a Grammy award as well as several awards from the Academy of Country Music, The Country Music association, CMT, and ASCAP.

  Trocadero:
  Headliner: Dirty Filthy Mugs

  Opening Act: McRad / Gentlemen Prefer Blood
  Doors: 8pm / Show: 8:30pm
  Tix:$12

  
  This LA band has nothing cute, pompous, or pretentious about them. They are here for one thing and one thing only... to play aggressive, fun, honest punk rock... And that's exactly what they do! Not only are the Mugs one of the most insane live bands in punk rock, they've also shown themselves to be prolific in the recording studio. In 2009, they released the E.P.s 'Half Pint' and 'Another Round' as well as a 7" single on their own label, Brrapp Records. These releases and live shows caught the attention of DC-Jam Records, who released the Mugs' first full-length 'All Yobs In' in early 2010. They show no signs of slowing and continue to bring their incredibly addictive live punk mayhem to as many punks, skins, skaters, psychos, mods, rockers, hooligans and outcasts as possible!

  Mann Music Center:
  Headliner: Chris Botti w/ The Philadelphia Orchestra

  Opening Act: None Listed

  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$36, $50 and $60

  
  This multi award winning trumpeter will perform in Philadelphia since the release of his 2004 critically acclaimed CD "When I Fall in Love." And since then, he has become the largest selling American instrumental artist.  Over the past three decades, he's recorded and performed with music's best:  Paul Simon, Sting, Yo-Yo Ma, Joni Mitchell, Josh Groban, John Mayer, Gladys Knight, Joshua Bell, Jill Scott and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. He¹ll play through the tune for the First time slowly, savouring its plaintive optimism, caressing it with his rich, opulent sound but never losing the beat, embellishing the simple tune just enough to make it fresh. Then the trumpet sound bites, and the real jazz soul of Chris Botti emerges. On stage with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Chris will have his dynamic all-star band and special guests, violinist Lucia Micarelli and vocalist, Sy Smith.


  Theatre of the Living Arts:
  Headliner: Isis (Farewell Tour)
  Opening Act: Melvins

  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$23

  
  For the last 13 years, Boston post-metal group Isis has been one of the leading innovators and most accessible bands in their chosen genre. Last year the band released their 5th full length album, "Wavering Radiant" that was a dynamic album generally praised across the board. It would go on to become the band's all time most successful album, sales wise. That's why the recent news of Isis' sudden breakup comes as such a surprise.The five members of Isis state that the breakup was not a sudden decision but one that was well thought out by the group. They say that quitting now, while they have done everything they've wanted to do as a band, is a better way to go out than "pushing on past the point of a dignified death." The band has had an impact in music beyond the post-metal movement. Isis has been one of the most lauded bands of the past decade. Their 2002 sophomore album, Oceanic, was even named the 53rd best album of the 2000s. Fear not though, Wavering Radiant won't be the last recorded music you'll hear from Isis. The band also plans on recording a final EP after their tour is complete.

Summer Season Concert Series - Philly Style: June 16th

 The Khyber: 
  Headliner: Paper Thin Alibi
  Opening Act: Rushmore / Madam Ink
  Doors: 7:30pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$8

 
  These four musicians look to push the envelope and entertain through musical versatility, songwriting ability and stage presence. Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, they are Tim Laigaie, Mike Yaeger, Tim Cornish and Nick Graveley. Finishing up pre-production and preparing to record their currently untitled debut album with producer Lance Walter, Paper Thin Alibi is looking to “break down barriers” in the music industry and “open eyes and ears” around the world.

North Star Bar: 
  Headliner: The Annuals
  Opening Act: The Most Serene Republic / What Laura Says
  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$12

  
  Annuals' collaborative, no-holds-barred spirit goes well beyond the confines of the band. The group's myriad of musical, artistic, and business-related endeavors within their community of immediate friends has only begun to pick up speed. They continuously record and play shows around their hometown when not on tour, and not just as Annuals either: each individual heads his or her own side projects with all of the same members, but in different musical roles, a testament to the strength of their creative union. All of these projects revolve around hometown-based record label, Terpsikhore (also partially owned by members of Annuals), allowing the Annuals collective to act as the spearhead for a much bigger, and perhaps impossibly ambitious, dream shared by the group and all of their friends to get good music out to the masses any way possible.


                                                                                                                       Theatre of the Living Arts: 
  Headliner: Drake
  Opening Act: None Listed
  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:SOLD OUT!!

  
  Drake likes to bring variety to his shows so don't be surprised if there are at least 10 different performers who perform with him or before he gets on stage. When on stage, he also gets a lot of  other people to stand behind him...talk about entourage!! Drake has an ability to go across so many genres, from a Coldplay intro (heard form many Jay-Z concerts as well), to some seemingly backpack, straight lyrics, but brings a smoother set for the ladies...GET IN!!

World Cafe Live: 
  Headliner: Corey Smith
  Opening Act: Gareth Asher
  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$24

   
  Thanks to his astonishing gift for crafting addictively soulful songs and the high-energy reputation of his shows, Corey Smith is one of modern country's hottest young artists, a quintessentially indie performer with a dedicated following most Nashville-fueled hat racks would trade their flashy limos for. Be thankful for what you have and make the most of it. It's a lesson Corey learned growing up in the same modest, rural Georgia community that he and his family live in today. And it’s also the theme behind the title track to his typically outstanding new album Keeping Up with the Joneses, which he co-produced with Russ-T Cobb (Butch Walker, Avril Lavigne).

