Union Transfer

This was an absolutely incredible concert in a really terrific (murals outside, Elizabethan decor inside) venue. I did not want it to end--especially since the not-very-expensive "preferred viewing" tickets turned out to be for actual seats! Now, some die-hard fans might think these weren't close enough, but I'd liken them to a cross between "house seats" and the closest box at a Broadway show. For my friend and me, they were perfect; we could see every Twigly expression while being elevated a bit above the crowd, which is very helpful if you're a 5-footer. (The last time, at another venue, we were right up front but over on the left side. While that meant being able to take a photo of the setlist, it also meant seeing mostly one side of Brian and no sides of Michael while having very sore feet. :)) How could I love [this concert] more! :) The Twigs' vocals were pristine, despite the brothers having written some rather challenging vocals, yet their energy was also unflagging. It was so exciting to hear the new songs live and then listen to the just-released album a few hours later. (The performance time was divided evenly between this and the previous album, with "Everything Harmony" being just slightly behind and "The One," "Flash in the Pan," and a Love cover I hadn't been familiar with bringing the number of songs up to a generous 23.) And the lineup with Danny and Reza is perfect. It would have been amazing to hear "Joy" live during what one Reddit user amusingly but enthusiastically called "Brian's Acoustic Corner," but I can see why he'd want to hold on to the two "Everything Harmony" numbers for a little longer (and I did literally see him out of "The Corner of My Eye" once, so hearing him sing the song of that title live provided an extra dimension of fun). Also, I didn't have long to wait before hearing the non-acoustic version, which I've already repeatedly read about as "the most beautifully orchestrated song of all time."

Jeffrey Lewis is truly incredible to see play a show. He's so sincere and creative and chances are you will get to see art of his or hear a song of his that you've never heard before. He masterfully weaves humor with sadness with history and obscure references with relatable feelings into each song he writes. If you get the chance to see him, go. He is the best. A true living legend.

Wow. Just wow. Such incredibly amazing talent on the stage tonight. Could not have been more impressed. Not only with Jackson himself, who is magic with every instrument he uses, but guitar dude killed it and then, wow, my g*****n the drums 🤯 🔥much respect and love for all of you and thank you for letting me bring my inner wild child out to dance tonight. Could have only been better if I could have made my way a little closer. I definitely bounced around from back of the floor, to top level, back down to back of the floor, but enjoyed rocking my new red and blue top. Hoods are my new sunglasses!

What a great show!! Sound system/levels could’ve used a little a fine tuning —a few songs were just muddy hum and buzz with vocals discernible chords/melody dropping out. But they played an amazing mix of the great old stuff from the first two albums, best of the middle years (hungry ghosts/of the color) and the new recordings. The stage set of LED wall panels was dazzling. And there were plenty of cool surprises — Damian standing alone on a stool, in the middle of the crowd, with only an acoustic guitar, crooning a new song. Opening act LA Exes were also spectacular.

The energy of the concert was unmatched! You guys completely killed it with each stunning performance. They all felt even more angry and awesomely intense than the original releases on your albums. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience and I would gladly pay to hear you guys riff it out on the electric guitars and drums for hours more if I could. The concert felt so alive and energetic. Keep doing what you do best, you are giving life THAT much more flavor with your perfectly chaotic music

Blood Brothers forever!!! LFG!!! Great show. Did they sound great? Of course? Were the lyrics somehow even more prevalent today 20+ years later? Unfortunately yes. Is capitalism crumbling down around us as we speak? I’d say so. Is it going to get more expensive and painful? Seems so. But despite these horrors the Blood Brothers persist!! Blood Brothers are eternal! In closing, yes I had a good time at the show.

An incredible band to see live. I had a very positive impression about their second album and enjoyed the recordings from bush hall, but to see them live and to appreciate their very subtle and technically sophisticated musicianship is a whole other thing. The fact that the musicianship is put to the service of emotional expression and not self display is equally impressive. The opener, camera picture, was also fantastic, fun, weird and interesting. Even if you don't like indie rock I think Black Country New Road just as a music show, is one of the great things to check out in popular music right now.

Health was great. I'd describe them live as intense. The Union Transfer is my favorite venue in Philly so it was a perfect spot to catch them. If you're into people watching, it doesn't get any better than a show like this. It was like goth meets cyber-punk. My only complaint is that Health only played for like an hour and 20min. They put on a great show, but I would have loved more. They don't do encores. Also, Pixel Grip(opening band) was awesome. I'd highly, highly recommend getting there early enough to catch them. They definitely have a new fan. We got there as the first opener was on so I can't comment on them. Venue opened at 7:00, show started at 8:00, Pixel Grip came on at 8:50, and played till 9:30. Health came on around 9:45 and played a little past 11. Go see this tour!

