Here are 16 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. For tickets and more information, head to the WXPN Concert Calendar.
Sun. 4/28: Downtown Boys at PhilaMOCA
Is there any better time for Downtown Boys than right now? The fiercely political punk band returns to Philadelphia for the first time in years this Sunday. While it’s been nearly seven years since their last full-length, they recently contributed a song to Musicians for a Free Palestine, a charity compilation helping to provide eSims in Gaza. Indie rock band Paper Bee opens. // 8 p.m., $15, AA – Claire Brown
Sun. 4/28: Ty Segall at Union Transfer
If you live within a five-mile radius of Union Transfer, you’re gonna wanna put your earplugs in. Noise rocker Ty Segall brings his unique brand of face-melting psychedelia to Union Transfer this Sunday, touring to support his newest album Three Bells, an unusually groovy offering for Segall – but don’t worry, it’s still plenty loud. Opening for Ty is the truly indescribable Sharpie Smile – “psychedelic” doesn’t do them justice. // 8 p.m., $28, AA – C.B.
Mon. 4/29: Jacob Collier at The Met Philly
Celebrating the grand finale to his epic four-part Djesse series, composer Jacob Collier comes to the Met this Monday. Djesse Vol. 4 boasts collaborations with everyone from Stormzy to Lizzy McAlpine; he’s got as many big-name features as he does GRAMMYs, which is to say, a lot. Joining Jacob Collier is special guest Kimbra, who you probably know from her performance on the modern-classic “Somebody That I Used To Know.” // 6 p.m., $48.10, AA – C.B.
Tue. 4/30: An Evening with Rucyl at PhilaMOCA
Once a member of beloved Philly rap group The Goats, Rucyl has spent the past thirty years restlessly evolving her sound, primarily working in the audiovisual medium. Her works include everything from wearable MIDI controllers to avant-garde sound theater. Her newest performance is hosted by producer No Sir E; joining them on the bill is Philly DJ Coolaidhippy. // 7 p.m., $12.44, AA – C.B.
Wed. 5/1: Caroline Spence at World Cafe Live
Nashville singer-songwriter Caroline Spence tells stories of grief, pain, and love with her captivating, undeniably moving voice. She made her first mark on the folk/Americana scene with the release of her EP You Know the Feeling in 2013, which earned her the American Songwriter’s Lyric Contest Prize. She’s released six studio records since then, including her latest: last year’s True North. The album stems from quarantine, stream-of-conscious writing, and literary influences like Mary Oliver and Walt Whitman. Her work has led to collaborations with artists such as Emmylou Harris and The National’s Matt Berninger. Fellow Nashville singer-songwriter Mary Bragg will open for Spence at World Cafe Live. // 8 p.m., $17, AA – Dylan Itkin
Wed. 5/1: PACKS at Johnny Brenda’s
PACKS is the musical project of Toronto-based Madeline Link but her latest album, Melt the Honey, stems from a whirlwind 11-day writing session in Mexico City. That initial burst led to recording in rural Quebec, where Link and her three bandmates tracked songs in a sauna. The result is moody, addictive indie-rock propelled by Link’s entrancing vocal melodies. She says the self-produced album stems from a recent state of bliss, which concertgoers are sure to share. Indie rock act Doll Spirit Vessel will open the show with a solo set. // 7 p.m., $16, 21+ – D.I.
Thu. 5/2: Valentina Sounds at 118 North
Philly singer-songwriter Valentina Sounds calls her music “therapy pop” and her latest single, “Wake Me Up,” perfectly encapsulates that description. It’s nakedly emotional but rousingly anthemic, moving from dejected anxiety to defiant strength. The song stems from a near-death experience that halted Valentina’s music career for almost an entire year. The resulting track acknowledges the pain, repeating “I’m gonna break down,” before building to a sweeping chorus and a soulful outro. Folk-rock artist Emily Drinker will also perform at Valentina’s 118 North Show this Thursday. // 8 p.m., $10, 21+ – D.I.
Thu. 5/2: Stiff Little Fingers at Brooklyn Bowl Philly
Punk legends Stiff Little Fingers began in Belfast as a cover-band playing Deep Purple songs but began breaking records when they settled into their trademark, trailblazing sound. Inspired by The Clash, Inflammable Material, released in 1979, was the first independently-released album to break into the UK’s top 20. Yet after just a few years, the band disbanded – then regrouped in 1987. Their current tour is titled “Hate Has No Home Here” and also features Ricky Warwick, the Irish frontman of Thin Lizzy. // 8 p.m., $38, 21+ – D.I.
