WXPN’s Homegrown Live! concert series returned in April of this year with a sold out free concert showcasing an eclectic bill of Philly musicians. Mixing veterans as well as new faces, and a mix of genres too, singer-songwriter Eliza Hardy Jones gigged alongside the vibrant eclectic hip-hop psych-rock hybrid of Cadre Noir, as well as the Philly indie rock royalty we’re featuring this week.
Toby Leaman is one of the co-founders and co-songwriters of Dr. Dog, a Philly band that’s been rocking crowds and lifting spirits across the country and around the world for the past two decades. In 2022, Leaman released his debut solo EP, Military Applications, and it took fans further into his left-of-center take on grizzly soul and rock n’ roll.
Backed by his Dr. Dog bandmate Zach Miller on keys and vocals, as well as the two-pronged rhythmic powerhouse of Patrick Berkery on drums and Daniel Villarreal on percussion, Leaman gave a loose and explosive performance of the entirety of Military Applications for this hometown crowd. He also played “Fine White Lies,” one of his contributions to Dr. Dog’s 2024 self-titled album, and an as-yet unreleased song called “CCTV” that rocked the set to a close.
Watch Toby Leaman’s Homegrown Live! performance above, and check out photos from the night below. The next time he takes the stage in Philadelphia happens on Friday, September 19th, when Dr. Dog plays Citizens Bank Park, supporting The Lumineers. Tickets and more information can be found at WXPN’s Concert Calendar.