The Mann Center: 
  Headliner: Regis and Joy Philbin

  Opening Act: The Philadelphia Orchestra
  Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
  Tix:$40 to $60; Lawn:$10

  
  The celebrity-couple narrators will beguile the young and the young at heart with the reading of "Peter and the Wolf". The night is a celebration of the virtuosos in The Philadelphia Orchestra whose wind players step forward to play Mozart’s beautiful concerto for four instruments.The Mann celebrates the Orchestra as well during this opening week for the center's summer concert season. A family fun evening that has enough to entertain each family member.

New Music : June 8, 2010 - June 15, 2010

Christina Aguilera "Bionic"
Four years in the making, the new album from the pop diva is finally out. If nothing else, they got the title right - it definitely sounds like it was cobbled together from spare parts in a valiant attempt to resuscitate someone in serious trouble. For all her advance blather about groundbreaking collaborations, the finished album leans heavily on proven hit makers like Polow Da Don and Tricky Stewart. But her rumored hook-up with Goldfrapp is nowhere to be found. M.I.A. contributes a song about office supplies ("Elastic Love"). Opening with several dancehall and reggaeton-influenced tunes that desperately try to sound risqué (rest assured, the "woohoo" Christina and guest Nicki Minaj would like you to sample is not a chocolate-flavored soft drink) plus the "SexyBack" knock-off "Not Myself Tonight," the album then veers into a stretch of ballads (including the requisite Linda Perry offering, "Lift Me Up"), and concludes with warmed-over electroclash. The last few selections are dumb fun, particularly the Le Tigre tune "My Girls" featuring Peaches, but the record's surplus of styles and outside helpers can't disguise its paucity of solid songs.

Soundtrack "Twilight Saga:Eclipse"
Odds and ends assembled with a sense of purpose in this third soundtrack to the tenny-bopper saga. At this point, even misanthropes who have no interest in the teen vampire franchise have to concede that Alexandra Patsavas' carefully programmed albums are the most important movie tie-ins since the great John Hughes soundtracks of the '80s. Once again, she balances mall-friendly alt-rock (Muse,The Bravery) with less-familiar indie fare (Band of Horses, Vampire Weekend, Fanfarlo) and some one-of-a-kind standouts, particularly an echo chamber duet between Beck and Bat for Eyelashes on "Let's Get Lost" and Florence + the Machine's melodramatic "Heavy in Your Arms."

Soundtrack "Glee: Journey to Regionals"
To mark Glee's season finale, the producers release the fifth disc from the show. Overkill? Maybe, but considering that the last two "Glee" CDs, "The Power of Madonna" and "Showstoppers" entered the charts at No. 1, there's clearly demand. The new EP includes a new, shinier rendition of the song that started it all, Journey's, "Don't Stop Believin'," and a version of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" by rivals Vocal Adrenaline that does little to dispel their reputations as "soulless automatons" (as they so aptly put it in the "Funk" episode). The standout, however, features all the members of New Directions serenading Mr. Schuester with Lulu's 1967 hit "To Sir With Love."

Dierks Bentley "Up on the Ridge"
One of the most charismatic country artists to have emerged in the 21st century, displaying a mix of grit and polish that neatly straddles the worlds of mainstream Music Row fare and underground Americana. For his new album, Bentley pushes the envelope with a bluegrass-themed set – and while that might seem gimmicky to outsiders, longtime fans should recognize it's a perfect fit. He gets plenty of help with duets from Miranda Lambert, the Del McCoury Band, the legendary Kris Kristofferson and Allison Krauss. The set mixes a generous number of originals with as well as covers of Bob Dylan, U2 and Buddy and Julie Miller.

Lil Jon "Crunk Rock"
Between his work as a producer and cameos on other artists' records, Dirty South superstar Lil' Jon is such a constant presence in the pop universe it seems impossible that "Crunk Rock" is his solo debut. But it is. After four years and a lot of hassles, Jon drops his first full-length, but notably without former partners the East Side Boyz. Not that he didn't get help on the album: when you've worked with that many artists, you can call in a lot of favors. Among the guests featured are Pitbull, R. Kelly, Ice Cube, the Game, 3OH!3, Mario, the Ying Yang Twins, Souljah Boy, and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley. Damn! Lil' Jon never had trouble getting people to pay attention to him.

Jewel "Sweet and Wild"
Several years into the country phase of a career that's also included stints in the coffeehouse and the dance club, Jewel has gotten the hang of the Nashville sound. On her second album for the Valory label, the singer loosens up her formerly clenched vocals while a cast of Music City regulars cranks out polished pop-twang arrangements. If Jewel the artist has internalized the sonic values of her adopted hometown, Jewel the songwriter has seemingly ignored its lessons on the art of storytelling; these 11 tunes aim for a kind of down-home romance but lack the lyrical specificity that builds believability. "Once upon a time, used to feel so fine," she sings at the top of the album's opener, "No Good in Goodbye," and "Sweet and Wild" rarely gets more memorable than that. "Fading," a surprisingly unsentimental song about the humiliations of old age; it takes place in a Wal-Mart bathroom and includes the word "urine." That probably makes it an unlikely candidate for country-radio success, but it's a pretty lyrically good song.

Other New Releases Worth Checking Out:
(Have not listened to, but please feel free to post a review)

• Against Me "White Crosses" 
• Andy Bell "Non-Stop"
• Villagers "Becoming a Jackal" 
• Crystal Castles "Crystal Castles"
• Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti "Before Today" 
• Nada Surf "If I Had a Hi-Fi"