15 concerts to see this week, including Pixies, Alvvays, a tribute to ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ and more

Here are 15 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. For tickets and more information, head to the WXPN Concerts and Events page!

Sunday 8/20: Pixies and Modest Mouse at The Stone Pony Summerstage

These two legendary bands are joining forces for a co-headlining tour this summer, with added firepower from art rock innovator Cat Power. In terms of album output, Pixies and Modest Mouse nearly mirror each other’s careers, as the Pixies’ run began in the late ‘80s with Modest Mouse debuting a decade later. While both bands have put out an album in our current decade, their legacies are cemented in time by their back catalog of classic, fan favorite material. The tour will hit Asbury Park, NJ on Aug. 20th. // 5 p.m., $145 (verified resale), AA

Monday 8/21: Black Flag at XL Live

California punk rock band Black Flag will be coming to XL Live in Harrisburg, PA on Monday, Aug. 21st as part of their massive My War North American tour. The tour will contain the band’s 1984 album My War in its entirety, which will be turning 40 next year. Since their inception in 1976, founding member Greg Ginn has held down the band as a guitarist and songwriter. Since then, they have had five frontmen, with Mike Valley as the current lead vocalist of the group. With no new releases since 2013, the band appears to have become a full-time live group. // 8 p.m., $25, AA

Thursday 8/24: Celisse at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks

WXPN Welcomes Celisse to Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks for a free concert on Aug. 24th. The multi-talented musician, widely known for her fantastic guitar skills, is departing on a headlining tour this summer. In the past she has joined artists such as Kesha, Mariah Carey, and Jon Batiste on guitar during live performances. Recently, she featured on Joni Mitchell’s 2023 live album Joni Mitchell at Newport on the track “Help Me,” an event she described as “one of the most exhilarating and terrifying moments in my life.” // 7:30 p.m., free, AA

Thursday 8/24: The Record Company at Cooper River Park

The blues-rock band The Record Company is coming to the Jack Curtis Stadium in Pennsauken Township, NJ. This is part of Camden County’s Twilight Concert Series. After gaining traction in the mid-2010’s, The Record Company has gone on to release three studio albums, along with a collection of earlier unreleased tracks. In June, they released a new single titled “Talk to Me,” and announced their fourth album, cheekily titled The 4th Album. With the project’s release date set for Sept. 15th, this concert will be a great chance to see some unreleased tracks from the upcoming album! // 8 p.m., free, AA

Thursday 8/24: GA-20 at Mauch Chunk Opera House

This Boston-born band is on the mission to revive traditional blues music. WXPN Welcomes GA-20 to the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, PA on Aug. 24th, part of their expansive 2023 tour. The group recently released a cover of Sanford Clark’s “Still As The Night,” which blends country with blues rock for an authentic, vintage sound. Their most recent studio album Crackdown came out in 2022. For a taste of their live sound, check out GA-20’s live album Live In Loveland from March, or their 2023 NOM-COMM performance. // 7 p.m., $19, AA

Friday 8/25: Florist at Underground Arts

Florist is coming to Underground Arts on Friday, joined by Skullcrusher and Adelyn Strei for the penultimate performance of their summer tour. Emily Sprague, Jonnie Baker, Rick Spataro, and Felix Walworth began the project back in 2013 and released their 4th studio album, titled Florist, just over a year ago. The band has been consistently touring since then, showcasing their ambient indie folk throughout the US and Europe for the better part of 2023. // 7:30 p.m., $20, 21+

Friday 8/25: Rego at Philadelphia Magic Gardens

Regothereshego is performing at the Philadelphia Magic Gardens this Friday for what is sure to be an enchanting evening of stylish bass heavy pop. Called “Philly’s next grand pop-trap singer” by DJ Booth, Rego elevates her presence in the scene with each new release. Her Clouded by the Chance of Heartbreak EP was met with acclaim in October of 2022 and led to a soaring WXPN Key Studio Session less than a month later. Don’t miss this week’s Twilight in the Gardens, as Rego is sure to have a few tricks up her sleeve. // 7 p.m., $20 and up, AA

Friday 8/25: 25^th Anniversary Tribute to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill at World Café Live

