We’re in the throes of an unpredictable XPNFest, but there’s no time for a break — it’s another super busy week of live music! Even when you exclude the concerts that are so sold out that the secondary market is bare (SZA, Devon Gilfillian, slowdive, Nathaniel Rateliff, Hozier, Boygenius), it’s a super busy final week of September. Here are 16 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. For details and more information, head to WXPN’s Concerts and Events page.
Monday 9/25: Becca Mancari at The Foundry
Becca Mancari, a non-binary indie folk musician based in Nashville is taking over the Foundry stage on Monday. Mancari’s music career set off back in 2017 when their debut album Good Woman found endless praise from listeners and positive reviews from NPR and Rolling Stone. Since then, they’ve been working with other artists such as Margo Price, Natalie Prass, and Julien Baker, and are currently on a touring gig opening for Joy Oladokun. The queer singer/songwriter will be showcasing their latest album release Left Hand on a headlining North American tour, with their first stop in Philadelphia. Becca Mancari’s new album explores themes of self expression and self acceptance, tackling the light and darkness found as a queer individual. Experience Mancari’s intimate and alluring music at The Foundry this Monday night. // 8 p.m., $20, AA
Monday 9/25: Osees at Union Transfer
Originally formed back in 1997, the American rock band who’s constantly changing their name and sound style is finding their way back to the Union Transfer stage. Osees, formerly called Oh Sees, Thee Oh Sees, The Oshees, etc. (the list goes on and on), is on tour for their 27th studio album Interceptive Message. The group’s present band members include bass guitarist Tim Hellman, duo drummers Dan Rincon and Paul Quattrone, and keyboardist Tomas Dolas, all led by the legendary frontman John Dwyer. Known and loved for their experimental recordings, continuously shifting genres, and epic unconventional live performances, Osees is a band you don’t want to miss out on experiencing. Catch them live at Union Transfer this Monday for an unforgettable night of music. // 8 p.m., $26, AA
Tuesday 9/26: Adia Victoria at The Keswick Theater
Gothic blues singer and poetic songwriter Adia Victoria is opening the stage for Rhiannon Giddens at the renowned Keswick Theater in Glenside. Victoria started writing music after being gifted her first guitar on her 21st birthday. 16 years later, she has three critically acclaimed studio albums, including A Southern Gothic, Silences, & Beyond The Bloodhounds. With her southern roots and impressive writing skills, Adia Victoria sings exceptional story-styled lyrics through sweetly eerie melodies. Her musical style blends in flawlessly with the exquisite old-timey folk sounds of Rhiannon Giddens, making her the perfect opener for this tour. // 8 p.m., $39.50 and up, AA
Tuesday 9/26: Ratboys at Johnny Brenda’s
Ratboys, the Chicago based indie rock band, was formed back in 2010 by Julien Steiner and Dave Sagan. When Marcus Nuccio and Sean Neumann joined in and the band released their album GN in 2017, their musical career set off as they toured with other rising artists such as Soccer Mommy, PUP, Wild Pink and more. Their second album release, Printer’s Devil, was praised by Pitchfork, and MTV called the LP “the best album of their career”. And it was, until Ratboys released their newest album The Window. With Julien Steiner’s exceptional songwriting and the band’s twangy rock style, this new record is one that is putting the group on the map. Ratboys are on tour now for their new album, and you can catch them in Philly on Tuesday at Johnny Brenda’s. // 8 p.m., $18, 21+
Tuesday 9/26: Broken Social Scene at XL Live
Catch Canadian indie rock collective Broken Social Scene at XL Live this Tuesday as part of their You Forgot It In People 20th anniversary tour. The band, formed and fronted by Kevin Drew, began as a side-project to his other group K.C. Accidental but quickly took priority as the group began to grow both in popularity and in membership; with Broken Social Scene’s flexible lineup including as few as two members and as many as fifteen since the ensemble first began shoegazing. Most recently, Drew and his current lineup dropped Old Dead Young in January of 2022; a collection of B-sides and rarities spanning the group’s storied and diverse history. // 8 p.m., $36, AA
Wednesday 9/27: Red Hot Chili Peppers at Hersheypark Stadium
Stanky slap bass lines, psychedelic guitar solos, wickedly tight grooves, absurd and wacky lyricism – of course we’re talking about the Red Hot Chili Peppers. From their early days as a punk act playing skateparks with nothing but socks on their…well you know, to the golden age of albums like Blood Sugar Sex Magik and Californication, the band’s iconic southern California sound has changed tremendously over the years. Longtime lead guitarist John Frusciante left the band in 2009 to focus on solo material but returned in 2019 to massive fan rejoice, sparking a late career resurgence for the 90’s superstars. Since then, the original lineup of Flea, Frusciante, Chad Smith, and Anthony Keidis released two new records, Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen, both in 2022. The sands and sounds of SoCal now come to PA as the Red Hot Chili Peppers play Hersheypark Stadium on Wednesday night with St. Vincent opening the show. // 6:30 p.m., $29.50 and up, AA
Wednesday 9/27: Hand Habits at Johnny Brenda’s
Meg Duffy, better known by their stage name Hand Habits, writes sonic tributes to the beauty of pain and the growth to be found in loss. Hand Habits broke into the indie folk scene in 2017 with Wildly Idle before proving themselves a songwriting connoisseur on 2019’s placeholder and 2021’s Fun House (which went on to win Best Folk Album at that year’s a2im music awards.) They released their Sugar the Bruise EP this past June which Pitchfork called “a vulnerable and compelling meditation on creativity and human connection” and a collaborative project with Gregory Uhlmann titled Doubles on September 22. Hand Habits comes to Johnny Brenda’s on Wednesday in support of both new projects. // 7 p.m., $20 and up, 21+
