Richard Barone, Steve Addabbo & Eric Bazilian – World Café Live – Philadelphia, PA – June 17, 2017 – photo by Chris Sikich © 2017 Richard Barone, Steve Addabbo & Eric Bazilian – World Café Live – Philadelphia, PA – June 17, 2017 World Café Live was transformed into a 1960’s era venue last Saturday, as Richard Barone brought his covers album Sorrows & Promises: Greenwich Village in the 1960’s to life. With help from the expert musicians Steve Addabbo and Eric Bazilian, the sh

Bell Biv DeVoe – Mann Center for the Performing Arts – Philadelphia, PA – June 1, 2017 – photo by Chris Sikich © 2017 Bell Biv Devoe, En Vogue & SWV – Mann Center for the Performing Arts – Philadelphia, PA – June 1, 2017 Poisonous beats infected The Mann last week as Bell Biv DeVoe brought their classic 1990’s hip-hop out as headliners on a stacked three band bill with En Vogue and SWV. Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe still have the slick voices and harmonies to w

Heather Nova and Mishka – Ardmore Music Hall – Ardmore, PA – May 21, 2017 – photo by Chris Sikich © 2017 Heather Nova with Mishka & Kate Grom – Ardmore Music Hall – Ardmore, PA – May 21, 2017 What an odd night it was on Sunday, May 21 with a rare show by both Heather Nova and her brother Mishka at the wonderful Ardmore Music Hall. With the high red curtains as a backdrop, a connection to Twin Peak’s famous red décor on that night of the return premier made it a surreal moment

Bush Tetras – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA – May 20, 2017 – photo by Chris Sikich © 2017 Bush Tetras – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA – May 20, 2017 On May 20, the New York punk rockers Bush Tetras made a super-rare appearance in Philly at Johnny Brenda’s. Originally formed in 1979, the group, as led by Cynthia Sley, still sound like nothing else. They obliterated a welcoming Philadelphia crowd, leaving the ears and bodies of all desiring more inscrutable beats. Sle

The Jesus and Mary Chain – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA – May 15, 2017 – photo by Chris Sikich © 2017 The Jesus and Mary Chain & The Cobbs – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA – May 15, 2017 The Jesus and Mary Chain put on an alternative rock clinic last week at Union Transfer. With beams of light separating their visages from light and the pitch black, their work of the past and (finally) present meshed together to satisfy the adoring Philadelphia fans. With their first

Old 97s & Nicole Atkins – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA – May 2, 2017 – photo by Chris Sikich © 2017 Old 97’s & Nicole Atkins – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA – May 2, 2017 The reliable rock of Old 97’s makes them one of the best modern bands. Their latest record, Graveyard Whistling , is more country than anything they have done in a while and their live programming reflects this. From the first notes of Most Messed Up ‘s “Nashville,” lead singer Rhett Miller jumps ri

Ladysmith Black Mambazo – World Café Live – Philadelphia, PA – 3/15/17 – Photo by Chris Sikich © 2017 Ladysmith Black Mambazo – World...

Backstreet Boys – The Axis Theater – Las Vegas, NV – March 1, 2017 – Photo by Denise Truscello © 2017. Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment....

Dua Lipa – The Fillmore Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA – March 2, 2017 – Photo by Nick Bergmann © 2017 Dua Lipa & Ro Ransom – The Fillmore Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA – March 2, 2017 Dua Lipa rocked the stage the other night at the Fillmore in North Philly, along side New York native Ro Ransom. The support of the fans came hard and early. Most of the venue filled up long before Ro Ransom would take the mic to open the show. The majority of the crowd arrived before the do

Lisa Hannigan – Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA – February 25, 2017 – Photo by Chris Sikich © 2017 Lisa Hannigan & Heather Woods Broderick – Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA – February 25, 2017 One of the best voices around haunted the glorious Underground Arts recently — Lisa Hannigan. The Irish songstress whose vast lyrical palette allows for her vocal brushstrokes to go far and wide through the soul ended her U.S. tour with a triumphant set. Touring in support of h

