Artelize - Union Transfer Welcomes a Musical Odyssey in 2025
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Union Transfer Welcomes a Musical Odyssey in 2025

Union Transfer in Philadelphia prepares for an unforgettable concert series in 2025 featuring a diverse lineup of artists, each with their unique sound and story. From Anees's soulful melodies to Blondshell's introspective anthems, this series promises to captivate audiences with a blend of genres and emotions. Join us as we explore how these artists, including Perfume Genius, Sleigh Bells, and OK Go, push the boundaries of music and connect with their fans on a deeper level.

May 27, 2025
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1. anees
Anees is an independent artist and songwriter from Virginia whose genre-blending music combines pop, hip-hop, and r&b with heartfelt lyricism and sublime melodies .Often compared to artists like Mac Miller, Jon Bellion, and Chance The Rapper, Anees creates music that is as soulful as it is healing. Love, freedom, and self-expression remain the core tenets of his artistry.
 Known for his soulful and healing artistry, Anees first gained global recognition with his viral single “slip,” co-signed by Justin Bieber. His breakout hit “sun and moon” topped the Billboard Philippines charts for six weeks and amassed over 200 million streams, including a live performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Following his debut album summer camp, which garnered 250 million streams, Anees sold out both his U.S. “summer camp album tour” and his European “winter camp tour.”
 Set to release in April 2025, Anees’s sophomore album, Homesick, marks a bold step forward in his career, blending genres with themes of identity and resilience. With over 500 million streams, 7.5 million followers, and support from industry icons, Anees remains deeply connected to his loyal fanbase. This April, he will debut Homesick on a 29-city tour, continuing to inspire and uplift audiences worldwide.
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May 29, 2025
Union Transfer

Philadelphia, PA · Union Transfer

2. Momma
Momma is the musical project of Allegra Weingarten and Etta Friedman. After moving to New York from Los Angeles, the two brought on bassist and producer Aron Kobayashi Ritch, and drummer Preston Fulks, to flesh out their sound. Produced by Kobayashi Ritch, Momma's new album, Welcome to My Blue Sky, lays bare all of the precious and all of the ugly experiences of falling in and out of love, and the art of keeping secrets. Welcome to My Blue Sky comes out April 4th, 2025. Sincerely, Momma
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May 30, 2025
Union Transfer

Philadelphia, PA · Union Transfer

3. OK Go
Since their inception, OK Go has been something more than a band and something different from an art project. With a career that includes award-winning videos, New York Times op-eds, collaborations with pioneering dance companies, tech giants, NASA, animators and Muppets, and an experiment that encoded their music on actual strands of DNA, OK Go continues to fearlessly dream and build new worlds in a time when creative boundaries have all but dissolved. Formed as a quartet in Chicago in 1998 and relocated to Los Angeles three years later, OK Go (Damian Kulash, Timothy Nordwind, Dan Konopka, Andy Ross) have spent their career in a steady state of transformation and continue to add to a curriculum vitae filled with experimentation in a variety of mediums. OK Go’s work is in the permanent collection of MoMA, and their achievements have been recognized with twenty-one Cannes Lions, twelve CLIOs, three VMAs, two Webbys, The Smithsonian Ingenuity Award, and a Grammy.
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May 31, 2025
Union Transfer

Philadelphia, PA · Union Transfer

4. Sleigh Bells
Sleigh Bells is an American duo formed in 2008, featuring vocalist Alexis Krauss and guitarist/producer Derek Miller. Their sound blends elements of noise pop, punk, and electro, characterized by explosive guitar riffs, pounding beats, and infectious melodies. The band gained widespread attention with their debut album Treats (2010), a high-energy mix of distortion and pop hooks, highlighted by the breakout track "Rill Rill." Following Treats, their sophomore album Reign of Terror (2012) refined their sound, incorporating darker, more personal themes while retaining their raw intensity. With Bitter Rivals (2013), they embraced a more aggressive, pop-driven approach, and their 2016 album Jessica Rabbit saw them exploring experimental textures and atmospheric production. Texis (2021) marked another shift, blending elements of early electro, new wave, and hip-hop influences. Throughout their career, Sleigh Bells has become known for their high-energy live shows and genre-defying sound, pushing boundaries in indie and alternative music. Their fearless approach to production and songwriting has earned them a dedicated fanbase and a lasting influence on a new generation of experimental artists.
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Jun 3, 2025
Union Transfer

