Music Roundup: 11 Shows to Catch This Week
KidCongo
Jarle Bernhoft and the Shudderbugs @ The Foundry | May 12th
Norwegian retro soul-singer and multi-instrumentalist Bernhoft stops in Philly along his world tour. His Grammy-nominated R&B album, Islander, delves into a disconnect between his ability to soothe the soul of listeners while simultaneously feeling isolated from them. Influenced by a scope of sounds from Swedish pop to Stevie Wonder, the album also has traces of political undertones, revealing the artist’s commitment to social advocacy.
Listen to his latest EP, “Stop / shutup / Shout it out,”, which dropped last week:
Say Anything @ TLA | May 12th
The distinguished band cultivates a common ground somewhere between indie rock, pop punk, and emo. Pulling a Beyoncé, the band released its seventh full-length studio work, I Don’t Think It Is, in early February without a speck of promotion. But a lack of anticipation did not eclipse its success — the album has received considerable acclaim. Check out a track:
Mac Demarco @ Electric Factory | May 12th
The “Lennon-esque” Canadian sing-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and multimedia artist transports listeners to a psychedelic haze of ’70s soft rock. His latest, Another One, which debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums, resonates with retro sounds held together by lyrics of unrequited love. Local experimental punk group Throbbing Chakra will open.
Check out a track from Another One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5V_3cTRKaI
The Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret & Friends Prince Tribute @ TLA | May 13th
The band pays tribute to the beloved Prince of Pop with special guests Eric Bazilian, Mr. Johnny Showcase, Northern Arms, and more.
Foxtail Fest Featuring Curren$y @ The Trocadero | May 14th
The music festival, which premiered in 2013, fuses hip-hop, EDM, and R&B, and features international, national, and regional artists like Curren$y, Anyee Wright, Wavelengths, Miles Chancellor, Marv Mack, Sincerely Tahj, Champs, Evan Riley, Ronnie Riggles, and Brainrack.
Life in Color @ The Festival Pier | May 14th
In a euphoria of dubstep, dyes and dizziness, “The World’s Largest Paint Party”bsplatters across Penn’s Landing with a long lineup of EDM artists, including Zeds Dead, Oo
kay, and Henry Fong. After the show, the color fest moves across Columbus Boulevard to Sound Garden Hall for an after-party with Ookay, Oshi and Canberra.
King Congo and The Pink Monkey Birds @ Kung Fu Necktie | May 13th
The psychedelic singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, who was a founding member of The Gun Club and guitarist for The Cramps, synthesizes his sound with guitarist Jack Martin in post-punk project The Pink Monkey Birds.
Dierks Bently @ BB&T Pavillon | May 14th
Bringing the seaside to the riverside, the country singer-songwriter stops in Camden on his Somewhere on a Beach Tour.
World Town @ The Foundry | May 14th
The Philly-based global soundsystem — its members hail from Jamaica, Nigeria, Brazil, Alabama, Vermont, and Philadelphia — fuses tunes from across North, Central and South America.
Check out one of their debut singles, “Testify”:
Cage the Elephant @ The Mann Center | May 12th
The Grammy-nominated, punk-meets-blues rock band fills the open air of the Skyline Stage with songs from its latest album, Tell Me I’m Pretty.
Amos Lee @ The Borgata | May 14th
The Philly-born folk artist, whose bluesy tone has been compared to John Prine and Norah Jones, takes in Atlantic City on his national tour. Chances are he’ll show up on time, unlike Lauryn Hill, who will be across town at Boardwalk Hall on May 13th.
