11 concerts to see this week, including Kraftwerk, Inhaler, Jorja Smith and more

Here are 11 concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly. Tickets and more information can be found at the WXPN Concert Calendar.

Tuesday 3/4: Friko at The Foundry

Chicago indie duo Friko have blown up over the past year, especially because of their hit song “Where We’ve Been.” It’s hit streaming services hard with its brooding Radiohead-esque drama, and the duo have taken this rise and ran with it. Start the week by seeing Friko at The Foundry this Tuesday. // 8 p.m., $31, AA – Jack Clark

Wednesday 3/5: SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE at Union Transfer

It’s been a journey for Philly surrealists SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE since the autumn release of their album You’ll Have To Lose Something — an early tour theft of instruments and equipment put the entire operation on pause. But the band rebounded, and are ready to bring their mind-bending, utterly unique, and surprisingly poppy music to Union Transfer for a hometown show this Wednesday. Kassie Krut, a New York band featuring former members of Philly’s Palm, opens, along with alternative hip-hop artist POLO PERKS <3 <3 <3. //  8 p.m., $22, AA – John Vettese

Thursday 3/6: Kraftwerk at Franklin Music Hall

Electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk are touring again this year, this time celebrating the 50th anniversary of their fourth album Autobahn, a mimimal-yet-expansive piece of synth orchestrations meant to capture the excitement of driving on the autobahn in Germany. The show comes to Franklin Music Hall on Thursday; their past appearances in Philly have included 3D glasses and intensely vivid projections for a fully immersive way to experience these legends. // 8 p.m., $49.50, AA – J.V.

Thursday 3/6: Louisiana Calling at Sellersville Theater

Louisiana Calling, a double-bill of Sonny Landreth and The Iguanas, is a can’t miss concert this week at Sellersville Theater. Made up of roots rock veterans, it’s a perfect post-Mardi Gras show with its mix of tasteful cajun, Americana, blues, and Latin music. // 8 p.m., $35 and up, AA – J.C.

Thursday 3/6 through Sunday 3/9: The Fallser Winter Music Festival at The Fallser Club

Veteran Philly club promoter Derek Dorsey is back in the game after taking a few years off due to health concerns. One way he’s trumpeting his return is through one of his signature events — the Winter Music Festival. Stretched over four days in its new home at East Falls’ Fallser Club, the event gathers an array of players in the roots, rock, and singer-songwriter circles. Many are names you probably saw at Dorsey’s Northern Liberties Winter Music Festival at The Fire circa 2010, like Andrew Lipke, The Fractals, and Cookie Rabinowitz. Some are artists in a new phase of their career, like singer-songwriter (and former XPN-er) Heather Hurlock, releasing her first batch of wonderfully warm folk-tinged music after many years playing in barn rockers Tin Bird Choir. And some are new names to know, like Nick Lombardo and The Decent OK, who bring major Black Crowes energy to the table. Go for one day, or all four! // 7 p.m., $25 and up, AA – J.V.

Friday 3/7: Paris Paloma at Union Transfer

Rising star Paris Paloma, a 25 year old alternative British singer-songwriter, brings her 2024 debut Cacophony to Philly this week. Her hit single “Labour” gained a massive amount of traction over the past year, mixing folk pop hooks and big beats. Hear it live Friday at Union Transfer. // 8 p.m., $35 and up, AA – J.C.

Friday 3/7: Liz Longley at Sellersville Theater

Award winning singer-songwriter Liz Longley, a Downingtown native based in Nashville, comes home for a Sellersville Theater this Friday. The 37 year old folk singer songwriter made her name with introspective songs like “Send You My Love,” “3 Crow,” and “You’ve Got That Way,” and is on the road in support of her latest album, last year’s It’s Me Again, along with a batch of new material including the recent single “100x.” // 7:30 p.m., $25 and up, AA – J.C.

Saturday 3/8: Inhaler at The Fillmore Philly

Dublin natives Inhaler touch down at The Fillmore on Saturday to bring their anthemic modern rock to Philly. The band’s new album Open Wide is their most accessible and poppy one yet; lead singer Elijah Hewson’s family roots are on display — his dad is Bono of U2, and you can hear it in his voice — but the band’s songwriting chops are very much their own. XPN faves Been Stellar open. // 8 p.m., $45, AA – J.C.

Saturday 3/8: Jorja Smith at The Met Philly

After being discovered as a teen by famed record producer Guy Moot for doing a fantastic cover of Labrinth’s “Earthquake,” Jorja Smith’s career flourished over the course of two albums and several EPs. She can be jazzy, soulful, loungey, and poppy, with an R&B underbelly, and this Saturday she brings her 2023 album Falling or Flying to The Met.// 8 p.m., $48.60 and up, AA – J.C.

Saturday 3/8: Lili Añel and Friends at The Kelly Center

Jazz vocal singer-songwriter Lili Añel might be a born-and-raised New Yorker, but she’s been a big player on the Philly regional scene for over two decades. She just put out her latest album, You Have A Visitor, a collection of whimsical songs about life and love, fairy tales and magic. Recorded with upright bassist Samuel Nobles and percussionist Jonathan W. Whitney, the album is packed with character. A month on from its release, Añel plays Havertown’s Kelly Center this Saturday for an International Women’s Day “Women Songwriters In The Round” show that also features PEEKS!, Kathleen Emmerson, and Renee Koma. // 7:30 p.m., $15 and up, AA – J.V.

Sunday 3/9: Josh Ritter at West Art

XPN favorite Josh Ritter has a new album, Heaven, or Someplace as Nice, that came out late last year. It’s a quick and in-the-moment collaboration with veteran jazz guitarist Bill Frisell. His tour in support of it comes to our area twice this week; Sunday night, he’ll play West Art in Lancaster,  ahead of a Sellersville Theater tour stop on Monday.// 7:30 p.m., $40 and up, AA – J.C.