{"id":24292,"date":"2017-05-18T08:41:09","date_gmt":"2017-05-18T12:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=24292"},"modified":"2017-05-18T08:41:14","modified_gmt":"2017-05-18T12:41:14","slug":"on-stage-jarre-finally-comes-to-north-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=24292","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Jarre finally comes to North America"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Staff Writer, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Jean-Michel Jarre<\/p><\/div>\n

Jean-Michel Jarre is a legend in the world of electronic music.<\/p>\n

Ever since his debut album, the French composer\/performer has been pushing the boundaries of music \u2013 and of attracting live audiences.<\/p>\n

In 1990, Jarre attracted an\u00a0audience of 2.5 million\u00a0in front of\u00a0La D\u00e9fense skyline, Paris in a show commemoration celebration of the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution 1789\u20131989.<\/p>\n

In 1997, Jarre broke his own record in\u00a0Russia when he played to\u00a0over 3.5 million people at a concert celebrating the 850th birthday of Moscow.<\/p>\n

Now, Jarre has embarked on his first-ever tour of North America \u2013 a tour that will visit several intimate venues. On May 18, Jarre will bring his \u201cElectronica Tour\u201d to theTower Theater (69th and Ludlow streets, Upper Darby, 215-922-1011, www.thetowerphilly.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were a few times in the past that I was supposed to do a tour of the states but this is the first time it has actually happened,\u201d said Jarre, during a phone interview last week from a stop in Manhattan.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve worked in the United States a lot over the years but I\u2019ve never done a real tour. I\u2019m really happy to be able to share this project with American audiences.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery night is going to be different. I go by the vibe of the night and the vibe of the people.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaking electronic music is like cooking. A good chef is always able to surprise. I call my space on the stage \u2018My Kitchen.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always involved visuals in my shows. For years, I\u2019ve wanted to express the sound through visuals but the technology wasn\u2019t able to do what I wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, Jarre has the technology he needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis stage show is exciting,\u201d said Jarre, a four-time Guinness World Record holder for largest concerts ever performed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m creating cinematography in 3-D \u2013 without the glasses. We have LED screens that are transparent with layers of visuals. It works very well wherever you are in the venue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jarre\u2019s most recent albums are \u201cElectronica 2: The Heart of Noise\u201d in 2016, \u201cOxyg\u00e8ne 3\u201d in 2016 and \u201cRadiophonie vol. 9\u201d in 2017.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe show\u2019s set list is based on the project I have in mind,\u201d said Jarre, a 2017 Grammy nominee with more than eighty million albums sold.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do some of my new songs, some that were collaborations with other people and also some classics that we\u2019ve re-worked to fit the sound in 2017. The set list is also based on where I\u2019m playing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Every concert will be a unique experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe project is a modular project that can be adjusted to any venue,\u201d said Jarre, a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador renowned for his one-off groundbreaking events at historical landmarks across the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did a big outdoor venue on the Red Sea and the O2 Arena in London. We\u2019ve also played small theaters \u2013 and we can even play small clubs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are three of us on stage \u2013 two other musicians and myself. There are somewhere around 50 keyboards and percussion instruments representing different eras of electronic music \u2013 from vintage synths to digital gear developed specially for this tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jarre is serious when he says that this is truly a one-of-a-kind concert experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith a lot of concerts, you can go to YouTube and understand what it is,\u201d said Jarre, whose experimental music is on a plateau with that of electronic music pioneers Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Luciano Berio.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith this show, it has to be seen to be believed. We\u2019re not making any DVDs or BluRays of the shows on this tour. It has to be experienced live or not at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Jean-Michel Jarre \u2013 https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/jeanmicheljarre\/videos\/10155328664134096\/<\/a>. The show at the Tower, which also features Josh Wink, will start at 8 p.m. Ticket prices start at $25.<\/p>\n

Another show in the Philly area on May 18 will occupy a completely different sphere than that of Jarre.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Pump and Dump<\/p><\/div>\n

While Jarre\u2019s show is ethereal, dream-like and cerebral, the show at Punchline Philly (33 East Laurel Street, Philadelphia, 215-606-6555<\/a>,http:\/\/www.punchlinephilly.com<\/a>) is down-to-earth, punchy and focused on mundane activities.<\/p>\n

