It’s a new month and we’re here for it all. Here is a shortlist of Philly live gigs for the month of May.
Dr. Fauci might not think it’s safe to go to the White House Press Corps party, but, he’s sure that the largest spread of the pandemic is over. With that, the live music floodgates can open (maybe) wide. Here’s a good look at May’s first full week of gigs with Philly flavor.
Orion Sun at Underground Arts
Though Brooklyn-based at this time, songwriting singer Orion Sun has her roots in Philadelphia and her heart in the most vulnerable of places, lyrically, at all times. We haven’t heard her new Rostam-produced Getaway record due later in the spring, but my guess is that it will be torturedly emotional and poignant. May 3 at Underground Arts.
The Nick Lombardelli Quartet at Chris Jazz Café
This May 3 show with Philly pianist Lombardelli promises the work of a veteran old soul and the enthusiasm of a young improviser all in one jazzy ball.
GHÖSH at PhilaMOCA
If you read dosage MAGAZINE on the regular you know that I’m wild for this local tech rap-rawk duo (as is My Chemical Romance who’ll have GHÖSH open for them this summer at Wells Fargo) in the day-glo gear. Look for May 5 at the MOCA to be a slam-bam as GHÖSH play with punk legends TVO and Blu Anxxiety.
Field Mouse at Sunflower Philly
Setting your sights on something a little less cloistered than day-glo punk rap means heading out into an open space in Port Fishington – Sunflower Philly – and welcoming the Brooklyn-Philly ensemble Field Mouse back to town for the first time since the pandemic hit. The good thing is, this Thursday’s show starts at 5 p.m. so you could actually jet over to PhilaMOCA and do both events. Be ambitious.
Ceramic Animal at Anchor Rock Club
Like GHÖSH, Doylestown’s Ceramic Animal get a shot at the big time as they go on tour with the bluesy The Black Keys for the summer. This Atlantic City showcase on Friday is the perfect send-off to the R&B-rockist locals, plus you can buy their new album, Sweet Unknown, at the merch table on the way out.
A Day Without Love at Madame Saito
Apparently this May 6 show is something of a farewell to Philly for A Day Without Love’s Brian Walker who’ll leave town for points north after this showcase. Shame… The folksy band with the punky edge (and a new single, “Show Friends”) had a nice groove going. Make this show memorable for Walker, Philly.
Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble at South Jazz Parlor
This Mothers’ Day weekend, May 6 and 7, the only place to be for jazzbos and the moms who love them is with Philly’s legendary Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble who, for the occasion, get happily augmented by soulful vocalists Sherry Wilson Butler and Warren Cooper. Hi, mom.
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