The Philadelphia Eagles underwent their most chaotic off-season in team history, so it’s understandable if most people overlooked the effect new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s Wide-9 alignment potentially could have on the city’s live music scene. There was talk that outside linebacker Connor Barwin would be traded to a team that runs a more traditional 3-4, but he appears set as a hybrid edge rusher. This is important because Philadelphia indie rock was at risk of losing its biggest supporter—literally speaking, of course.
Unless Dario Saric’s eventual arrival in the state coincides with him going through a serious Sheer Mag phase, the title is safe with the 264-pound, 6’4” Pro Bowler, who’s not only become a fixture at local shows but a public proponent for the scene as well. On June 3, Barwin’s Make the World Better Foundation will host its third annual benefit concert, with Philly’s own Hop Along and Waxahatchee co-headlining. In the past, MTWB has featured Kurt Vile, Parquet Courts, and Mac DeMarco, and has raised nearly $500,000 for Philadelphia’s public parks.
When Barwin left the Houston Texans to sign with the Eagles in 2013, he set certain goals for himself—the culmination of which was founding MTWB. “I was 27 and I thought it was time to take a leadership role,” Barwin says over the phone, while visiting his hometown of Detroit. “I understand the opportunities I have being an NFL player, especially in the city of Philly. I took my three passions—sports, music, and active play in the community—and tried to connect them all together.”
Barwin’s gateway into indie rock didn’t arrive via a cooler older brother or “120 Minutes” or the Spin Alternative Record Guide. While playing both football and basketball at the University of Cincinnati, Barwin was “barely listening to anything.” But during an injury-plagued rookie season in 2010, Barwin befriended one of the Houston Texans’ intern trainers and became familiar with the city’s live venues and local bands. By 2013, Grantland had dubbed Barwin “the NFL’s Modern Man,” a moonlighting music critic who befriended Father John Misty, and more importantly, a supporter of marriage equality and energy conservation.
Perhaps a public interest in semi-obscure guitar music and vaguely liberal politics seems to some like little reason for headlines, but remember: This is the NFL, a league whose public face was the painfully milquetoast Peyton Manning. At best, Peyton was self-aware about his dorkiness; at worst, the future Hall of Famer is accused of being a sexual harasser and a sociopath. Tom Brady brags about being good friends with Donald Trump, while his favorite target is a guy celebrated for embodying the boobs, blondes, and beers fantasy of a Trump-era comedy caper.
Maybe indie rock will never infiltrate the NFL further than a charitable Arcade Fire co-sign (and maybe it shouldn’t), but for now, in their own small ways, the Eagles reflect the city’s status as the current capital of American rock ‘n’ roll. At Barwin’s behest, teammate Bryan Braman attended recent Parquet Courts and Alex G shows (as seen above), and he’s also been accompanied out by offensive lineman Jason Kelce and linebacker Mychal Kendricks. “Kendricks had this epiphany the first time he went out with me; I remember him saying to Sean [Agnew, promoter at Philly venue Union Transfer], ‘I’m really into live music!’,” Barwin recalls. “I had this same thing [with my teammates] in Houston, and people always have a good time.”
Pitchfork: How did the idea for the Make the World Better benefit show first come together?
Connor Barwin: I was going to a couple shows at Union Transfer and Sean Agnew reached out to me because of the [Grantland] article—like, “You ever want to come do a show, hit me up.” I became friends with him, and I came to him with the idea. He said, “I’ll donate the whole venue and I’ll help you book the bands, we’ll donate the bar.” That’s the only way it works, when you have that support.
How hands-on are you with booking the show?
[Sean] has the connections, so he’ll send me the manager and agent and I’ll start firing off emails. The first [benefit show] was Kurt Vile; I met with his manager, had a drink, talked, and Kurt was down. Last year was struggle, no one could do it with all of these festivals going on. Then I went to Coachella—I go every year—and we end up having Mac DeMarco and Parquet Courts partying at our house and it was just incredible. A week later, I was like, “Shit, I should just ask Mac, he’s in New York, we’ll just pay his gas to come to Philly.” He was the easiest person to book—he’s like, “Yup, I’ll be there.” Parquet Courts was supposed to be in London recording, but their schedule changed. Sean [Yeaton, Parquet Court’s bassist] lives in Philly and he said, “We’ll be in town and we can do the show.” This Suffers and Tontons are from Texas, and I was friends with them from my time there.
After having New York bands as headliners last year, was there an intention to make things more local in 2016?
Both Hop Along and Waxahatchee wanted to do it right away. I want to be as local as possible because it’s all going back to Philly playgrounds. We’re definitely proud that we kept it local, made it affordable, plus we’ve always had female artists—especially this year, that’s been great.
When you meet musicians, do they ask you about the Eagles or for insider fantasy football info?
Kurt Vile and I have hung out a few times, he’s awesome. He’s Mr. Philly and he has no interest in the Eagles, which is hilarious. Ira [Wolf Tuton] from Yeasayer—huge Eagles fan. He can’t help but get into Eagles conversation every time we talk. When I’m at shows, it’s pretty relaxed, but every once in a while, you get the crossover. Alex G is not an Eagles fan, but at his show, someone in his band was fucking around doing “E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!” chants. Once you meet these people, it’s hard not to become a big fan. The same thing happens with the NFL. I connect those two worlds for them. [Vile] is kind of a fan now that he’s friends with me.
I wouldn’t classify most of the indie rock you’ve mentioned as being particularly aggressive. Do you have to switch to something else when you’re working out?
I’m listening to DMX and Eminem when I’m in the gym. You gotta let the fuckin’ dog out.
Do you see a future for yourself in the music business once your NFL career comes to a close?
It’s something I’d love to do. I love to go to shows and be part of that world. I know a bunch of guys who are in it [the music industry], and I hear all of the bad shit they say about it. My plan to go five or six more years [in the NFL], and we’ll take it from there. But I know I’ll be going to shows for the rest of my life.