Happy Hanukkah! As the year chills out and holiday time commences, live music remains on the agenda, and we have a handful of gigs across genres to recommend to you this week. Here are eight concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly; for more information and tickets, head to the WXPN Concerts and Events page.
Sunday 12/18: The Crossing at Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill
Grammy-award winning Philadelphia choir and recent Tiny Desk Contest stars The Crossing will sing the music of the season at a holiday matinee concert at The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill. The 17-voice ensemble is described poetically by NPR’s Tom Huizenga: “Voices softly enter in translucent layers, a reminder of Renaissance traditions, or bark in a way that conjures up the early American shape-note singing style.” Experience it in person this evening. // 5 p.m., $35, AA
Sunday 12/18: David Bromberg at Musikfest Cafe
Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and singer, folk icon, a bandmate of Bob Dylan, a repairer and retailer of violins: David Bromberg has done it all, and tonight plays Musikfest Cafe for his “50 years of Bromberg” anniversary concert. // 7 p.m., $35 and up, AA
Monday 12/19: Sun Ra Arkestra at Kimmel Cultural Campus
It’s fitting that two Philadelphia musical institutions should end the year together. On Monday, Sun Ra Arkestra — the adventurous ensemble led by 95-year-old saxophonist Marshall Allen, which continues to make vibrant music in the spirit of sonic and spiritual innovator Sun Ra — performs at the Commonwealth Plaza inside the Kimmel Cultural Campus. It’s a free show, but you have to RSVP, so do that here. // 8p.m., FREE with RSVP, AA
Wednesday 12/21: Musiq Soulchild at City Winery
Philly R&B singer-songwriter icon Musiq Soulchild is back in his hometown this week for two nights and four sets beginning Wednesday. With a discography eight albums and two decades deep, and a flair for the sentimental and romantic, Musiq is an always-engaging performer with a golden voice; to hear more about his journey, revisit his 2020 interview with Abdur Rahman. // 7 p.m., $65 and up, 21+
Wednesday 12/21: Ron Gallo at Phantom Power
From Philly to Nashville and Back, singer-songwriter / garage rocker and entertainer Ron Gallo has a new album on the horizon for 2023 — FOREGROUND MUSIC drops in March on Kill Rock Stars — and he’s rounding out the year with a gig at Millersville venue Phantom Power this Wednesday. His new singles address toxic masculinity, over-development and capitalism, and a desire to escape, and for his last show of the year he’s joined by MK and the Ultras and Nielsen Family Band. // 8 p.m., $18, 18+
Wednesday 12/21: Samara Joy at Ardmore Music Hall
Acclaimed jazz singer Samara Joy headlines Ardmore Music Hall this Wednesday in support of her 2022 album Linger Awhile. In an interview with XPN’s Abdur Rahman this summer, Samara discussed growing up with gospel, coming of age to hip-hop and R&B, and having it all fuel her ascendance in the jazz world. This holiday-themed show in Ardmore features support from The McLendon Family. // 8 p.m., $20, 21+
Thursday 12/22: Echo Kid at Johnny Brenda’s
Lively retro rockers Echo Kid put out their terrific sophomore album Fever Dream in the spring, and played a leveling Key Studio Session on its heels. The band has had a solid 2022 in the time since then, playing Philly Music Fest and more, and they’ll cap the year this Thursday night at Johnny Brenda’s opening for Secret American. // 9 p.m., $15, 21+
Friday 12/23: Sean “Danger” Smith at Ortlieb’s
Local indie rock singer-songwriter Sean “Danger” Smith has a husky voice and yearning heart-on-his-sleeve outlook reminiscent of rootsy rockers The Avett Brothers and Nathaniel Rateliff. With his 2021 breakout single “City Wide / We Met At Ortlieb’s” paying homage to romance at the Northern Liberties venue and pub, it’s only fitting that Smith ends his year with a show there, and he’s curated a terrific night of music for the occasion. Joining him are The Broke Brothers, Whatever Whatever and Cosette Gobat, and it’s an ideal way to celebrate your Christmas Eve Eve, or night six of Hanukkah. // 8 p.m., $12, 21+
