Here are 10 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. For tickets and more information, head to the WXPN Concert Calendar.
Tuesday 1/21: Omar at City Winery Philly
Omar Lye-Fook, known professionally as Omar, is a British singer, songwriter, and musician. Over the past two decades, he’s honed his skills at trumpet, piano, percussion, singing and songwriting. But the thing the 56 year old London impresses with the most is his take on modern soul music. His soft, melodic voice, mixed with a variety of beats and tasteful instrumentation for an incredible experience. Omar has been traveling from various City Wineries across the country, and now finds himself in Philadelphia this Tuesday. // 7:30 p.m., $48 and up, AA – Jack Clark
Wednesday 1/22: Mat Kerekes at Ukie Club
Seeing punk and hardcore singers in a solo setting is always an intriguing prospect, and this Wednesday fans of the Michigan outfit Citizen can head to Northern Liberties’ Ukie Club to check in with frontperson and singer-songwriter Mat Kerekes. He’s been putting out solo records since 2016, and his fifth outing To Dream Of Something Wicked — out last fall on Wax Bodega — finds him exploring melodic indie sounds in the spirit of Built To Spill. Kerekes shares this Ukie Club bill with Equipment and Bike Routes. // 7:30 p.m., $28.56, AA – John Vettese
Thursday 1/23: Stereo MCs at Union Transfer
Ready to dance? Well, Stereo MCs are, and they’re looking to party with one of the best crowds in the area. The London based electronic hip-hop group has been around since the 90s, rocking high-energy hits like “Connected” and “Step It Up.” Raise the roof with them this Thursday at Union Transfer. // 8 p.m., $30, AA – Jack Clark
Friday 1/24: G. Love and Special Sauce at City Winery Philly
After breaking out with his signature bluesy hip-hop funk sound on his self-titled debut album, Philly native Garrett Dutton — better known to you as G. Love — returned in 1995 with Coast To Coast Motel, a more acoustic outing that spawned popular radio hits in “Kiss and Tell” and “Sweet Sugar Mama.” It’s still funky, it’s still bluesy and hip-hop fueled, but more intimate, and G. Love and Special Sauce celebrate it with a 30th anniversary tour that stops at City Winery this Friday. // 8 p.m., $45 and up, 21+ – John Vettese
Thursday 1/23: Langhorne Slim at The Appell Center
Originating from Langhorne, PA and going to school in New Hope, Langhorne Slim returns to his home state for a special concert at The Appell Center in York. Going back to his first album in 2008, Slim has been making alternative and indie folk that engages fans, along with his passionate voice and stage presence. Welcome him home this Thursday. // 7:30 p.m., $40 and up, AA – Jack Clark
Friday 1/24: Dar Williams at Sellersville Theater
New England singer-songwriter Dar Williams will always have a place in WXPN’s heart. An expert songwriter, educator, and community activist, Williams last released new music in 2021 with the LP I’ll Meet You Here. Expect the folk singer’s current work mixed in with longtime favorites like “Iowa (Traveling Pt. 3),” a song none other than super producer Jack Antonoff cited as a personal favorite, or “Are You Out There.” // 8 p.m., $45, AA – John Vettese
Friday 1/24: Guster at The Fillmore Philly
Hailing from Somerville, Massachusetts, and forming in 1991, the band Guster returns to our area Friday the 24th at The Fillmore in Philly. The quirky modern rock four piece have been delighting crowds since the 90s, and brought their latest album Ooh La La to XPoNential Music Festival last year with a flame-filled finale. If the show at The Fillmore is even half that energized, Fishtown is in for a treat. // 8:30 p.m., $49.25, AA – Jack Clark
Saturday 1/25: Soccer Mommy at Union Transfer
Nashville indie rock artist Sophie Allison returned to her long-running project Soccer Mommy last fall, releasing her fourth LP Evergreen. The largely positive critical response employed words like “painterly” and “cinematic,” and true, it’s a gorgeous listen. Paired with Soccer Mommy’s solid back catalog, this Saturday at Union Transfer will be filled with gorgeous melodies and big feelings. The dazzling experimental artist L’Rain opens. // 8 p.m., $32.50, AA
Saturday 1/25: Abortion Access Benefit with Control Top, Noun and more at Johnny Brenda’s
For the second year, indie rock booking agency Ground Control Touring has teamed up with the reproductive justice nonprofit org Noise For Now to put a bunch of bands on stage at cities across America to raise money for abortion funds and access and show support for bodily autonomy. In Philly, the lineup is very stacked and very punk, with sets planned from gnarly power trios Control Top and Dark Thoughts, crunchy indie sounds from Mopar Stars, complex art pop by Nina Reyser, and ragers from Marissa Paternoster’s new project Noun as well as beloved local two-piece Pinkwash. DJs will be in the mix as well, and 100% of the proceeds benefit Noise For Now, along with raffles for audience members to show additional support. // 8 p.m., $30 and up, 21+
Saturday 1/25: David Gray at The Met Philly
David released his debut album A Century Ends in 1993. Today, he’s still making music, with his newest album this year, Dear Life, just released on Friday. Hear him play it live (and take us on a trip through his hits) at The Met on Saturday.// 8 p.m., $95.20 and up (verified resale), AA – Jack Clark