Philadelphia, PA · Union Transfer

5. Perfume Genius
Hadreas, a Seattle native, began his music career in 2008 and released his debut album, Learning, in 2010 via long-time label home Matador. The album immediately captured critics’ attention, with Pitchfork praising its “eviscerating and naked” songs, marked by “heartbreaking sentiments and bruised characterizations delivered in a voice that ranges from an ethereal croon to a slightly cracked warble.” These descriptors became the hallmarks of Perfume Genius - Hadreas’ unique ability to convey emotional vulnerability not only lyrically, but with his impressively nuanced vocals. In 2012, Hadreas released Put Your Back N 2 It, further growing his audience and critical acclaim. His 2014 album, Too Bright, marked a bold evolution in production and confidence. Co-produced by Adrian Utley of Portishead, it featured the standout single “Queen,” which quickly became a queer anthem and powerful statement of identity. Hadreas later performed the track on Late Night with David Letterman. In 2017, Perfume Genius released the GRAMMY-nominated No Shape, a breakthrough album that expanded his global fan base and brought mainstream recognition to his art. Produced by Blake Mills (Fiona Apple, Alabama Shakes), the record earned high praise, with The New Yorker noting, “The center of his music has always been a defiant delicacy—a ragged, affirmative understanding of despair. No Shape finds him unexpectedly victorious, his body exalted.” During the album’s campaign, Hadreas appeared on multiple late-night shows and graced the cover of The Fader. In 2020, Hadreas released Set My Heart On Fire Immediately, a critical masterpiece on Matador Records that garnered worldwide acclaim. Produced by GRAMMY winner Blake Mills, the album featured contributions from Phoebe Bridgers, Jim Keltner, Pino Palladino, Matt Chamberlin, Rob Moose, and longtime collaborator Alan Wyffels. It explored and subverted concepts of masculinity and traditional roles, introducing distinctly American musical influences.Hadreas promoted the album with performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (“Jason”), The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (“Whole Life”), and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (“On The Floor”). He followed with Ugly Season, a project born from his collaboration with choreographer Kate Wallich on The Sun Still Burns Here, a dance piece commissioned by Seattle Theatre Group and Mass MoCA and performed across major cities in 2019. The release included a stunning 30-minute film, Pygmalion’s Ugly Season, created with renowned visual artist Jacolby Satterwhite, blending surreal visuals with Hadreas’s music. Mike Hadreas is now based in Los Angeles with his partner in life and music, Alan Wyffels.
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Jun 8, 2025
Union Transfer

Philadelphia, PA · Union Transfer

6. Artemas
At 24-years-old, UK-based singer, songwriter and producer, Artemas, believes rules are made to be broken. Inspired by the likes of Kurt Cobain and Anthony Kiedis, the self-taught multi-instrumentalist released his first music in late 2020, learning how to hone much of his craft in the confines of his bedroom. By late 2023, his eerie dark r&b sound fully connected, drawing comparisons to The Weeknd, as his single “if you think i’m pretty” amassed over 600M streams leading into the release of his pretty mixtape. The project captured global attention, landing the rising star on “Artist to Watch” lists by the likes of Hypebeast and Ones to Watch, and debuting on Zane Lowe’s “24 for ‘24” roster. Continuing the momentum, he released “i like the way you kiss me,” which zoomed up the charts globally reaching #1 on the Billboard Global 200, #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #3 on the UK Official Singles Chart, while selling out two debut headline tours. Now, Artemas proves he’s here to stay with the arrival of his yustyna mixtape.
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Jun 9, 2025
Union Transfer

