THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS @ VICTORY NORTH
SATURDAY, JULY 27 | 8 PM
Culturally, Canada offers more than just back bacon, poutine, Tim Horton’s and Rush. There’s also clean air, Fidel Jr. in charge, and really friendly people. Finally, don’t sleep on power pop superstars The New Pornographers, perhaps Canada’s most underappreciated export. Formed in 1997 in Vancouver, they’ve released nine albums to date, with four Matador Records releases from 2005-2014 hitting fifth place or better on U.S. rock or indie charts and garnering the coveted praise of Robert Christgau of the "Village Voice," the dean of American music critics. They moved to fellow independent record label Merge to release 2023’s “Continue As Guest,” their first record in five years. The power pop label fits correctly, with a sound that combines the more joyful and sonically uplifting songs from the Beatles catalog with the updated vibe Nick Lowe added and the more driving influences of The Knack.
JOELTON MAYFIELD @ OVER YONDER
THURSDAY, JULY 25 | 8 PM
You learn something new every day, and today it’s the existence of alt-country emo. Recently written history of movements in music and the always-dubious subgenre mining are far from solid confirmation of anything. But if it is to be believed, fourth-wave emo is a Midwestern thing despite Pennsylvania’s Modern Baseball and California’s Joyce Manor being leaders. Those were punky pop bands, nothing like Joelton Mayfield. The central-Texas native now operates out of Nashville, which makes his mission to entertain Savannah practically a matter of law. The sound is vaguely familiar, a sweet blend of country and low-intensity rock like The Eagles, Jaybirds or Wilco. So there’s a definite late-20th-century Americana vibe, but almost as much of a nod to decades-old traditional country and modern songwriting sensibilities that opens the door to the emo angle. Joelton has a great voice and is probably a fan of Uncle Tupelo, too, so it all makes sense.
RAY HOWARD’S EARTH, WIND & FIRE TRIBUTE @ COACH’S CORNER
SATURDAY, JULY 27 | 7 PM
Recreating the big band R&B/funk badassery of an Earth, Wind & Fire show is no small task. Chicago native Ray Howard is up to it, bringing eight to 11 additional performers to complete the job. And what a job they do. EWF, formed in 1969, scored countless hits in the '70s and '80s from the 15 albums released in those decades and sold more than 90 million records along the way. The band, led by bassist Verdine White, was tight as a drum and accented by a powerful horn section. But the real secret sauce was the contrasting lead vocals of falsetto Philip Bailey and tenor Maurice White. Nominated for 19 Grammy Awards and winning seven, along with four American Music Awards and hits like “Shining Star,” “Can’t Hide Love,” “Fantasy,” and “Boogie Wonderland,” EWF’s incredible legacy is unquestionable. Ray Howard and his band pay tribute and honor it with skill, talent and affection.
THE WIDDLER @ ELAN SAVANNAH
FRIDAY, JULY 26 | 10 PM
Born in Tel Aviv, raised in northern New Jersey, and now a resident of Austin, Texas, The Widdler has produced music since he was a mere tot. A bass and dubstep innovator, his style runs the spectrum. He’s adept at dropping chilled-out electro-stoner vibe soundscapes that incorporate reggae and dub and run 10 minutes or more. Conversely, The Widdler can melt faces and blow minds with sinister, throbbing bass that stalks the dancefloor and attacks with increased tempo, intense percussion and unexpected sound effect samples. In early August, he’s appearing at the gigantic outdoor Sound Haven EDM festival in Tennessee. Seeing The Widdler in a smaller venue requires far less effort for a nearly equal payout. Maybe better with air conditioning.
PRETTY DARN @ DISTRICT LIVE
SATURDAY, JULY 27 | 8 PM
The Hilton Head duo is releasing their new album “Rejuvenate” on July 27 and celebrating with their biggest show ever at District Live. Philly native Kyle Wareham started playing at age five, and Hilton Head local Nick Poulin grew up with church music. The combo’s mellow groove is driven by folk and country, leaning hard on soothing harmonies. They’ll dip into reggae, and all their songs work as acoustic versions, proven by the informatively titled live release, “Acoustic (Live).” Vocally, they are similar to the Talbott Bros., who performed at District Live last summer, with a scratchy but soulful lead supported by a less compelling but smoother voice. It works wonders, carrying the songs to pleasant places free of conflict and stress, the opposite of any and all experiences in the slowly decaying places like Philadelphia.
