Here are eight concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. For tickets and more information, head to the WXPN Concert Calendar.
Wednesday 1/15: Robert Glasper at City Winery
Genre-defying composer, pianist, and band leader Robert Glasper settles in for a short stay in Philly for three headlining nights at City Winery, beginning this Wednesday. Glasper’s status as a creative visionary continues on the latest installment of his groundbreaking Black Radio series, which came out in 2022 and found him collaborating with an array of artists from Big K.R.I.T. to. H.E.R. to Me’shell Ndegeocello and Lalah Hathaway; last year he received two Grammy nom’s for “Back to Love,” his collaboration with SiR and Alex Isley. Expect anything at this show. // 9:30 p.m., $60 and up, 21+
Wednesday 1/15: Iris Music Showcase at Nostalgia
The monthly femme-forward artists’ gathering Iris Music Showcase returns for its first show of 2025, now in its new home at Fishtown event space Nostalgia. This lineup features dream-pop singer-songwriter Máty, along with indie folk artist Lena Fine, and xylophone-led band St. John’s Wort, followed by a jam session. // 6 p.m., $10, AA
Thursday 1/16: Fat Mezz at Ardmore Music Hall
South Jersey jam rock band formed in 2020 to pay homage to Chicago jazz musician Milton “Mezz” Mezzrow, and ramped up their output of streaming singles over the past year and a half. There’s a big 2025 on their horizon and they kick it off this Thursday with a gig at Ardmore Music Hall. // 8 p.m., $17, 21+
Thursday 1/16: The Vaccines at Union Transfer
Jaunty London rockers The Vaccines come to Philly this week for a headlining gig at Union Transfer. The band’s sixth LP, Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations, is full of hooks and gang vocals and came out just over a year ago. // 8 p.m., $30, AA
Friday 1/17: Black Buttafly at Philadelphia Museum of Art
Warming up for the release party of her debut EP Fly Free, Philly keyboardist and singer-songwriter Kayla Childs — aka Black Buttafly — plays the Great Stair Hall of the Philadelphia Museum Art this week for the Friday Night Lounge series. Drawing on neo-soul and progressive jazz, Childs’ songwriting chops shine in this project. Get a taste at PMA, and look ahead for her proper project release party next month. // 5 p.m., $15, AA
Friday 1/17: Ghais Guevara at Kung Fu Necktie
Building on the strength of several independently released mixtapes and a run of singles, Philly rapper Ghais Guevara now has a label home — popular indie Fat Possum — and a record out next week called Goyard Ibn Said. The record tells a story in two halves; the first following an artist on a meteoric ascent to fame, and the second watching as they wrestle with the trappings of success. Guevara is joined by underground NYC outfit Elucid on this show, and it’s one of only two stateside dates he’s playing (for now). // 7 p.m., $20, 21+
Saturday 1/18: Stone Cold Grace at World Cafe Live
The voice at the front of indie rock outfit Caring Less, Sara Johnson releases the first proper single from her solo project Stone Cold Grace this week. Inspired hugely by Jeff Buckley, as well as Joni Mitchell and Patti Griffin, Stone Cold Grace’s music will move you, as “Inbetweener” will demonstrate, and as you’ll hear at this gig. Opening are bassist and singer-songwriter Harlee Torres, and a duo edition of indie rock project Best Bear. // 8 p.m., $15, AA
Sunday 1/19: Ovlov at First Unitarian Church
Veteran indie outfit Ovlov is back in action, still touring in support of 2021’s Buds and playing the basement of the First Unitarian Church this Sunday. Following up on their World Cafe Live headliner last weekend, Philly’s Speedy Ortiz have jumped on this bill as well for a double-dose of east coast rock.// 8 p.m., $20, AA