Thu. 5/2: Robyn Hood at MilkBoy
From being a hip-hop artist to acting in several hit series, there’s nothing that Philly’s own Robyn Hood (A.K.A. Miriam A. Hyman) can’t do. Joined by an impressive lineup that includes Heir Jordan, DELL-P, and Carla Gamble, Robyn Hood will bring her talents to MilkBoy this Thursday. With sick flows and hype beats, Robyn Hood is sure to turn it up. // 8 p.m., $24.95, 21+ – Emma Zoe Polyak
Fri. 5/3: Mo Lowda and The Humble at Union Transfer
Hailing from Philadelphia, indie-rock band Mo Lowda and The Humble will be making a hometown appearance as their tour winds down. Part introspective and part innovative, their latest self-titled album came out around a year ago, and highlights their impressive sonic evolution from their first release in 2013. While their music may have changed, the band have maintained their high-energy shows that fans have come to love. // 8 p.m., $25, AA – E.Z.P.
Fri. 5/3: Margaret Glaspy at The Sellersville Theater
Fresh off the release of a tour-recorded EP, The Sun Doesn’t Think, Margaret Glaspy will be performing at The Sellersville Theater. The New-York based singer-songwriter has a knack for mesmerizing vocals and honest lyrics, which is evident in her most recent full-length album, Echo The Diamond, a record that was inspired by embracing life and finding catharsis. See Glaspy in all her enthralling authenticity this Friday. // 8 p.m., $29.50 and up, AA – E.Z.P.
Fri. 5/3 and Sat. 5/3: Spraynard at The First Unitarian Church
If you enjoy punk and want to support a homegrown band, head down to The First Unitarian Church to catch Spaynard give an electric show. The three-piece band established themselves as an exciting punk band with their first release in 2010, Cut & Paste. Made up of Pat Graham on vocals and guitar, Mark Dickinson on Bass, and Pat Ware on drums, Spraynard return for a one-night show this Friday, and it’s not one to miss! – E.Z.P.
Fri. 5/3, Sat. 5/4, and Sun. 5/5 Sing Us Home Festival at Venice Island Performing Arts Center
Sing Us Home, the annual outdoor music festival curated by Dave Hause, is coming to the Venice Island Performing Arts Center this weekend. Presented by XPN, Blood Harmony Records, and Rising Sun Presents, the Manayunk fest celebrates rock, roots and punk. And the lineup is STACKED – Langhorne Slim, Amethyst Kiah, and the Jayhawks will be playing, not to mention the reunion of The Loved Ones on May 5th. Also in the lineup are Fishtown Choir, Laura Jane Grace & The Mississippi Medicals, Strike Anywhere, Mercy Union, and so much more. // times vary, $49 and up, AA – Maeve Zeleniak
Sat. 5/4: Darlingside at The Sellersville Theater
Bostonian indie folk group Darlingside is coming to Sellersville this Saturday! The NPR darlings are back after the release of their fourth album, Everything is Alive, which features each member’s unique sound in addition to providing the harmonies the group is known for. Members Don Mitchell, Auyon Mukharji, and Harris Paseltiner will be playing without Dave Senft, choosing to forego replacing him and letting go of the need to accurately recreate each song as recorded. // 7:30 p.m., $29.50 and up, AA – M.Z.
Sat. 5/4: Sadurn at Johnny Brenda’s
Greg Freeman’s solo project has expanded a lot since 2017. Now a four-person band with the addition of Jon Cox, Tabitha Ahnert, and Amelia Swain, the band earned “Best of What’s Next” by Paste for 2022’s Radiator. The bedroom folk group never fails to feel cozy, and Johnny Brenda’s is the perfect place to catch them live. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+ – M.Z.
Sat. 5/4: Death By Indie at Arden Gild Hall
Wilmington-based group Death By Indie, composed of Declan Poehler, Isa Teixeira and Mike Edwards, is fulfilling their biggest dream by coming to the Gild Hall in Arden, Delaware this weekend! The “unopologetically Delaware” group’s set will serve as a release show for their fourth studio album, 7 Day Farmers Market, coming soon. // 6 p.m., $14.75, AA – M.Z.
