By Adam McGrath
Sometimes the best instrument is the human voice. The only thing better is multiple human voices. Portland band Ages and Ages proved this claim Saturday night at Center City’s MilkBoy as all six band members lifted up in song during a stirring performance.
Ages and Ages (all photos by Adam McGrath)
Led by Tim Perry, Ages and Ages has a knack for building layers of sound that add up to a remarkable whole. Flanked by Sarah Riddle and Annie Bethancourt, Perry was mild-mannered but confident as the band played through tracks from their excellent 2014 release, Divisionary (Partisan Records). Riddle was amiable as she chatted with the crowd while switching out a variety of percussion instruments, and the boys in the back held their own with subtle, guiding rhythms. The moment of the night came as Perry dedicated final song, “Do the Right Thing”, to the people affected by the school shooting in Washington. It gave the already moving song even more poignancy.
Also on the bill were Horse Thief, led by Cameron Neal out of Oklahoma City. Touring behind this year’s Fear in Bliss (Bella Union), the band reminded me a bit of My Morning Jacket, with their interplay of guitar, keys, and vocals. Definitely worth looking into.
Cameron Neal, Horse Thief
Opening the show was local act Former Belle, led by Bruno Catrambone. It was Bruno’s last show in town for a while, as he hits the road with fellow Philly rockers CRUISR. He certainly seemed to appreciate the strong turnout as he flitted nervously around the stage, occasionally alighting upon the microphone like a butterfly testing a perch. Simply seeing him play live makes me want to learn more about him, and that’s what it’s all about, right?
Former Belle