Actually, the comedy-and-music show focuses on the humorous side of mundane activities. Its The Pump and Dump Show\u2019s \u201cBest Moms\u2019 Night Out Ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Pump and Dump Show, which features originators Shayna Ferm and Tracey Tee, is an irreverent, one-of-a-kind, interactive production designed as the ultimate respite for beleaguered parents everywhere.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was a 19-city tour and we only have four cities left,\u201d said Ferm, during a phone interview Wednesday from a tour stop in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout five years ago, Tracey and I started this show in Denver in a bar. We were overwhelmed as moms.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery mom has to deal with baby blogs, with people telling her how to be a mom and Facebook mom pages. It\u2019s so overwhelming.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tee said, \u201cWe thought \u2013 what if people could get together and laugh at this \u2013 real people getting out together and laughing together \u2013 learning to not be so hard on themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy job and Shayna\u2019s job is to say things that you think about but don\u2019t say. We do this for mothers. It\u2019s one-and-a-half hours to laugh \u2013 with no-one touching your boobs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pump and Dump\u2019s show has introduced laugh-inducing segments that are totally relatable for mothers, including \u201cStump the Gyno,\u201d and the \u201cSad Cake\u201d photo slideshow.<\/p>\n

The most popular is the interactive \u201cThe Most F***ed Up Thing Your Kid Did This Week\u201d segment in which the mostly-young-mom attendees write down a story on index cards and then hear them read aloud on stage. The segment has since birthed a Huffington Post Parents feature <\/a>that was \u201cliked\u201d more than 12,000 times on Facebook.<\/p>\n

The show takes its name from the procedure of pumping breast milk then disposing of it \u2013 usually so breastfeeding moms can safely drink a glass of wine or two.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is really a night out for moms,\u201d said Ferm. \u201cWe feel we are the original \u2018Moms\u2019 Night Out.\u2019 This is really more an event than a show. This is like a post-partum party.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cThe Pump and Dump\u201d show \u2013https:\/\/youtu.be\/eIc1vdbQwss<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Punchline Philly will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $28.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Lonestar<\/p><\/div>\n

It was just about 25 years ago when a few friends from Texas who had relocated to Nashville decided to work on a new project.<\/p>\n

The project was an immediate success and has continued to grow, evolve and endure. Now, a quarter-of-a-century later, that project \u2013 a country band called Lonestar \u2013 is still a major success.<\/p>\n

On May 18, the sweet-singing quartet will visit the area for a show at the Valley Forge Casino (1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia, 610-354-8118, www.vfcasino.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Known for merging country roots with strong melodies and rich vocals, Lonestar — Richie McDonald (lead vocals), Michael Britt (lead guitar, backing vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums), and Dean Sams (keyboards, backing vocals) — has amassed RIAA-certified sales in excess of ten million album units since their national launch in 1995.<\/p>\n

The band has logged 10 Number 1 country hits including \u201cNo News,\u201d \u201cCome Crying to Me,\u201d and their crossover smash \u201cAmazed\u201d (which was also Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe four of us have been together for 25 years,\u201d said Britt, during a phone interview Wednesday as the band\u2019s bus was departing Nashville en route to a tour stop in Connecticut.<\/p>\n

\u201cRichie left in 2008 but then came back in 2011. John Rich, who is now in Big and Rich, was in the band when we started but left in 1998.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have anything special planned for out 25th<\/sup> anniversary. We\u2019re just trying to enjoy ourselves. We\u2019re all just so thankful that we get to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lonestar is heading north for shows at in Norwalk, Connecticut; the Valley Forge Casino; Marshfield, Massachusetts; and Portland, Maine.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is just a short four-show run,\u201d said Britt. \u201cTypically, we just go out on short runs. It\u2019s hard to play places on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Most venues are mainly weekend-driven.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lonestar\u2019s awards include ACM Single of The Year for \u201cAmazed\u201d (the song also won the Song of the Year award), and CMA Vocal Group of the Year as well as this year\u2019s nomination for People\u2019s Choice Award for best country group. worldwide per year, they are celebrating 25 years together.<\/p>\n

Now, the band is touring in support of its new album \u201cNever Enders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur latest album \u2018Never Enders\u2019 came out in 2016,\u201d said Britt. \u201cWe recorded it at the end of 2015 and early 2016. We cut it at two studios in Nashville that we always use \u2013 Blackbird Studio and Ocean Way Studio.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn \u2018Never Enders,\u2019 our keyboard player Dean is actually the producer. He\u2019s produced other acts and he\u2019s a good producer. In the past, when we had a record label, they would make suggestions for producers they wanted us to use.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is started as an independent release so we were able to use whatever producer we want. And, we didn\u2019t have a timeline. Our last album \u2018Life As We Know It\u2019 was also independently released Last year, Shanachie Records picked up \u2018Never Enders.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do a 90-minute show but we didn\u2019t play any songs from \u2018Never Enders\u2019 live until the album came out. We don\u2019t play songs before they are released.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince its release, we play three or four songs from the new album in our show. So much of the set list is our hits. We had nine Number Ones and a bunch of other top 10 hits.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also do a couple old cover songs that we\u2019ve been playing for a while, including an Eagles song as a tribute to Glen Frey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Lonestar — https:\/\/youtu.be\/CNXjDvOxOlg<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Valley Forge Casino will start at 9 p.m. Tickets are $45.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Life of Agony<\/p><\/div>\n

