Here are 12 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. Get tickets and more information at the WXPN Concert Calendar.
Tuesday 1/28: Jessica Lea Mayfield at Johnny Brenda’s
From bluegrass to Elliott Smith covers to collaborations with Philadelphia’s own Alex G, singer-songwriter Jessica Lea Mayfield is a force who doesn’t easily fit into a predetermined box. Last week she released her first new song in a few years, a burning and vulnerable cut called “Choose Myself,” and she tells fans a new EP is on the way soon. See what she’s been up to this Tuesday at Johnny Brenda’s. // 8 p.m., $20, 21+
Tuesday 1/28: 070 Shake at The Fillmore Philadelphia
Dazzling New Jersey alternative pop artist 070 Shake released her third project, Petrichor, late last year. Pitchfork called it “a boldly experimental album marked by arena-rock grandiosity and sudden switch-ups” and she comes to Philadelphia this Tuesday to play it live at The Fillmore. // 8 p.m., $41.75, AA
Wednesday 1/29: Justin Kerecz at The Dolphin
Head to South Broad Street drinking and dancing establishment The Dolphin Wednesday night for a solid bill of local rock. Rootsy outfit Nick Lombardo & the Decent Ok headlines, and the powerhouse art rock trio Kikishima is also on the bill in the middle slot, but arrive early to catch singer-songwriter Justin Kerecz. His Nobody Man EP from last year is dressed up in bright arrangements in the spirit of The Beatles and Jon Brion, and his voice is inspired by the grittiest in rock and soul sounds, as we hear on its opening track “Been Cryin.” // 8 p.m., $12, 21+
Thursday 1/30: The Warhawks at MilkBoy
Propulsive Jersey rockers are full of unrelenting energy, and over the past year they’ve been rolling out their Wellness Check series of EPs, some of the best showings to date of their heavy rock attitude and attention to songcraft. See them live at MilkBoy this Thursday. // 8:30 p.m., $20.97, 21+
Friday 1/31: The Bul Bey at Johnny Brenda’s
Last summer, seasoned Philly MC and entertainer The Bul Bey released his latest collection of songs, Depth Before Height. It flexes his versatility, with experimentally-toned poetic pieces like “Pass The Salt” mixing with trap-flavored cuts (“Romantic”) and classic Bey bops (“Elbow Deep”). He’ll play new songs at a Johnny Brenda’s show this Friday, joined on the bill by two neo-soul inspired Philly artists: Balmour and ANGELCONCEPCION. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
Friday 1/31: Shygodwin at MilkBoy
As we said last year when they recorded at WXPN studios, the gut-punch power of Philly’s Shygodwin will shake you, it’ll command your attention. The band is an exhilarating, essential new voice in Philly punk, and this Friday they headline MilkBoy in Center City to celebrate a powerful run of new singles. // 8:30 p.m., $20.97, 21+
Friday 1/31: Soulive at Ardmore Music Hall
25-years-runnning New York state trio Soulive melds funk, jazz, Afrobeat, and groove-oriented jam rock. This weekend they settle in on the main line for two nights at Ardmore Music Hall in celebration of last year’s Cinematics, Vol. 2. // 8 p.m., $25, 21+
Friday 1/31: Blind Boys of Alabama at Mayo Performing Arts Center
The Blind Boys of Alabama are a gospel institution, with some twenty singers rotating into the lineup since its founding in 1939. Over the years, they’ve released 70+ albums, collaborated with artists from Ben Harper to Taj Mahal, they played the XPoNential Music Festival in 2018, and in 2023 they released Echoes Of The South on Single Lock Records. See them this Friday at Mayo Performing Arts Center in New Jersey. // 8 p.m., $47, AA
Saturday 2/1: Hippo Campus at The Met Philly
Jaunty Saint Paul indie outfit Hippo Campus has been on a continuous upward trajectory since debuting a decade ago, and this week finds them headlining their biggest Philly show to date this week. (How many bands that played The Barbary once upon a time can also say they’ve headlined The Met?) Hippo Campus released their third studio album, Flood, last year, and this tour finds them sharing the bill with recent-ish World Cafe guest Petey. // 8 p.m., $41.25, AA
Saturday 2/1: Jamie xx at Franklin Music Hall
UK producer, soundscaper, and sometimes DJ Jamie xx released In Waves last year; it’s his second studio album, and first work solo in almost a decade. The project featured vocal collaborations with his xx bandmates Romy and Oliver Sim, plus an array of artists from Panda Bear, to Robyn, to the Avalanches, and Erykah Badu. His tour, though, is how he always plays; solo, behind the decks, commanding the room into a state of bliss. Experience it this Saturday at Franklin Music Hall. // 7 p.m., $90 (official resale), AA
Saturday 2/1: Grace Gardner at World Cafe Live
Raised in Texas and based in Philly, indie dreampop singer-songwriter Grace Gardner is on tour this winter with their band, and returns home Saturday to headline The Lounge at World Cafe Live. Since debuting in 2022, Gardner has released a run of singles and collections — last year’s Recovery Mile was impressive, and their third EP After Knowing came out in late December — and with a rock band backing, the pure emotion of these songs will be even more palpable. // 8:30 p.m., $12, AA
Sunday 2/2: Flatwaves at Johnny Brenda’s
Heavy Philly shoegazers Flatwaves play their first gig of 2025 this Sunday, headlining Johnny Brenda’s in Fishtown on a towering bill that also features atmospheric Philly rockers Hauntress, riff raging locals Dark Arc, and Brooklyn’s Silent Mass. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+
