Here are 12 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly; for tickets and more information on the shows, head to WXPN’s Concerts and Events page.
Sunday 2/26: Humilitarian at Bonk’s Bar
Take a trip to Port Richmond this Sunday to catch Philly’s premiere unsigned modern rock five-piece Humilitarian just on the heels of their five-year bandiversary. Their Head In A Jar EP dazzled us in 2021 with its blend of radio-ready anthems and post-rock atmospheres, and they’ll be joined on this 4333-curated bill by like-minded scene pals 2319 and Goings. // $15.47, 7:30, AA
Tuesday 2/28: Marshall Allen’s Ghost Horizons at Solar Myth
The next time Philly treasure Sun Ra Arkestra assembles is still a few months away (April 20th, World Cafe Live) but the legendary saxophonist and band leader Marshall Allen brings his Ghost Horizons ensemble to South Broad Street’s new Solar Myth listening room, for a show from the Ars Nova Workshop. The (relatively) stripped-down project finds Allen joined by some of his Arkestra brethren like DMHotep on guitar, with William Parker on bass, Chad Taylor on drums, and featured trombonist James Brandon Lewis. // $33.99, 8 p.m., AA
Wednesday 3/1: Ruthie Foster at Ardmore Music Hall
Over the course of her 25-years-running career, blues dynamo Ruthie Foster has performed with The Allman Brothers Band, Blind Boys of Alabama and so many more. Last year, her 12th album Healing Time was released, and she’ll perform it live this Wednesday to a Main Line crowd at Ardmore Music Hall. // 8 p.m., $25, AA
Wednesday 3/1: Bill Callahan at World Cafe Live
Indie icon Bill Callahan’s plainspoken poetry and expressionist instrumentation are sometimes grave in tone, but the music never takes itself too seriously. Case in point, the artist’s latest from 2022 YTILAER — “reality” backwards. Or rather, reality mirrored, as it’s drawn on the album’s cover. His performance at World Cafe Live will be one to behold. // 8 p.m., $30, AA
Thursday 3/2: Christina Ward at 118 North
On records like last year’s Calendar, Bucks County singer-songwriter Christina Ward makes affecting and ethereal music in the vein of Weyes Blood and Sharon Van Etten. Like both those artists, she can make those atmospheres rock when she takes the stage, particularly with drummer Tim Arnold (Good Old War, Anthony Green) guiding the music down surprisingly proggy paths. Ward plays on a bill with Illinois and friends this Thursday to benefit veteran Philly promoter Derek Dorsey, who has been recovery from medical issues of late. // 8 p.m., $15, AA
Friday 3/3: Anaïs Mitchell at Zellerbach Theatre
If you were one of many Philadelphians who were enchanted by Hadestown at Kimmel Cultural Campus last year, this week you’ve got a chance to see the celebrated musical’s architect. Since debuting in 2004, Anaïs Mitchell has built her name as a true songwriter’s songwriter, breaking out on 2012’s Young Man In America, and collaborating with members of Fruit Bats on Bonny Light Horseman more recently. Oh yeah, and sweeping the Tonys. Last year, Mitchell released her self-titled latest album, and Friday she’ll perform it at Zellerbach Theatre. // 8 p.m., $39 and up, AA
Friday 3/3: Soul Glo at Phantom Power
Millersville is about to get hit with the force that is Soul Glo, one of the best and most unique bands to emerge from the Philly punk scene. Mixing together screamo hardcore, blown-out electronic beats, and hard-hitting rap, the band keeps listeners on their toes, while keeping the energy unbelievably high, especially on last year’s Diaspora Problems. They’ll headline an all-ages Phantom Power show Friday with Cloud Rat, Backslider, Sick Century, and Defiant. // 6 p.m., $15, AA
Friday 3/3: Margo Price at TLA
“I’ve been to the mountain and back, alright,” sings Margo Price on her latest LP Strays, reminding you she wasn’t always the decorated pop country darling she is today. Watch her exude the confidence bottled on her fourth studio release at South Street’s Theatre of Living Arts this Friday night. // 8 p.m., $28, AA
Saturday 3/4: Grocer at Johnny Brenda’s
Before art-rock noisemakers and blase-toned vocalists Grocer leave Philly, their hometown, for an ambitious cross-country tour, they’ll headline this spectacular Johnny Brenda’s lineup. Freak flags fly high: the kookiness of Grocer’s aux percussion and experimental tones are executed with a contagious but quiet cool. // 8 p.m., $12, 21+
Saturday 3/4: Os Mutantes at Ardmore Music Hall
Born of 60s psychedelia, Brazil’s Os Mutantes continue their prolific discography with 2020’s Zzyzx in both Portuguese and English. Don’t miss your chance to see them at a rare Philadelphia-area performance with NYC’s Ghost Funk Orchestra and local Grass Cannon. // 8 p.m., $30, 21+
Saturday 3/4: Smokey Robinson at NJ PAC
Lehigh Valley listeners, we hope you’re taking advantage of the stellar programming at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Perhaps for its proximity to New York City, NJ PAC boasts a season of sparkling artists from the past and present, including Motown’s “Smokey” Robinson this Saturday. A true career musician, Robinson is still at work producing music, including a recent, loving single “If We Don’t Have Each Other.” // 8 p.m., $50+, AA
Saturday 3/4: Riverby at MilkBoy
Attention Riverby fans: don’t rely on another Riverby show in the near future to fall back on if you miss this one. After wowing us with the LP releases Smart Mouth and Absolution and hitting the Philly scene hard since lockdown lifted, the band is going on hiatus following this Saturday’s MilkBoy show. Get out and show these torchbearers of Philly pop punk some love. // 8:30 p.m., $12, 21+
Saturday 3/4: Swim Camp at Space 1026
Philly music journalist Samantha Sullivan gets to the bottom of Swim Camp songwriter Tom Morris’ influences in her latest longform for XPN. If you take a listen below, you can hear just how visceral references to “urban decay” and the changing streets of Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood are represented. It’ll be a sleepy but dreamy night at Space 1016 with Maneka, Sun Organ, and Greg Mendez. // 7:30 p.m., $15, 18+
Saturday 3/4: Ryan Gilfillian at Philadelphia Flower Show
Ryan Gilfillian’s glorious debut has come. The multi-faceted musician, who’s been a valuable part of local collective Omar’s Hat and is a frequent collaborator of his brother Devon Gilfillian, showed his individual personality on 2022’s Evergreen EP. And you can see it all performed on this recent Key Studio Session, and at The Philadelphia Flower Show at center city’s Pennsylvania Convention Hall. // 4 p.m., Free with admission, AA