If you like your music more on the heavy side and you\u2019re looking for a show on May 19, take a short trip west to Lancaster to check out Life of Agony\u2019s show at the Chameleon Club (223 North Water Street, Lancaster, 717-299-9684, http:\/\/www.chameleonclub.net<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Life of Agony emerged from the New York music scene in the early 1990s with one of the most distinctive sounds in its genre.<\/p>\n

Best known for its 1993 metal\/crossover debut \u201cRiver Runs Red,\u201d the band instantly built a die-hard, cult following. For over two decades, the group toured relentlessly all over the world.<\/p>\n

Life of Agony — vocalist Mina Caputo, guitarist Joey Z, bassist Alan Robert, and drummer Sal Abruscato — took several breaks in its career and the last one looked like it might actually be a break-up. That changed three years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2014, promoters from the Alcatraz Festival in Belgium contacted us and asked us to perform at the festival,\u201d said Joey Z, during a phone interview Wednesday morning from his home in Merrick, New York<\/p>\n

\u201cThe money was there. Mina said \u2013 I\u2019m into it if the boys are into it. We went over and we had a blast. The crowd absolutely adhered to Mina. Her performances were incredible.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt snowballed from there. More shows were added. Our agent said \u2013 what about a record? We considered it and realized that making a new album was a natural progression.\u201d<\/p>\n

On April 28, Napalm Records released Life of Agony\u2019s new album \u201cA Place Where There’s No More Pain.\u201d The album came \u201chot on the heels\u201d of the band\u2019s previous album \u201cBroken Valley,\u201d which came out in 2005.<\/p>\n

\u201cI produce records when I\u2019m not touring,\u201d said Joey Z. \u201cI had a nice facility in Brooklyn \u2013 until Hurricane Sandy wiped it out. It was a $160,000 loss because the insurance policy had a clause about tidal water.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I rebuilt the studio in my home. We did most of the new record here — a bunch of guitar work and some prep. Then, we finished at three other studios. We had Matt Brown as our producer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could have produced it. But, I play lead guitar and I wanted to concentrate on that. We all thought it would be better to have a fifth member.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all have projects we\u2019re working on, homes to maintain, families and children. We all have responsibilities so we had to make the bolts fit. It took about 18 months altogether and we over-achieved. What we got was a great record.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Life of Agony \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/4i4CCKgWWh8<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The all-ages show at the Chameleon, which has Goat Skull Rebellion and Wrath of Typhon as the opening acts, will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $22.50.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Ora Cogan<\/p><\/div>\n

Ora Cogan, a Canadian singer-songwriter, lives in the Pacific Northwest but has developed a blossoming relationship with Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

She has performed numerous well-received shows in this area. Cogan recorded her new album in Philadelphia \u2013 with Philly musicians.<\/p>\n

Now, she is coming back to Philadelphia for a house show on May 19 at Harmonie Hall (Manayunk, http:\/\/harmoniehall.space<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a new album coming out in the fall called \u2018Cricket,\u2019\u201d said Cogan, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon as she travelled from Philadelphia to a show in Boston.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded the album in Philadelphia with my friend Tom Deis. We produced it together at his place in Fishtown.<\/p>\n

\u201cI first met Tom when we played the same house concert about a year-and-a-half ago. He was with his band Falsa. Tom also has another really good band called Uni Ika Ai.<\/p>\n

\u201cI made the album this winter \u2013 in February. I don\u2019t know if I had a pre-meditated idea about the album when I was writing the songs. I write songs quickly and there were threads. There definitely is a feeling \u2013 an ethos \u2013 which came together on its own accord.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wrote a lot of the songs when I was staying at this wild, remote place \u2013 an island in western Canada with heavy storms and crazy waves. I finished writing and then went from that isolation to a densely-populated place like Philadelphia. It was quite a change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cogan, who has already released seven albums, has been working her craft for a while.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been playing music since I was a kid,\u201d said Cogan. \u201cMy family was pretty artistic and creative. We lived in a West Coast town \u2013 Salt Spring Island. Then, when I was 19, I moved to Vancouver and really began making music.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Ora Cogan — https:\/\/youtu.be\/xD05X1v2HQo<\/a><\/p>\n

