Fresh Squeeze of Vintage Pop: The Lemon Twigs in Concert at Union Transfer - May 7, 2026
Photo Credit: Julia Hill
Written by Julia Hill
In front of Union Transfer on Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia, the sidewalk was occupied by a line of anticipatory fans, eager to see the famed D'Addario brothers, known as The Lemon Twigs. The Long Island brothers, whose harmony-saturated take on vintage pop-rock has earned them a devoted following over the last decade, and a new album (Look For Your Mind! via Captured Tracks), arriving today, the energy outside the venue carried the feeling of both celebration and curiosity, longtime fans mixing with newer listeners eager to hear the songs live.
Opening the evening was Josephine Network, who took the stage promptly at 8 p.m. Their joyful brand of rock and roll teased with sweetness without ever fully tipping into it, thanks largely to the edge in their collective playing. Glittery guitar solos etched through rolling rhythms that felt made for movement, and the crowd responded in kind. Songs like “Tall Buildings” and “Fat Doll” were standout tracks as the band stretched into lively jams. At the end of “Fat Doll,” Josephine quipped, “That’s what you call a serve,” before adding, “It’s good to have music you can bounce to,” a fitting summary of the set’s buoyant spirit.
The Lemon Twigs took the stage a little after 9 p.m., launching into “My Golden Years,” a tightly constructed performance that highlighted the brothers’ sharp musicianship. Early in the set, a power supply issue briefly interrupted the third song, but Brian D’Addario and Michael D’Addario handled the moment with humor, teasing one another. Michael joked that karma had finally caught up to Brian and might turn him into an ant, drawing laughs from the crowd and keeping the atmosphere loose.
Once things were back on track, the band settled into the kind of performance that has made them one of the most compelling rock acts working today. Their harmonies were especially striking live. Flying jumps appeared throughout the set, adding flashes of glam-rock vibrancy to songs.
The crowd remained fully engaged from start to finish, with dancing breaking out across the floor for much of the night. Even during quieter moments, the audience seemed locked into every harmony and guitar flourish, feeding off the band’s confidence and obvious love for performing.
As the first leg of their tour winds down ahead of dates in the United Kingdom, The Lemon Twigs continue to prove why their retro influences resonate so strongly in a modern setting. At Union Transfer, they delivered a performance that felt less like an exercise in nostalgia and more like a reminder of how great songwriting and genuine stage chemistry can be. They are headed to the 9:30 Club in D.C. on May 9th, and to Tompkins Square Park in NYC on Sunday, May 10th, where they are playing a free show. For more info and tickets, click HERE!
