6 Shows To See This Week That Have Nothing in Common

Teyana Taylor @ TLA | Thursday, April 28
Apparently some people on MTV’s My Super Sweet Sixteen can do more than complain that their new BMW has the wrong color birthday bow on it. When R&B singer Teyana Taylor was on the show, she had just signed to Pharrell’s record label, then later moved to Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music to release her debut album, out now. Also, she may have been a character on Empire.

Yo-Yo Ma @ Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center | April 28 to May 1
The famed cellist has a slew of Grammys under his belt, including his most recent one for Best Folk Album. He’s teaming up with the Philadelphia Orchestra to perform American composer John Williams’ Cello Concerto, which Williams wrote specifically for Ma. If you’re not convinced: Williams wrote the score for every film you love, from Jaws to Jurassic Park.

The Thermals @ Union Transfer | Friday, April 29
Portland, Oregon trio The Thermals, formerly of Sub Pop Records, just kicked off a tour for their seventh album, We Disappear. Come out to hear their catchy, guitar-driven punk rock. Summer Cannibals and Amanda X open.

Audien @ SoundGarden Hall | Friday, April 29
Producer and DJ Audien (real name Nate Rathbun, which I kind of like better) remixes hits from the likes of Coldplay, Lady Antebellum and Bruno Mars to give them a house/trance sound. Recommended if you need to let loose with some club-style dancing.

Frankie Cosmos @ First Unitarian Church | Saturday, April 30
Kevin Klein and Phoebe Cates’s daughter, Greta Kline, goes by Frankie Cosmos when she’s being an indie singer-songwriter backed by David Maine, Luke Pyenson and Gabrielle Smith. Pitchfork just named her Next Thing a Best New Album. Unfortunately the show just sold out, so listen to her songs and be ready for next time she comes to town.

West Philadelphia Orchestra + Slavic Soul Party @ Underground Arts | Sunday, May 1
Philly’s own Balkan brass ensemble West Philadelphia Orchestra joins forces with Brooklyn-based Balkan brass ensemble Slavic Soul Party. Both groups blend in a range of other sounds, like jazz and funk. You have to hear it to get it.

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