[ Story and Photos by Rick Pettine ] July 8, 2021 – Philadelphia, PA — Philadelphia fans and the Ardmore Music Hall welcomed their native son Nick Perri (and the Underground Thieves) back to the local live music scene for the first of 4 weekly concerts in July. So if you missed them this week, along with another […]

[ Written by Samson J. Hurwitz III & Jen Strogatz ]​ [ Photos by Jen Strogatz ] On the second to last Saturday in February (leap year!), the Fillmore Philadelphia came alive as “Big 14” lit the crowd up with a thrilling sense of energy and excitement. From the back of the balcony to the heart […]

[Photos by AJ Kinney] [Review by Aaron Ruxbin] It’s just after 9:30 pm on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, and I am saddled up to the bar at Union Transfer, nursing a Hop Hands, amazed by my luck at finding the Ardmore-based Tired Hands Brewery’s exceedingly aromatic pale ale on draft at the venue. So far, […]

[ Photos by Jen Strogatz ] [ Review by Jen Strogatz ] Let me first start off by saying that I have been playing the Jungle Giants‘ Spotify playlist everywhere I go ever since I received word that they’d be coming to Philly for a show at Johnny Brenda’s. Mind you, this is a rarity […]

[Photos by Michael Green Photography] [Review by Riley Green] Rex Orange County’s recent stop in Philly was certainly not one to miss! The 21-year-old artist, Alex O’Connor, put on not one, but two, energetic shows at the Fillmore on Monday, February 10th and Tuesday, February 11th. With a packed house, the sold-out show kick-started at […]

Photos and story by Rick Pettine November 20, 2021 – Newark, DE — The rivalry “Battle of the Blue” football game between the Villanova Wildcats and the University of Delaware Blue Hens never fails to entertain. Saturday’s match was no exception, as the Wildcats came from behind at halftime (10-7) to defeat the Blue Hens […]

Photos and story by Rick Pettine November 13, 2021 – Villanova, PA — The Wildcats of Villanova handled the Stony Brook Seawolves 33-14 in a physical match on Senior Day, where over thirty 4, 5 and 6-year seniors were recognized. The strong wind and rain also played a role limiting the offense in the first […]

Photos and story by Rick Pettine October 15, 2021 – Philadelphia, PA — Did they add 5,000 more seats to the Wells Fargo Center over the past year, or was the energized crowd just overly excited to be back in full force cheering on their Flyers? Or maybe it was the fact that the home […]

Photos and story by Rick Pettine September 25, 2021 – State College, PA — Big10 met CAA in a battle between two Pennsylvania teams that have not met since 1949! Almost 106,000 filled Beaver Stadium and hundreds more partied in the tailgating lots, in one of college football’s best atmospheres. And while #6 Penn State […]

Photos and story by Rick Pettine September 18, 2021 – West Chester, PA — West Chester Golden Rams were victorious over Edinboro in front of their home crowd for the first time in 672 days! The win also gave their coach, Bill Zwaan, his 200th career victory. The huge parent-weekend crowd experienced an exciting game, […]

Photos and story by Rick Pettine September 18, 2021 – Villanova, PA — What a game! After being up 13-0 at halftime, the Villanova Wildcats found themselves behind the Richmond Spiders 24-13 early in the 4th quarter. But the never-give-up mentality kicked in, as Nova came out on top 34-27. In front of a sell […]

[ Interview by Jen Strogatz ] [ Photos by Jen Strogatz ] Independent Philly: Where does the name ‘Jungle Giants’ come from? Who thought of it? Andrew Dooris: When we were first starting up the band, we all came up with a few names; I think The Jungle Giants was Sam’s. We handn’t formally decided […]

[Interview by David J. Miller] The Cold War Kids are in the midst of a tour that brings them to the City of Brotherly Love on Friday, January 31st, 2020 at The Fillmore. Back in November, lead singer Nathan Willett spoke with us about the new album, their live show, the challenges of adapting to […]

