Grocer at Ortlieb’s
Middle of the lineup, star of the show. Grocer is one of Philadelphia’s best.
One of the best bands to see live in Philadelphia right now is Grocer. Dizzying harmonies, hard-hitting beats, Grocer is a pop rock band with a uniquely captivating stage dynamic. To quickly get hip to the Philly band, listen to Downtown Side. The song is a fitting soundtrack to the carnival that is Ortlieb’s on a Saturday night. And for sure, Grocer’s performance opening for the local Soft Idiot made for a great time.
Having formed as a band five years ago through a Facebook DIY music group, Grocer has since released a discography of three albums and an EP that trace their time as an evolving group. The range of Grocer’s music is impressive, and it also keeps them fresh.
You can’t go wrong with a cowbell, can you? The percussion line of Grocer is what cracks them from any mold tryingly used to define the band as any singular sound, genre, or style. A recurring description of the band online is chaotic. There is an element of craze in their set, but it feels more playful than rageful. It’s the difference of chasing after your friends versus running away from something sinister. I’m out of breath and it feels good.
Everyone in the three-piece group sings, while respectively playing their guitar, bass, and drums. You wouldn’t realize how this really turns things up a notch, but the trio’s merry-go-round of imposing vocals makes for a truly jubilant experience even when they’re telling you “it’s not that funny anymore.” Grocer regularly routes their pithy punk verses into melodic choruses layered with intermixing harmonies. Solos on their own are great. But the richness of Grocer’s vocal abilities as a band gives them a depth that is really fulfilling to hear played out.
I have a soft spot for bands with drummers who sing. Cody Nelson is fantastic. Their vocals are clean yet full of grit. And despite smashing away at the drums, Nelson’s singing is warm and steady. Danielle Lovier, who subverts the trope of the blasé bass player, unleashes a fury for a few verses worth screaming. And Nicholas Rahn, the guitar player whom I heard hand-built the instrument he’s playing, has evident talent both on stage and in his production of the band’s music videos.
The provocative emotion expressed in many of Grocer’s songs makes for a very entertaining and cathartic set. Their concerts are a great time, and the crowd at Ortlieb’s this weekend was popping. It could be that the legendary Northern Liberties spot naturally draws a circus of characters, but this weekend’s show was a particular jam. Notable shoutouts to Richmond-based Rikki Rakki and DelCo-offspring Lily McKown for their sets on stage and karaoke performances right after.
If you don’t have New Years Eve plans, you can catch Grocer ringing in the celebratory night at MilkBoy Philly on Chestnut Street. And for any other night of the week, keep a tab open for the Ortlieb’s website to see what up-and-coming gem is playing next.
