Blackwater Holylight / Glassing

Thursday, February 26, 2026 - 8:00pm

Venue: 
Johnny Brenda's
Age: 
21+

BLACKWATER HOLYLIGHT

When the women of Blackwater Holylight left their hometown of Portland OR threeyears ago, their mission was to escape the gloom of the Pacific Northwest and theplacating comfort of familiarity. Aiming for the sunnier climes of LA, the band foundthemselves not only in a warmer environment, but in a blank slate landscape—onewithout jobs, longtime friend groups, and the easy retreat of old habits. And it was here,unencumbered by the contentment of security, that Blackwater Holylight began diligentlyworking on their fourth full-length album, Not Here Not Gone.
As with their previous work, Not Here Not Gone explores the duality of light and dark—menacing riffs provide the bedrock to beguiling melodies; dense walls of shoegazeguitars pair with lighter-than-air synths; and heavy subject matter is delivered by sirensong vocals. Across their work, the listener gets a sense of empowerment at one turn,vulnerability the next. As drummer Eliese Dorsay describes it, “some songs we’re thepredator, and some songs we’re the prey.” The juxtaposition of confidence anduncertainty is never in as such stark relief as when one makes a life changing decision,which may explain how the band’s relocation intensified their study in contrasts tointoxicating new heights on Not Here Not Gone.

GLASSING

No one does heavy music quite like Glassing. While owing as much to theemotion of The Cure as they do to Neurosis or Pg. 99, it’s nearly impossibleto pigeonhole their melding of jagged, crunching riffs and crystallinemelodies. The Austin, TX trio, named after a Planes Mistaken for Stars song,established themselves with 2017’s self-released “Light in Death”, followedby their inimitable “Spotted Horse” in 2019 on Brutal Panda Records
(Kowloon Walled City, Whores) but broke through with the 2021 follow-up,“Twin Dream” which showcased their duality of grace and malevolence alike.
Made whole by Cory Brim’s undeniably unique guitar voicing and melodies,Dustin Coffman’s vocal abilities and colossal bass, Scott Osment’s (Deaf Club) precise fury behind the kit, the group excels at seamlessly blendingdevastating riffs and heart-wrenching melody. 2024 saw the band join Berlin’s Pelagic Records for their 4th full-length album, “From the Other Sideof the Mirror” that further cemented them as a unique pillar of undergroundheavy music.

Philly Haps

Monday, Aug 3, 2026
Time Venue Age
Abronia / Cartoon & Bill Nace / Earthen Jug 7:00pm Ortlieb's 21+
Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026
Time Venue Age
Static Brian / Lust Orchid / Death Drive / Marcyline 7:00pm Ortlieb's 21+
Wednesday, Aug 5, 2026
Time Venue Age
Tilted presents: Nancy Strong / Curse Reverser / Nadafinger 8:00pm Ortlieb's 21+
Thursday, Aug 6, 2026 - Sunday, Aug 9, 2026
Time Venue Age
BlackStar Film Festival 10:30am - 8:00pm Multiple Venues (See Description) All Ages
Thursday, Aug 6, 2026
Time Venue Age
Casket Cassette / Stare Away 8:00pm PhilaMOCA All Ages
Friday, Aug 7, 2026
Time Venue Age
Soji / Mac N' Toss / Gina Young / Gutter Pearl 7:00pm Ortlieb's 21+
The Body / BIG|BRAVE / Carnivorous Bells 7:30pm PhilaMOCA All Ages
WKDU Supports: The Body with Big Brave and Carnivorous Bells 8:00pm PhilaMOCA All Ages
Saturday, Aug 8, 2026
Time Venue Age
Circus of Power / Tim Mosher & His Junkyard Friends / Ten Ton Mojo / The Erotics 5:00pm Kung Fu Necktie 21+
Iron Chic 6:00pm Spruce Street Harbor All Ages
Mr. Unloved / Three 4 Tens / The Shirt Brother DJs 8:00pm Green Rock Tavern All Ages
Sunday, Aug 9, 2026
Time Venue Age
WKDU Presents: WKDU Brunch Takeover at Johnny Brenda's with DJs Yoni & WPRB's Dana K 1:00pm Johnny Brenda's All Ages
Family Art Day at PAFA 1:00pm PAFA Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts All Ages
Monday, Aug 10, 2026
Time Venue Age
Murphy's Law / The Goons / Menstrual Tramps / Flipside 7:00pm - 8:00pm Nikki Lopez 21+
Secret Cinema presents vintage comedy TWO-REELERS 7:30pm Bryn Mawr Film Institute All Ages