On Saturday night, the 10th of October, Seafret (Yorkshire, England’s very own) and Jane’s Party (Toronto, ON) wowed the crowd as the support for Tom Odell’s sold-out show at Theatre of Living Arts. It was a spectacularly energetic show with the crowd singing along to every word. The UK duo known as Seafret is comprised of Jack Sedman and Harry Draper; the pair met at a local open mic night and have catapulted into the stratosphere with their single “Oceans” (featuring Maisie Williams) with over 150 million streams on Spotify. They are out touring their latest full-length “Wonderland” featuring Atlantis which fans were stoked to hear as the final song of the night. Having Seafret out with Tom Odell and Jane’s Party makes sense as the three bands on this tour balances each other’s musicalities out so well. There is a song for every mood; and fits the emotions brought on by the crisp autumn nights.

Seafret’s Set: Theatre of Living Arts 

• Give Me Something
• Running for Love 
• Pictures 
• Wildfire
• Wonderland 
• Oceans 
• Be There 
• Atlantis 

Seafret had a stripped back set-up with Harry Draper on guitar with a loop pedal that he would push down on and the backing drum tracks would loop alongside the vocals of Jack Sedman. The crowd was receptive especially to Harry’s humble but majestic presence and Jack’s booming vocals and fabulous hair. My 8-year old self would absolutely cry with excitement seeing Jack’s hair being widely received with no public ridicule. Jack and Harry are both unapolgetic lads from Yorkshire and they hold so much pride in that fact. Hearing Atlantis and Ocean live made my heart swell as their music has been the soundtrack to a stormy week (emotionally of course). It’s a balm to my soul and soothing to say the least. 

Jane’s Party was already firing up with crowd with the indie rock harmonies as I was walking up through the crowd with their single You’re the Light. The Toronto, ON band comprised Jeff Giles, Tom Inoescu, Zach Sutton, and Devon Richardson all met at university as a campus cover band but have risen to new heights with their latest album “Live Again” released this year. Of course they matched the energy of the crowd in a pleasing way as the interactions between crowd and band were flowing effortlessly. I enjoyed just how much they loved being on stage and even though they did not have much time every night. The make the most of their set as they make sure to leave a good impression on fans in every direction of the stage. These guys are a band that you’d want to keep all eyes on for a long-long time. 

Lastly, Tom Odell made his way on-stage in epic fashion as it was pure silent in the venue as he launched into Giving a Fuck. The entire venue had their eyes glued to the stage and his grand piano with all of his vocals on grand display. This is an artist you just can’t look away from. You have to keep your eyes fixated on the beam of light glowing on the stage. Tom played a mixture of old and new songs; including Black Friday which made fans lose their minds. It was a purely blissful show that I am honored to have been a part of. 

Seafret is still on tour with Jane’s Party and Tom Odell where they hit up Newport Music Hall in Columbus, OH on Friday, October 13, 2023 and end the year in Paris, France on November 25th at La Maronique. Tickets and more info here. 

Franklin Music Hall was packed to the brim with a sold out crowd ready to dance the night away with the London-based duo Jungle; with Scottish artist JOESEF warming up the crowd. Gone are the years that this venue was called the Electric Factory. The high-octane spirit lives on as the floor shook with the dancing feet of fans, from the front of the stage, to the very back of the balcony. For the first timers, it wouldn’t be the last time they would come out to see and support these two artists. This was a highly anticipated record for many I’d us here at HQ — and we wrote some fine words about Jungle’s new record “Volcano” out now. 

I don’t know much of Joesef in fact I was hearing this band live for the first time. But that doesn’t mean I was not thoroughly entertained by their live performance. This is the kind of band that would utilize every inch of the stage that’s presented to them. They had their instruments on the front of the stage, with the red curtains as the backdrop. That didn’t stop them from giving Philadelphia a top-tier performance. Led by Joseph Traynor, the Glasgow, Scotland native delivered a swoon worthy set. Singing a slew of songs from their latest record “Permanent Damage” - fans got a taste of what these Scots can really do. Plus the banter between the bands and fans is so good, with Joseph introducing a song in the set as “the song about sleeping with your ex…which don’t do that…” The crowd got loud with a mixture of empathetic applause and cheers upon hearing that part. If you haven’t seen these lads and lasses live, do yourself a favor and get to a show. It’s worth it. 

Joesef Set List - Franklin Music Hall 

• It’s been a little heavy lately
• Does it make you feel good?
• Just come home with me tonight
• Didn’t know how (to love you)
• Think that I don’t need your love
• Joe
• All Good

The crowd was in high spirits between the breakdown of Joesef set as they made sure all that everything goes off spectacularly. Around 9:00 PM, the house music slowly starts to fade as the lights got dimmer. Standing in a sold out crowd, the curtain dropped and Jungle walked on to the stage. The band stands on a two tier illuminated platform riser with a giant screen behind them as they kicked off a 22 song set with “Us against the world”. The set includes a plethora of songs off of their latest record Volcano with fan favorites “Candle Flame”, “I’ve been in love”, “Holding On” and “Back on 74”. Fans in the crowd have not only watched the London duo’s music videos passionately but they’ve also have been dancing along to the songs. Many of them are even dressed to the nines, and were all very happy to be at the show on a Wednesday night. The weather was cool and breezy and the warmth and energy from the crowd kept them all going. It was an all-around great time had by everyone and the fact that every single song was a show-stopper did not disappoint the Philadelphian fans. 

