17 concerts to see this week, including The Pharcyde, Night Of 1000 Kates, Bad Bunny and more

Here are 16 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. For tickets and more information, head to WXPN’s Concert Calendar.

Sunday 4/14: Alarm Will Sound at Zellerbach Theatre

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians, the avant-garde chamber orchestra Alarm Will Sound, whose repertoire includes everything from 20th century serialism to Aphex Twin songs, will be performing several different pieces by the minimalist composer. If you love classical music, you can’t miss this – if you hate classical music, this just might change your mind. // 6 p.m., $39 and up, AA — Claire Brown

Tuesday 4/16: Real Estate at Union Transfer

Back with more easy-going indie rock is Real Estate, who put out their sixth studio record Daniel in February via Domino. It’s a touching record, with New Jersey suburbs humbleness and a pastel-colored hue, perfect for springtime. Follow the band into their next era with this show at Union Transfer on Tuesday night. // 8 p.m., $28, AA — Paige Walter

Wednesday 4/17: MIKE at Union Transfer

Fresh off of the release of Pinball, his plugg collaboration with in-demand producer Tony Seltzer, MIKE comes to Union Transfer this Wednesday. A protégé of Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE’s uniquely subdued delivery and varied taste in production has earned him a reputation as your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper. Joining him on the bill are cloud rappers 454, Niontay, and El Cousteau, all of whom bring a similarly breezy energy. // 8 p.m., $22, AA — C. B.

Wednesday 4/17: Iris Music Showcase at Silk City

Silk City’s Iris Music Showcase returns this Wednesday featuring Jacqueline Constance, Karlia, and Sophie Coran. The monthly jam session, hosted by Philly fixture Taylor Kelly, aims to celebrate femme voices of the past and present. This week will highlight some prominent local voices in modern R&B and soul. Learn more about the Iris Music Showcase on their Instagram. // 7 p.m., $10, 21+ — Maeve Zeleniak

Wednesday 4/17: girl in red at The Met Philly

Following the release of I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY! Friday, girl in red is coming to the Met for a two-day stop ( April 17th and 18th) on her “Doing it Again” tour. The Norwegian artist famous for her singles “We Fell in Love in October” and “I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend” is kicking off her tour in Boston on the 16th, then coming down to Philly with indie rockers and XPN faves Momma opening. Listen to her latest release, “I’m Back,” below. // 8 p.m., $45 and up (verified resale), AA — M. Z.

Wednesday 4/17: Dom Flemons at The State Theatre

By now, you’ve definitely heard about Beyonce’s second-act renaissance of black country and Americana traditions on her recent record Cowboy Carter. You might be less familiar with the plethora of deeply talented Black singers already deeply engaged with the history and future of these genres and cultures. Meet Dom Flemons, often called “the American Songster.” The multi-instrumentalist just about does it all, and that includes playing a set that pulls from more than a century of American musical history. The Grammy-winner will perform at the State Theater on Wednesday (with an opening set from Christopher Paul Stelling), and headlines Philly’s City Winery the next night. // 8 p.m., $46, AA — Dylan Itkin

Thursday 4/18: Stabbing Westward at Underground Arts

Hot Topic stores are reopening, JNCO jeans are back in style, and 90s industrial hitmakers Stabbing Westward are coming to Philadelphia. Known for radio-rock classics like “Shame,” “Save Yourself,” and “What Do I Have To Do,” the group reunited after a lengthy hiatus in 2015 and released the beefy throwback Chasing Ghosts in 2022. Joining them on the bill is Philadelphia’s own MAX NOI MACH, an unhinged industrial act that’s liable to blow the roof off the place – or at least blow your eardrums out. // 8 p.m. $34, 21+ — C. B.

Thursday 4/18: ZekeUltra at Love City Brewing

ZekeUltra has been one of Philly’s most exciting rappers for several years. His music is hazy and absorbing, effortlessly lyrical with beautiful and haunting sample-based production. He’s often collaborated with fellow members of the Bad Apple Commune, a collective of West Philly artists including Huey, The Cosmonaut and Savan DePaul. On Thursday, Zeke will perform a Philly show at Love City with Elijah Banksy. lojii and Indoor Yves will open, and the show is one of 4333’s series of free gigs at Love City Brewing. // 8 p.m., free, 21+ — D. I.

Thursday 4/18: Bettye Lavette at City Winery

Betty Lavette is one of soul music’s most underrated voices and one of the genre’s most enduring artists. She started recording while only a teenager but widespread recognition proved more scattershot until recently. In 2007, she released The Scene of the Crime with the Drive-By Truckers backing her up and received long overdue mainstream appreciation. In the years since, she’s shared the stage with the living Beatles, while earning Grammy noms and other awards. Another high-point came with her 2009 performance of “A Change is Gonna Come” at Obama’s inauguration. At City Winery, expect new and old classics from the one and only Lavette. // 7:30 p.m., $30 and up, 21+ — D. I.

