This week marks the changing of the season – not that hasn’t felt like spring for most of the winter anyway – and if you’re looking to get out on the town, there is a bright array of concerts to see, from free concerts in cultural hubs to tour stops from major artists. Sure, some highlights of the week are sold out, like the end of Jill Scott’s run at The Met tonight, or Mo Lowda’s run at Johnny Brenda’s on Thursday and Friday. But there’s plenty to see as well. Here are 10 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly; details and more information in our concerts and events page.
Sunday 3/19: Smidley and Dominic Angelella at Ukie Club
When he’s not making music in the expressive post-emo outfit Foxing, St. Louis’ Conor Murphy explores his interests in power pop and subtle singer-songwriter fare in the project Smidley. After debuting in 2017 with the Joe Reinhart-produced self-titled record, Murphy released Smidley’s sophomore album Here Comes The Devil last fall, and tour in support of it comes to the Ukie Club tonight, with Philly-rooted indie rocker Dominic Angelella (who also plays in the Smidley live band) playing an opening set. Angelella’s latest sophomore album Silver Dreams Don’t Move Me released in the fall, and combines tasteful rock arrangements with some of Angelella’s best lyrical work to date. Opening the gig are Flanafi, the vibey project of Simon Martinez, and the ethereal synth rock outfit Cheeky, who Angelella said on Instagram are two of his fave Philly artists at the moment. // 7 p.m., $20.23, AA
Tuesday 3/21: Los Guachinangos at Kimmel Center
The Kimmel Center’s free Happy Hour Sessions continue to be awesome and eclectic offering, and this week brings a set by Los Guachinangos to the venue’s Commonwealth Plaza. The seven-piece band plays Son Jarocho folk along with cumbias and boleros, providing a unique spin on Mexican roots music. // 4 p.m., Free, AA
Wednesday 3/22: King Tuff at Johnny Brenda’s
Vermont’s Kyle Thomas has made a name for himself over the past decade and a half playing scuzzy rock and roll under the name King Tuff. With six revved-up albums under his belt — including the recent Smalltown Stardust, released in January on Sub Pop — he brings the noise to Johnny Brenda’s on Wednesday. NYC’s Tchotchke opens the show. // 8 p.m., $20, 21+
Wednesday 3/22: West Philadelphia Orchestra at Kimmel Center
They’ve dipped into monthly single releases over the past year, pushing the boundaries of brass band revelry in to the realms of hip-hop and pop, with a socially conscious message at the core. But West Philadelphia Orchestra is still about bringing people together in celebration, and in that sense, the lates in their legendary series of Balkan Dance Parties is a stellar reason to head to the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza for a second night this week. // 8 p.m., Free, AA
Thursday 3/23: Third Eye Blind at Hershey Theatre
The sensitive Bay Area purveyors of modern rock anthems, Third Eye Blind is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and orbiting Philadelphia with a pair of shows, beginning Thursday at the Hershey Theatre, and then heading east to play a sold out show at Montclair NJ’s legendary Wellmont Theatre on Friday. The earnest and energetic vocals of frontperson Stephan Jenkins will have you singing along to hits and deep cuts alike, “Semi-Charmed Life” to “Losing A Whole Year.” // 8 p.m., $100 and up, AA
Thursday 3/23: Tedeschi Trucks Band at NJPAC
World-class roots rock and rollers, and XPoNential Festival 2021 alums, Tedeschi Trucks Band play the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark this Thursday. Their last record, 2022’s I Am The Moon, was really four. Generously, TTB gave us 24 sprawling tracks to love all in one year. While you could lose hours deep inI Am The Moon, the real experience will be seeing it live. // 8 p.m., $50+, AA
Thursday 3/23: Joey Sweeney at Ortlieb’s
Fourth Thursdays are for Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease at Ortlieb’s. Say that five times fast. The band’s residency, dubbed Moonlight Magazine, continues through 2023 and has an excellent lineup scheduled for March. Come out to see a performance by sound-looper and trumpet extraordinaire KooF, a slideshow of comics from Zachariah Ohora (@fuzzytown), and a set from the hosts themselves. // 8 p.m., FREE, 21+
Friday 3/24: Black Opry Residency Showcase at World Cafe Live
It’s time to start paying attention to the Black Opry programs if you’re not already. The latest, the first Black Opry Residency, a mentorship retreat for emerging Black Americana artists, is happening here in Philly this month, a collaborative project of the Black Opry and WXPN sponsored by the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage. A showcase concert happens this Friday downstairs at World Cafe Live with the artists in residence: Denitia, Grace Givertz, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Tylar Bryant, and Philly’s own Samantha Rise. See what they’ve created now here in town before the residents (most of them) go back to their homes around the country. // 8 p.m., FREE, AA
Friday 3/24: The Feelies at Musikfest Cafe
An early influence on what’s become termed “indie rock,” New Jersey icons The Feelies made the east coast post-punk underground a softer place to be. Reuniting in the 20-teens after disbanding in 1992 from a couple decades-long career, The Feelies have been playing out again, including this special show Friday at Bethlehem’s Musikfest Cafe. // 7:30 p.m., $20-29, AA
Saturday 3/25: Ibeyi at World Cafe Live
Twin sisters Lisa-Kainde and Naomi Diaz combine their different sensibilities to create something new in Ibeyi. Mesmerizing harmonies, synth overtones, and the occasional Peruvian/Cuban percussion make what this band does a little harder to define than just “pop music,” although that’s definitely the energy you’ll get from their live show. Watch their performance from last year’s NON-COMM to better understand. // 8 p.m., $30+, AA
