Here are 12 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly, and all — as it happens — starring Philly-rooted artists! (Unfortunately, Philly soul king Musiq Soulchild has completely sold out his multi-night run at City Winery.) For tickets and more information, head to the WXPN Concert Calendar.
Wednesday 12/18: Cheeky at Johnny Brenda’s
One-person electronic soundscaper Cheeky has been living in Berlin for the past year and some, but they’re back home to their Philly stomping grounds, which means a Johnny Brenda’s showcase of their minimal pop is in order. Manic Envy opens, along with a DJ set by Bobby from Rentboy. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
Wednesday 12/18: Puppy Angst at PhilaMOCA
Philly indie rock five-piece Puppy Angst has been working on new material for the better part of 2024, and they’re about to go into winter hibernation to record their next project. Close out the year with them and get a peek at their next chapter this Wednesday at PhilaMOCA. // 7:30 p.m., $12.44, AA
Thursday 12/19: Local Honeymoon at PhilaMOCA
Philly indie four-piece Local Honeymoon loves a good gimmick, and they’re closing out 2024 by expanding on their Hawaiian shirt aesthetic and “drinking tropical drinks, singing tropical songs” mantra with a Christmas In Hawaii In Philadelphia show at PhilaMOCA. They’re silly, but their music is incredibly smart and heartfelt. Tucked In and Wallace open. // 8 p.m., $18.66, AA
Thursday 12/19: The Angies at Kung Fu Necktie
One of the heaviest Philly bands to come to prominence over the past year is The Angies, a cathartic punk five-piece fronted by captivating frontperson Taralynn Gilligan that broke out this spring with their debut EP Body Farm. Rage with them this Thursday at KFN. // 7 p.m., $12, 21+
Friday 12/20: Matt Quinn at Union Transfer
Mt. Joy lead singer Matt Quinn brings his contemplative compositions to Philly this Friday for a hotly anticipated “…and Friends” show, reprising a run of dates he played at Johnny Brenda’s last December on a much larger scale. The gig sold out in its initial onsale, but official resale tickets are still available. No word on who the “friends” might be, but here’s hoping that Julia Pratt — an XPN fave and independent artist Quinn has been a huge supporter of and collaborator with — might be one of them. // 8 p.m., $100 and up (official resale), AA
Friday 12/20: Olivia Rubini at The Queen
Wilmington’s Olivia Rubini blew us away on The Key Studio Sessions last month, and even more so earlier this year in her stint on The Voice. She’s got an array of new music on the way in 2025 and we’re psyched to hear her play it Friday night at The Queen. // 8 p.m., $15, AA
Friday 12/20: Worldtown Soundsystem at Johnny Brenda’s
Philly global house music collective Worldtown Soundsystem is dropping their latest project to close out 2024, and they’re bringing the release part to Johnny Brenda’s Friday night. For uplifting sounds and bumping rhythms from across the globe, this is the spot to be. Seraiah Nicole and M11son open. // 9 p.m., $14, 21+
Friday 12/20: The Noisy at Ortlieb’s
We were not kidding about the week being packed with Philly-centric lineups. The Noisy is a left-of-center indie rock band that came on our radar this year with the lush, energized, and quirkily-titled album The Secret Ingredient Is More Meat. Hear them play it Friday at Ortlieb’s; Bren and The Swerves open. // 8 p.m., $12, 21+
Friday 12/20: Quick Chills at Kung Fu Necktie
Pottstown power trio Quick Chills is the rock and roll project of singer-songwriter Lauren Vantine, and they return within city limits this Friday to headline Kung Fu Necktie. The band has an impressive pair of singles up on streaming services; hear what else they’ve got in store at this Kung Fu Necktie headliner on Friday. Nervous Nikki and The Chill Pills and The Low Sundays open. // 7:30 p.m., $12, 21+
Saturday 12/21: Dry Reef at The Foundry
Philly indie surf jammers Dry Reef have been on the road since the summer, bringing effervescent melodies and positive vibes from coast to coast. Help them wrap up their year on a high at The Foundry this Saturday. Close Drive and Nick Horn open. // 8 p.m., $25.50, AA
Saturday 12/21: Work Drugs at Johnny Brenda’s
For the better part of the past decade, Philly indie outfit Work Drugs have brought their Toto and Christopher Cross-inspired pop to the stage in December for a “Holiday Spectacle.” Really, it means Thomas Crystal, Ben Louisiana and friends play a set while wearing Santa hats, but it’s a festive good time, and they promise smooth sailing and good cheer for all who attend. The Tisburys and The Coordinators open. // 9 p.m., $17, 21+
Saturday 12/21: Stella Ruze at Ardmore Music Hall
Is the penultimate Saturday in December too late for an album release party? Folk rock collective Stella Ruze says heck no, and they’ll celebrate their new record Origin in style at Ardmore Music Hall. Hezekiah Jones and Brittany Ann Tranbaugh open. // 8 p.m., $17, 21+
Saturday 12/21: Euphoria Again at PhilaMOCA
Again, never too late to celebrate new music, and while Euphoria Again officially dropped Waiting on Time To Fly in November on Born Losers Records, their show in support of it happens this Saturday. The band is the project of singer-guitarist Johnny Klein, who you might have heard jamming with the Dead worship outfit Friends of Jerry, or adding sweeping slide guitar textures to the melancholic dream pop outfit Knifeplay. Here, he channels his inner Neil Young, to fantastic results. Snoozer and Magic America open. // 7:30 p.m., $17.35, AA
