Here are 14 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 7/30: Boy George & Culture Club at The Mann
Still haven’t gotten a chance to see some of your new wave favorites? Have no fear – Culture Club is bringing “The Letting it Go Show” to The Mann this Sunday. Accompanied by fellow ‘80s synth pop greats Howard Jones and Berlin, Culture Club will be stopping in Philly to remind you that they are indeed forerunners of ‘80s pop culture, as well as to share some of their newest hits like “Let Somebody Love You” off of their 2019 album Life. You won’t want to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime dance party, so get your tickets quickly. // 7 p.m., $20, AA
Sunday 7/30: Lily McKown at Bread Box
Philly native and indie rock up-and-comer Lily McKown will be featured at Bread Box this weekend. Known for showcasing the best of Philly’s local scene, Bread Box will be hosting McKown just a week after her latest music video release for “Yarko’s House”. If the video is any indication of what goes down at a Lily McKown show, this event will surely be jam-packed with summer fun. // 6 p.m., $14, AA
Monday 7/31: Drake at Wells Fargo Center
If you haven’t seen any viral videos from Drake’s current tour, you’re clearly living under a rock. The Canadian pop, rap, and R&B legend will be stopping in Philly for two nearly sold-out nights next week, so grab your tickets while you still can. His “It’s All a Blur” tour has seen major success thus far, and he has no designs on stopping any time soon. Joined by 21 Savage, he made his last stops at Madison Square Garden and Capitol One Arena and he’ll be swinging by the Wells Fargo Center for two nights beginning Monday — with a very limited number of tickets available to both — to remind Philly that he’s still a modern music pioneer even after a nearly 15-year stint at the top of the charts. // 8 p.m., $65 and up, AA
Monday 7/31: Aimee Mann at Ocean City Music Pier
Aimee Mann, ex-lead singer of new wave quartet ‘Til Tuesday, acquired a cult following of her own shortly after her solo debut in 1993. Since then, Mann has maintained a consistent presence in the world of ‘90s-inspired songwriting, and she’ll be making her way to the Ocean City Music Pier Monday night. Her latest album Queens of the Summer Hotel, based on memoir-turned-film Girl Interrupted, demonstrates her songwriting prowess within the context of musical adaptation which, if heard live, would be a cinematic experience within itself. You can catch her either on Monday in Ocean City or Wednesday at Haddon Lake Park. // 7 p.m., $49.50 and up, AA
Tuesday 8/1: The National at The Met Philly
After their long-awaited latest release First Two Pages of Frankenstein, The National launched their 2023 tour, whose second leg begins next Tuesday. Formed in New York, the band’s career has spanned over two decades. They’ve only gotten better, occasionally joined by collaborators such as Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift, and Bon Iver, just to name a few. The band’s nuanced indie stylings are on full display on the new album, and though the concert’s initial onsale for both shows sold out, tickets are still available at a markup via LiveNation’s “verified resale” secondary market, so don’t walk – run and buy your tickets before they’re all gone. // 7 p.m., $55 and up (verified resale), AA
Wednesday 8/2: Sam Smith at Wells Fargo Center
Pop superstar Sam Smith comes to Wells Fargo Center this Wednesday, taking North America by storm on their tour in support of this year’s Gloria. Smith released the album in January, setting the tone for the year with their subdued, singer-songwriter electro-pop. Smith was also featured on Calvin Harris’ latest song “Desire,” as well as the soundtrack for Barbie. The latter track, “Man I Am,” was specifically requested by Barbie’s director and creative visionary Greta Gerwig, inviting Smith to write a song from the perspective of Ken. // 8 p.m., $35 and up, AA
Wednesday 8/2: Laraaji at World Café Live
Discover peace and meditation with Laraaji at World Café Live on Wednesday. The new age innovator was essential in creating the ambient genre in the early 1980’s, collaborating with producer Brian Eno to form the beautifully droning soundscapes that appeared on 1980’s landmark release Ambient 3: Day of Radiance as well as 1984’s Vision Songs, Vol. 1 and 1987’s Essence/Universe. At 80 years old, Laraaji is still finding ways to reimagine ambient music. He released Koto this past January and most recently collaborated with U.K electronic prodigy Seb Wildblood on “hear/here” which came out on July 19th. // 8 p.m., $20, AA
Thursday 8/3: Derrick Hodge at City Winery
