Tokyo Police Club, Sasami, Modest Mouse among area concert highlights
Welcome to Seven in Seven, where we look at shows coming to the region over the next week. As always, whether your musical tastes are rock 'n' roll, jazz, heavy metal, R&B, singer-songwriter or indie, there will always be something to check out. Here are seven of the best on the docket for the week of Nov. 15:
Tokyo Police Club — Friday at Brooklyn Bowl
When Tokyo Police Club takes their final bow later this month, it will mark the end of a 20-year career as one of the most consistent and beloved indie bands around. The Canadian quartet burst onto the scene with the wildly successful 2006 EP "A Lesson in Crime," 16 minutes of exuberant indie rock that established them as one of the most exciting voices in the burgeoning "blog rock" scene. The following decade-plus saw TPC solidify their position as radio mainstays and touring staples, continuing to release acclaimed new music. But all good things must come to an end goes the saying, and in early 2024 the band announced that they would be laying down their instruments for good at the year's end, making the Brooklyn Bowl show the last time we'll get to see them in the region.
Sasami — Friday 15 at Union Transfer
Multi-instrumentalist Sasami's upcoming record, "Blood on the Silver Screen," won't be out until March. But that isn't stopping the polymath from hitting the road ahead of its release. Early singles "Slugger" and "Honeycrash" see the indie artist combine her classical conservatory-trained skills as a player, producer and composer with her fearless and bombastic stage persona to create her most realized music to date in the form of pop songs. Working with co-producers Jenn Decilveo and Rostam, Sasami's goal was to speak her truth with conviction by singing, leading the tracks to capture a thread of love, sex, power and embodiment.
Michigander — Friday 15 at The Foundry
Michigander, the acclaimed indie rock project led by singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jason Singer, is another artist previewing a new record that won't come out for months, in this case, it's an eponymous release slated for February. The last decade has seen Michigander quietly emerge as a 21st century troubadour whose balance of rock energy, alternative adventurousness and heart-on-his-sleeve songcraft has endeared him to audiences and critics alike. Born in Michigan and based in Nashville, Tenn., Singer has steadily tallied over 100 million worldwide streams across a series of EPs, including 2018's "Midland," 2019's "Where Do We Go from Here," and 2021's "Everything Will Be OK Eventually."
Leon Thomas — Monday at The Foundry
A few weeks back, Leon Thomas delivered his bold and introspective second studio album, which pushes the boundaries of modern R&B, intertwining soulful melodies with rock influences and experimental production. Featuring collaborations with Ty Dolla $ign, Freddie Gibbs and Wale, to name a few, the LP "Mutt" vividly explores the multifaceted nature of love, from the exhilarating rush of singlehood to the nuanced depths of emotional intimacy. Thomas weaves a narrative that fearlessly peels back layers of vulnerability, grappling with themes of fame, emotional detachment and the quest for genuine connection, the latter of which he hopes to find from the stage.
Modest Mouse — Wednesday at The Fillmore
Alt-indie pioneers Modest Mouse are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking 2004 album, "Good News for People Who Love Bad News," and coming to town to play it in full. Upon its release, the record offered a unique blend of existential lyricism and innovative soundscapes, which helped the band break out of the rock underground after more than a decade of existence. It's still hailed as an alternative classic on the strength of songs like the Modern Rock chart-topping, five-times platinum single "Float On," the gold-certified "The World at Large" and "Ocean Breathes Salty." Earlier this year on the album's anniversary in the spring, Legacy Recordings released a digital expanded edition "Good News for People Who Love Bad News: 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition" featuring eight bonus tracks.
Delta Sleep — Next Thursday at The Foundry
Renowned for their innovative sound and poignant lyrics, Delta Sleep released their fourth studio album, "Blue Garden," one month ago. It reflects a departure from previous quick studio sessions, seeing the math rock band embrace a collaborative approach, incorporating new instrumentation, electronic samples, and synths over a focused two-and-a-half-week period. The LP's lyrical content addresses themes of despair and resilience amidst global crises, particularly underscored by the current situation in Palestine. Musically, "Blue Garden" traverses a landscape of dark and light, with influences from punk, indie, and electronic genres.
Homegrown Live! — Next Thursday at World Café Live
WXPN is known for supporting the bountiful musical talent found in Philadelphia and beyond, which is why they're especially excited to be presenting three emerging artists freshly picked from their own backyard. Next Thursday, the station will celebrate the finalists from their "WXPN 24-Hour Songwriting Challenge" at World Café Live. The free event, dubbed Homegrown Live! finds the three finalists in indie rocker Best Bear, soulful singer-songwriter Mackenzie Johnson and the genre-blending Yuneer Gainz. Though the show is free, concertgoers must RSVP and can find out how at xpn.org .
• Tokyo Police Club: "Wait Up (Boots of Danger)"
• Sasami: "Slugger"
• Michigander: "Emotional"
• Leon Thomas: "Far Fetched"
• Modest Mouse: "Float On"
• Delta Sleep: "Sunchaser"
• Best Bear: "Bare Minimum"
• Mackenzie Johnson: "Fever Dream"
• Yuneer Gainz: "Never Give Up"