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill at World Cafe Live! WXPN Local and World Cafe Live have curated an all-Philly tribute to the iconic album, with neo-soul band Black Canvas performing the record front to back. The show will also feature vocal performances by an array of Philadelphia soul and R&B talent, including Sinnia Brown, Jacqueline Constance, Jahwula and more. With ‘Miseducation, Fugees MC Lauryn Hill redefined not just what it meant to be a female hip-hop artist, but the genre as a whole, reflecting on love, heartache, family, spirituality, individuality, nostalgia, and black womanhood while simultaneously crafting some of the catchiest songs of the decade. August 25 marks the exact date that ‘Miseducation’ was released in 1998, with the LP taking home 5 Grammy Awards that year for Album Of The Year, Best R&B Album, Best New Artist, Best R&B Song, and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. // 8 p.m., $25, AA

Friday 8/25: AnnonXL at Johnny Brenda’s

AnnonXL returns home for a show this Friday, headlining Johnny Brenda’s for the first time in his flourishing career. The Philly-rooted, LA-based singer-songwriter moved to California to further pursue music in late 2021 and quickly gained traction with west coast audiences. He released “Way Down” in May of 2022, a sensual celebration of his newly found perspective on live and love complimented by smooth R&B beats and quirky bubblegum vocals that have come to define his sound. His latest release, SO HORNY THAT I CRIED., doubles down on this free expression of emotion, taking listeners on a roller coaster of immensely gratifying highs and lonely lows. Opening the night are contemporary artists aleana and soulpatch; who are slated to kick off Annon’s homecoming celebration with their own musical welcomes. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+

Friday 8/25: Nina de Vitry at World Café Live

Nina De Vitry is playing World Café Live this Friday as part of her What You Feel Is Real album release tour. The Nashville-based soulful americana songwriter picked up her guitar again in 2023, releasing a string of singles for the first time since 2017’s Trust A Dream EP, with the final single “Wrong Thing” coming out just weeks before the record’s release. Vitry is a two-time finalist in the John Lennon International Songwriting Contest and has received praise from Glide Magazine, The Bluegrass Situation, WXPN, and more for her devoutly empathetic take on folk and jazz. Joined by A. Smithee, Vitry’s performance is sure to be an emotional catharsis as she celebrates the release of her debut LP. // 8:30 p.m., $15, AA

Saturday 8/26: MTWB Benefit with Alvvays and Alex G at Dell Music Center

This Saturday, the Make the World Better Foundation will welcome Alvvays and Alex G to their annual benefit concert at Dell Music Center, supporting community-based redevelopment projects in the Philadelphia area. Hailing from Canada, Alvvays is one of the frontrunners of modern indie rock with their latest full-length release, Blue Rev, propelling them even further toward the top of the charts. Similarly, Alex G – a Philly native, might I add – has had an illustrious career in the indie scene since 2010, which was quickly reaffirmed following the release of his 2022 album, God Save the Animals. Make sure to check them out this weekend if you’re looking for a good time, and help support life-changing community outreach and development projects in the city. // 7 p.m., $45 and up, AA

Saturday 8/26: La Santa Cecilia at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks

La Santa Cecilia is a genre-bending collective of Latin musicians who fuse together the sounds of their upbringing, such as bossa nova, rhumba, and tango, with American rock and soul stylings. This blend of cultures, coupled with sheer musical talent and enthusiasm, makes for a fascinating, uplifting, and fun live show. You can catch them this Saturday at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, where the music and atmosphere are sure to leave you entranced. // 7:30 p.m., free, AA

Saturday 8/26: Dar Williams at Bryn Mawr Gazebo

In the spirit of her 2021 release, I’ll Meet You Here, celebrated singer-songwriter Dar Williams will meet you at Bryn Mawr Gazebo this Saturday. Known for her commitment to the sacred act of songwriting, best represented by her retreat program for writers young and old, Williams has had a decades-long career full of inspiration, both received and provided. Join her on Saturday for a night of classic folk sounds and some light introspection. // 7 p.m., $15, AA

Saturday 8/26: The Head And The Heart at Riverfront Park

The Head And The Heart are stopping by Harrisburg this weekend as a part of their Every Shade of Blue tour. Their latest album of the same name, released in April of 2022, marks a decade-long milestone for this Seattle seven-piece. With roots in folk, alternative pop, and indie rock, The Head And The Heart are guaranteed to please. Be sure to grab tickets before they’re sold out! // 8 p.m., $56, AA

Saturday 8/26: Red Touch Black at Johnny Brenda’s

This self-proclaimed “melodic fuzz-driven heavy grunge” act is no stranger to the local show circuit. Having just played World Cafe Live earlier this year, Red Touch Black returns to Johnny Brenda’s this Saturday to headline a hard rock show for the ages, accompanied by Full Bush and The Mary Veils. Make sure to snag tickets fast (and bring ear plugs). // 9 p.m., $15, 21+