Philadelphia, PA · Union Transfer

7. Blondshell
Blondshell - If You Asked For A Picture (out May 2, 2025) - Bio The second album from Sabrina Teitelbaum, aka Blondshell, borrows its title from a 1986 poem by the cherished American writer Mary Oliver, titled “Dogfish.” In the poem, Oliver grapples with the idea of telling one’s own story: how much to share, how much to keep for oneself — all questions Teitelbaum asked herself while writing If You Asked For A Picture. “There’s a part of the poem that says: I don’t need to tell you everything I’ve been through. It’s just another story of somebody trying to survive,” Teitelbaum says. “Something I love about songs is that you’re showing a snapshot of a person or a relationship, and showing a glimpse into a story can be just as important as trying to capture the entire thing. Sometimes it’s even truer to the entire picture than if you tried to write everything down.” Blondshell’s self-titled 2023 debut unleashed a swiss-army-knife writing style that gets under your skin: songs that are as visceral and anthemic as pop music with all the specificity, self-examination, and nonchalant humor of the best indie rock — songs you want to let crash over you, even as their strength is too concrete to be washed away. It’s a formula that turned Blondshell into one of the most lauded new artists in recent memory. If You Asked For A Picture expands these artistic horizons further, resulting in a collection of songs from an artist now at the peak of her powers that brim with an urgency, ambition, and devastating potency only hinted at until now. If You Asked For A Picture is alive with a more vital nuance both sonically and thematically, gesturing towards a deeper autobiographical story that taps into something painfully universal without being too overt. Teitelbaum explains, “The first record feels really black-and-white to me. This record has more questions.” The lucid songs of If You Asked For A Picture dig into familial relationships — parents who pass on their trauma (as in “23’s A Baby”), the endless two-way critique between mothers and daughters (the alt-rock daydream “What’s Fair”), and the loyalty of a sister who won’t forget how a man wronged you (the crushingly catchy accidental-love story “T&A”). Teitelbaum acknowledges her inherent imperfections while trying to extend compassion for the flaws in others. “The last record was a lot of, ‘You’re the villain in this situation, you’ve wronged me, and I’m really pissed’” she says. “On this record it was more like: ‘How did I get here? Maybe I’m the villain too.’ There was something freeing in that.” A major theme of If You Asked For A Picture is control — and the possibility of loosening her grip on it — including two songs (“Thumbtack,” “Toy”) that touch on Teitelbaum’s lifelong struggle with OCD. In the studio, Teitelbaum found herself confident and at home like never before, trusting her instincts as she developed an almost telekinetic shorthand with producer Yves Rothman. The result is a record of astounding sonic range - including sky-scraping ballads and colossal hooks that soar over waves of distortion, mixing layered textures and harmonic flourishes, or making unexpected hairpin turns between them. Primary among her production touchstones were unexpected curveballs like Queens of the Stone Age’s Rated R and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Californication. Teitelbaum reveled in appropriating those hyper-masculine aesthetics for her uncompromising examinations of young womanhood, playing with performances of gender in rock. “It’s empowering for me to use sonic references that feel reserved for men,” she explains. If You Asked for a Picture’s acoustic opener “Thumbtack” is a bittersweet gut-punch of self-reckoning amid an uneasy relationship. “So much of the last record was about finding myself in relationships I didn’t want to be in and not knowing why,” Teitelbaum says. “‘Thumbtack’ is one of those songs, but this record is more about finding out why and trying to be in different types of relationships.” Who among us can’t relate to longing for someone even as they prove to be “a thumbtack in my side,” as Teitelbaum sings on the song’s slyly gigantic hook? “You’re not even a good friend,” she sings, a classic Blondshell mic-drop. Bone-deep revelations like these have become a Blondshell hallmark — startling clarity, comforting wit — and If You Asked For A Picture is full of them. “I don’t want to be your mom, but you’re not strong enough,” she sings before the tidal chorus of “Arms.” On the clear-eyed “What’s Fair,” she examines a complex maternal relationship (“I grew up fast without you”), trying to empathize even as she refuses to sweep the truth under the rug. “You always had a reason to comment on my body,” she sings, like a century of mother-daughter exchanges compressed to 10 words. Teitelbaum addresses body image throughout the record, whether observing her own changing shape or admitting “part of me still sits at home in a panic over fifteen pounds” on “Event of a Fire,” a road narrative that builds to a blaze of brutal candor, capturing a kind of cinematic back-seat interiority. In the time since Blondshell, the image of Teitelbaum’s life has changed considerably. As the accolades accrued — late-night TV performances, countless year-end accolades, landing on Obama’s Best Songs of 2023 list, covering Talking Heads for A24’s Stop Making Sense tribute — Teitelbaum spent two years on the road. She played 150+ shows in support of her debut, including major festivals and a tour with Liz Phair on top of her own sold-out headline dates. This rootlessness naturally impacted Teitelbaum’s relationships with others and with herself. “When you travel a lot, you see different possibilities for who you can be,” Teitelbaum says. “So there were a lot more questions coming up. What do I want my life to look like? Maybe it’s just the nature of being two years older, but I’m more comfortable with nuance now, and I’m more comfortable with gray areas.” There’s an open-endedness to where If You Asked For A Picture lands: it’s a no-skips, triumphant sophomore record that captures the unresolved process of figuring out who you are, too wise to suggest that it has a definitive answer.
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Jun 21, 2025
Union Transfer

