Read previous – Adjacent Fest Day 2 featuring Japanese Breakfast and more
Does anyone else remember the COVID-induced live music hiatus of 2020-2021? Those were some crazy miserable times. But just in time for the return of live music, Japanese Breakfast (the stage name of prolific songwriter and author Michelle Zauner) blessed us with their long-awaited LP3 Jubilee during the summer of 2021. Their 2021 show at Asbury Lanes (coverage here) marked a jubilant return to live music and is one of my most memorable concert experiences ever. Since that time, Zauner has been touring the Grammy-nominated album nonstop while also promoting her NY Times bestselling memoir Crying in H Mart. According to Zauner, their sold out Halloween show at The Fillmore Philly was the “last jubilee”, officially marking the end of the Jubilee album cycle before moving to Korea to work on her second book.
Opening the show were Philly-based Crooks & Nannies, as well as comedian Sarah Sherman. Ahead of Japanese Breakfast taking the stage, Sherman came out dressed as Gollum to introduce the band and the night’s theme (i.e., The Lord of the Rings). Certainly, Zauner would be dressed as the half-elven character Arwen, right? Nope. Instead, the artist renowned for her iconic on-stage fashion style went with Saruman, with a full wig/beard and everything. With guitarist/husband Peter Bradley dressed as Gandalf, I imagine the costume choice was deliberate. They kicked off their set with “Paprika” – with this being the last Jubilee show ever, it felt extra triumphant as Zauner struck the gong with her wizard staff and brightly sang the lyrics “oh, it’s a rush”. The lighting and visual design were also extraordinary, with various scenes from LotR films displayed on the screen along with lighting that perfectly synced with the band’s performance. While the show was a celebration of Jubilee, the band dipped into tracks from across their discography with the exception of Zauner’s BUMPER project. Committed to the costume and theme, she chided Bradley for losing his wig and beard so early on during their set; however, his Gandalf robe and hat only accentuated his signature gyrations and more than made up for it.
They introduced a new song titled “Orlando In Love”, from their forthcoming yet-to-named water-themed LP4. Later during their set, the band was joined on stage by Kevin O’Halloran from Zauner’s first band Little Big League for a performance of “Lindsey” (from their 2013 debut LP These Are Good People). She recounted those early days playing venues like Kung Fu Necktie and the Khyber – at the latter, she was “electrocuted like 10 times” and had fruit thrown at her. Now our reigning indie darling and venerable pride of Philly, it’s hard to imagine. The confetti cannons went off during the climax of “Slide Tackle”, as the crowd jumped in unison. They ended their set with the exuberant “Everybody Wants To Love You”, the song that first got me hooked on Japanese Breakfast. For their encore, Zauner performed “Posing for Cars” solo before being joined by the rest of the band for the song’s emotional instrumental outro. If there’s anything I know, it’s that a Jbrekkie show isn’t complete without a performance of “Diving Woman”. In signature fashion, and accompanied with a visual of the Eye of Sauron on the big screen, they ended the night with “Diving Woman” as Zauner (still decked out in her wig and beard) and Bradley touched wizard foreheads at the song’s conclusion – a metaphor for the magical 2 and 1/2 year run of Jubilee.
Zauner will be relocating to Korea at the end of the year to work on her second book. Her plan is to document her day-to-day experience immersed in the culture. I’m already hungry, just thinking about it. Watch the music video for the very Halloween-appropriate “Posing In Bondage” below and keep scrolling to see more photos from the show.
