August 3rd, 2012
Go See It This Weekend: Miniature Tigers, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, PhillyBloco, New Edition (With Salt-N-Pepa), And 2nd Street Fest
Friday, August 3
Miniature Tigers
Miniature Tigers was an indie-buzz band back when the global economic meltdown was just getting going, earning now-anachronistic plaudits like being one of Rolling Stone’s Best MySpace Bands of 2006. By 2010, the band had moved to Brooklyn (from Arizona), taken up with the Morning Benders and Neon Indian and begun to experiment with a shinier, sleeker, synthier sound. “Gold Skull,” produced by Neon Indian, led the way toward a gleaming, home-disco style. Mia Pharoah took it even further, mimicking Prince’s clean sound and dirty lyrics in cuts like “Sex on the Regular” and “Female Doctor.” They’re not mini; they’re major. -Jennifer Kelly
7pm. $10-$12. With Strange Seasons + Team Spirit. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St. northstarbar.com
Saturday, August 4
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Barring any unforeseen occurrences, no period will ever be as fruitful for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones as the 1990s. With soundtrack spots on Clueless and Friends, ’97’s “Let’s Face It” and “The Impression That I Get” making marks on the Billboard charts, and ska’s mainstream prosperity in the decade’s latter half, the Bosstones rode as high as ever. But if any of that genre’s bands deserve a serious second run, it’s these virile ska-core kings, whose combination of chunky hooks, perceptive lyrics and sensible grit—not to mention Dicky Barrett’s guttural croon-croak—still hold up. Live from the Middle East, their 1998 album recorded at the venue of that name in the outfit’s hometown of Boston, captured the Bosstones as their crowd-riling, sweat-generating best, and if the group can muster up a third of that vim today, this show promises anarchy of the most blissful sort. -Reyan Ali
7pm. $27.50-$30. The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St. thetroc.com
PhillyBloco Party
Take a little samba, mix it with some funk and sprinkle on some reggae, and you get a world-music cocktail that aims to get your bon-bon shaking all night. PhillyBloco is promising earth-shaking rhythms, boundless energy and serious fun in the form of Brazilian carnival music at their upcoming dance party at World Cafe Life. The group will feature 12 drummers (!) a horn section, an accordion, electric and bass guitar as well as Brazilian dancers on stage, all to bring the blocos of Rio de Janeiro to University City. Lace up your dancing shoes and make sure you stretch before you join in—one of the testimonials on their website says a woman needed a hip replacement from all of the shaking. -Fiona Lockyer
9pm. $14. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. 215.222.1400. worldcafelive.com
Sunday, August 5
New Edition
Over the years, veteran teen-pop/R&B group New Edition hasn’t exactly been the most unified of crews, especially in their later years when they performed as full-grown men. When all six members did a reunion tour after the release of their 1996 album Home Again, it soon became a common occurrence for one or more members to sit out certain shows, a result of egos clashing to the point where some had to go and regenerate. But now, as the men celebrate their 30 years in show bidness—and especially since their most notorious member, Bobby Brown, tragically lost his ex-wife Whitney Houston earlier this year—this forever-soulful sextet, the men whose slow jams fueled the soundtracks to many of our high-school dances, are now there for one another, realizing they are at their best when they’re on one accord. And since New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys have spent the past year on tour together, reminding everyone they’ve still got it, don’t you think it’s essential these guys show everyone who set off this boy-band ish? -Craig D. Lindsey
7pm. With Salt-N-Pepa + El DeBarge. $39.75-$125. The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 52nd and Parkside Ave. 215.878.0400. manncenter.org
2nd Street Festival
The Philadelphia Folksong Society invites everyone to get out of their houses and come to their 4th annual festival, an extended block party that fills the streets with food, music, arts, crafts, workshops and, most importantly, a beer garden. This year has four music and event stages featuring musicians including Chris Kasper, Man Man, the Great Unknown and the Doublewides. Sierra Nevada, Sly Fox and Yuengling will be featured in the beer garden, and a complete list of sponsors can be found on the festival’s website. Community Energy will be providing wind power for the day so the event is carbon neutral, and a Liberty Lands Tent sponsored by Triumph Brewery will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to Northern Liberties Liberty Lands Park. -Brenda Hillegas
Free. Noon-10pm. N. Second Street, between Germantown Ave. and Green St. 2ndstfestival.org
