Writer’s note: This is a very incomplete, very biased aggregation of musical events in the city that I find particularly appealing. The fine city of Philadelphia hosts a billion cool gigs a night so feel free to pick and choose at your leisure. With that being said, concerts such as the “Summerland Tour 2013” (a festival devoted entirely to washed up, one hit wonder radio-rock groups from the 90s) will more than likely be omitted from this piece. Sorry Everclear diehards. For a fairly comprehensive list of shows this is a solid resource.
Monday, 6/17
Black Flag: Not to be confused with Flag (a different, questionably egregious, cash grab perpetrated by original Black Flag frontman Keith Morris), Black Flag is set to play their perennial take on hardcore punk at Union Transfer. Along with having the legal rights to the name, Black Flag hits the stage with founding guitarist Greg Ginn and the band’s second vocalist Ron Reyes. In addition to the hits, expect to hear a handful of new tunes, as this iteration of the group has a new album in the works. It’s important to note that vocalist, author, and “Sons of Anarchy” cast member Henry Rollins will be a part of neither sect of the “_____flag” debate. Opening will be Greg Ginn and manager/“Viva La Bam” alum Mike Vallely’s other project Good For You, as well as Hoboken, New Jersey’s True Love.
https://www.utphilly.com/event/239515-black-flag-philadelphia/
Union Transfer
1026 Spring Garden St Philadelphia, PA 19123
Doors at 8
Music at 8:30
$25 (all ages)
Monday, 6/17
Merchandise: Just in time for the summer, Tampa, Florida’s finest purveyors of glistening, feel good noise pop Merchandise are coming to Kung Fu Necktie. Children of Desire released in 2012 was an airy, dreamy amalgamation of swirling synth, dense noise sections, infectious guitar licks and hooks laden with impressive pop sensibilities. Publications such as Pitchfork have taken notice; so take this opportunity to see ‘em before they blow up. Rounding out a stacked tour package are the fuzzed out, Dinosaur Jr. influenced grunge-rockers Milk Music as well as Destruction Unit.
Merchandise- “Time”
https://www.johnnybrendas.com/event/237227-merchandise-philadelphia/
Johnny Brenda’s
1201 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Doors at 8
Music at 9
$10 in advanced, $12 the day of (21+)
Wednesday, 6/19
Catnaps Last show/Imaginary Pants (Vancouver): Bummed about that free Cold Cave gig at Morgan’s Pier getting axed? Same. Luckily PhilaMOCA’s got you covered, as the venue is playing host to an indie pop show on the same day that’s rad enough to fill the Wes Eisold-shaped hole in your heart. Hometown heroes/MTV favorites Catnaps are breaking up (ugh). Thankfully they’re busting out their brand of female fronted, sugary-sweet indie pop for a final time. See them here or regret it forever and ever. Canadian garage pop duo Imaginary Pants will be stopping by as well, as they’ve taken their lo-fi sensibilities on the road all the way from Vancouver.
Cat Naps- “Johnny”
https://www.facebook.com/events/557438624277101/
PhilaMOCA
531 N. 12th Street Philadelphia, PA 19123
Doors at 7:30
$7-$10 donations (all ages)
Thursday, 6/20
Old Wounds: Can’t Stop Won’t. Surely a motif for New Jersey/Philadelphia’s Old Wounds. Just four months removed from releasing their excellent debut LP “From Where We Came Is Where Will Rest”, Old Wounds is offering up another dosage of genuinely weird, genuinely cool metal influenced hardcore tunes, this time in the form of a split seven-inch with the grindy Converge-esque Trenchfoot. Logically, with the release of the split looming (it’s scheduled to be released June 18 via Meletov Records), the two groups, along with Michigan’s Snakes, decided to book a sojourn across the East Coast. Fortunately for us they’ve decided to pay us a visit. Appropriately the gig will be hosted in a dingy basement somewhere in Philadelphia. Ask a punk.
Old Wounds- “The Sharpest Knife for the Blackest Heart”
https://destrodelphia.com/DIYPHL/old-wounds-trenchfoot-snakes-the-cloth/
Power Bottom Allies (ask a punk)
Doors at 7
$5 (all ages)
Friday, 6/21
Tigers Jaw: The Scranton indie quintet has unfortunately decided to call it quits, but not before embarking on one last trek across the US. Featuring Temple’s own Brianna Collins on the keys, Tigers Jaw will bid farewell to Philadelphia at the intimate First Unitarian Church. Joining them on the excursion are Pianos Become the Teeth and Dad Punchers. Also on the bill are West Chester, PA’s NONA.
Tigers Jaw- “Fake Death”
https://www.r5productions.com/event/251289-tigers-jaw-philadelphia/
First Unitarian Church
2125 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA, 19103
Doors at 7:30
Music at 8
$12 (all ages)
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