Thursday 9/28: Amythyst Kiah at Sellersville Theater
Self proclaimed former suburbanite mall goth nihilist turned semi-sad girl existentialist, Amythyst Kiah is performing at Sellersville Theater on Thursday as part of her U.S fall tour. Her sophomore album Wary + Strange garnered critical acclaim from fans and news outlets alike, as well as a Grammy nomination for Best American Roots Song for the hit single “Black Myself,” all of which led to her being named WXPN’s Artist to Watch for June of 2021. Kiah released her Pensive Pop EP in August of 2022 and has been on tour since, growing her fanbase and showcasing her unmistakable singing voice; one that gracefully interlaces both potent vulnerability and personal revelation. // 8 p.m., $21.50 and up, AA
Thursday 9/28: Ron & The Hip Tones at World Cafe Live
Fronted by Philly native Ron Aikens, whose life both within and outside of the music industry has been full of ups and downs, changes, and triumphs, Ron & The Hip Tones are a testament to the human spirit. Aikens is truly the king of crafting soulful tunes with an impactful message, whether it be in the form of storytelling or simple sentiments. You can catch him live this Thursday at World Cafe Live for an intimate glimpse into his groovy, distinctive, and immensely purposeful creative process. // 8:30 p.m., $15, AA
Thursday 9/28: Air Devi at Open Sound Lansdowne
Devi Majeske’s unique take on the average singer-songwriter experience will be on full display at Open Sound Lansdowne this Thursday. Hailing from Philly and accompanied by Jacob Hershman on guitar, Seth Fein on bass, and Jay Fein on drums, Majeske blends stunning vocals inspired by Bollywood soundtracks and a signature female-fronted indie style to create a sound that’s inherently rare and entirely unparalleled. Be sure to check out the band’s free show this week for some solid indie rock with classical Indian flair; Julian, the four-piece led by songwriter and photographer J. Lieby, and Olive Fine. // 7 p.m., Free, AA
Thursday 9/28: Raphael Saadiq at The Met Philly
Having risen to fame alongside D’wayne Wiggins and Timothy Christian Riley via ‘80s/’90s R&B trio Tony! Toni! Toné, Raphael Saadiq is getting the band back together for a special tour of the US. With a multiplatinum origin story and an unmatched sense of swag, Saadiq, Wiggins, and Riley will be taking over The Met this week for a classic R&B reunion of epic proportions. // 8 p.m., $29.50 and up, AA
Friday 9/29: Explosions In The Sky at Franklin Music Hall
Post-rock instrumental icons Explosions In The Sky will be gracing the Franklin Music Hall stage this Friday to showcase their latest album End. The band’s been around for over two decades, continuing to release and perform incredibly emotional, beautifully hand-crafted bodies of work, in addition to years of impressive and methodical soundtrack work. Their music is intricate and stunning on its own, but when interpreted for the stage, the listener is presented with an entirely different and all-encompassing experience. If you’re not at this show, you’ll be missing out on an spectacular night of evocative sounds and pure emotion. // 7 p.m., $37.50, AA
Friday 9/29: Dominy at PhilaMOCA
With the release of their latest single, “Cheap Bed,” five-piece local band, Dominy is playing PhilaMOCA alongside Echo Kid and Frankie Mermaid. Dominy’s new single bends closer towards indie and electronica. They seem to be shifting away from their typical 70’s rock and country sound and trying something new. Dominy’s 2018 debut album Wet Leather received praise for the rock sound they are now known for. Their sound is comparable to The Velvet Underground and The Rolling Stones, with a sparkle of classic country and Americana. // 8 p.m., $14.93, AA
Friday 9/29: Branford Marsalis at Zellerbach Theatre
Three-time Grammy-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalisis is about to embark on a 20-day-long tour across the northeast, with the first show of the tour at Philly’s own Zellerbach Theatre at the UPenn Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. With 4 decades in the international spotlight, Branford Marsalisis’ contemporary artistic excellence has not ceased to amaze and captivate his audiences over the years. His Tony nominations for revivals of Children of a Lesser God, Fences, and A Raisin in the Sun and composer screen credits for Mo’ Better Blues, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom make him a must-see if you want a wonderful Jazz-filled evening in the city. // 8 p.m., $92 and up, AA
Saturday 9/30: Crooks & Nannies at Johnny Brenda’s
Indie rock duo Crooks & Nannies is hosting a special show at Johnny Branda’s celebrating the release of their third album, Real Life. New York natives Sam Huntington and Max Rafter bonded through their love of music in High school and began making music together. Now based in Philly, their music tackles themes of depression, grief, love, power dynamics, and gender identity. The record release party is set to have slowcore country artist Amelia Cry Til I Die opening the event, with Crooks & Nannies taking the stage after to perform the entirety of their new album. DJ Jermie Fresh will be closing out the celebration with a DJ set. Attendees are encouraged to dance, laugh, high-five, hug, giggle and have fun. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
Saturday 9/30: Grace Potter at South Side Stage
Catch roots rock XPN fave Grace Potter perform in Harrisburg at XL Live’s South Side Stage supported by Ghost Funk Orchestra. The announcement of her fall tour came alongside the release of her single earlier this summer,“Good Time,” following the first single, the title track, “Mother Road.” Mother Road is her third solo album and first since 2019’s Daylight, which radiates her feel-good country charisma; this new album keeps that intact and lets it shine even more. So wrap your hand around that wheel, make your way to the show, and have a good time. // 7 p.m., $37.50 and up, AA
