I did, in fact, make it back home from the My Morning Jacket concert in Philadelphia, the second of two nights.
I've been listening to them for over twenty years, so it was great to finally get to see them. I was treated to quite a few favorites, including "One Big Holiday," "Off the Record," "Wordless Chorus," "Evil Urges," and "Anytime."
It's Rosh Hashanah. It's been a joyful holiday most of my life. These days it is hard to be joyful, as trying to be Jewish, for me, includes a constant fight against anti semitism and misinformation that has spread like wildfire around the world, starting on October 8, 2023. I can sit back and try to not react to it, but then I feel like I wouldn't be doing my part, or even standing up for myself, my friends, and my family.
The way much of the world seems to think now is that terrorist attacks are a valid means to country-hood, and that is not only wrong but it is dangerous.
Hamas's goal, in part, was to turn the world against Israel and jews world-wide, and to use their propaganda machine to paint Israel and their extremely strong army as the aggressors. The October 7 attacks that started the war did nothing but lead to mass destruction for Palestinians, and derailed so much of the progress towards peaceful solutions for Israelis and Palestinians. When the world supports the so-called "resistance," it is not just bad for Palestinians, but it is a sign of complete moral bankruptcy. The same goes for those who decide to shame others for staying neutral or silent about their opinions on Israel's war. The fact that those who don't speak up are somehow complicit in the so-called genocide is completely wrong.
It's still true. If Israel put down their weapons, there is no more Israel. If Hamas disbands and ends, there is no more war.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I witnessed Bob Dylan play a show last night.
Willie Nelson also came across as the sweetest man I have ever witnessed, other than my grandpa, possibly.
Not to mention Sheryl Crow and Waxahatchee also fit into the whole aesthetic of the Outlaw Music Festival.
The whole vibe of the event was actually great, strangely not over-congested and very mellow.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/bob-dylan/2025/freedom-mortgage-pavilion-camden-nj-435adf5b.html
I managed to get out to something pretty much for the first time since a pinched nerve on my left side derailed the majority of my summer. I went to the Haim concert at the Mann Center. They were touring behind their new album, "I Quit," and the stage set up and everything going on in the background reflected that theme with lists of goofy and serious things that they quit. It was particularly saucy of them to have their sign flash "I QUIT CLOTHES" during the song "All Over Me." I think it is likely that they enjoy being the subject of many a man's fantasies, though they did announce that Este got engaged.
A lot has been talked about regarding how an all Jewish-girl band has with an Israeli dad has remained silent on Israel/Palestine. Glad it stayed that way last night. They were just there to have fun and play great songs.
I think they had at least two more songs in them, but it was storming, so they ended the encore a bit short, without playing "Now I'm In It" and "Down to Be Wrong." Still, I enjoyed the mix of old and new material.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/haim/2025/td-pavilion-at-the-mann-philadelphia-pa-1b46cd1c.html
I went to another free show, this one featuring a Talking Heads cover band called "Start Making Sense." it occurred to me that cover bands are underrated. Where else can you go to hear all your favorite songs from a band that broke up a while ago?
In this case, we got a whole bunch of my favorites!
I just got back from a free Low Cut Connie show in Haddon Heights, which featured fellow Cherry Hill East graduate Adam Weiner. Highlights included covers of the Spinners' "I'll Be Around," and Prince's "Controversy." The guy is just so agile, somehow playing the piano while doing all kinds of acrobatics and playing the piano with his mic stand.
I just got back from Japanese Breakfast's last stop on their tour, in their hometown Philly, the second of two nights. It exceeded my expectations in that they just sounded bigger, grander, and more textured live. They didn't do the cover of Donna Lewis's "I Love You Always Forever" that I really hoped for, but it still was a solid show.
I made it out to the Herb Alpert and Lani Hall show last night, and it was an absolute delight. It seems like my dad's generation was happier, most likely because of no social media and music like this. I was particularly thrilled to hear him do "Mas Que Nada" with Lani Hall, as well as "Rise," which I realized is sampled by Notorious B.I.G. on the song "Hypnotize".
I've been described as one of these.
An "old soul" is a term used to describe someone who seems wise and mature beyond their years, often characterized by a deep understanding of life and a preference for things that older people might enjoy.
