Concert Pick: Okkervil River, at Main Street Music and Union Transfer
Solo Will Sheff in the afternoon, full band in the evening.
The Silver Gymnasium, the seventh album by New Hampshire-bred, Austin, Texas based songwriter Will Sheff was one of the finest, most artfully wrought rock records of 2013.
Sheff is a first rate storyteller, and Silver Gymnasium is a sharply evoked look back on Sheff's hometwon of Meriden, N.H. in 1987. "Down Down The Deep River," the majestic song that is the album's centerpiece, is below. Steve Klinge's Okkervil preview from the Friday Inquirer Weekedn section is here.
Today, fortunate Philadelphians have two chances to see Sheff sing his songs. For starters, he'll do a free in-store solo show at Main Street Music in Manayunk at 1 p.m.
To finish, Sheff and Okkervil River, who are pictured above, will play at Union Transfer, atop an impressive bill that also includes Typhoon, Lady Lamb the Beekeeper and "psychic taco rock" band Hundred Visions. Tickets here.
Previously: Jon Stewart Remembers City Gardens Follow In The Mix on Twitter