Concert at 123 offers local music alternative to FallFest

Morgantown residents wanting to hear some local music over the mainstream sounds of FallFest need look no further than 123 Pleasant Street.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy and The Cairo Gang with M Iafrate and The Priesthood at 123 Pleasant Street Monday at 10 p.m.

Though West Virginia University's fall concert is often the most talked about, 123 Pleasant Street offers a local alternative to more mainstream acts.

"Let's face it, no matter how much money the University spends on it or how eclectic FallFest might be, there are always thousands of students that want to do something else or nothing at all, for that matter," said L.J Giuliani, owner and operator of 123.
"Ten thousand-plus people crammed on the Lair plaza is not everyone's idea of fun."

Giuliani said the venue will provide a more diverse gathering than the University's concert.

123 is known for featuring original live music from a variety of national, regional and local bands.

Giuliani said places like 123 are important venues for local bands.

"The obvious is providing them with a place to perform, but it could be better asked what do local bands do for 123? "It's definitely a yin and yang relationship," Giuliani said. "We both need each other."

Local musician Michael Iafrate has been active in Morgantown since 2002, playing with different bands, before moving to Toronto to start a Ph.D. in theology.

Since moving back, Iafrate has played many solo shows, but will be performing for his first time back with The Priesthood at 123.

M Iafrate and The Priesthood is known for playing acoustic folk music, sometimes self described as "theo-folk."

"I have sometimes described M Iafrate and The Priesthood as ‘theo-folk' or just dark, folky rock with a bit of influence from ‘alt-country'" Iafrate said. "The type of music ‘theo-folk' just kind of points to the fact that religion makes its way into my songs and touches on the intersecting themes of religion, politics and sexuality."

Iafrate said local music has a deeper connection than national acts.

"Music that comes from real people and real communities and is more locally based tends to be better, more human and more humanizing in my opinion," Iafrate said. "The same is true, I think, more broadly in terms of politics and economics to the extent that the more things that can be smaller, more local, and rooted in real relationships, the better."

Tickets can be purchased now for $12 and will be $15 on the day of the show.