9 concerts to see this week, including Laura Jane Grace, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The Teeth and more
Get March moving with modern rock heroes, roots faves, and more.
Here are nine concerts to see in the next seven days, all around Philly; for tickets and more information, head to WXPN’s Concert Calendar.
Sunday 3/3: Cold War Kids at The Fillmore
It’s been 18 years since arty west coast modern rockers broke out with their debut Robbers and Cowards, and they’re as commanding as ever. A hard-hitting Firefly festival set a few years back in support of L.A. Divine was a testament to the band’s longevity – the bravado of its dramatic vocals and dynamic arrangements – and late last year, it released its self-titled tenth studio album. See them support it tonight when they play The Fillmore Philadelphia. // 8 p.m., $37.50, AA – John Vettese
Cold War Kids - Run Away With Me
Wednesday 3/6: Laura Jane Grace at Underground Arts
Smart-ass and smart, Laura Jane Grace’s punk music saves lives, as seen in the video for short and sweet “Hole In My Head.” The aughties scene leader comes to Underground Arts with a full band and a new album — Hole In My Head — released just last month. We were also thrilled to notice that queer, Southern-rock group Thelma and the Sleaze are pulling opener duty. // 8 p.m., $29.50, AA – Paige Walter
Laura Jane Grace - Hole In My Head
Wednesday 3/6: The Dandy Warhols at Ardmore Music Hall
Rebellious ’90s Portland rock group The Dandy Warhols are on the road with some new singles in tow, most notably the sludgy “I’d Like To Help You With Your Problem” featuring Slash. Their next record, Rockmaker, is out March 15, but you can get a preview of it at Ardmore Music Hall a week and half early. Detroit psych-rock trio Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor open the show. // 8 p.m., $30, 21+ – P.W.
The Dandy Warhols - “I’d Like To Help You With Your Problem (feat. Slash)” - Official Music Video
Thursday 3/7: Katy Kirby at Johnny Brenda’s
Nashville singer-songwriter Katy Kirby broke-out with her debut record Cool Dry Place in 2021. Nows she follows it up with Blue Raspberry, her second triumph of a record with all the sparkle and buoyant melody fans have come to expect. Listen for achingly beautiful and off-kilter love stories on this one: Kirby came to the realization that she’s queer in the writing process. Get to the show early for opener Amelia Cry Til I Die, who Philly DIYers know from the band Sadurn. // 8 p.m., $18, 21+ – P.W.
Katy Kirby - Table
Thursday 3/7: Andrew Lipke and Hezekiah Jones at The Sellersville Theater
These days Philly musician Andrew Lipke helms big, bold projects — his work as an educator appearing in the HBO doc Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School, and his orchestral skill heard in collaborations with Amos Lee on his Live At Red Rocks With The Colorado Symphony album. But he returns to his troubadour roots of playing his songs, to a room of listeners, on his guitar — like this Thursday when he appears at the Sellersville Theater. Those roots also reconnect with the artist joining him on the bill, folk favorite Hezekiah Jones, with whom Lipke shared many a stage back in the day. // 7:30 p.m., $21.50 and up, AA – J.V.
Andrew Lipke - WCL House Concerts
Friday 3/8: The Teeth at First Unitarian Church
Philly indie-rock group The Teeth is a family affair, led by brothers Peter and Aaron MoDavis. It seemed to all be over after the group disbanded back in 2008 but the local favorites have recently reunited, playing three sold-out shows at Johnny Brenda’s back in January for adoring fans – some of whom flew in for the show. Check out Ellen Miller’s review of the shows for WXPN here as you prepare for the band’s set at the First Unitarian Church. You can also catch them later this year opening for Dr. Dog at The Mann Center on July 13th, and hear them on The Key Studio Sessions this Tuesday. // 8 p.m., $20, AA – Dylan Itkin
The Teeth - Ball of the Dead Rat
Friday 3/8: Will Hoge at Elkton Music Hall
Will Hoge grew up near Franklin, Tennessee and you can hear his home state’s rich musical history in his work. He broke out in the early 2000’s and has prolifically released a series of acclaimed Americana albums in the years since. He’s toured with Jason Isbell and ZZ Top, while earning a Grammy nom along the way. In late 2022, he also opened for Philly favorite Dave Hause. At Elkton Music Hall, WXPN will welcome Hoge along with opener Meaghan Farrell. // 8 p.m., $28.01, 21+ – D.I.
Will Hoge - The Last One To Let Go
Friday 3/8: Teenage Halloween at Anchor Rock Club
There’s nothing like seeing a Jersey band play their home state, and this Friday we get that opportunity twofold at A.C. venue Anchor Rock Club. Headlining is Teenage Halloween, the anthemic punk band rooted in Asbury Park, who last year released their terrific third project Till You Return on Don Giovanni Records and gigged the east coast in support of it — with a Key Studio Session in the mix as well. After some winter hibernation, the band has re-emerged and is hitting the stage again on this 18+ show mere footsteps from the beach; joining them are Cherry Hill’s Afloat, a post-emo f0ur-piece who released a gripping EP called Where I Stand last year, and who pull double duty helming Head Above Water Collective, the DIY org promoting this show. Get yourself some Tony Baloney’s and get to the gig. // 7:45 p.m., $13.32, 18+ – J.V.
Teenage Halloween - Armageddon Now
Saturday 3/9: Ladysmith Black Mambazo at Zellerbach Theatre
The South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo first formed in 1960 under the leadership of Joseph Shabalala. Their music is part of the isicathamiya tradition, an a capella South African style that highlights beautiful harmonies. In the late 80’s, the band collaborated with Paul Simon on his iconic Graceland album. Their vocals were an essential contribution to tracks such as “You Can Call Me Al” and “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” and the album’s success made fans across the globe fall for the group. They’ve been nominated for endless Grammys and won five, dedicating their most recent win to former South African President Nelson Mandela. After Shabalala passed in 2020, several of his children continue to carry on the group.The band has recently returned from a touring hiatus and will perform at the Zellerbach Theatre on Saturday. // 8 p.m., $79 and up, AA – D.I.