14 concerts to see this week, including Neil Young, Norah Jones, The Avett Brothers and more

Here are 14 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. For tickets and more information on these shows, head to the WXPN Concert Calendar.

Sun. 5/12: Chicano Batman at Union Transfer

It’s been three years since we heard new music from psychedelic Los Angelinos Chicano Batman, so a spring tour is a portent of good things ahead. The band comes to Union Transfer tonight, the perfect way to start your week.// 7 p.m., $29.50, AA

Sun. 5/12: Neil Young and Crazy Horse at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

Rock legend Neil Young is on the road this spring, and that means a headlining show tonight at Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on the waterfront. To sweeten the deal, this is a tour with Young’s legendary backing band Crazy Horse, meaning things are going to get LOUD. // 7:30 p.m., $73.35 and up, AA

Tue. 5/14: Sierra Ferrell at Union Transfer

Progressive bluegrass star Sierra Ferrell has made waves nationally since we saw her on the marina stage of XPoNential Music Festival in 2021. Her Tuesday night show at Union Transfer in support of this year’s Trail Of Flowers is, officially, sold out, but the venue’s ticket retailer offers verified resale options, so getting into the show is impossible — it’ll just cost you a little more than if you’d bought sooner. // 7 p.m., $198 and up (verified resale), AA

Tue. 5/14: McKinley Dixon at Kung Fu Necktie

Virginia-rooted rapper McKinley Dixon draws inspiration from the poetic, impressionistic writing of Toni Morrison on his latest album Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!, a project named for the author’s famed trilogy of novels. Hear more in his January interview on World Cafe, and see him Tuesday at Kung Fu Necktie. // 7 p.m., $15, 21+

Wed. 5/15: Norah Jones at The Met Philly

Beginning with the super-chill, unwinding tones of her acclaimed 2002 debut Come Away With Me, singer-songwriter Norah Jones has reinvented herself time and again, exploring the sounds of country, pop, soul and more. Though vocal jazz is still her North Star, she’s proved herself to be so much more, and this Wednesday she’ll bring her tour in support of her ninth album, this year’s Visions, to The Met. // 8 p.m., $79.73 and up (verified resale), AA

Wed. 5/15: Pachyman at World Cafe Live

Based in Los Angeles and rooted in Puerto Rico, the singer-songwriter Pachyman made a splash in 2021 with The Return of Pachyman. Last fall, World Cafe’s Stephen Kallao wrote that the album “helped lessen our pandemic dread” and “tipped its hat to the history of reggae, dancehall and dub, but he had a bigger goal for his next project.” That project is Switched-On, and he brings it to Philly this Wednesday at World Cafe Live. Brooklyn cumbia fusion outfit Combo Chimbita opens. // 8 p.m., $25 and up, AA

Wed. 5/15: Josh Ritter at Capitol Theatre

A longtime favorite of WXPN and a veteran of the tropical storm-soaked XPoNential Music Festival in 2023, Josh Ritter is back in the area this Wednesday for a compartively drier set at York’s Capitol Theatre. The show promises the exciting proposition of “Works In Progress + Songs You Know Solo Show – playing new stuff & old faves!” // 7:30 p.m., $39 and up, AA

Thu. 5/16: Buck Meek at Ardmore Music Hall

It’s the off season for beloved indie band Big Thief, meaning its two principal songwriters are pursuing solo projects. Up first, Buck Meek, who brings last year’s Haunted Mountain to Ardmore this Thursday.// 8 pm., $17, AA

Thu. 5/16: The Avett Brothers at The Mann Center

It’s a big semi-outdoors show at The Mann Center, a sure sign that summer is coming! This week it’s long-running bluegrass-rooted rock stars The Avett Brothers, whose self-titled new album comes out at the end of this month on Ramseur Records. // 7 p.m., $52.50 and up, AA

Thu. 5/16: Comprador at PhilaMOCA

When they’re not playing guitar in Humilitarian or drumming in Best Bear, multi-instrumentalist Charlie D’Ardenne makes searing, emotive modern rock under the name Comprador. Their new album Please Stay Off The Statue is out this Thursday and they play a release show in support of it at PhilaMOCA.// 8 p.m., $14.93, AA

Fri. 5/17: Kur at TLA

Celebrated Philly underground rapper Kur has spent the past several years on the cusp of breaking out; the fact that he can headline multiple nights at the TLA on South Street this week seems to indicate that, yes, he’s indeed leveled up in a big way. Kur nimble, wordplay-laden lyricism sits atop energizing beats, and though the opening night of his weekender is sold out, verified resale tickets are available at a markup. // 7 p.m., $47.40 (verified resale), AA

Fri. 5/17: Ron Gallo at The First Unitarian Church Side Chapel

After a church basement show with his full band last year in support of the FOREGROUND MUSIC album, Philly-rooted Nashvillian Ron Gallo returns to his hometown this Friday for a stripped down performance in the venue’s storied and intimate side chapel. Joining him on the bill are his bandmate and spouse Santa Chiara, who released a great record own called Imported last year. // 8 p.m., $20, AA

Fri. 5/17, Sat 5/18: Julia’s War Fest at Ukie Club

The legendary Julia’s War Festival is an annual gathering of the east coast DIY underground, curated by the titular trendsetting tape label Julia’s War Records. This year’s lineup includes the hazy Feeble Little Horse on Friday, and the heady Full Body 2 on Saturday, with an array of artists like Halloween, Joyer, Her New Knife and more mixing it up at the Ukie Club. // 4 p.m., $29.75 per day, AA

Sat. 5/18: Julia Holter at the First Unitarian Church

Experimental artist Julia Holter has crossed the streams of atmospheric ambient music and left-of-center pop for over 15 years, and on her sixth LP, Something In The Room She Moves, she arrives at an optimal middle ground. The record makes space for drifting freeform reflection, but at the Church this weekend, she’ll bring your pulse well north of resting with the sleek, unpredictable groove of “Sun Girl.” // 8 p.m., $20, AA