12 concerts to see this week, including Samara Joy, Petal, Friends of Jerry and more

Here are 12 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. For tickets and more information on these shows and more, head to the WXPN Concert Calendar.

Sunday 12/17: Urban Guerrilla Orchestra at Ardmore Music Hall

Urban Guerrilla Orchestra is a collective of passionate music vets who put the enjoyment of the crowd first. This 13-piece ensemble includes vocalists, horn players, drummers, and keyboardists, and collectively they showcase true soul and heart on stage, enthralling listeners of all kinds. Kick off your week with the band tonight at Ardmore Music Hall. // 7 p.m., $39, 21+

Monday 12/18: TAGABOW at The First Unitarian Church

Philly collective They Are Gutting A Body Of Water — TAGABOW to the initiated — is no stranger to uniqueness. Led by multi-instrumentalist Doug Dulgarian, the project combines strong electronic influences with shoegaze wonder, creating unprecedented sounds. Their live shows are loud and eccentric in the best way, as they include short distorted interludes in between their more emo, weighty tracks. TAGABOW plays its last hometown show of 2023 at the Church Monday night with the like-minded Full Body 2, the Spirit Of The Beehive offshoot Draag Me, and Solvent OS. // 8 p.m., $17, AA

Monday 12/18: Wax Jaw at Johnny Brenda’s

Philly punk outfit Wax Jaw will be playing tracks from their newest record, Between the Teeth, at Johnny Brenda’s on Monday night. The record is a genre-bending mix of surf, garage, and retro punk that explores themes of love, whether it be sweet or bitter. Hear the band play it live and dig into their back catalog at Johnny Brenda’s on Monday night. // 8 p.m., $12, 21+

Wednesday 12/20: Puppy Angst at The Dolphin

It’s been a year since emo-tinged indie outfit Puppy Angst celebrated the release of their debut album. Comprising seasoned Philly musicians who have played alongside local stars like Alex G and Kississippi, the band returned this summer with a recent single, “TKO,” and the promise of even more new music around the corner in 2024.. Swap out the traditional Christmas tunes for a dose of shoegaze and dream pop and celebrate with them at The Dolphin Wednesday. // 7 p.m., $12, 21+

Wednesday 12/20: Kenya Vaun at The Lounge at World Cafe Live

On Wednesday, rising hip-hop / R&B artist Kenya Vaun takes the stage at World Cafe Live’s Lounge. With music coursing through her veins and inspiration from legends like Angie Stone, Lauryn Hill, and D’Angelo, this Philly-rooted artist is on the path to stardom, even if she’s only got two singles to her name so far. Be ahead of the curve and catch her this week with Avery Wilson. // 8 p.m., $20, 21+

Thursday 12/21: Dirty Dollhouse at The Lounge at World Cafe Live

Experience local singer-songwriter Chelsea Mitchell as Dirty Dollhouse, both the multi-genre artist and the band, as she takes the stage at The Lounge in World Cafe Live on Thursday. Mitchell’s musical style is eclectic and exciting: one moment she exudes sultriness reminiscent of Nicole Atkins, and the next she effortlessly transitions into the soft elegance of Kacey Musgraves, weaving together folky retro-pop and country-tinged indie songs effortlessly. To make Dirty Dollhouse’s vinyl release party particularly special, Mitchell will be joined by Dirty Dollhouse’s founding members Amber Twait and Vanessa Winters for this show; Dan The Movie opens. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+

Thursday 12/21: AC Sapphire at 118 North

Portland-based Philly native AC Sapphire is back east for the holidays and is getting a gig in the mix for the hometown fans. A mix of folky retro-pop, cosmic reverb-dipped production, and one soaring voice, AC Sapphire’s Desert Car is a stunner, and this Thursday show at 118 North will be too. // 6:30 p.m., $16, 21+

Friday 12/22: Samara Joy at The Miller Theater

Acclaimed jazz vocalist Samara Joy brings her of-another-era songs and sound to Philly on Friday for a Kimmel Center Presents pre-holiday show at South Broad Street’s Miller Theater. Joy’s 2022 album Linger Awhile transports listeners to the time of Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan, its expanded edition travels even deeper on the journey, and this year her EP A Joyful Holiday builds appropriately on her catalog and the tradition it continues. // 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., $35, AA

Friday 12/22: Unsilent Night at Rittenhouse Square

The interactive event Unsilent Night isn’t a concert per se, but it does involve music, and it is magical. Based on recordings and a concept by composer Phil Kline, the free event gathers participants in public spaces ahead of the holiday. Early arrivers will get a boombox fitted with a cassette containing one of four loops of chiming bells; latecomers can use an app. At 6 pm, everyone simultaneously presses play and wanders the streets of center city, quite literally ringing in the winter solstice with revelry and serene sound. // 6 p.m., Free, AA

Friday 12/22: Petal at the First Unitarian Church

Friends and musicians Koji and Petal take on The Church for perhaps one of the last shows you’ll see in ’23. It’s a special show for the both of them, as Koji winds down a tour that began in Chicago and ends in Harrisburg the next day, and Kiley of Petal cements a come-back year in which they released their first new music in five years. Unlike most shows you’ve seen in the First Unitarian Church basement, this one is seated with very limited capacity, so get your tickets now. And remember, concert tickets make great Christmas gifts. // 8 p.m., $18, AA

Friday 12/22: Friends of Jerry at Johnny Brenda’s

For some reason, the holiday season brings out all the jam bands. From Pigeons Playing Ping Pong to The Disco Biscuits to Lotus, there’s plenty of psychedelic, long-form rock to enjoy with your Dad, or your aunt, or whichever family member most enjoys Phish. While we’ve proven you have options, Friends of Jerry, Philly’s new generation Grateful Dead cover band, is one of the finer show offerings of this genre. // 8 p.m., $20, AA

Saturday 12/23: Jon Smith’s Voyages at Tellus360

Jon Smith’s Voyages is styled like Sgt. Pepper’s and sounds like Queen and Bowie all at once. The Central Pennsylvania throwback rocker wears his influences on his sleeve but makes them sound stellar, and he’ll hold court Saturday night at Lancaster’s Tellus360.// 10:30 p.m., $5, 21+