Here are nine concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly; for tickets and more information, head to the WXPN Concert Calendar.
Sunday 1/14: Alright Junior at MilkBoy
Philly trio Alright Junior has been a force on the local hard rock scene for the past decade, with the charismatic vocals and stage presence of singer-guitarist Jace Miller anchoring the band on stages around the city. The band’s latest, Battle Scars, released in the thick of 2020, and we’re due for new music from the band, who starts the week on a loud note this Sunday at MilkBoy. Don’t Panic and Seeing Snakes share the stage with them. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
Tuesday 1/16: Blaque Dynamite at Silk City
Los Angeles’ Mike Mitchell, aka Blaque Dynamite, is a life-long drummer (literally; his bio boasts he’s been playing since age 2) and composer of effervescent future pop fusion in the vein of Thundercat and Hiatus Kaiyote. He’s performed alongside and collabed with artists from Erykah Badu to Kamasi Washington, and released the gorgeous Stop Calling Me LP last fall, an album he’ll showcase in Philly this Tuesday evening at Silk City. Philly producer, band leader, and synth maestro Corey Bernhard opens the show with a solo set. // 7:30 p.m., $15, 21+
Wednesday 1/17: Wednesday at Union Transfer
When last we saw Wednesday, a cold rain was falling on the XPoNential Music Festival, dark clouds swarmed above Camden, and a cluster of live music true believers huddled in front of the Wiggins Park river stage, ready for the band to transport them. Never has the collective scream crescendo of “Bull Believer” felt so cathartic. The Asheville quintet’s 2023 album Rat Saw God came in at number five of WXPN’s Best Albums of 2023 MEGA-LIST, and the band plays a victory lap this Wednesday (Appropriate! Mildly confusing if you’re not in the know!) at Union Transfer, a venue they sold out when the record dropped last summer. See them now, because they’ll be aiming for bigger places next album cycle. // 8 p.m., $27, AA
Thursday 1/18: Anwar Marshall Trio at Kimmel Center Commonwealth Plaza
On Thursday, witness the Anwar Marshall Trio at the Kimmel Center Commonwealth Plaza. A Grammy-nominated drummer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer, Marshall is deeply rooted in local soul, jazz, and R&B. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Anwar’s journey in music began early, leading him to become a vital part of Philly’s vibrant music scene. His exploration in various musical genres culminated in his first EP, Cold, released in May 2022, and his performance this week kicks off the Kimmel’s 2024 run of free programming in Commonwealth Plaza. // 8 p.m., free, AA
Thursday 1/18: The Lunar Year at Fringe Bar
Philadelphia experimental rock ensemble The Lunar Year, fronted by Katie Hackett, promises a night filled with ethereal guitar riffs and captivating vocals at Fringe Arts this week. Debuting in 2017 with the album Herodias and its standout song “Porcelain,” the band has slowly developed a following over the past few years. Although a follow-up album is still in the works, their recent singles, including last year’s “Don’t Kiss Strangers” and a notable Key Studio Session at XPN, showcase their evolving sound. They’ll be joined this week by Erik Kramer and Cadre Noir. // 8 p.m., free, 21+
Thursday 1/18: Black Pumas at The Fillmore Philly
Kicking off their hotly anticipated Chronicles of a Diamond tour, Black Pumas play The Fillmore Philly this Thursday. This Austin-based rock, funk, and psychedelic duo exploded onto the scene with their 2019 self-titled debut. Singer/songwriter Eric Burton and guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada earned seven Grammy nominations and acclaim for their electrifying performances. Their latest album, Chronicles of a Diamond, released last fall, expands their musical landscape with an array of genre-blending tracks, and landed at number 17 on WXPN’s Best Albums of 2023 MEGA-LIST last month. Go to The Fillmore for their mesmerizing set this Thursday, but arrive early, when hip-hop icons Digable Planets give an opening performance. // 8 p.m., $79.50, AA
Friday 1/19: Ride at Union Transfer
Have you heard shoegaze is back? The trend cycle of music, apparently, is about 30 years as sounds from the 90s made a major comeback in 2023. Riding the wave is genre pioneer Ride, who have a new album out this March. Listen to their first single of 2024 “Peace Sign” to prepare for this show with fellow UK group The Charlatans. // 8 p.m., $39.50, AA
Friday 1/19: Ghost Note at Capitol Theatre
Percusion-fronted, experimental and world music-influenced band Ghost-Note make a stop at York’s Appell Center for a high-energy Friday night show. Drummers Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth have new music to debut, all written on break from tour with their primary band, critically-acclaimed jazz fusion group Snarky Puppy. // 7:30 p.m., $35 and up, AA
Saturday 1/20: Rachel Ana Dobken at World Café Live
Asbury Park, New Jersey’s own Rachel Ana Dobken comes to Philly for this special World Cafe show. Her three most recent singles including “Just A Dream” and “Cruel, Cruel, Cruel” preview a thoughtful and heart-wrenching new rock record, with a release date to be determined. Dobken opens great bill with Lancaster’s Tyler Burkhart, and The Natvral, aka Kip Berman of much-loved indiepop outfit The Pains Of Being Pure at Heart. // 8 p.m., $15, AA