Production-wise, the Jungle team threw out all the punches as they combined a visually stunning performance with a light show that amplified their fantastic catalog a visual masterpiece. You could get a good view from any spot in the venue and their amazing artwork was a sight to behold. I am so excited that this band is getting some global recognition for their music and artistry. Bands like Jungle are a dime a dozen and I’m so happy to be able to have been in the same room with them for the night. They are one of my favorite bands in the post-pandemic era and that is something I’m really proud to say I am a fan of their music. It should always be mentioned, that their music transcends all genre and music tastes. I have plenty of friends who listen to metal and hardcore hip hop; that will gravitate to the infectious beats of the London-based Jungle. Plus they have dancers in awe at their latest album campaign and short film for the 2023 release of VOLCANO. They recently released a video for their next single “Holding On” that continues that jazzy/cabaret vibes of “Back on 74” so well! 

Jungle Set List - Franklin Music Hall

The London based duo takes their VOLCANO tour to Europe and the UK. You can get tickets to their tour here. 

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It was a foggy drive down the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) on the way to the Met Philly where Macklemore and co where set to hit the stage around 8:45 PM last night. The skyline looked like it was the Seattle skyline doppelganger as the tops of the skyscraper buildings were surrounded by a shroud of mist and fog. It was raining on and off and I had likened the weather to that of Seattle and says it’s a great night for a Macklemore show. The Seattle, WA native is proud of his hometown and it shows in the way he walks, talks and performs.  I had butterflies in my stomach due to the fact that I was going to be in the same room as Macklemore. An artist with whom I have listened to since as far back as I can remember and one who’s song “Can’t Hold Us Down” is my on my hype playlist for when I would go running. This tour would celebrate the crowning achievement that is his self-titled album BEN released March 3, 2023 via Warner Music Group and it was a gloriously great night. The Seattle native was backed by a drummer, a trumpet and saxophonist, two vocalists and a DJ named Beeba. He took the time before the final song and bow to introduce his crew to the Philadelphia audience and made sure to give them their flowers when it was their turn to shine in the spotlight. He mentioned that no matter how big or small his crowds may be, he is still going to give 110% of his time and energy into the performance. He challenged the audience to be the best versions of themselves and they successfully handled that challenge with poise and grace. It was truly an honor to be in the presence of such an icon, legend and musical hustler. Macklemore the city of Philadelphia loves and adores you and will welcome you back with open arms. 

His band came on stage scattered amongst the smoke machines and getting each other pumped up for the show. There was a bit of a climatic instrumental leading up to the fade to black. And when the lights came back on, Macklemore took center stage to kick off the night with CHANT, his collab with TONES & I, and the crowd sang every word along with him. The lyrics popped up on the screen in a stunning visualizer with TONES & I singing along. The song ended and Macklemore was walking up to the center stage as he stopped mid walk to take the crowd in. The lights had just popped up and he had his hands over his eyebrows scanning the crowd from left to right, floor to the top of the balcony. Then he welcomed the city of Philadelphia to the BEN Tour and promised that we would all have a good night. He also talked about his cheesesteak with wiz and how he slipped into a meat-induced food coma after he was done eating. He also shared his love for the city and how amazing the crowds have been in the past. He even admired the venue in which we were all gathered in and said that it was a gorgeous one and made sure the crowd sang and dance along all night. As he ended the introductions, the opening beats of Thrift Shop came on, and his backup dancers came out to continue the party. People kept up with Mack as he rapped the lyrics to his 2012 hit single when thrifting was seen as a taboo. Now it’s a part of how a community thrives and some are driving to newer neighborhoods to shop and grab a bite in. What a time to be alive. No Bad Days has such a paradiscal vibe and had the crowd dancing so hard that the floor was rumbling at some points. During the song, he had these water soakers set on either side of the stage and would spray the crowd with water. It was so fun to see just how into the song everyone was. The crowd was the definition of all ages and it was evident just how universal his music is. 

I do have to give a huge shout-out to the lighting, audio and production designers and engineers as it brought the vision of the BEN Tour to live. The beachy, party anthem had bright lights reminiscent to that of neon lights you’d see on a downtown cityscape or that of a nightclub. The song Wing$ paid homage to Michael Jordan and his AIR Jordan empire. The reds and purples lends to the intensity and emotion of the lyrics and hits so close to the fans. When the children’s choir echoed throughout the room, you could hear an angelic chorus of voices reverbating within the room. It was passionate and left people speechless and you could tell Macklemore and company felt that energy. During 1984 and Tequila he had us all off our feets and dancing and even shocked the crowd with his PeeWee Herman dance moves. And the crowd shouted TEQUILA in unison and it made me smile so wide. The energy was infectious and you could not shy away from the energy as it moved through the crowd and made every person who was standing still dance like no one was watching. 

One of the things that I have noticed that sets Macklemore apart from his peers in the industry that he is as humble as one can be given the successes and setbacks he’s been handed over the entirety of his career. From playing to six fans to six thousands, he still remains the same person as when he was started. In a way, the BEN tour pays homage to who he truly is and the legacy in which he is carving for his children and their children. He interacts with his fans in such a way that makes your heart swell and melt within the same minute. He makes the older fan in the balcony felt amazingly special, the fan in the retro outfit and hat feel like a million bucks as his face was displayed on the big screen. Or the fan who’s bright neon lime sweater made him stop mid-sentence to acknowledge her for being authentically herself. From birthday shout-outs to first show shout-outs to even a sign held by a four-year old with over the head ear protectors feel so unique and her parents were over the moon as he made them feel great about sharing his music with their children. In fact, there was a slew of young fans decked in their best fits singing along to the show. That is why he is in a league all his own: because he makes every fan feel unique and seen and heard. Plus he made his way into the rainy weather post show to say hello to fans waiting outside. And as he said at the end of the show, Ben it was such an honor to spend my Saturday night with you and 3,500 other fans. Please do come back again for the best party of the night.