Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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 CRO W pLt struts Frot parties and bars around campus keep Temple's night owls entertained during the weekend. However, some students would rather spend their Saturday night at a house show, crowded in a humid bosement watching a little-known band rock out. House shows land somewhere between a party and a large-scale concert featuring genres that range from lo-fi pop to punk or even funk groove fusion. The venues — rowhomes by day, concert halls by night — often close and new ones open, os the tenants who run them move elsewhere. They ore located all throughout the city of Philadelphia, but a few like The Nest and Beaver Dorn, have popped up near campus and become popular among students who attend, play and even host them. Attendees pay about five to ten dollars for entrance making affordability a big draw, but senior Brendan Maher frequents these shows for the ambionce. 1 think that house shows provide a more intimate experience than larger concerts and have a more casual atmosphere,' Maher said. 'In my experience everyone ot house shows, including the band members, have been friendly and welcoming.' House shows usually feature local bonds with a D.I.Y or 'do it yourself' ethic. Sophomore Potrick Chobot helps run the venue 'Trash House' making sure that all of the bands are organized and ready to play. For him, the house show scene is first and foremost about music 'We push for everyone to go see the bands, but we also understand people who just want to hang out and hove o oood night.' he said. Favorites in the Philadelphia house show circuit include pop band 'Radiator Hospital,' psychedelic jazz group 'Kingfisher.' ond fusion jam band 'dot.gov' - formed by Temple students. Bonds from other cities, like 'Girlpool' (from los Angeles) often play in Philfy for its thriving D.I.Y. scene. Sophia Uerbilla. solo artist for lo-fi band 'Harmony Woods.' soys different crowds provide a different experience. 'Some shows are super intimate and the crowds ore reolfy quiet, which can moke it feel like a really unique, cathartic experience for performers,' she said 'Other crowds can be kind of loud ond ore obviously mostly there to hong out with their friends... I find that most of the people I've played in front of care deeply about the music and performance.' House shows offer a unique atmosphere at a low cost, which is reason enough for many to experience them ot least once in their college career. For bonds, it creates the opportunity to become known such os popular pop-punk band 'Modern Baseball' who started their career playing ot house shows around the Philly ond Temple area. 'in o house show, it’s like the person performing is one of your friends, freshman Max Verna said. 'But at an octuol concert, they're like separated from you on a stage.' WRITTEN BY NCK EHY PHOTOGRAPHED BY MJCHAEl SOTTHE