Here are 11 concerts to see (in chronological order) in the next seven days, all around Philly. For tickets and more information, head to WXPN’s Concerts and Events page.
1) Sunday 10/15: A Giant Dog at Johnny Brenda’s
For some unhinged energy on your Sunday night, look no further than Johnny Brenda’s, where Austin noisemakers A Giant Dog headline a show with support from Philly’s own Ugli. Featuring three members of XPN favorites Sweet Spirit – dynamic vocalist Sabrina Ellis, guitarist and vocalist Andrew Cashen, and drummer Daniel Blanchard – the band’s gritty, irreverent punk energy rages on their new Merge Records offering Bite. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
2) Monday 10/16: The Nude Party at Elkton Music Hall
Upstate New York seven-piece The Nude Party trades in psychedelic retro-rock, and this March, released their third LP, Rides On. Kindred spirits of Dr. Dog and Ceramic Animal, the band plays on a nostalgic weird Americana theme, and will spend this Monday at the new Maryland venue Elkton Music Hall with openers Old Lady. // 8 p.m., $29.24, AA
3) Tuesday 10/17: Christine and The Queens at The Fillmore (Update 10/16: CANCELLED)
UPDATE: Christine and The Queens have cancelled the remainder of their 2023 tour dates, including Philadelphia this week, due to illness. Refunds are available at point of purchase. Experimental pop artist Christine and The Queens has taken a theatrical turn on their most recent offerings: 2022’s Redcar les adorables étoiles (prologue) and this year’s Paranoia, Angels, True Love. While incorporating assorted elements of techno-pop and R&B, the records also incorporate the structure of an opera, and frontperson Chris says he was inspired by the acclaimed 1991 stage play Angels In America. One can only wonder what this means for the tour in support of the project, which comes to The Fillmore Philly on Tuesday. // 8 p.m., $39.50, AA
4) Wednesday 10/18: Bob Mould at Tellus360
College rock icon Bob Mould – of Sugar and Husker Du fame – makes a stop in Central Pennsylvania this Wednesday for a solo show at Tellus360. Like most of Mould’s tours of late, this finds him playing solo electric, but it’s a format this gripping singer-songwriter excels at. Arrive early for an opening set from Mould’s frequent collaborator Jason Narducy. // 8 p.m., $28, 21+
5) Wednesday 10/18: Friend at Ortlieb’s
Philly Punk trio Friend is having a busy season. The band just played its 100th show in the basement of Creep Records in Port Richmond, and announced their fourth album DOG EATS DOG will be released on Born Losers Records in February. Get a taste of what’s in store this Wednesday at Ortlieb’s// 8 p.m., $10, 21+
6) Thursday 10/19: Pile at Johnny Brenda’s
Gnarly Boston rockers Pile return to the Johnny Brenda’s stage this Thursday and Friday night. The band’s eight studio album All Fiction came out in February on Exploding In Sound, and it finds it putting layers of percussion and synth tones in the forefront. Pitchfork praised the shift in sound, saying “You have to bristle and tug at it to get past the barbed wire around these recordings, but once you do, you’re immersed in a surprisingly detailed and evocative world, just beyond the limits of rock.” North Carolina’s Cor De Lux opens. // 9 p.m., $18, 21+
7) Thursday 10/19: Slauson Malone 1 at Ukie Club
Playing the First Unitarian Church this spring opening for MIKE, experimental sound art outfit Slauson Malone 1 delivered a mesmerizing set of glitchy laptop beats, jazzy acoustic guitar excursions, punk rock shrieks, and a generally unpredictable spirit. Led by multi-disciplinary artist Jasper Marsalis, the project has the feeling of a captivating audio collage, and it returns to Philly this Thursday at the Ukie Club in support of their brand new Warp Records release Excelsior. // 7:30 p.m., $20.82, AA
8) Friday 10/20: Say She She at World Cafe Live
New York retro-pop darlings Say She She are on a roll. They’re WXPN’s Artist to Watch for the month of October, on the strength of the discofied bliss of their debut album Silver, and they gave a winning performance at the XPoNential Music Festival just a few weeks ago — not to mention their great NON-COMM set in the spring. Now they’re back to bring the dance party indoors at the Music Hall of World Cafe Live. Get ready to dance, smile, groove, and spread love with Nya, Piya, and Sabrina. // 8 p.m., $22, AA
9) Friday 10/20: Palehound at The Foundry
Since 2015, Boston’s El Kempner and their band Palehound have built up a sturdy discography and a distinctive sound, bridging the worlds of indie rock riffage and singer-songwriter vulnerability. But on their fourth LP, this year’s Eye On The Bat, the band takes a big leap forward, dressing up their strongest songwriting to date in bold, gripping production. Hear how it sounds from the stage on Friday when Palehound plays The Foundry with Philly’s Empath. // 8 p.m., $20, AA
10) Friday 10/20: Teenage Halloween at Ukie Club
Asbury Park punk rock four-piece Teenage Halloween are dropping their new album Till You Return just 11 days out from Halloween, but this is a driving record you’ll return to the whole year round. The band makes music that’s full of heart, that’s cathartic as much as it’s poppy, and fans of Joyce Manor, Superchunk, Tigers Jaw and more will find lots to love when they play Ukie Club on release day this Friday with Philly’s Puppy Angst and The Superweaks. // 7:30 p.m., $17.85, AA
11) Saturday 10/21: Genesis Owusu at Underground Arts
The largely undisputed standout performance at NON-COMM this spring was from Genesis Owusu, the Ghanaian-Australian singer, songwriter and pop artist fusing an array of styles – post-punk, funk, acid house, industrial – into a unique whole. His creatively staged set featured capes, dancers, and a preview of this year’s Struggler, a grim but hopeful look at the nature of humanity. For those who missed that performance, or found it all too short, Underground Arts is the place to be this Friday, when Genesis Owusu headlines on his Struggler tour. // 8:30 p.m., $20, 21+
