Concerts

They Might Be Giants’ Deliver a Feast for the Senses at Union Transfer

December 6th, 2024 – A parade of people wrapped around the perimeter of Union Transfer, waiting to see They Might Be Giants for their second of two sold-out shows in Philly, as part of The Big Show Tour. The New York natives have been creating music since 1982, and during this decades-long career, they’ve remained […]

From Tattooed Moms to Union Transfer, a weekend of Metal Mayhem and Pre-Tour Shenanigans with Gaerea

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 […]

Adrianne Lenker’s ‘Bright Future’ Shines with Two Sold-Out Performances at Union Transfer

November 25th, 2024 – Adrianne Lenker, the driving force behind Brooklyn’s indie folk phenomenon Big Thief, brought her new solo masterpiece, Bright Future, to Philadelphia for two sold-out shows at Union Transfer on November 25 and 26. The venue was packed with fans of all ages: 20-somethings, families with young teens in tow, and couples […]

JRAD transform the Met Philly into a Psychedelic Playground

November 14th, 2024 – The world outside is chaos. You’ve heard the clamor, felt the weight of it in the pit of your stomach, and yet, here I am, inside the cavernous belly of The Met in Philadelphia, getting lost in the swirling fractals of sound emanating from Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. If there ever […]

Hungover in Philadelphia with Amigo The Devil at Underground Arts

November 14th, 2024 – The dive into the underbelly of Philadelphia’s Underground Arts on a cold November night felt like stepping into a whiskey-soaked chapel of confession. Amigo The Devil, aka Danny Kiranos, was our ragged preacher, his songs equal parts sin, salvation, and the stories that live in the gray areas between. The crowd […]

Sports

Nova takes round-1 of FCS Football Championship Playoffs

[ 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 […]

Villanova beats Delaware and takes Battle of the Blue trophy

[ 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 […]

Konecny leads Flyers over Buffalo Sabres

[ by Rick Pettine ] November 16, 2024 – Philadelphia, PA — It was a festive Star Wars game in Philly, and the Flyers beat the (Light)Sabres, 5-2! The Flyers offense jumped on a 2 goal lead in the first period and never looked back, thanks to Tyson Foerster (71) and Travis Sanheim (6). Egor Zamula (5) […]

Wildcats easily handle North Carolina A&T 31-3

[ by Rick Pettine ] November 9, 2024 – Villanova, PA — The Wildcats dominated their southern opponent 31-3 on a beautiful Fall day in Villanova Stadium. Nova’s offense were firing on all cylinders, while the powerful defense kept the Aggies to only 169 total yards. Jaylan Sanchez (#5) started the Cats’ scoring with a pounding catch […]

Nova tops Robert Morris in Charity Basketball Match

[ by Rick Pettine ] October 27, 2024 – Villanova, PA — Villanova men’s basketball squad outplayed Robert Morris 87-73 in a charity exhibition benefiting Team IMPACT, a non-profit that matches children with serious illness/disabilities with college sports teams for memorable experiences. There are several new Wildcats for 2024/25, but returning forward Eric Dixon led the scoring […]

Couturier shines with hat trick over Minnesota Wild

[ by Rick Pettine ] October 26, 2024 – Philadelphia, PA — Captain Sean Couturier (14) scored 3 goals and an assist to lift the Flyers 7-5 over the Minnesota Wild, including their superstar Kirill Kaprizov (97). The win ended a 6-game losing streak for the Flyers! The Flyers needed this victory, entering the match with a […]

Interviews

Jungle Giants Interview

[ 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 with Nathan Willett of The Cold War Kids

[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 […]

Interview: Yesod Williams From Pepper

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 […]

Interview with Ron Pope

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 […]

Interview with the one-and-only Luke Spiller of The Struts

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 […]

brooks Nelson from the growlers performing at Union Transfer in Philadelphia

Interview with Brooks Nielson from the Growlers

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 […]

Local Spotlight

Harmony in Motion, Duffy String Band’s Spectacular Showcase at the Mummers Parade

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 Adult Swim Festival beats the heat, provides 3 days of musical madness & mayhem

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 […]

Adult Swim Festival set to make East Coast debut at The Fillmore Campus next weekend

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 […]

New Release From Mondo Cozmo

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 […]

Around Town

From Tattooed Moms to Union Transfer, a weekend of Metal Mayhem and Pre-Tour Shenanigans with Gaerea

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 […]

Chat Pile deliver Hellish Homily at Iconic First Unitarian Church in Philly

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 ( […]

The Dungeons are Calling! Mortiis Performs ‘Født Til Å Herske’ Live at Kung Fu Necktie in Philadelphia

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 […]

Death To All Tribute Show at TLA Revives the Spirit of Chuck Schuldiner

May 22nd, 2024 – As an avid listener of old-school Bay Area thrash metal, I’ve been to more shows than I can count. But let me tell you, the Death To All tribute show at the TLA in Philly last night took me right back to those glory days of the fantastic four. Photos + […]

Mannequin Pussy’s Wild Ride through Union Transfer’s Punk Paradise

May 19th 2024 – In the dimly lit cavern of Union Transfer, a raucous congregation gathered for a night that would redefine the very essence of punk rock. Mannequin Pussy, Philadelphia’s prodigal punk heroes, returned to their roots with a feverish intensity that shook the walls and rattled souls. The scene was set with an […]

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