by Adam McGrath
There was a fluid magic in the music of Light Heat Thursday night at Race Street Pier, a sensation magnified by the reflections bouncing off the lapping waters of the Delaware River. Live music in Philly doesn’t get much better than on this gorgeous summer night.
Light Heat, the new project from Quentin Stoltzfus, offers a mature mix of classic and indie rock that alternates between rhythmic pulsing choruses and waves of cosmic reverb. A traditional four-piece group, Stoltzfus led on guitar and vocals, though his face was often obscured in shadows, while light glinted off the drummer’s ride cymbal and the bass player occasionally utilized a second keyboard that sat on the ground. I haven’t yet confirmed if these pals were The Walkmen who appeared on the self-titled LP or a different set of chaps.
The album has been gaining buzz since its release earlier this summer, with tracks like “And the Birds,” “The Mirror,” and “Are We Ever Satisfied?” highlights of the effort. I also really enjoyed the song “Elevation,” with its cool keys, island guitar, and Stoltzfus’ Dylanesque lulling from syllable to syllable.
This was my first time to Race Street Pier, which opened two years ago and is a good example of the city’s increasingly creative green spaces. Jutting out into the Delaware River, the tree-lined incline gives the impression of rising up in tandem with the Ben Franklin Bridge directly overhead. Concertgoers could lean on the railing of the upper level to watch the show, disperse along the oversized steps, or cozy up on the grass right in front of the band. The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation was smart to set up live music here, and the Third Thursday Live and Local series has been a big hit. Make sure to look out for the next one, where Philadelphia Brewing Co. will again be pouring free Kenzinger.
The summer night was cool and clear, the crowd mellow and relaxed, and Light Heat provided that musical spark that makes happiness easy to find.
