Last month brought the very sad news that South Jersey/Philly music scene veteran Steve Poponi suddenly passed away at age 47, and now a bunch of great bands that have worked with Steve over the years have come together to play two benefit shows in Philly to raise money for Steve’s family. The lineups include surviving members of Steve’s own band Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start with surprise guest vocalists, as well as Hop Along, Alex G, A Great Big Pile of Leaves, and Saintseneca.
The shows go down on January 26 and 27 at Union Transfer with Hop Along on both, plus Alex G and Saintseneca on night one and Up Up Down Down and AGBPOL on night two. Tickets go on sale Friday (12/8) at noon, and a two-day pass option is coming soon too.
Hop Along writes:
On October 31 we tragically lost Steve Poponi. There are things we all wish to say personally about the time we’d each been fortunate to know him and call him friend–in truth he was beloved by and devoted to so many people. He was not only a one-in-a-million father, husband, son, brother—-his reach of influence generously included that of being a great teacher, friend, and artist within the music community of Philadelphia and well beyond. To witness people come together and share what he’s meant to all of us near and far, is to see that even now the very way he lived continues to be an incredible and staggering work of a brilliant person. We are honored to participate in this benefit for his amazing family, and to celebrate someone who remains second to none. We also look forward to the special performance by Steve’s band, Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start. Thank you for everything Steve.
AGPOL writes:
As some of you may know, we suddenly lost our beloved friend Steve Poponi last month, just two days after our shows in Brooklyn. We’re so grateful that we got to spend such a beautiful, joyful weekend with him and our hearts continue to break for his family and friends. He was truly one of a kind—thoughtful, caring, talented and hilarious—and we can’t believe he’s gone.
Next month we’ll be hanging out with a bunch of friends who loved Steve just as much as he loved them. We hope that you can join us in celebration of his life, while helping to raise money for his family.
Up Up Down Down last reunited in 2016, which followed a one-off reunion show in 2013 which was also at Union Transfer with Hop Along and A Great Big Pile of Leaves. Read about UUDD’s 2003 album And Nothing Is #1 in our list of 10 underrated classics of early 2000s emo.
