The Owlery

The features blog of The Temple News

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Monday

16

June 2014

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tUnE-yArDs’ new, ‘weird’ album strikes a chord in audience

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A wide-eyed set of dead eyes peered over the sold out crowd at Union Transfer on June 16.

The eyes were a prop for the set, which was decorated by alien-like creatures, drapery and bright colors. The set was for tUnE-yArDs, the psychedelic, indie rock project fronted by New England native Merrill Garbus whose new album, “Nikki Nak” was just released in May.

“We weren’t sure how this album would do,” Garbus told the crowd. “We thought maybe it was a little too weird.”

Garbus is referring to the new sound the group’s latest takes on – tUnE-yArDs’ first two albums, “BiRd-BrAiNs” and “w h o k I l l” were doused in careful ukulele fingerpicking, loops and harmonies taken from African cultures, where Garbus has studied music extensively. Though the group’s sound is familiar in her third album, it strays. It’s louder. Punchier. Garbus is taking those African influences and modernizes them as much as possible.

Garbus and her group, consisting of a percussionist, bassist and two vocalists/backup dancers, went through a wide repertoire of tUnE-yArDs’ classics by sampling at least one song from each album. Garbus delicately pressed loop pedals, loudly banged her drums and strummed her uke.

The group put on a lively show with not only their stage performance, but their interaction with the audience.

“Philadelphia dances more than any other city,” Garbus told the crowd with a smile.

Her small observation sent the audience screaming and prompted them to shake their hips and head around to the quirky tunes. During the set, Garbus played her biggest hits including “Gangsta,” “Bizness” and her most recent, “Water Fountain” leaving the audience wondering what her encore would be, if there was one at all.

Garbus and her group made an exit after “Find a New Way,” the first track off of “Nikki Nak.” The audience roared for more, and when Garbus came back out, she gently picked up her uke and began to pluck.

It was the first few notes of her softer tune, “Fiya” which wrapped up the Sunday night concert like a lullaby.

Set list:

Sinko

Hey Life

GangsTa

Real Thing

Powa

Time of Dark

Real Live Flesh

Stop That Man

Bizness

Water Fountain

Find a New Way

Encore:

Fiya

Saturday

1

February 2014

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The Academy of Music Presents ‘The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess’

Written by , Posted in Arts & Entertainment, Theater

In honor of black history month, the broadway show “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” which won a 2012 Tony Award for “Best Revival of a Musical,” will arrive at the Kimmel Center from Feb. 18-23. All eight performances have available tickets starting at $20 and can be purchased online. Award-winning, original members of the Broadway cast perform songs including classics like “Summertime” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So.”

Thursday

30

January 2014

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Philadelphia Auto Show set for this weekend, gives goers a chance to win a free car

Written by , Posted in Arts & Entertainment

The 2014 Philadelphia Auto Show runs from Feb. 8-16 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on 11th and Arch streets. Find – and potentially drive – your dream car out of the selection of more than 700 vehicles on display. The show will run Monday through Friday starting at 12 p.m. until 10 p.m, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Adult tickets are $12 and can be purchased online or at the show.