September 4-10, 2003

musicpicks

Northern Liberties Music Fest

Rock/pop

Summer may be only unofficially over, but this weekend marks the official (at least for now) end of a far more beloved, if no less sweaty, institution. As part of the Northern Liberties Music Festival, Philadelphia's own Photon Band will be playing their last show before leader Art Di Furia takes an extended hiatus to buckle down on his long-in-the-works dissertation. For years, the Photon Band's live shows -- featuring the redoubtable Jeff Tanner on bass, and the now-departed Simon Nagle on drums -- have been one of the city's unflagging pleasures, driven by Di Furia's unpretentious experimentation, gregarious stage presence and choice taste in covers (The MC5's "Shakin' Street" was a personal favorite.). Di Furia, a veteran of more bands than God can count, estimates that it'll be at least a few years before he's back onstage, though he promises that instead of playing out, he'll be "finishing songs" when he needs to unwind, which should make for a hell of a comeback gig in 2006. But just in case none of us live so long, better hike up to Liberty Lands this weekend, and shake Di Furia's hand -- gently -- before Art's history.

Sat., Sept. 6 (rain date Sept. 13), 3 p.m., free, with 1929, Fursaxa, The Situation, She-Haw, Bitter, Bitter Weeks and Lilys, Liberty Lands Park, Third between Poplar and Wildey sts., 215-315-1121.

—Sam Adams

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