Rick Astley – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA – February 11, 2017 – Photo by Deborah Wagner © 2017 Rick Astley – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA – February 11, 2017 Philadelphia got RickRolled on Saturday night. That’s right, Rick Astley is back. The 80s ginger British dance floor hit maker with the Archie looks and the booming baritone voice was in the house, bound and determined to remind people that there is more to him than “Never Gonna Give You Up.” Looking back

Wesley Stace and Eric Bazilian – Tin Angel – Philadelphia, PA – February 1, 2017 – Photo by Chris Sikich © 2017 Wesley Stace and Eric Bazilian – Tin Angel – Philadelphia, PA – February 1, 2017 On February 1, I took my last trip to the Old City venue Tin Angel before it closed for good of February 4. A place steeped in memories for so much of Philadelphia for 24 years and for me as well (one my first dates with my wife was to see Andre Lipke there in 2009), to see two titans o

Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt – Scottish Rite Auditorium – Collingswood, New Jersey – January 26, 2017 – Photo by Chris Sikich © 2017 Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt – Scottish Rite Auditorium – Collingswood, New Jersey – January 26, 2017 On Thursday, January 26, the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood resonated with the sounds of two of the premiere voices in music – Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt. Alternating between each other on lead vocals, their acoustic guitars and stories fi

Kris Kristofferson Kris Kristofferson – The Keswick Theatre – Glenside, PA – January 25, 2017 Songwriter. Movie star. Outlaw. Rhodes...

Luke Wade – World Café Live – Philadelphia, PA – January 19, 2017 – Photo by Nick Bergmann © 2017 Luke Wade and Matt McAndrew – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA – January 19, 2017 There are many questions one may have for Luke Wade and Matt McAndrew since their appearances on season seven of NBC’s The Voice . Questions about their experience on the show, their plans going forward, and how they like their burgers cooked. For Luke specifically it’s medium well, and that’s exa

Eliza Hardy Jones – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA – December 10, 2016 – Photo by Chris Sikich © 2016 Eliza Hardy Jones & Geology – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA – December 10, 2016 This past Saturday, Boot & Saddle was filled with the pure rock joy that is Eliza Hardy Jones. The Philadelphian brought her 2016 LP Because Become to vivid life for an excited crowd. Eliza Hardy Jones – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA – December 10, 2016 – Photo by Chris Sikich © 2016 Song

Drew Brown and Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic perform at the American Airlines and Mastercard Present OneRepublic at The Fillmore...

Bret Michaels Band – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA – November 25, 2016 – Photo by Nick Bergmann © 2016 The Bret Michaels Band – The Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA – November 25, 2016 The Bret Michaels Band took the stage along with Octane and Mach22 at the Electric Factory Saturday night for what would turn out to be an event to remember. The rainy evening did not deter fans from showing their support for these artists. They came in many forms and ages, ranging fro

Jon Bellion – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA – November 22, 2016 – Photos by Alexandra Speiss & Samantha Speiss © 2016 Jon Bellion – Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA – November 22, 2016 The Rise of Jon Bellion from His All Time Low. Jon Bellion. It is a name you may have not heard before, but one you will definitely hear again. His new single (which you may have heard), “All Time Low” off of his new album Human Condition , reached number 32 on Billboard ‘s Top 100 cha

The Pretty Reckless – Terminal 5 – New York, New York – November 16, 2016 – Photo by Mark Doyle © 2016 The Pretty Reckless & Them Evils – Terminal 5 – New York, New York – November 16, 2016 The Pretty Reckless and Taylor Momsen brought their show to a fairly crowded Terminal 5 on Wednesday in NYC. Prior to PR taking stage, their opener, Them Evils a three-piece band from California played a tight set of some hard rock originals with a cover or two mixed in. The blend of grea