Music: 6 Shows to See in Philly This Week
The Julie Ruin plays Union Transfer on Saturday. Photo by Shervin Lainez
Gov’t Mule @ Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing | Wednesday, August 17
Allman Brothers Band alumni Warren Haynes and Allen Woody formed Gov’t Mule as a side project but the trio, with drummer Matt Abts, quickly became a lot more popular than they were expecting. The lineup now includes Danny Louis and Jorgen Carlsson, taking over on bass for Woody, who died in 2000. They’ve released 15 studio and live albums over the years. Fellow Southern rock band Blackberry Smoke opens.
Philadelphia Folk Festival @ Old Pool Farm in Schwenksville | August 18-21
Los Lobos, The Lone Bellow, Del & Dawg, The Wood Brothers and a long list of other bands play this annual folk music festival that’s been going strong for 55 years.
Goo Goo Dolls @ Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing | Friday, August 19
The 1980s punk band that became a ’90s radio rock staple has more than enough recognizable songs from 20 years ago to get you to go see them, especially on the waterfront on a summer evening. They’ve continued to release new music too, including the album Boxes, just out this past May. To round out the 1990s nostalgia, Collective Soul will be the main support.
The Bangles @ TLA | Saturday, August 20
If you missed The Go-Go’s last week, you’ve got another chance to see an iconic all-female rock group from the ’80s. The Bangles split up but re-grouped in 1999, and three of the original members are still touring and recording new music — but no doubt you’ll also get to hear the Prince-penned “Manic Monday.”
The Julie Ruin @ Union Transfer | Saturday, August 20
The Julie Ruin is the latest band fronted by riot grrrl pioneer Kathleen Hannah of Bikini Kill. She struggled with undiagnosed Lyme disease for several years and moved out of the public eye, but 2013 documentary The Punk Singer brought her back into the scene and the band released their second album, Hit Reset, this year. The music is easier to handle than the sounds of Hannah and bandmate Kathi Wilcox’s Bikini Kill days, but the lyrics still hit hard.
Drake @ Wells Fargo Center | Sunday, August 21
Drizzy brings his awkward dance moves — and Grammy-winning songs — to the Wells Fargo Center. He’s on tour with Future.
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