Another week, another jam-packed concert calendar. It’s got its sold-out moments, for sure — tickets to see Le Tigre’s first concert in 18 years at Union Transfer on Saturday have been gone for months, indie star Indigo De Souza’s show at the same venue is at capacity too, and gigs from Daryl Hall & Todd Rundgren’s duo tour are also sold out — but why focus on things you can’t see? Here’s what you can: 12 concerts in the next seven days, all around Philly, beginning tonight with some resonant folk rock in Phoenixville. Details on all these shows can be found at WXPN’s Concerts and Events page.
Sunday 5/21: The Lone Bellow at The Colonial Theatre
Start the week off with glorious folk rock harmonies from XPN faves The Lone Bellow, who headline Phoenixville’s Colonial Theatre. The New York City trio released their fifth studio album, Love Songs For Losers, in November. // 7:30 p.m., $27.50 and up, AA
Wednesday 5/24: Crowded House at The Met Philly
Melbourne family band Crowded House Crowded House served up memorable pop / rock nuggets in the 80s and 90s, and spawned notable solo careers for its various Finn siblings. On a North American tour in support of 2021’s Dreamers Are Waiting, they play The Met on Wednesday. // 7:30 p.m., $35 and up, AA
Wednesday 5/24: OK Cello at City Winery
Drawing on a range of genres from funk to techno, Atlanta’s Okorie Johnson plays vibrant improvisatory music under the name OK Cello. Active since 2016, he most recently released 2021’s Beacon, and plays City Winery Philadelphia tonight. // 7:30 p.m., $15 and up, 21+
Thursday 5/25: Madison McFerrin at Union Transfer
Experimental pop singer-songwriter Madison McFerrin makes gorgeous soundscapes and catchy melodies with just her voice, her keyboard, and her looping station. The Brooklyn-based artist, who has roots in Philly, just released her debut full-length I Hope You Can Forgive Me, and she plays it live at Union Transfer this Thursday opening for Terence Nance. // 8 p.m., $25 and up, AA
Thursday 5/25: Neal Francis at XL Live
Chicago retro-rocker Neal Francis captured our ears and hearts during the pandemic lockdown with his infectious song “Can’t Stop The Rain,” and he’s been touring hard on his 2021 album In Plain Sight. XPN Welcomes him to Harrisburg’s XL Live this week. // 8 p.m., $20, AA
Thursday 5/25: Emily Drinker at Levitt Pavilion
Continuing the stellar series of free sundown concerts at Bethlehem’s Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, Philly’s Emily Drinker performs this Thursday. Drinker is very active in the singer-songwriter and folk scenes as both an artist, an educator, and collaborator, and her album Starting To Feel released in 2022.// 7:30 p.m., Free, AA
Thursday 5/25: XIXIX at Kung Fu Necktie
When Philly’s Will Brown isn’t producing artists or collaborating in live bands, he’s making his own music under the name XIXIX. (That’s pronounced “six six,” named for his height.) With a brand new single called “Kansas” out now, he plays Kung Fu Necktie on Thursday, sharing the stage with Moustapha Noumbissi. // 7 p.m., $12, AA
Friday 5/26: Laveda at Kung Fu Necktie
Albany, NY’s Laveda has nourished a network here in Philly over the years, and they’ll be back in town this Friday promoting their sophomore full-length A Place You Grew Up. Give it a listen on Bandcamp to fill that dreamy, melancholy shoegaze urge a la Knifeplay or A Country Western. // 7:30 p.m., $15, 21+
Friday 5/26: Wax Jaw at Tin Can Bar
Newcomers Wax Jaw, along with countless other local bands we love, have discovered Tin Can Bar, a neighborhood Port Richmond spot and unlikely host to a range of Philly DIY-ers that run the gamut from twangy to noisy. Wax Jaw is a little bit of both, and no doubt the self-described “dirty surf rock” will get the narrow dance floor bumping, along with pals Honeythunder, who just released their debut album It’s All Crashing. // 8 p.m., $10, 21+
Saturday 5/27: Twin Princess at PhilaMOCA
We last saw Twin Princess frontperson Pauli Mia in the XPN studios for a Key Studio Session with power-pop/shoegaze group Puppy Angst. This week, it’s Mia’s own project, Twin Princess, in the spotlight. Their debut album Blood Moon comes out Friday, with leading singles “Allston” and “Violets” previewing all the gloomy, pop-synth vibes to come. The release show is stacked, with openers In Lieu of Roses, Shannen Moser, and Sunday Evening Drive. // 8 p.m., $15, AA
Saturday 5/27: Tomberlin at Levitt Pavilion
This show in particular stood out in a season’s worth of free XPN Welcomes shows at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks. The indie singer-songwriter’s latest, I don’t know who needs to hear this…, is the third album in her delicate and thoughtful discography, and stands out for its full band sound. Listen to “happy accident” for a taste of the full thing. // 7:30 p.m, FREE, AA
Saturday 5/27: Black Star at Brooklyn Bowl
If you’re a fan of classic turn-of-the-millennium hip-hop, Brooklyn Bowl Philly is the place to be on Memorial Day Weekend. On Monday, OutKast’s Big Boi headlines, and this Saturday night, it’s a long-awaited reunion of the legendary duo Black Star. yasiin bey and Talib Kweli have traveled vastly different paths since they groundbreaking debut Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star 25 years ago, both in terms of releases and public personas, but they regrouped last spring for the No Fear Of Time LP, meaning this show will be a celebration of both their legacy and what comes next. // 8 p.m., $65. 21+
