This Weekend: R5 Productions' Punk Rock Flea Market

This weekend (December 19th and 20th) Philadelphia's R5 Productions will be hosting their bi-annual PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET at The Starlight Ballroom (right below 9th & Spring Garden Sts)

Sadly I keep ending up missing this every year but that doesn't mean you have to!!!
Check it out if you are in the area, it's for a good cause.


(From the R5 Productions Newsletter)

All proceeds raised will go towards the purchase of necessary equipment and supplies to ensure that all ages shows continue to remain a reality at The First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia - mainly an annual payment for their liability insurance policy. The left over funds will go to purchasing additional PA equipment and lights for The First Unitarian Church. Do not let the "name of the event" lead you to believe that it's just punk records, clothes etc. - it's a full on flea market with everything from furniture, to laptops / computers , to stereo equipment, to handmade apparel, to vegan treats, information from various non profit groups, book stores, artists selling their work, bicycles & skateboards and whatever else they can fit onto the ballroom floor at The Starlight Ballroom

In addition to the normal flea market stuff there will also be a full bar and food service kitchen to make the day go by a little faster as well as a rotating shift of WKDU DJs!

TAKE A LOOK AT THE SELLERS LIST

Once again:

:: Saturday December 19th and Sunday December 20th 10:00am to 5:00pm
At The Starlight Ballroom (460 N 9th Street - 9th & Spring Garden-ish)
All Ages / 21+ To Drink / $3 Entry Donation /



THE PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET HOLIDAY EDITION
(130+ tables of vendors selling old records, clothes, art, music, food, junk, bicycles, stereo equipment, instruments, automobiles, tools, posters, furniture, computers, skateboards and lots of other stuff ! all proceeds go to making sure that all ages shows remain a reality at the First Unitarian Church !)

J. Tillman at The Church

Last evening I had the pleasure of paying a visit to the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, not for a service (well, not exactly), but to see J. Tillman perform in the Church's intimate side chapel. Let me start by saying I have never been in a Church for a concert, or really anything "non-religiously" affiliated (well, again...not exactly).

Why do I keep saying "not exactly"? Well, because some people can certainly argue that (some) music can be considered a religious experience. I can't argue against it. Okay, moving on!

Now let me REALLY get started by saying this little chapel only holds about 50 people in it, which made the experience all the better. I got to the Church pretty early and after waiting around a bit for the doors to open, I entered the tiny room, sat down in the front pew (yes a pew), and waited anxiously for the show to begin.

Soon after, the opener, "Pearly Gate Music", who happens to be Tillman's younger Brother Zach (who also plays bass for him) came out to perform a few songs of his own. I would consider his music sort of lo-fi-super-reverbed-emo-folk, but if that turns you off, I must say it was pretty good. Zach sang with a true passion that can only come from the heart and although he was a little too much for me at times, he had a solid voice, and a realness to his music.

After Zach's performance I was good and ready (that sounds a little too sexual) for the elder Tillman. A few minuets later, he emerged from the side door of the Chapel with the rest of his 5 piece band (acoustic guitar,electric guitar, drums, bass, and pedal steel). Right from the get go I thought they were great. Tillman's hushed vocals and softly strummed guitar fit perfectly with the setting we were in. While some songs possessed the vocal harmonies fans of his other work with Fleet Foxes, certainly appreciated, others had louder blues/gospel and louder rock sensibilities. Also, for claiming no religious affiliation, (at one point he mentioned he "liked everything and nothing"), many of his songs had a very Christian undertone (maybe even overtone?) to them. Nonetheless, his lyrics, music, and overall performance were extremely passionate and heartfelt.

I had a great time and was extremely pleased at my decision to check out this show. Also I got the chance to shake Josh's hand and thank he and the band for the great performance. I now see he certainly has a hell of a lot more too offer than just being the drummer for Fleet Foxes (he's actually been making music since before joining the band). I highly suggest to any fans of folky,woodsy, acoustic, blues rock, americana type music to check this guy out. You shouldn't be disappointed.

Also, it definitely won't be the last time I catch a show at "The Church". Thanks R5 Productions for giving me the heads up about this show.

Check out a few tunes

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R5 Concert Productions Update

Here are a few upcoming shows in Philadelphia that (in my opinion) might be worth checking out. Brought to you by R5 Productions (thanks guys)

Wednesday September 30th 9:00pm
At Johnny Brendas

MAYER HAWTHORNE (awesome, amazing 50s/60s era soul from a white weirdo hiphop dude. stones throw)
BUFF 1 (hiphop mc from detroit. formely of athletic mic league)
14 KT (hiphop mc from detroit. formely of athletic mic league)


Monday October 5th 8:00pm
At The First Unitarian Church

PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART (80s indie emo-like pop from nyc -Think The Cure)
DEPRECIATION GUILD (secretly amazing. 8 bit noises with heavy 80s shoegaze parts. nyc)
CYMBALS EAT GUITARS (best new music. built to spill like jams from nyc)


Tuesday October 6th 9:00pm
At Johnny Brendas

WAX TAILOR (producer/dj ala dj shadow with a full live band and visuals. from france. great live show)
ASTRONAUTALIS (adventurous rock / hip-hop. kind of like older anticon. from seattle. eyeball recs)


For the rest of R5's upcoming shows check out their website. They get a ton of good or at least interesting acts that you probably haven't heard of (or I haven't at least). Check em out.