Philadelphia, PA · Union Transfer

8. Godspeed You! Black Emperor
All previously purchased tickets from the postponed November 24th show will be honored at this new date!
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Jun 24, 2025
Union Transfer

Philadelphia, PA · Union Transfer

9. Murder By Death
This band has always been a jumble of contradictions. On the one hand, we've had a long-running career where we got to make art for a living. But on the other hand, we have always eluded any kind of traditional success. We weren't covered much in the press, we never had a song that had a lot of radio play, nothing ever went viral, we didn't have a big social media presence, we never played a good festival spot where there was a sea of people in the audience, not once opened an arena or even a big shell auditorium show or tour. We constantly lost opportunities because of the band name and were somehow always treated like nobodies or yesterday's news by most of the industry. But you, you gosh dang wonderful audience, managed to keep us growing, and we never had a career slump. When we were our busiest — playing over 200 shows a year — we were chronically underpaid and always barely scraping by. But people kept writing to us or telling us how much we mattered and kept showing up, and we started to believe it a little. And then over the years, we grew to a more manageable place and it seemed possible to carve out a niche in this massive, mean world of entertainment. When I reflect on how good our career was and how lucky we were, I'm left with just gratitude for the small team of folks who have worked with the band and this grassroots fan following that has lifted us up the entire time. I feel like we owe any and all our success to you. I never called us DIY — despite taking on much of the work ourselves — because there are always people behind the scenes helping: it takes a village. Thank you to the promoters, clubs, bands, managers, agents, artists, publishers, lawyers, publicists, crews, etc. etc. etc. who believed in us and everyone who made this work for so long. An enormous thank you to those of you who helped us through the many difficult periods. Thank you for your relentless support, your passionate listening, and your generosity. It's been the honor of my life to write, record, sing and perform for you. We are currently in the studio pouring ourselves into a new album — stay tuned for it. After this tour, we plan to continue to do our cave shows so we can have a way to meet up once a year, but that's it. Excited to see you all on this last trip out. —Adam Turla & Murder By Death
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Jul 12, 2025
Union Transfer

Philadelphia, PA · Union Transfer

10. Johnnyswim
JOHNNYSWIM, composed of the magnetic duo Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez, effortlessly enthralls audiences with their heartfelt melodies, intertwining personal experiences and imaginative tales. Their music is a vibrant tapestry woven with memories, emotions, and dreams, blending singer-songwriter tradition with alternative flair, rock vigor, and pop ambition. Through extensive touring, they've cultivated a devoted fanbase worldwide, connecting deeply with listeners.
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Oct 16, 2025
Union Transfer

Philadelphia, PA · Union Transfer

Conclusion
Union Transfer's 2025 concert series is more than just a lineup of performances; it's a celebration of musical diversity and artistic expression. Each artist brings a unique perspective, inviting audiences to explore different facets of music and storytelling. As the series unfolds, it becomes evident that these events are not just concerts but experiences that resonate deeply with fans. Whether through Anees's heartfelt melodies, Blondshell's introspective anthems, or OK Go's innovative artistry, Union Transfer offers a platform where music and emotion intersect, leaving a lasting impact on all who attend.
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