TV On The Radio electrifies Philly

From their days playing Brooklyn art spaces in the early 2000s to their singular and uncompromising discography, TV On The Radio has always been a pillar of independent music. The band’s bold aesthetic and presentation attracts people both on record and onstage. Their shows are something to be witnessed, especially for fellow musicians and artists, meaning lots of familiar faces were at Franklin Music Hall Tuesday when the band’s first tour in five years visited Philly.

A few weeks out from their show at Franklin Music Hall, TV On The Radio announced on socials that the celebrated Philly hardcore trio Soul Glo, made up of multi-instrumental vocalists Pierce Jordan and GG Guerra and drummer TJ Stevenson, backed by bassist Winston Hightower, were opening up.

Soul Glo released Diaspora Problems with Epitaph Records in 2022, a breakout moment for the band who had poured so much into developing their powerful sound and aesthetic over the years. They got swept up in ways we all hope Philly musicians do, and were able to check off industry milestones, like performing at Coachella and NPR’s Tiny Desk.

To put it plainly, they are equal parts guttural and playful, with loud bursts of noise mixing it up with driving punk energy and a theatrical presentation; it’s eccentric, but self-aware, and undeniably impactful. TV On The Radio would probably agree, based on their choice alone, that the hype is real and Soul Glo’s stage auras were on fire.

Closing their set, the band teased an instrumental portion of Black Sabbath’s song “War Pigs,” an homage to Ozzy Osbourne who passed away earlier in the month, before saying “Free Palestine” and exiting the stage.

After a break, TV On The Radio took the stage to kick off the second leg of their  Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes reissue tour. Founding members Kyp Malone on guitar and Tunde Adebimpe on vocals were backed by guitarist Jaleel Bunton, bassist Jesske Hume, drummer Japhet Landis, and trombone player / percussionist Dave Smoota Smith. The band last played this Philly venue when it was still called The Electric Factory; travelling even further back, Adebimpe remembered a gig in the hallowed basement of First Unitarian Church. “It felt like middle school prom,” he said affectionately.

Adebimpe preluded the set by telling the crowd that everything the band does is in the name of love, unity, “and taking it this direction” he said, gesturing upward. From there, TV On The Radio carved a winding path through their catalog. Two tracks off 2003’s Young Liars, the title track and “Satellite,” were the bookends of their 15-song setlist at Franklin Music Hall; the wildly-loved “Wolf Like Me” was tucked into the middle, and the crowd’s energy exploded when it dropped.

The band’s 2008 classic Dear Science got the biggest showing in the setlist with five songs, including “Crying” and “Golden Age,” and the night ended with a powerful performance of “Staring At The Sun.” Arms outstretched to the crowd, Adebimpe egged them on one more time, and mouthing “come on” to loud cheers.

“I didn’t get to tell you this yet,” Adebimpe said, cracking a smirk out of the corner of his mouth, “but you look cute, all of you.”

After the show, the vibes continued as Jordan of Soul Glo DJed a set of heavy electro-house next door at Doom Bar.

TV On The Radio’s 2025 tour continues this weekend with dates in Toronto and Montreal before heading to the west coast later next month. They’ll play a big hometown show in Brooklyn on September 13th; the band’s There Goes The Neighborhood festival happens Under the K Bridge Park and features performances by Flying Lotus, Sudan Archives, Spellling, and Philly’s own Moor Mother.