IndependentPhilly.com

[ 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 of […]

[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 […]

[Article by David J. Miller] [Photos by D. Jacob Miller Photography] Misterwives will be playing a slew of U.S. shows this year but they popped their 2020 concert cherry on Friday, February 9, 2020, in front of a large crowd at XL Live in Harrisburg, PA. The show, a ‘Harrisburg University Presents’ production, kicked off […]

[ Photos and story by Rick Pettine ] February 23, 2020 – PHILADELPHIA — This weekend, Flyers fans came to the Wells Fargo Center not for an NHL game, but for the 43rd annual Flyers Wives Carnival. The carnival is a fantastic community event where fans of all ages have a unique opportunity to meet and play […]

[ Photos and story by Rick Pettine ] February 18, 2020 – VILLANOVA — The Villanova mens lacrosse team pulled off the upset win over #4 Maryland in front of their home fans. In a close game throughout, this was only the second time the Wildcats beat the Terrapins in program history – the last being […]

[ Photos and story by Rick Pettine ] February 15, 2020 – VILLANOVA — Villanova Wildcats played host to the #3-ranked Yale Bulldogs on a brisk Winter day at Villanova Stadium. Nova played tough early on, battling to a 9-9 tie at half, but in the end the Bulldogs were too much for the Cats, winning […]

[ Photos and story by Rick Pettine ] January 31, 2020 – PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Wings came up just short in a physical battle against the Georgia Swarm, losing 12-11. The high-flying Swarm, with scoring leaders Lyle Thompson (#4) and Shayne Jackson (#32), were too much for the Wings this round. Scoring leaders for the […]

[ Photos and story by Rick Pettine ] January 25 – PHILADELPHIA — Although it was a non-league matchup, the home-turf battle went to the Penn Quakers, as they shut down a strong Temple scoring machine to win 66-59 at The Palestra. Prior to the game at center court, Penn honored former Penn AND Temple coach […]

[ Story and photos by Rick Pettine ] January 24, 2020 – PHILADELPHIA — The Wings, Philadelphia’s professional National Lacrosse League team, defeated the NY Riptide 14-6 on Local Heroes Night, a salute to our men and women in the military and first responders. If you’ve never been to a professional indoor lacrosse game, you owe […]

[ 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 […]

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 […]

Night on the Sun is an alternative pop outfit based in Brooklyn, New York. NOTS is focused on crafting songs that capture the earnestness of one person alone in a room with a guitar, while still providing energetic and lush accompaniment within the arrangements.

[ Photos and story by Rick Pettine ] February 23, 2020 – PHILADELPHIA — This weekend, Flyers fans came to the Wells Fargo Center not for an NHL game, but for the 43rd annual Flyers Wives Carnival. The carnival is a fantastic community event where fans of all ages have a unique opportunity to meet and play […]

[ Article by Andy Blackman Hurwitz ] The sweat is choking me. Locked into triangle pose, my arm points to the sky, causing small streams of sweat to rush down my shoulders, along my neck and then straight through my nostrils.  It’s a Hot Yoga thing. There’s really no avoiding it if you’re doing the posture […]

The 2020 Philadelphia Auto Show returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center tomorrow, February 8, and runs through the 17th. Independent Philly was on site today to get a media preview of this year’s event and color us impressed.  [ Written by David J. Miller ] [ Photos by Jen Strogatz ] In 2019, the Philly […]

The International Association of Blacks in Dance in Partnership with Philadanco! The Philadelphia Dance Company Present: Then Now Next Dance Festival A Dance Festival Celebrating Legendary and Emerging Black Dance Companies. Featuring over 40 Dance Companies From Across the Nation. January 15 – 18, 2020 The Merriam Theater at The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus [ […]

[ Story and photos by Rick Pettine ] December 27, 2019 – Mickleton, NJ — For those that can’t go through the holiday season without watching “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at least once (and you know who you are), this experience is for you! Mickleton, NJ resident Steve Harbaugh is now famous across the country due […]