Derrick Hodge’s reputation precedes him. A composer, producer, and prolific bass player on both electric and upright, Hodge has worked with the biggest names in music, namely as a member of the Robert Glasper Experiment but also as a session musician for Common, Timbaland, Mos Def, Q-Tip, and more. When he isn’t orchestrating the score for Spike Lee’s A Tale of God’s Will (A Requiem for Katrina) or the soundtrack to STARZ series “Run The World,” Hodge releases soulful modern jazz under his own name. His third studio album, COLOR OF NOIZE, came out in 2020 to widespread acclaim and saw his first use of a full live band for all songs on the LP. Hodge now gathers his band for an all ages show at City Winery this Thursday night. // 6 p.m., $25 and up, AA
Thursday 8/3: UgLi at Johnny Brenda’s
Ugli takes 90’s grunge and imbues it with unique transfemme perspectives that Philly just can’t get enough of. Off the back of their 2021 record, simply titled FUCK, singer Dylyn Durante used her gift for nuanced songwriting and city-wide support to take UgLi to the next level. Her efforts paid off, culminating in the band’s girldick. EP, which came out in May of 2023. Micco Caporale for the Chicago Reader said this about the band’s latest project, “girldick. is over too soon, but it embodies an all-too-timely sense of confusion, beauty, and mayhem. It’s everything you could hope for in a summer soundtrack that charges past trans remembrance straight to trans rage.” UgLi brings that trans rage to Johnny Brenda’s this Thursday night for a 21+ show. // 9 p.m., $12, 21+
Thursday 8/3: The Lunar Year at Kung Fu Necktie
Philly indie rock outfit The Lunar Year is in the middle of their second tour this year, and they return back home Thursday with a gig at Fishtown dive Kung Fu Necktie. The band, fronted by singer-songwriter Katie Hackett, put out a propulsive single called “Don’t Kiss Strangers,” it’s humorous-yet-poignant scene-setting and storytelling is reminiscent of Courtney Barnett’s best work, and the band shares the KFN stage with Philly friend Sug Daniels and their tourmates in Baltimore’s Super City, whose guitarist Dan Ryan does double duty to join TLY on guitar. // 7:30 p.m., $15, 21+
Friday 8/4: Outlaw Music Fest at Hersheypark Stadium
This traveling country music experience will be in Hershey on Friday, featuring performances from Particle Kid, Kathleen Edwards, Flatland Cavalry, Marcus King, The Avett Brothers, and Willie Nelson & Family. Debuting in 2016, this year’s Outlaw Festival will celebrate Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday year. The same lineup will also be appearing at The Mann in Philadelphia the following day. A breakdown of each act’s set time is available on the Outlaw Music Festival page of Blackbird Presents’ website. // 3 p.m., $19.50 and up, AA
Friday 8/4: The Out-Sect at Ortlieb’s
Lo-fi Philly punk band The Out-Sect will be performing at Ortlieb’s on Friday, joined by The Low Spirits from Rochester and The Kensington Stranglers. All three bands share a retro aesthetic, and an appreciation for dirty, unpolished punk rock. The Out-Sect recently released a split-single with the Northern CA band The Wind Ups, and released their debut EP in 2022. // 8 p.m., $12, 21+
Saturday 8/5: Chiddy Bang at Kung Fu Necktie
There is no one like Chiddy Bang; the now-solo project of Chidera Anamege has been releasing new music since 2017 following the departure of producer Noah Beresin. Chiddy Bang peaked in popularity during the early 2010s when pop-rap acts like B.o.B and Hoody Allen were hot. Anamege took on the project, releasing the long-awaited follow-up album to 2010’s Breakfast in January of 2023, titled Lunch. With another whole project out from April, the Philly rapper has a plethora of new material to perform. // 7 p.m., $20, 21+
Saturday 8/5: Strange Ranger at Johnny Brenda’s
This Oregon-born, now NYC and Philly-based band is hosting their album-release show at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia on Saturday, with support from Sword 2 and Snoozer. The group’s fourth album Pure Music was released July 21st via Fire Talk, encapsulating shoegaze-y, electronic-infuzed rock with various instrumental palettes. Prior to their cross-country move, the band had gone under the name Sioux Falls, releasing music since 2012. Now more than a decade deep into their musical career, Strange Ranger will lead an 18-stop, headlining USA tour this fall. // 8 p.m., $16, 21+
Saturday 8/5: Deer Tick at Asbury Lanes
Following a NomComm 2023 appearance, alt-rock quartet Deer Tick will be playing Asbury Lanes on Saturday as part of a three-show stint kicking off their Emotional Contracts Tour. The band dropped their eighth studio album Emotional Contracts on June 16th via ATO Records, taking on a more amped, classic rock sound than their past folk-inspired compositions. The Providence-formed group debuted with 2007’s War Elephant, which spawned their largest success with “Baltimore Blues No. 1.” Their show in Asbury Park will feature Rafay Rashid as the opener. // 7 p.m., $30, AA
