Music Shortlist: Seven Shows to See This Week (Audio Enhanced)

Scarface @ TLA | Tuesday, March 22
The former member of the Geto Boys — known to Idiocracy fans as Upgrayedd — is widely regarded as one of the greatest MCs of all time. This is Scarface’s first tour/Philly show since being arrested at the BET Hip Hop Awards for not paying child support. I couldn’t find a recent track to embed, so let’s enjoy a classic. Face has the first verse, of course. NSFW like crazy.

José González @ The Kimmel Center | Wednesday, March 23
It makes sense that José González is playing the Kimmel; basically every review of his music features the word “symphonic” or something similar. The gentle-voiced lead singer of Swedish folk-pop band Junip is on a solo tour in support of his most recent record, Vestiges and Claws, released early 2015. Sometimes he’ll be backed up by openers yMusic, but most of the show will just be the man and his guitar.

Gillian Grassie @ MilkBoy Philly | Wednesday, March 23
Dazzling harpist and soulful singer Gillian Grassie can more often be found in Berlin these days, but she returns to Philly to celebrate the release of The Woodlands Sessions EP. She just posted tracks from the new release on Bandcamp this morning. This song is ravishing.

Littler/Marge @ Goldilocks Gallery | Thursday, March 24
A dual record release show for two scrappy Philly bands I can’t get enough of. Littler is tight. The title track from their new Of Wandering LP, reminds me a bit of Magnapop thanks to the forceful guitars and deadpan vocals.

Marge, meanwhile, is a poppy garage outfit. I couldn’t find a song to drop in from the new release, so I’ll go with this 11-minute track that’s actually four songs in succession. The first song belongs on a K Records comp circa 1993. The second has a slight Dischord feel. Embrace the lo-fi.

Hijokaidan @ Boot & Saddle | Thursday, March 24
A very rare appearance by these noise rock heroes, presented by Ars Nova Workshop. Led by the “King of Noise” Jojo Hiroshige, Hijokaidan has been creating guitar-based chaos since the ’70s. Earplugs rec’d.

Pusha T @ Trocadero | Friday, March 25
I guess it’s too soon for a Clipse reunion. Although he’s been too busy running GOOD Music for Kanye, to release a new record, Pusha T is still out there spitting clever, pop-culture-conscious rhymes about his own largesse. Here’s something dirty and bluesy from 2013’s My Name Is My Name.

Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band @ PhilaMOCA | Saturday, March 26
Forsyth and co. make smart, inventive rock ’n’ roll. Though there are a few tracks with vocals on the brand new The Rarity of Experience, this band doesn’t really need a singer to get its point across. Jangly, jammy, agile guitars lead the way.