Here are 12 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. Tickets and more information can be found at WXPN’s Concerts and Events page.
Monday 2/13: Flanafi at PhilaMOCA
We’re supporting independent venues in 2023, yes? Ok. On Monday, local experimental noise-pop artist Flanafi is opening at PhilaMOCA for Vinyl Williams who, get this: is the grandson of legendary composer John Williams. Back to Flanafi, fans of Alex G’s wilder side will resonate with songwriter Simon Martinez’s self-produced sonic ramblings, and we mean that in the best way. // 8 p.m., $15, AA
Tuesday 2/14: Kimbra at World Cafe Live
If big pop star energy without the stadium fuss is what you’re after, then we recommend this show. Some will recognize New Zealand born Kimbra from her collaboration with Gotye on the hit song “Somebody I Used to Know,” but she’s a powerhouse on her own, and the new record, A Reckoning, proves it. // 8 p.m., $26, AA
Wednesday 2/15: Nonfiction at MilkBoy
Indie rockers Nonfiction are part of a broad circle of local bands who share members all achieving the same goal: recreating music they loved in the aughts. Nonfiction’s anthemic, upbeat post-emo sound will draw a lively and devoted crowd that’ll make for the most fun Wednesday night. // 8 p.m., $12, 21+
Thursday 2/16: Billy Strings at Hard Rock AC
We love Billy Strings for two reasons: his deep, Southern voice coming from his sweet baby-face, and the maddening way he can pluck a guitar. Bluegrass fans or not, the audiences at Billy’s Strings Hard Rock string of dates, the first of which start Thursday, will be blown away by his talent. // 8 p.m., $49 – 69+, AA
Thursday 2/16: Korine at Johnny Brenda’s
It’s a Born Losers Records Night at Johnny Brenda’s starring electronic duo Korine who release their new album Tear just hours later on the 17th. No doubt there will be plenty of new material in their set. Vocalist Morgy Ramone also has a zine exclusively for the event and limited to 50 copies. // 9 p.m., $15, 21+
Thursday 2/16: Music and Poetry at World Cafe Live
World Cafe Live hosts this special night of music and poetry inspired by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts’s current exhibition, Making American Artists. Five musicians (including Kingsley Ibeneche and Devi Majeske) and three poets perform their interpretation of the exhibit that shows art throughout American history not traditionally explored, including works by women, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ community members. // 8 p.m., $20, AA
Thursday 2/16: Brushstroke at Ortlieb’s
If you see a lot of live local music in Philly, chances are good you’ve seen Eoin Murphy before. He plays guitar with Solomon Temple, Taylor Kelly, and Ryan Gilfillian, sings with Ajay, and more. On his own, he makes dreamy chill soul under the name Brushstroke, and Thursday night he gives us a taste of the music he plans to release later this year with a gig at Ortlieb’s. // 7 p.m., $15, 21+
Friday 2/17: Eliza Edens at MilkBoy
An emerging New York via New England folksinger (with a Philly stop in between), Eliza Edens makes plaintive and profound music with poetic lyricism, particularly on her fan-funded sophomore album We’ll Become The Flowers. Released independently last fall, its ten tracks will draw you into a journey through trauma and upheaval towards a more hopeful space. Edens plays MilkBoy this Friday with Al Oleander. // 8:30, $12, 21+
Friday 2/17: Screaming Females at White Eagle Hall
We’re amped for Screaming Females’ new album Desire Pathway to release this Friday, and the return of their home-state Garden Party throwdown is the best way to celebrate. Settling into Jersey City’s White Eagle Hall on Friday and Saturday night, the festival brings together their tourmates and label friends; avant-garde rapper Armand Hammer coheadlines with the Screamales on night one with singer-songwriter Nina Nastasia and the incredible Baltimore punk outfit Truth Cult; stay out late and see Paisley Fields and Sug Daniels playing sets at the Don Giovanni Records afterparty. Come back for night two and the equally killer bill of Catbite, Laura Stevenson, and the noisemaking NJ hardcore outfit Gel, who played an impressive Philly gig at the Original 13 dock back when the prime space for Philly DIY gigs. // $25 per night, $45 2-day pass, 7:30 p.m., $16+
Friday 2/17: St. John’s Wort at Sweet Sixteen
Because there’s a vibraphone involved, it’s tempting to describe Salina Kuo’s project St. John’s Wort as jazz; and not to say there aren’t those underpinnings, but Kuo easily breaks beyond them into the realm of effervescent pop, rock, and R&B on her debut project my kind of love, released last July. For this Friday’s show, St. John’s Wort is joined by Type A Minus, the atmospheric, impressionistic, and moving project of songwriter Sarah Zimmer. This show by emergent Philly DIY promoters Rising Tide Collective was originally slated to take place at Dobbs but relocated following accusations of assault at that venue; it’s now at South Philly space Sweet Sixteen, and details on the show can be found at Rising Tide’s IG page. https://www.instagram.com/risingtidephl/ // 8 p.m., $12, AA
Saturday 2/18: Wilmo Rock Circus at The Queen
It’s a good weekend for Philadelphians to travel to one or the other of our neighbor states for festivals; in Delaware this Saturday, the folks at Gable Music Ventures are presenting the return of Wilmo Rock Circus at the gorgeous downtown Wilmington theater The Queen. Regional rock stalwarts Low Cut Connie are in the headlining lot and the real excitement is in the undercard: the emotional jams of American Trappist, the blistering blues of Pawnshop Roses, the horn-assisted R&B of The Side Chicks, and more. // $33 and up, 6 p.m., AA
Saturday 2/18: Res at City Winery
From her breakout hit “They Say Vision” to her infectious interpretations of Fleetwood Mac classics, anything Res puts her voice to will make your heart soar. The Philly-rooted artist returns home this Saturday for a show at City Winery. // 7:30 p.m., $25 and up, 21+