INCREDIBLE SHOW! The venue is huge. 3 bars, 2 bathrooms, large area around stage with 2 sectioned off areas for ADA and a balcony. The Ataris were pretty good, but MXPX was amazing. They put on such a good show with high energy and every song was a banger. It is definitely in my Top 5 shows I have ever been to. Loved being able to meet them at the end. They are great guys.

Stunningly didn’t s**k (philly venues tend to just have local yokels at the sound boards). Gorgeously loud and didn’t waste time with stage banter and made my day. I have seen J Spaceman a few times way way way back and this was the best time yet and I sorta was stunned and speechless by usual Come Together was this time as closer. Professional as always. Light show were somehow not terrible and was all Spiritualizing I guess.

If you like R&B, soulful rock, folk…... grab a friend, a date or go alone, you will appreciate a performer who gives his all, you can hear it and see that they don’t “mail it in”. If you remember only the song New Shoes, forget that, he might only do that as part of a medley…. check his Paolo Nutini essentials on Spotify. Saw him in 2014 in Boston, looong hiatus until recently with new album and 2023 tour. As for Union Transfer, nice venue, generally standing GA only. Centrally located, if you’re a walker, you can AirBnB near here and spend time at historic area(Liberty Bell, Independence Hall etc). We got there 30 min before doors open, went right upstairs to front of balcony which gave us unobstructed view(important, if you are on the shorter side) Bar prices and water prices were reasonable, $4 water, $10 drinks. Lastly, remember this, Paolo Nutini is largely unknown in states, he still hangs in his hometown in Scotland. If you travel overseas you might catch him in UK etc. If you liked Rod Stewart before his raspy pipes blew out, now imagine if Rod could sing like Paolo….. drive, train or fly…… I have seen live Dylan, Three Dog Night, Moody Blues(x2), Steve Winwood, Joe Cocker, Steely Dan, Phoebe Snow, Paul Simon, Barry Manilow, Liza Minnelli, Steve Miller Band, Carole King, Ryan Adams, Sting, Pat Benatar, Chicago, Counting Crows, Rod Stewart(x2). All were excellent except shows #2 for both Moody Blues and Rod Stewart(both Justin Heywards and Rods pipes were shot). All the other shows were 30+ years ago, except Ryan Adams(highly recommended alt-country, folk rock prolific singer songwriter, largely under the radar) 2007 and Paolo(2014 & 2023). Ryan is also on long 2023 Tour, no not Summer of ‘69, that was BRIAN Adams. You will not be disappointed

Simply amazing. I only wish I was a little bit taller because the times that I did have full view... just wow. The chemistry and love and respect for each and every phenomenal talent that was on that stage.. just wow. I was truly moved and loved how Gregory had these special little moments with each person on the stage and how they built each song. Just seriously magic. Beyond the wishing to be about 3 inches taller, the only thing that could have made this show better is if I was closer so I was around people actually engaging and appreciating the just amazing music that was being played for us. (Granted that's my bad for being around or near the bar area, and not working my way forward). Thank you to every single person on the stage at union transfer last night in Philly, truly just magic.

The gecs really phoned it in. Everything but vocals was just played on a laptop sitting on a trashcan, and they were honestly just kind of fcking around but not in a good way. No stage presence, really limited interaction with the audience, same lame “I’ve had cheesesteaks before.” Laura Les was much more personable than Dylan. However, I don’t think it was worth $30 a head, even though 1000 gecs and the tree of clues was one of my favorite albums to loop this year. I feel like I’ll listen to it less after this experience. The crowd was wild, a bunch of people who have not really been to many shows just crushing the front like Astroworld. We were two people back from the barrier, and had to move out because things got really out of hand. I usually love an aggressive crowd, but these people had no core what they were doing.

You don’t watch this band, you feel them, you grab them, you hold them up and pass them around the room like that last bottle of beer on the wall. This show was like receiving first communion between the legs of a giddy brothel madam perched atop a player piano in a ghost town saloon. Thanks for the double encore gents. A singular class act in the annals and Anals of rock n’ roll. Thanks for the shave it was good to be 14 again for two hours on December 30th 2019. I’m 43 again now but my 14 y/o son will remember this as his first “club” show and for once the old man wasn’t full of s**t, it was everything I promised him it would be. Great venue the coat room girls were awesome .

AMAZING! definitely going again next time they come... there was mosh pits, crowd surfing, and all around the audience made the show 20x better. remo drive was so happy and jumpy on stage which really set the mood and made everyone hyper too. one of the opening acts, slow pulp, said our crowd was the best throughout the entire tour and i feel bad for those who weren’t there to experience it ❤️❤️❤️

La dispute was better in person than I could have imagined. Every member of the band and the guest musicians who helped with Panorama put off such positive energy and performed incredibly well. I had been anticipating seeing them live for several years until this show, and they did not disappoint. Also, Jordan made a point to stop in between songs at one point and had a short speech about how the venue that night was a safe place for everyone with no tolerance for bigotry and hatred, and that really brought the audience together I think. All in all, it was an absolutely phenomenal night.