As we head into August, we have an assortment of outdoor and indoor shows, of singer-songwriter and party rockers, and no fewer than three regional festivals. Here are 15 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around the Philly region; consult the Concerts and Events section of our website for complete listings and ticket info.
Sunday 7/31: Andrew Bird and Iron & Wine at SteelStacks
Masters of folk and symphonic composition, Andrew Bird and Iron & Wine are combining forces for a long summer run of outdoor shows, including Bethlehem’s scenic SteelStacks this Sunday. Nostalgia, relative to the millennial generation, will be high, but the artists have plenty of new material – featuring some career bests – to share. // 7 p.m., $40, AA
Sunday 7/31: Sweet Juice Summer Fest ft. Sug Daniels, The Lunar Year at Rigby Mansion
Any of these six bands alone is enough to get our attention, but all of them on one bill? And, at the lovely Rigby Mansion lawn in Germantown? It’s no wonder the presale tickets for this event – which includes not only live music but food, artist vendors, tarot readings, and a clothing swap – have already sold out. There will still be plenty of room, however, for fans making a day-of decision. // 3 p.m. $20, AA
Tuesday 8/2: Birdie Busch at Liberty Point
The new summer concert series at Liberty Point is making the most out of Tuesday evenings, that is, when the outdoors event hasn’t been thwarted by rain. Folk songwriter Birdie Busch stands out among a talented lineup of local acts this season, and will play this Tuesday with Philly psychedelic punk legends Spacin’. // 7 p.m., $5, AA
Wednesday 8/3: Ani DiFranco at XL Live
Songwriter Ani DiFranco showcases her new album Revolutionary Love Wednesday night in Central PA. Produced by Bon Iver collaborator Brad Cook (and written on his borrowed guitar), Di Franco’s quarantine record of sorts is a charming blend of folk, soul, jazz, and pop. // 8 p.m., $35, 21+ or accompanied by an adult
Thursday 8/4: Carsie Blanton at Upper Merion Township Park
Spunky pop rocker Carsie Blanton and her band plus acoustic folk softies Hezekiah Jones are lighting up Upper Merion Township Park for this week’s “Concerts Under the Stars” series. If you haven’t heard, trusted sources Ardmore Music Hall and Point Entertainment are curating this suburban programming all summer long, (but this week’s show is FREE). // 7 p.m., Free, AA
Thursday 8/4: Oh He Dead at City Winery
If you vibe with the current generation of rock and soul movers and shakers like The Suffers and The Seratones, D.C. outfit Oh He Dead needs to be on your radar. The band’s 2019 self-titled album travels the lows and highs of life from heartache to joy, and does so with maximum energy; catch the vibe this Thursday when they play The Loft at City Winery. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
Friday 8/5: Tellus3City Fest ft Echo Kid at Tellus360
Lancaster venue Tellus360 is all set to spend the weekend celebrating the region’s music scene, beginning Friday with a set from local rockers Echo Kid. The lunar sludge band featuring former members of RFA debuted in 2021 with the album Folks At Home, followed this year by Fever Dream — watch their Key Studio Session in support of it — and they’ll join Dominy, The Ocean Blue, Big Fat Meanies and more over the weekend. // 4:30 p.m., $10-15 per day or $30 weekend pass, 21+
Friday 8/5: Jackson Pines at Philadelphia Folksong Society
Jersey-rooted, Philly-based Americana rock duo Jackson Pines return to the Philadelphia Folksong Society on Friday for a performance alongside singer-songwriter Nicholas Edward Williams. Active since 2017 and rooted in an Avett Brothers-style adherence to tradition while pushing tradition forward, the band — led by singer-guitarist and songwriter Joe Makoviecki — released their second full-length album, Close To Home last summer. // 8 p.m., $14 – $16, AA
Friday 8/5: Homeboy Sandman at Kung Fu Necktie
On his 2021 album Anjelitu, NYC’s Homeboy Sandman teamed up with frequent tour-mate and underground rap icon Aesop Rock on the boards for another set of unflinching, introspective rhymes and gripping rhythms. A new, deluxe edition of the album dropped on Friday, and after celebrating it with a hometown show at Baby’s All Right on Thursday, Boy Sand’ll head to Philly this Friday to rock Kung Fu Necktie; Deca and Darko The Super open. // 7:30 p.m., $20, 21+
Friday 8/5: Shannen Moser at Launderette Records
Philly indie-folk singer-songwriter Shannen Moser has been slowly preparing the follow up to their 2018 album I’ll Sing, and every new song we’ve seen them do at various support slots this year — opening for Deer Scout and Sadurn, opening for Gregor Barnett — has been stunning. Shannen’s latest gig takes place Friday at the new Port Richmond music shop Launderette Records, and they’ll be joined by a solid roster of scene peers including Lowercase Roses.// 7 p.m., $10, AA
Saturday 8/6: Friendship at Johnny Brenda’s
Friendship is celebrating their Merge Records debut Love The Stranger release this Friday at Johnny Brenda’s. The four-piece’s distinct country sound is used as a vehicle to tell the tragic story of the characters featured on the record, and at the show, openers Tenci and Flanafi are preheating the hearty cowboy cast-iron chili. Tenci hails from the windy city, creates bedroom folk, and their record My Heart Is An Open Field reflects the rawness of DIY music production. And Flanafi, a self-described “experimental guitar wizard,” starts the night off. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
Saturday 8/6: Good Things Are Happening Fest ft. Slingshot Dakota at Scranton Iron Furnaces
Debuting on August 6 in the beautiful hills of Scranton is the Good Things Are Happening Fest with a lineup consisting of Bethlehem’s Slingshot Dakota, Philly’s The Tisburys, Scranton’s James Barrett, and more. The festival is advertised as a way to inspire optimism and become a catalyst to boost the moods of a population that has been beaten down by the past two years of a pandemic and various other sorts of unrest. // 12 p.m., $25, AA
Saturday 8/6: Santana at Hersheypark Stadium
Living guitar legend Carlos Santana paired up with rock and roll futurists Earth Wind and Fire is an epic lineup, and with the smells of Hershey chocolate wafting into the stadium – cannot confirm if they truly vent the smell into the open air stadium – makes for a Willy Wonky like night of fantastic music and magic. The show will feature songs from Santana’s Supernatural and Woodstock eras along with newer selections from his 2019 record Africa Speaks and this year’sBlessings and Miracles. // 6 p.m., $25, AA
Saturday 8/6: Counting Crows at The Stone Pony
The creators of the hit Shrek 2 song “Accidentally In Love” are back on tour and they will be at the Stony Pony for an outdoor show on August 6. The concert is part of their 2022 summer Butter Miracle tour in support of the album of the same name. // 6 p.m., $140, AA
Saturday 8/6: RJD2 at Brooklyn Bowl Philly
Hip Hop/ Dance DJ and producer RJD2 is playing at the Brooklyn Bowl as part of the Adult Swim Block Party. Also the day before at the same location he will be playing with a live band with openers The Du-Rites. RJD2 may best be known for his songs “Ghostwriter” and “1976” and his production credits with the late great Daniel Dumile. Either of these nights will leave your dance meter empty so get to the show and be prepared to move. // 11:45 p.m., $20, 21+
