Our weekly concert picks: April 8–April 14
What we’re seeing live this week!
What we're seeing live this week!
Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10: Sufjan Stevens
Like any good emo kid growing up in the burbs, many of my formative years were spent listening to Sufjan; songs like "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." and "Chicago" will always be tied to those memories, and nothing coaxes catharsis like the latter's sweeping, exuberant chorus. Yet despite this, I don't think anything prepared me for the first time I saw Sufjan live, and the madness that ensued. Touring behind the wacky, schizophrenic Age of Adz, Sufjan didn't just perform; he recruited back-up dancers and visual artists and a 10-piece backing band to create a bizarre and compelling musical carnival. A songwriter born in Michigan, Sufjan's 15+ year career has spanned lo-fi, electronica, and more, and he's earned a dedicated following thanks to his ability to tease out emotion in gentle, poignant songs. These days, he's touring behind his seventh (and by some accounts, best) record yet, Carrie & Lowell, and will stop by Philly this week for back-to-back shows. Compared to Adz, which was all splash and crazy arrangements, Carrie is comparatively sparse — but we have no doubt his musicality and emotional connection will result in a show just as memorable, if maybe slightly less schizophrenic.
8:00 Thursday and Friday at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St., $35–40. Tickets available here.
Friday, April 10: Dan Deacon
8:30 at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., sold out.
Saturday, April 11: Divers
My introduction to Divers came late last year while attending an advertising party on the top floors of a Center City high rise. It was a perfect night: the drinks were strong, the crowd well-dressed, and the band on point, blanketing the space (a swanky living room) with cool art rock vibes. Formed 3 years ago by singer-songwriter Emily Ana Zeitlyn (sister to Mirah Yom Tom, aka Mirah) as an outlet for expression, Divers soon coalesced into a full band, including Ross Bellenoit, Todd Erk, and Tom Bendel — who together craft moody, blues rock swingers, anchored by Zeitlyn's expressive vocals. Since coming together, they've amassed quite a local following…who helped them crowd-source their debut record, Holding Bodies. A manic journey through broken hearts and open roads, Bodies holds up both as smoky late-night jams and music for headphones, thanks to Zeitlyn's ability to capture complex emotions in a turn of phrase. This Saturday, they'll celebrate Bodies with a release show at Johnny Brenda's … and while I can't speak to the crowd, I'd bet the drinks and vibes will perfectly on point.
9:00 at Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., $12. Tickets available here.
Saturday, April 11: Human BBQ XXXVII
Nothing signals spring for me like Human BBQ, Penn punk-rock frat Pilam's annual day-long celebration of hamburgers, local music, and DIY. Conceived 37 years ago as an alternative to the sloppy, mainstream drunkery that is college Spring Break, Human BBQ has evolved into a West Philly tradition, and your best bet to take in a ton of sweet local bands in a non-pretentious setting. Some 20 bands will perform this year on two stages; headliners include anarchist gypsy punks Mischief Brew, emo-tinged punk rockers Marietta, and blue-eyed party popsters DRGN King … although part of the fun is also discovering scrappy up-and-comers you never heard of before that totally rule (past BBQ discoveries included Screaming Females, Algernon Cadwallader, and Alex G). Add in free bbq and the fun trip that is Pilam's psychedelic hallways and you have all the ingredients for Philly's answer to SXSW, minus the flight costs and over-priced tacos. This year's BBQ also promises a secret set from an as-of-yet-announced band … we don't know who it is ourselves, but have a feeling it will slay.
Noon at Pilam, 3914 Spruce St., $15. Tickets available at the door.