Jill Scott performs at MGM National Harbor on June 25, 2017. (Photo by Chris Castillo)
The sexual. The sensual. The political. The empowerment. Jilly from Philly — you know her as R&B veteran Jill Scott — gave MGM National Harbor a potent dose of all four experiences on Saturday.
James Alex of Quiet Slang pours out his heart at the Rock and Roll Hotel on July 12, 2018. (Photo by David LaMason)
Beach Slang — the loud, driving, heart-on-your sleeve band led by James Alex — has been making their brand of Replacements-tinged powerpunk for a few years now. Beyond the rough and noisy exterior, Beach Slang songs are about connecting with the feeling of being different or an outsider or being yourself despite what others think.
But there’s a soft center to that hard exterior. So when James Alex announced the new quiet focus on Beach Slang songs with a project called Quiet Slang, it seemed like a natural extension. The resulting album, Everything Matters But No One Is Listening, is a beautiful retelling that sounds natural instead of forced, particularly when presented at Rock and Roll Hotel on Thursday.
Jill Scott (Photo courtesy Atlantic Records)
R&B songstress Jill Scott hits MGM National Harbor on Saturday, July 14, and Sunday, July 15, during her Live in the Moment Tour, which includes 13 cities. Saturday’s show is sold out, but limited tickets remain for Sunday! Jill last released Woman, her most recent album, via Blues Babe and Atlantic Records in 2015.
Daryl Hall and John Oates perform at Capital One Arena on June 11, 2018.
Proving they still got the goods, Daryl Hall and John Oates recently jammed through a satisfyingly smooth set of radio hits for a packed Capital One Arena.
Hop Along (Photo courtesy Ticketfly)
Philadelphia indie rockers Hop Along recently released Bark Your Head Off, Dog, their new album, on Saddle Creek, drawing inspiration from ELO to Elvis Costello to ’70s girl group vocal arrangements. Hop Along perform at 9:30 Club on Tuesday, June 5, and you can win tickets to go with Parklife DC.
Quiet Slang (Photo by Charlie Lowe)
Editors Note: This show was originally scheduled for May 19.
James Alex of Beach Slang releases an album under the banner of Quiet Slang on May 18. Quiet Slang then launches a tour in June, presenting some of the new songs from Everything Matters But No One Is Listening, to be published by Polyvinyl Record Co., with a stop at Rock and Roll Hotel on Thursday, July 12.
Peter Hook commands your attention at the Union Transfer in Philadelphia on April 26, 2018. (Photo by Jason Nicholson)
It may be that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts — but in the case of great bands like Joy Division and New Order, each individual part has a distinct character that is irreplicable. Such is certainly the case with Peter Hook, storied bassist for both of those seminal bands. And although Peter fell out with his bandmates in New Order, he thankfully continues to perform their songs — songs with which he left an indelible mark on modern music — with his band The Light.
Peter Hook & The Light kicked off a North American tour at Union Transfer in Philadelphia on Thursday, and our Jason Nicholson was along for the ride to shoot some pictures.
