Tag: concert review

Concert Review: AJR

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AJR has been known for many single hits, such as the most recent “Weak” and “Sober Up”. AJR is a band composed of three brothers Adam, Jack and Ryan Met, who write and produce all of their songs in their own living room. They are a known band, but they still have the personal touch and small-scale concert environment.

AJR had only recently entered my radar of music. After hearing their hit “Sober Up,” I immediately started listening to all their other top hits and albums. So when my friends said there was a nearby AJR concert, I knew I had to go. They mostly played songs from their new album, The Click, and other older hits like “Pretender” and “I’m Ready”.

One of my favorite songs they played was Sober Up, because I love the chill beat and combination of acoustics and violin. The concert was very upbeat and AJR worked to really engage the audience. They performed a lively and entertaining show, including lots of dancing and lighting special effects.

Another great part of the concert was when they played a remix of The Office theme song and the crowd really enjoyed it. The energy throughout the concert was awesome as fans sang along to every song.

Seeing AJR live definitely made me like their music so much more, and the concert was an overall amazing, high-energy experience.

 

 

By: Victoria Dionisos ‘22

Concert Review: Mumford & Sons

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On December 7th, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA, Mumford & Sons performed for about two hours of sheer enjoyment. Even from their opening act (Maggie Rogers, a ridiculously talented emerging artist in the indie music scene reviewed by another DJ– read about her here!), I knew this was going to be an unforgettable experience.

Even though my love for this group has fluctuated over the years as they release each new album (it takes me a while to adjust to the changes in style), I’ve been a pretty big fan from the get-go. Honestly, my fondness for their usage of the banjo knows no bounds, and its absence in their later work hit me pretty hard. The titular album of this particular tour, Delta, also took a bit of getting used to. The banjo was still lacking, but the chill, sweeping orchestral nature of the tracks won me over.

They did a fantastic job of mixing high-energy jams with slower-tempo tunes, and the combination of their new music with fan favorites helped me understand why the mood of their newest album was made to feel so different. It’s calmer and flowing, and songs like “Picture You” and “The Wild” were a perfect fit among staples like “I Will Wait” and “Little Lion Man”. Regardless, the rhythm and soul behind each and every song was infectious, and any audience member could clearly see the group’s joy and energy throughout the entire performance. They were just enjoying themselves, and that made it all the better to watch. Even though I was up in the nosebleeds, I felt connected to the action below.

 

They gave it all they had and came across as so humble. The crowd around me was extremely responsive too, and we managed to make them laugh through some lyrics a couple of times. It kind of reminds you that they’re human, not just celebrities.

 

I was already a fan of the group before this concert, but I have an entirely new appreciation for all of the hard work that goes into their performances, and their genuine talent amazed me. Each band member played multiple instruments throughout the show, with lead singer Marcus Mumford actually playing the drums at one point while he was singing (an impressive feat).

 

 

I can’t stop listening to their albums now, and each song brings back the wonderful memories of that night. Everything sounds different, but in a good way, and I find myself smiling after almost every track. Seeing them perform these songs live has brought a new dimension to them that I hadn’t heard before.

 

But the best part? Getting to see someone absolutely shredding on a banjo.

 

By Nina Spoelker ’21

Shakey Graves ‘Can’t Wake Up’

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Shakey Graves 2018 World Tour

Shakey Graves’ new album Can’t Wake Up (March 2018)

Last Tuesday night in Philadelphia, Shakey Graves performed at the Fillmore, accompanied by the Wild Reeds. Alejandro Rose-Garcia, an Austin-born native who renamed himself Shakey Graves in 2007, released his most recent album, Can’t Wake Up, in early 2018. In December of 2017, Shakey Graves posted on twitter “Next album. New sound. Sell your Suspenders.” Diverging from his traditional sound of folksy guitar and suitcase drum, Shakey Graves has explored a more risky, eccentric sound that molds his past with new experimental harmonies, themes, and colors. This 13-track album includes similar on-going themes by Rose-Garcia, such as the difficulty of love, fighting the contradictions of everyday life, and, most importantly according to him, blaming problems on other people.

The Wild Reeds at the Fillmore 

At the Fillmore on Tuesday, Rose-Garcia gracefully melded songs together to create a seamless performance. The mixing of songs old and new brought out the true fans in the crowd, who sang every word along with the 4-piece band. Not only was the sound perfectly thought-out and exciting, Rose-Garcia’s presence on stage magnified the eccentricity of the show. Shakey Graves’ songs have such character, and this is made obviously when one finally sees the Rose-Garcia perform. His facial expressions, movement on stage, and individual edits and reforms he makes to each song to better match his and the audience’s mood reflect his sense of self on stage. These small acts make the show that much better.

Shakey Graves at the Fillmore

 

Shakey Graves’ new album consists of popular hits such as Kids These Days, Counting Sheep, Mansion Door, and Excuses. His notable songs from Shakey Graves and the Horse He Rode In On (2017) are Nobody’s Fool, War Horn, Pay the Road, and If Not for You.    

Notable songs from And Then the War Came (2014) are Family & Genus, Perfect Parts, Only Son, Dearly Departed and Hardwired.

 

 

 

Shakey’s world tour continues throughout the year with the Wild Reeds. His music can be found on Spotify and his website shakeygraves.com, and his instagram handle is @shakeygraves. His music will shake you from beyond the grave!

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Julia Ormond (’19). Listen to my show, Tall & Small, Thursdays at 7pm where I play Shakey Graves and music like his!