We’re at the go-hard-or-go-home point on the concertgoing calendar year, or more accurately, go hard until you have to go home. December is always front-loaded with concerts, then tapers off as we head out to celebrate whatever holidays we’re celebrating. In that spirit, here are 17 concerts to see in the next seven days; tickets and more information can be found at WXPN’s concerts and events page.
Sunday 11/27: Ingrid Michaelson at The Keswick
New York singer-songwriter is ready to kick off your holiday season celebrations tonight at The Keswick. Though Michaelson’s last album of original material was 2019’s Stranger Songs, she’s gotten in the Christmas spirit in the past with 2018’s Songs For The Season and just released a new single collab with A Great Big World called “It’s Almost Christmas.” She’ll bring the cheer with these selections and will get in you in your feels with popular faves from Lights Out, Girls and Boys and more. // 7 p.m., $37.50 and up, AA
Sunday 11/27: Dominic Angelella at Johnny Brenda’s
Now that he’s on break after a year-and-a-half tour playing bass in Lucy Dacus’ band, Philly-rooted indie rocker Dominic Angelella has new music of his own out in the world, and it’s outstanding. Check out his track-by-track breakdown of the new Silver Dreams Don’t Move Me before celebrating the album with him at Johnny Brenda’s tonight. // 8 p.m., $12, 21+
Sunday 11/27: Jackie Macri at The Living Room
Emerging Philly-area singer-songwriter Jackie Macri has a penchant for upbeat tunes and warm harmonies recalling The Roches, Feist, and more. Get to know her and celebrate her new EP Tire Swing this afternoon when she plays a matinee gig at The Living Room in Ardmore. // 3 p.m., $15, AA
Monday 11/28: The Slaps at Warehouse on Watts
Chicago trio The Slaps plays jangely guitar pop that’s equally aiming for the indie intelligentsia (fans of The Feelies might dig the complexity of their arrangements) as well as the larger audiences who like to dance and have a good time (if you dig jam-adjacent folks like Beach Fuzz, you’ll dig this). The band’s website cites “tightly-packed road trips, talking to strangers, and dreaming” as strong influences, and that comes through on their new Tomato Tree, which you can see them play live this Monday at Warehouse On Watts. // 7:30 p.m., $14, AA
Tuesday 11/29: They Are Gutting A Body Of Water at PhilaMOCA
The name They Are Gutting A Body Of Water has been on the lips of a lot of folks in the music scene this year, with good reason. The Philly noisepop outfit makes music that’s visceral and compelling, and while it is easy to lump the band in with the broader shoegaze revival happening in the city – possibly at the center of it, depending on who you ask – mastermind Douglas Dulgarian don’t limit their sound to loud guitars fed through effects pedals, folding in trap beats and arpeggiated synth loops, going wholly instrumental or ambient at points, and generally making captivating atmospheres, notably on this fall’s project lucky styles. See them on a Tuesday night bill at PhilaMOCA this week. // 7:30 p.m., $17, AA
Tuesday 11/29: Laura Jane Grace and Gladie at Ardmore Music Hall
Whether she’s going solo at Four Seasons Total Landscaping (still funny), rocking with the Devouring Mothers, or leading Against Me!, Laura Jane Grace is a compelling force onstage, and this Tuesday we get to see her headline an intimate show at Ardmore Music Hall. It’s been just over a year since she’s released new music, so this show has a very anything-goes level of possibility, and is made all the more enticing with an opening set from the Augusta Koch-led Philly rockers Gladie, playing their first hometown gig since the release of their stellar new LP Don’t Know What You’re In Until You’re Out. // 8 p.m., $20, 21+
Wednesday 11/30: Archers of Loaf at Underground Arts
On the eve of the XPN 90s A to Z, veteran indie rock faves Archers of Loaf will play Underground Arts in support of Reason In Decline, their first studio album in 24 years. Pitchfork praised the album’s ability to fit into the contemporary landscape, calling it “a compelling testament to the way the old you and the new you can make one helluva tandem.” Toronto’s Weird Nightmare, an offshoot of Sub Pop faves Metz, opens this gig. // 8 p.m., $25, 21+
Thursday 12/1: Palm at First Unitarian Church
