Here are 18 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. For tickets and more information, head to WXPN’s Concerts and Events page.
Sunday 6/18: Bonny Doon at PhilaMOCA – XPN Welcomes
Hazy midwestern rockers Bonny Dune just released Let There Be Music, their third LP and first for heavy hitting national label ANTI- Records. With a heady acoustic psych vibe indebted to Woods and the Dead, they’ll be a long way from their Detroit home tonight, but you can celebrate the record with them when XPN Welcomes Bonny Doon to Johnny Brenda’s. // 8 p.m., $15, AA
Sunday 6/18: Melody Gardot at Musikfest Cafe
World class jazz vocalist Melody Gardot got her start in the Philadelphia singer-songwriter scene 15 years ago; now she travels the globe singing Bossa-inspired pop melodies in English, French and Portuguese for captive crowds. Last year she released her sixth album, Entre eux deux, a collaboration with Brasilian pianist Philippe Powell, and she returns to her home turf tonight to play live at Musikfest Cafe. // 7 p.m., $45 and up, AA
Monday 6/19: Juneteenth Block Party at African American Museum
Culture, liberation, history, and celebration are the themes of the African American Museum’s Junteenth Block Party on Monday. It doubles as a celebration of the national holiday as well as the AAMP’s 47th anniversary as the first institution by a major city dedicated to the heritage of African Americans. The free event begins at 11 a.m. with the legendary DJ Spinderella on the 1s and 2s, and performances by Sa-Roc and Mister Mann’s Jam Band. // 11 a.m., free, AA
Monday 6/19: Zella Day at The Foundry
A NON-COMM alumnus, singer-songwriter Zella Day makes dreamy electronic tinged pop in the vein of Bat For Lashes and Lana Del Rey; she’s back with her third album and first in seven years, Sunday In Heaven, and she plays The Foundry of The Fillmore Philly tonight. // 8 p.m., $20, AA
Tuesday 6/20: Meshell Ndegeocello at Ardmore Music Hall
Veteran singer-songwriter, vocalist and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello has three decades under her belt of blending funky grooves and infectious pop melodies into classy cool songwriting. Her thirteenth studio album, The Omnichord Real Book, came out Friday on Blue Note and features collaborations with a host of artists including Jeff Parker, Brandee Younger, Cory Henry, Joan As Police Woman, and more. See her Tuesday at Ardmore Music Hall, where Philadelphia’s Black Buttafly opens the show. // 7:30 p.m., $30, 21+
Tuesday 6/20: Robert Glasper at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia
Pianist, composer, and band leader Robert Glasper has collaborated with a spectrum of folks from Questlove to Yasiin Bey to Herbie Hancock to Jill Scott and Bilal. He’s scored films (including Ava DuVernay’s impactful doc 13th), and he’s released a robust discography under his own name, most recently the third chapter of his ongoing Black Radio series. It’s difficult to pin what Glasper does down to a genre, per se – and would be a disservice to do so – but if you’re into exemplary instrumentation, shimmering melodies and sweet grooves, head to Brooklyn Bowl this Tuesday where Glasper and his band headline. // 8 p.m., $37.50, AA
Tuesday 6/20: Souls of Mischief at World Cafe Live
Souls of Mischief’s iconic song and album 93 ’til Infinity has the year built into the title, meaning that an anniversary run is inevitable every five or ten years. Still, how often to you get to see masters of pre-millennial underground rap in their element? Proceed to World Cafe Live this Tuesday to catch Souls’ 30th anniversary show, with Grand Mantis providing support. // 8 p.m., $25 and up, AA
Tuesday 6/20: Heavy Temple at Johnny Brenda’s
Philly thrash trio Heavy Temple heads up a benefit for the Trans and Queer community at Johnny Brenda’s this Tuesday night. Out Rage! will raise money for the nonprofits William Way Center and Galaei, and special beers are on tap from Victory and Love City. And the music will be loud; immersive riffs from Heavy Temple, who just previewed their next album in a Key Studio Session, and heavy shoegaze from Flatwaves. Show up, pay twice. // 8 p.m., $10 and up, 21+
Wednesday 6/21: Nickel Creek at Appell Center – XPN Welcomes
We missed them when they had to pull out of NON-COMM in May, so now’s a good chance to catch up with reunited folk faves Nickel Creek. Chris Thile, Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins’ first album in a decade, Celebrants, is out now, and they play York’s Appell Center on Wednesday. // 7:30 p.m., $42 and up, AA