Thursday 4/18: Drop Nineteens at Union Transfer

After a nearly-thirty-year hiatus, Boston shoegaze darlings Drop Nineteens are back. You might know them for their cult classic debut album Delaware, but their newest effort, 2023’s Hard Light, is an achievement in its own right, a dreamy shoegaze record that could go toe-to-toe with other classics of the genre. Joining them on this bill is the fuzzed-out power-pop project Hotline TNT, whose 2023 release Cartwheel is a must-listen for those seeking to keep up with what could only be called a modern shoegaze renaissance. // 7 p.m., $25, AA — C. B.

Friday 4/19: Bad Bunny at Wells Fargo Center

International star Bad Bunny returns to Philly on his fifth tour. The Puerto Rican rapper rose to fame collabing with Drake and Cardi B in singles “Mia” and “I Like It,” and now his sophomore album YHLQMDLG is the highest-charting all-Spanish album on the Billboard 200. The “Most Wanted” tour, which began in February, includes an orchestra, several stages, a floating catwalk, and a horse. // 8 p.m., $235 and up (verified resale), AA — M. Z.

Friday 4/19: Roberta Lea at Kennett Flash

Roberta Lea will bring her fun country songs to Kennett Flash this Friday. A singer, songwriter, and producer from Virginia, Lea is a rising voice in the country-pop scene. Her latest album Too Much of a Woman explores the confines of country while claiming her space as a Black country musician. With reflective lyrics and catchy songs, Lea blends the best of country music with progressive themes exploring womanhood, family, and mental health. // 8 p.m., $20, AA — Emma Zoe Polyak

Friday 4/19: Tommy Stinson at Anchor Rock Club

XPN welcomes rock icon Tommy Stinson at the Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City. Whether you know him as the bass guitarist for the alt-rock group The Replacements, the second-gen bassist for Guns N’ Roses, the vocalist/guitarist for Bash and Pop, or even as one-half of Cowboys in the Campfire (a recent collaboration with Philadelphia’s own Chip Roberts), this is your chance to see Tommy Stinson in all his glory. His solo shows are intimate, playful, and full of skilled guitar playing. He will be rocking out with special guests Diane Gentile and MA’AM. // 8 p.m., $25, 18+ — E. Z. P.

Saturday 4/20: Ben Folds at Wind Creek Entertainment Center

Head over to Wind Creek Entertainment Center this Saturday to hear Ben Folds’ musical-esque piano ballads. Born and raised in North Carolina, Folds is an Emmy-nominated singer, songwriter, and composer who has contributed to movie soundtracks, symphony orchestras and created the Ben Folds Five, a mid-90s band that helped evolve the piano-pop genre. A prolific musician in his own right, Folds released What Matters Most last year, an album that explores hope, loss, identity, and gratitude in 10 delicately crafted songs. // 8 p.m., $46, AA — E. Z. P.

Saturday 4/20: Night Of 1000 Kates at Union Transfer

There goes a tenner! Philadelphia’s wildest tribute act is back for their tenth annual performance at Union Transfer this Saturday. Okay, there’s not actually 1000 of them, but Night Of 1000 Kates sees over 90 performers taking the stage for an “evening of shameless ecstatic lushness” themed around the life and work of the beloved Kate Bush. Song, dance, theater, film – it’s impossible to predict what antics the Kates will get up to this time, but ooh, I just know that something good is gonna happen! // 8 p.m., $25, AA — C. B.

Saturday 4/20: Restorations at First Unitarian Church

Five-piece rock band Restorations are a must-see for any fans of post-hardcore and punk. The Philly natives embark on a three-stop tour less than a month after the release of their self-titled album, which is a triumphant return six years after their last release. Having played together for nearly 16 years, the band has managed to refine their Americana-tinged heavy rock sound while producing ever-evolving songs with urgent, crashing undertones. The band’s loud-rock will fill the halls of the First Unitarian Church this Saturday. // 8 p.m., $22, AA — E. Z. P.

Saturday 4/20: The Pharcyde at HMAC

There’s an endless number of classic hip-hop songs, but are any of them really better than “‘Passin Me By?” Is “Runnin” J Dilla’s best beat? Does “Drop” have the most creative rap video of the 90’s? You can ponder all these questions at The Pharcyde’s upcoming Harrisburg concert. Answers will vary, but it’s almost certain you’ll leave wondering how Pharcyde is still an underrated rap group. Over thirty years after their breakout Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde, they remain an influential, unmissable live act. WXPN called them funky and playful as ever just last year. // 8 p.m., $29.50, AA — D.I.