After taking 2024 off, the Make The World Better Foundation is back with another fundraising concert to bring together music fans to raise money for Philadelphia rec center rehabilitation. This year, they’re upping the ante: a weekend instead of a single day, a new location in South Philly’s FDR Park, and an eclectic array of indie star power.
On tap this year is a Friday night show on July 25th with singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus, who is about to release her fourth album Forever Is A Feeling, as well as Dacus’ boygenius bandmate Julien Baker, who appears with TORRES to support their new country-inspired project; indie rocker Jay Som will also appear on this bill. The weekend will also features a show Sunday July 27th blurring the lines of hip-hop, pop, and dance with Remi Wolf and Magdalena Bay.
MTWB’s latest undertaking, which this show will support, is a complete overhaul of Vare Recreation Center in Grey’s Ferry. It’s the fourth community project the organization has undertaken since former Eagle Connor Barwin founded it upon his move to Philadelphia in 2013. As he told the crowd at the last Make The World Better benefit, his idea at the time was to partner with independent local promoters R5 Productions to bring together music fans and sports fans and help the city. His first benefit starred Philly son Kurt Vile, and over the years, MTWB has renovated Point Breeze’s Ralph Brooks Park, Smith Playground in South Philly’s West Passyunk neighborhood, Waterloo Playground in West Kensington.
The 2025 Make The World Better benefit takes place July 25th and July 27th at FDR Park; tickets go on sale Friday, March 28th at 10 a.m., and more information can be found at the WXPN Concert Calendar.