The show at Harmonie Hall, which also features Anna Rossi and Open Hand, will start at 9 p.m. The suggested donation is $15-$25.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams<\/p><\/div>\n

Area fans of Larry\u00a0Campbell and Teresa Williams are very fortunate this weekend. The husband-and-wife team has not been playing many live dates lately but they will be in the area for a pair of shows in Delaware.<\/p>\n

On May 19, they will share the bill with John Gorka at the Arden Gild Hall (The Village of Arden, 2126 The Highway, Arden, Delaware, 302-475-3126, www.ardenclub.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

On May 20, they will perform in downtown Wilmington as part of David Bromberg\u2019s Big Noise Festival at Tubman Garrett Park (815 Justison Street, Wilmington,http:\/\/www.bignoisefestival.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cThis weekend is just a one-off,\u201d said Campbell, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon from the couple\u2019s house in Woodstock, New York.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re only doing sporadic shows right now. The big new is the record \u2013 which comes out later this year. Since February, we\u2019ve been completely consumed with this thing,\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams said, \u201cWere getting close. I\u2019m putting the finishing touches on the art this week. With the album, we allowed ourselves a ridiculously short amount of time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Campbell said, \u201cIt\u2019s been an intense few months. I was hoping we\u2019d get it done a lot sooner than we did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Campbell\u00a0won a Grammy Award for his work with Levon Helm and has\u00a0played with many of the era\u2019s greats including Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Phil Lesh, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, Keith Richards, Cyndi Lauper, Hot Tuna and Mavis Staples.<\/p>\n

He has also won the Lifetime Achievement Award (2008) and Instrumentalist of the Year Award (2013) from the Americana Music Association.<\/p>\n

Williams was a member of Southern Comfort, and later Swing Fever. She created the role of Sara Carter, the lead singer of The Original Carter Family, for the stage and for the BBC and PBS.<\/p>\n

She has performed with Bonnie Bramlett, Buddy Miller, Emmylou Harris, Little Feat and Hot Tuna and has toured as a member of Phil Lesh and Friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the new album with Justin Guip as the engineer,\u201d said Campbell. \u201cHe\u2019s the engineer I also use when I\u2019m producing other people\u2019s records.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did the new album at his studio up here near Woodstock. We have a very symbiotic relationship with Justin. We always work together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Together, Campbell and Williams are one of the premier musical couples in American rock.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been married for 27 blissful years,\u201d said Campbell.<\/p>\n

Video link for of Larry\u00a0Campbell and Teresa Williams — https:\/\/youtu.be\/NwIJ-RSgJUY<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Arden Gild Hall will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27. The Big Noise Festival will start at noon. Tickets are $44.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Mason Porter<\/p><\/div>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) will present The Bryan Tuk Complex Trio featuring Tiffany Ly<\/a> on May 18, Mason Porter and Friends present the \u201c4th Annual Bob Dylan Birthday Bash!<\/a>\u201d on May 19, Valdez CD Release Show<\/a> with Brett Kull and Ray Weston<\/a> on May 20, and Open Mic with guest host Jace Miller<\/a> on May 21.<\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/a>) will host The Peace Creeps with Nik Everett on May 20 and Bet Williams & the Epiphany Project on May 23.<\/p>\n

Burlap & Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0www.burlapandbean.com<\/a>) will present Rachael Kilgour and Ethan Pierce on May 18, Christine Havrilla & Gypsy Fuzz on May 19 and Brad Cole, Matt Nakoa, and Robinson Treacher on May 20.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Jean-Michel Jarre is a legend in the world of electronic music. Ever since his debut album, the French composer\/performer has been pushing the boundaries of music \u2013 and of attracting live audiences. In 1990, Jarre attracted an\u00a0audience of 2.5 million\u00a0in front of\u00a0La D\u00e9fense skyline, Paris in a show […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[6518,8922,7018,8925,8924,4685,8926,8923],"class_list":["post-24292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-jean-michel-jarre","tag-larry-campbell-and-teresa-williams","tag-life-of-agony","tag-lonestar","tag-mason-porter","tag-ora-cogan","tag-pump-and-dump"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24292"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24292\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24293,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24292\/revisions\/24293"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}