Intricate Philadelphia rock four-piece Palm is back this autumn with their acclaimed new album, Nicks and Grazes, their first for new label Saddle Creek Records. Take a deep dive on the album with our Sean Fennell here, and celebrate its release with the band this Thursday at the First Unitarian Church. // 8 p.m., $17, AA
Thursday 12/1: Dar Williams at State Theatre
Upstate New York singer-songwriter has two regional gigs this week; Thursday night, XPN Welcomes her to State College’s State Theatre, while she’s at City Winery Philly in center city the following day. The format of this tour is request-centered, through the lens of her recent book How To Write A Song That Matters, so head to her website and let her know you want to hear “Spring Street,” “Teenagers, Kick Our Butts,” “Iowa (Traveling III)” or whatever moves you. // 8 p.m., $38, AA
Thursday 12/1: Pete Donnelly at The Living Room
Power pop veteran Pete Donnelly is back in the Philly region this week for a Thursday night show at The Living Room. This year, Donnelly released a terrific EP called Anthem Of The Time and an LP called Pêro Lua II, and his deep back catalog assures a set full of revved-up hooks, warm melodies, and smiles.. // 8 p.m., $30, AA
Friday 12/2: Dinosaur Jr. at The Fillmore
Seems like J. Mascis and Dinosaur Jr. are more appreciated today than they were at the dawn of their career in the late-80s to early-90s, which is truly the best you can hope for with any artist. The wildly influential band is another 90s icon playing Philly this week while the XPN 90s A to Z is under way, headlining a Friday night gig at The Fillmore in support of last year’s Sweep It Into Space LP. // 7:30 p.m., $35, AA
Friday 12/2: Lame-O Turns Ten! at First Unitarian Church
Ten years of striving to build a local music community have paid off, and Lame-O Records has blossomed from a casual imprint for beloved pop-punk band Modern Baseball to the home of a stellar roster of acclaimed, eclectic artists including Attia Taylor, Hurry, Shannen Moser, Slaughter Beach Dog, and Thin Lips, all of whom will play the Lame-O Turns Ten festival this Friday and Saturday at The Church. The two nighttime shows and the Saturday matinee are $15 apiece, or weekend passes are $50, and available through R5 Productions. // 8 p.m., $15 and up, AA
Friday 12/2: Open Mike Eagle at Silk City
“Raw,” “chaotic,” and “unfiltered” are three words critics have used to describe Component System with the Auto Reverse, the eighth studio album by acclaimed LA-via-Chicago rhymesayer Open Mike Eagle. Featuring collaborations with Billy Woods, Quelle Chris, and Madlib, it’s got a lot for underground heads to love, and he’ll play it in the suave surroundings of Spring Garden Street’s Silk City this Friday. // 7:30 p.m., $20, 21+
Friday 12/2: Maxwell at The Met Philly
90s R&B icon Maxwell is on The Night Tour this December, and in Philly it mixes it up with iconic radio station WDAS for their annual Holiday Jam concert. It’s not a specifically holiday-oriented show, though, and more of a celebration of Maxwell’s discography, including the blacksummers’NIGHT trilogy he’s been in the midst of crafting since 2009. Leela James and Skeet Carter open the show. // 8 p.m., $45 and up, AA
Saturday 12/3: Samara Joy at Strand Theatre
It’s been a good year for Bronx-born jazz vocalist Samara Joy. She dropped her timeless sophomore album Linger Awhile, went on tour – which included a run of Philly shows at South Jazz Cafe – and was nominated for a Grammy. She told our Rahman Wortman about her journey in an interview this summer, and it’s not over yet: see her this Saturday on a bill at York’s Strand Theatre. // 7:30 p.m., $40, AA
Saturday 12/3: Work Drugs at Johnny Brenda’s
You can count on 80s-inspired Philadelphians Work Drugs for two things: regular releases of shimmering electropop singles (self-styled under the “smooth-fi” banner) and an annual Holiday Spectacle at Johnny Brenda’s. The time has come for the latter, and they’ll share the stage with Kyle Sparkman and Tyler Burkhart this Saturday night. // 8:00 p.m., $15, 21+
Saturday 12/3: Nikki Lane at Ardmore Music Hall
Stylish South Carolinian Nikki Lane made a splash at both NON-COMM and Free at Noon this year, mixing vintage cowboy aesthetics with solid songwriting. She’ll be back in the region one more time before 2022 is out to headline Ardmore Music Hall this Saturday. // 8 p.m., $20, 21+