Wednesday 6/21: Samantha Fish at Haddon Lake Park
Just over the Delaware River in New Jersey, Camden County is hosting their Sundown Music Series at Haddon Lake Park, a series that includes XPN favorites Aimee Mann and Calexico later this summer. This Wednesday is neo-blues singer and guitarist Samantha Fish with local area opener Julia Pratt. We recommend this one for anyone interested in the past and future of blues music, OR, for anyone trying to get to know XPoNential Festival ‘23 artists ahead of the festival, as Pratt will join us at Wiggins Park on Saturday, September 23rd. // 7:30 p.m., free, AA
Thursday 6/22: Saleka at World Cafe Live
R&B songstress Saleka returns to her hometown of Philadelphia this Thursday on the last date of her June tour. Her debut album Seance, which came out in May, included some songs we’ve been enjoying since her Key Studio Session in November of 2021, like “Clarity,” a groovy tune about detaching from a toxic relationship, and the salsa-influenced title track “Seance” among others. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
Thursday 6/22: Joey Sweeney at Ortlieb’s
“Moonlight Magazine,” the monthly variety show curated and hosted by Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease continues this Thursday with a stripped down / rearranged performance from our hosts, as well as special guests from the worlds of music, comedy, and spoken word. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
Friday 6/23: Joseph at World Cafe Live
Bummed boygenius isn’t playing Philadelphia on their upcoming tour? This show may be for you. Earnest indie rock trio Joseph specialize in shimmering harmonies that reach staggering heights, and stories that make light of “this ever-changing time.” For a preview of what’s to come, tune in for Joseph’s Free At Noon performance this Friday. // 8 p.m., $35 and up, AA
Friday 6/23: Brandee Younger at Solar Myth
It’s possible every show at Solar Myth, the relatively new wine and jazz bar that took the place of Boot & Saddle, is worth seeing. But we feel especially compelled to recommend harpist Brandee Younger, whose latest album Brand New Life is an expansive collection of instrumental sonic-scapes. Younger is also the first black woman to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition as of last year. // 8 p.m., $38, 21+
Friday 6/23: Rufus Wainwright at Miller Theater – XPN Welcomes
Decorated musician Rufus Wainwright’s latest Folkocracy is a collection of folk songs reimagined by the legacy himself and with outstanding features from Andrew Bird, Brandi Carlile, John Legend, David Byrne, Madison Cunningham, and more. Hear Wainwright perform classics by Peggy Seeger, Bob Dylan, the Everly Brothers, and more at The Kimmel Center’s Miller Theater. // 7 p.m., $45 and up, AA
Friday 6/23: Mondo Cozmo and The Cobbs at Ardmore Music Hall – XPN Welcomes
The self-proclaimed guy “everybody wants to share a beer with,” Mondo Cozmo plays Ardmore Music Hall with The Cobbs this Friday for one of two Philly area shows. On Instagram, frontperson Josh Ostrander says he’s giving these shows all he’s got, so come prepared for that. // 8 p.m., $20, 21+
Saturday 6/24: Madison Cunningham at Upper Merion Township – XPN Welcomes
This surprising underplay of a show for Madison Cunningham is not to be missed. The singer-songwriter’s young career is off to a roaring start with acclaimed albums, opening dates for Harry Styles, late night performances, and a Grammy win. 2022’s Revealer is a rebellious and gleeful outlier in the folk music genre, and pure joy to listen to. // 7 p.m., $27, AA
Saturday 6/24: No Sailor at Ortlieb’s
The project of Philadelphia’s Kieran Garvey, No Sailor is getting ready to make its full length debut this year with Anchor Broken Free, an album that features collaborations with members of Mo Lowda And The Humble, Ali Awan’s band, and more. It’s nuanced and reflective, in the spirit of Bright Eyes and Peasant, and Garvey brings the band to Ortlieb’s the Saturday to celebrate the release of his debut single “Rock Paper Scissors,” dropping the day before. Arrive early for a set from Dirty Dollhouse, the project of Newtown singer-songwriter Chelsea Mitchell, who just got a label reissue of her most recent two albums on Renaissance Records. (UPDATE: The band informs us that information on the venue website when the concert picks was published was incorrect; Dan The Movie is opening this concert, not Dirty Dollhouse. Additionally, ticket prices are $10, not $13.) // 8:30 p.m., $13, 21+
