The bluesy rock of England’s Band of Skulls sent a wave of the past through Union Transfer on Friday.
Playing the last show of its U.S. tour, the band entranced the Philly crowd with its updated vintage blues sound.
Russell Marsden took high-fives from the crowd and waded through orange and green light. His guitar and voice melted with Emma Richardson’s bass and vocals and Matt Hayward’s drums to deliver a set that spanned the band’s decade-plus career. They opened with “In Love by Default” from their 2016 LP “By Default,” a song that demonstrates how far their music has evolved without losing touch with its raw beginnings.
Reflecting on how much the group loves Philly and recalling a 2009 show at North Star Bar, Marsden composed an audio love letter to fans, old and new.
Bathed in darkness, Athens band Mothers — led by Kristine Leschper’s haunted guitar picking and distinctive voice — opened with a lush set reflecting the band's masterful 2016 debut LP “When You Walk a Long Distance You Are Tired.”
Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7.
Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceBand of Skulls plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceMothers plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceMothers plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceMothers plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceMothers plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceMothers plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7. Chris Sikich/for PhillyVoiceMothers plays Union Transfer on Oct. 7.