[ 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 […]

[ All Photos by Rick Pettine ] July 3-4, 2021 – Millville, NJ — The Championship Cup Series (CCS) returned to New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) for the second of three series events. Although racing action was halted mid-day on Saturday due to severe weather, early competition was fierce. Events continued on July 4th as planned. – Check […]

[ Photos and article by Rick Pettine ] June 11 through June 13, 2021 – Valley Forge, PA — It’s time to get back together, and after a year and a half pause, sports fans, memorabilia collectors and professional athletes returned to Valley Forge for the Philadelphia Sports Card & Memorabilia Show. Established in 1975, the Philly Show […]

[ Photos and article by Rick Pettine ] May 1, 2021 – Villanova, PA — The Villanova Wildcats dominated the Lehigh Mountain Hawks in a 16-8 win at Villanova Stadium. The last regular season game was controlled by Nova from the start. Game leaders for the Wildcat’s included Colin Crowley (4 goals, 1 assist), Corey McManus (3 goals), […]

[ Photos and article by Rick Pettine ] April 24, 2021 – Millville, NJ — The Championship Cup Series (CCS) is the sportsman level of motorcycle road racing, offering unrivaled competition at nationwide venues. That competition was in full view when the first of 3 series events in 2021 was held at the New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) […]

[ Photos and article by Rick Pettine ] March 13, 2021 – Villanova, PA — Wait a minute…isn’t it almost Spring? Yep, but since their entire 2020 football season was canceled last year, the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) decided to play a Spring AND Fall season in 2021! Yes – more football!! Each CAA team (in 2 divisions) […]

[ Photos and article by Rick Pettine ] January 30, 2021 – Philadelphia, PA — The fact that we have an NHL season at all is a win – for the players, the owners, and especially the fans. (A little more on that later.) And while no fans are currently allowed in the stadiums, you can hear them […]

[ 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 […]

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 […]

[ Event photos and summary by Rick Pettine ] February 28 through March 1, 2020 – Valley Forge, PA — Once again sports memorabilia collectors and professional athletes converged in Valley Forge for Philadelphia Sports Card & Memorabilia Show. Established in 1975, the Philly Show is the nation’s longest running sports memorabilia show, and is recognized […]

[ 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 […]