March 7th, 2025 – Paris Paloma took the stage in front of a sold-out Union Transfer in Philadelphia to unveil her phenomenal debut album, Cacophony. From the moment she stepped on stage, Paris had her audience wrapped around her finger. Behind the barricades, many fans—wearing flower crowns and either stark white or brightly colored gowns—beamed […]

March 6th, 2025 – From the opening song, “Feeling Gravity’s Pull,” to the encore of “Pretty Persuasion,” Shannon did justice to R.E.M.’s contribution to alternative rock. Shannon is an Academy Award-winning actor who has had leading roles in Boardwalk Empire and The Shape of Water. His artistry on screen translated to a masterful interpretation of […]

February 25th, 2025 – Metalcore group Catch Your Breath headlined a sold-out show at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia, performing songs from their Shame On Me (Deluxe Edition) album. The performance was part of their Broken Souls Tour, marking their first-ever U.S. headlining tour. Photos + Article by Kelli Hunter – @kelligraceh The Austin-based group—composed of lead […]

February 25th, 2025 – The Funeral Portrait took to the stage at Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia for a sold-out show, performing songs from their latest and acclaimed album, Greetings from Suffocate City. The Atlanta-based band—frontman Lee Jennings, guitarists Cody Weissinger and Caleb Freihaut, bassist Robert Weston, and drummer Homer Umbanhower—has spent nearly a decade grinding […]

February 20th, 2025 —”Ecailles de Lune” under Philadelphia skies, a sanctuary for the sonically adventurous—became a portal to otherworldly realms, as French shoegaze pioneers Alcest took the stage. A congregation of souls were ready to be baptized in waves of euphoric sound. Photos by Keith Baker ( @avgjoe_philly ) + Article by @a.j.kinney Opening with […]

[ by Rick Pettine ] March 8, 2025 – Philadelphia, PA — It was the Flyers’ Marvel Super Hero Game on a Saturday afternoon, but there was no heroic effort to be seen. Philadelphia opened the scoring with a blazing first period shot from Owen Tippet (77), but quickly lost steam after that to fall to the […]

[ by Rick Pettine ] January 25, 2025 – Wilmington, DE — After a hot start that had the Blue Coats leading the Charge 25-9, Delaware went cold scoring only 42 points in the entire second half. Cleveland took over the lead in the third quarter and pulled away in the fourth, coupled with strong defensive support. […]

[ by Rick Pettine ] January 12, 2025 – Wilmington, DE — The Delaware Blue Coats fell to the Memphis Hustle 138-116 in a high scoring match at home. Memphis offense was more effective than Delaware, shooting 58% (vs 45%) of their field goals, 41% (vs 57%) three-points, and 83% from the free throw line. Leading the […]

[ by Rick Pettine ] December 30, 2024 – Wilmington, DE — Delaware Blue Coats, Philadelphia Sixers’ G League NBA affiliate, defeated the Long Island Nets (Brooklyn’s affiliate) at Chase Fieldhouse, 122-114. The offensive-minded match was close all night, with over 7 lead changes before Delaware closed it out. Justin Edwards (19) led the scoring for the […]

[ by Rick Pettine ] November 30, 2024 – Villanova, PA — In a close back and forth playoff battle, Villanova came out victorious with a 22-17 win over the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels. How close? The outcome came down to a EKU receiver landing just out of bounds on the endline with only seconds remaining. The […]

[ by Rick Pettine ] November 23, 2024 – Villanova, PA — The Villanova Wildcats continue their dominance over the Delaware Blue Hens with a 38-28 victory at home on Senior Day. Nova has won 17 of their last 19 matches. Nova scored 21 unanswered points from a David Avit run, Brendan Bell pick-6, and a Kenyon […]

[Edited Transcript: Abbreviated for length and clarity] Interview by Erin Hunter + Photos by Steve Cerf January 25h, 2025 – Sierra Spirit is an indigenous artist from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Born Sierra Spirit Kihega, storytelling was always a significant part of her culture, and her debut EP is a reflection of this innate part of indigenous […]

[ 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 […]

The Duffy String Band, a renowned participant in Philadelphia’s annual Mummer’s Parade, has long been celebrated for its vibrant and entertaining performances that captivate audiences and exemplify the rich tradition of Mummers in the city. The Mummers Parade, held annually on New Year’s Day, is a cherished Philadelphia tradition dating back to the 19th century, […]

The block party took over The Fillmore Campus on Friday, doing its darnedest to make everyone forget the near 100° temperatures The Adult Swim Festival was billed as a block party bonanza that offered chart-topping artists, comedic stalwarts, and a bevy of concessions and activities. Despite the weekend scorcher, the festival delivered on all that […]

The three day block party will showcase 15+ performances & panels across 4 venues, food trucks, beer gardens, street art & murals, and a bevy of other activities and attractions. Run The Jewels, Philly natives Tierra Whack & DJ Diamond Kuts, Dethklok, and more than a dozen other acts are gearing up for what looks […]

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 […]

March 6th, 2025 – From the opening song, “Feeling Gravity’s Pull,” to the encore of “Pretty Persuasion,” Shannon did justice to R.E.M.’s contribution to alternative rock. Shannon is an Academy Award-winning actor who has had leading roles in Boardwalk Empire and The Shape of Water. His artistry on screen translated to a masterful interpretation of […]

January 23rd, 2025 – The night began with a bang—and a barrage of toilet paper. Underground Arts was already filling up for tonight’s X-Cops show, but Belushi Speed Ball turned that anticipation into outright madness. Picture this— a thrash metal band so off-the-wall they’ve turned audience participation into an art form. Hundreds of rolls of […]

November 23rd, 2024 – It was one of those nights that felt timeless; Gaerea, Portugal’s faceless harbingers of despair and grandeur, were gearing up for their U.S. tour with Zeal & Ardor, and I had scored a pre-show hang with them at the immortal dive bar Tattooed Moms. Meeting a black metal band there felt […]

November 15th, 2024 – The First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia isn’t just a venue—it’s a crypt. A sweaty, echoing mausoleum of noise, incense, and existential dread. Last night, it served as the perfect altar for Chat Pile, the Oklahoma City harbingers of sonic annihilation, to deliver their sermon of despair. Photos by Bob Shelley ( […]

Saturday, September 7th, 2024 – As if descending into the very catacombs of some forgotten realm, the atmosphere inside Kung Fu Necktie for Mortiis’ performance was one of anticipation for the dungeon master. A sold out crowd, robed in black, seemed like wanderers summoned to an unholy ritual. The night promised an immersive journey through […]