Here are 12 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. For details and more, head to the WXPN Concerts and Events page!
Sunday 1/15: Crooks and Nannies at Johnny Brenda’s
West Philly indie-rock duo Crooks and Nannies took a 3-year hiatus and came back strong with a string of dates opening for Lucy Dacus and now, a new EP. They bring Empath and Another Michael, two fellow Philly bands spreading the good word of the Philly DIY scene on the road, to Johnny Brenda’s this Sunday night. We love an all-local set. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
Monday 1/16: Rhett Miller at City Winery
Frontperson of Old 97’s and talented solo artist in his own right Rhett Miller shares songs from his new Sam Cohen-produced album The Misfit on Monday. Expect lots of acoustic guitar and plenty of charming personal anecdotes. Bonus, you can be seated and enjoy a glass of wine at this gig. // 7:30 p.m., $25, AA
Wednesday 1/18: Chris Barron of Spin Doctors at 118 North
This one’s for those of you out in the Main Line burbs or just for fans of 90s New York City rock in general: let Spin Doctors’ Chris Barron be the highlight of your dinner this evening at the intimate 118 North. // 8 p.m., $25, AA
Thursday 1/19: Strange Ranger at Ortlieb’s
Shoegaze means distorted guitar music with wheezing electronics and sharp melodies. It may actually have a different, more proper definition, but this is what you’ll hear at the Strange Ranger, Hooky, and Bleary Eyed show at Ortlieb’s. Again, we love an all-Philly lineup. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
Friday 1/20: Pissed Jeans at Underground Arts
ICYMI: Shows are back at MilkBoy. And in case you missed the news they were ever shut down, never mind. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Whoops, we spoke too soon. This concert has been relocated, and is now taking place at Underground Arts.) Hard rockers Pissed Jeans will bring down the house with a provocative set; arrive early for opener Kilynn Lunsford, formerly of Taiwan Housing Project, who has a wild new LP called Custodians of Human Succession. // 8:30 p.m., $20, 21+
Friday 1/20: Christina Ward at Kung Fu Necktie
Ethereal Philly singer-songwriter Christina Ward heads up a great Friday night bill at Fishtown’s Kung Fu Necktie this week. Similar in spirit to artists like Julia Holter and Cate Le Bon, Ward’s music is dreamlike yet emotive on her recent Mint 400 Records release Calendar. Playful yeehaw outfit Mandy Valentine opens, along with Pale Shade. // 7:30 p.m., $12, 21+
Saturday 1/21: Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise at The Living Room
Philly-made duo Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise have crafted a style of their own, melding philosophical rap with cosmic harp and punchy R&B hooks. They spend Saturday on the Main Line for a show at The Living Room in Ardmore. // 8 p.m., $25 and up, AA
Saturday 1/21: Mitamu at World Cafe Live
Winners of World Cafe Live’s 2022 Beta Hi-Fi competition, Mitamu returns to the venue’s lounge stage where they’ll play a set that encompasses jazz, disco, poetry, kösmische musik, and more. To make the show all the more exciting, witty indie pop four-piece Air Devi opens, along with vibraphone playing soul singer Salina Kuo, aka St. John’s Wort, whose EP my kind of love was produced by Donnie Spackman of Great Time. // 8:30 p.m., $15, AA
Saturday 1/21: Sun Ra Arkestra at Arden Gild Hall
If you missed Philadelphia’s premiere psychedelic big band at World Cafe Live last year, head to Arden Gild Hall in Delaware on Saturday for a night with the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra. The band’s most recent album, Living Sky, was one of WXPN’s top 25 albums of 2022. // 8 p.m., $34, AA
Saturday 1/21: Karl Blau at Johnny Brenda’s
Germantown’s Karl Blau and his band (His Country Greasers) are at Johnny Brenda’s Saturday night, bringing rustic indie folk to the stage along with Sam Rise, Wolf Van Elfmand and Noah Roth. The gig benefits Philly mutual aid organization Homies Helping Homies. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
Saturday 1/21: Greensky Bluegrass at The Fillmore
Kalamazoo folk jammers Greensky Bluegrass are at The Fillmore this weekend, bringing the spirited playing and catchy tunes heard on last year’s Stress Dreams LP, not to mention their extensive catalog from over the past decade and a half. // 8 p.m., $32, AA
Saturday 1/21: Alex Radus at Godfrey Daniels
Lehigh Valley singer-songwriter Alex Radus has an affinity for Tom Waits’ gravely wit and it shows in his music, but he’s just as apt to be sincere and emotive, as we hear on the recent live single “I of the Hurricane.” He plays a hometown show Saturday at the iconic folk venue Godfrey Daniels. // 8 p.m., $18.50, AA