Ahead of their upcoming Step to the Local Motion Tour and their show at the TLA in Philadelphia on February 15th, Pepper’s drummer Yesod Williams took some time to speak with IndependentPhilly.com about their new album, Local Motion, the band’s history, his favorite thing about Philly, how much pot the 3 members of Pepper can all smoke […]

Independent Philly recently had the opportunity to speak with Nashville-based singer-songwriter, Ron Pope. If you haven’t heard of Ron Pope, you might recognize his music from features on shows like like NBC’s “The Voice,” CW’s “Vampire Diaries,” “90210,” and multiple seasons of FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” which sent two of his albums into […]

In advance of two concerts planned for December 28th (SOLD OUT) and December 29th at the Fillmore, I had the pleasure of speaking with The Struts’ lead singer, and front-man extraordinaire, Luke Spiller! {Interview and photos by Rick Pettine} Rick Pettine (IP): Hey, hello Luke – how are you? Luke Spiller: Well, I’m really, really […]

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the Growlers frontman, Brooks Nielson (on their high-tech tour bus with a super chill vibe), before he had to run to soundcheck at Union Transfer. I ending up learning a lot about the band that unwittingly created the genre known today as “beach […]

Mondo Cozmo – the chart-topping brainchild of alternative singer-songwriter (and Philly native) Josh Ostrander has announced today’s premiere of his eagerly awaited new single. “Upside Down” is available now via Last Gang Records at all DSPs and streaming services and we couldn’t be more excited. The companion video is also available TODAY on the official […]

Born and raised in the western suburbs of Philadelphia (hence the name of his independent label, West of Philly Records), singer, pianist and songsmith, Jared Feinman will be performing his original jazz infused songs – affectionately known as “murder ballads” — at The Locks in Manayunk on February 15th. Jared will be joined onstage by the fast rising trumpet player, Arnetta […]

Singer, songstress, pianist and guitarist, Valentina Sounds will be making her Johnny Brenda’s debut this Friday, February 14th supporting The End of America.  Born and raised in Italy, Valentina relocated to Philadelphia a decade ago to marry her now ex-husband with whom she performed in two local bands, Sparklepony and Sunshine Superman. When her marriage […]

Swift Technique Releases New Music Video & Announces Contest Swift Technique, a staple on the local Philly music scene, just released their new music video which features animated versions of some well-known Philadelphians. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0alEIlA7GA0&feature=youtu.be The band also announced today that they are hosting a contest throughout the month of January and offering 1 months rent […]

All photos and story by Rick Pettine September 12, 2021 – Malvern, PA — Each Fall (well, not counting 2020), the Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance provides automobile aficionados with a 3-day East Coast spectacle, rivaling famous West Coast shows such as Pebble Beach. Proceeds from the event benefit two Philadelphia-region non-profit organizations – Thorncroft Equestrian […]

September 4, 2021 – Millville, NJ – Aviation fans packed the historic grounds of the nearby Millville Airport this Labor Day Weekend for a celebration of American history, pride, and air power. The airport was dedicated as “America’s First Defense Airport” in 1941, and in 1943, the Millville Army Air Field opened as a gunnery […]

[ Story and Photos by Rick Pettine ] August 20-21, 2021 – Long Pond, PA — Pocono Raceway put on an awesome display of speed this weekend, but this time it was in the air not on the track!  The Great Pocono Raceway Airshow showcased numerous entertainers, including the incredible United States Air Force Thunderbirds, for “kids” of […]

Philadelphia is the most historic city in all of America. American democracy was founded here, it was our Nation’s first capitol, and there has been no shortage of great American citizens or their innovations for hundreds of years. But not all of our city’s legacy was born here. Some moved here at a young age, […]

[ All photos and article by Rick Pettine ] July 9, 2020 (update July 13) – Kennett Square, PA — OK, let’s face it – the past few months have sucked! While being quarantined in our homes with very limited entertainment venues operating, we had to find creative ways to occupy our free time, as we painfully await live […]