Led by Andy Bresnan, the very first Big Mess Cabaret took the stage in 1991, when Philly was a very different city. But think about that moment now, to reconjure the crew that made up the Big Mess Orchestra and its scene, a loose amalgam of theatre nerds, the city’s first generation of indie rockers, and other assorted misfits, well, it was a thing to behold. It still is — the first Big Mess Cabaret in seven years goes off at the Trocadero this weekend, as the crew celebrates its 25th year. It’s a good time to look back. Before this was Martha and Johnny’s town, Big Mess took high concept, arts-academy-level execution, and punk spirit to the cabaret style — a genre for which punk took a long time to admit its natural affinity. You can see it all in play this weekend; get ready to be entertained.
Plus, they have a pretty awesome Christmas album, too.
Big Mess Cabaret offers shows on both Friday and Saturday night at the Trocadero. More info/Facebook invite here.