Music: 8 Shows to See in the Next 7 Days
Mary J. Blige plays with Fireworks at the Parkway on July 4.
Palehound @ Boot & Saddle | Wednesday, June 28
Jangly then fuzzy, heavy then heavenly, Palehound’s music is always moving in interesting directions. Frontwoman Ellen Kempner pours herself into every riff and every verse, even when the songs are just idiosyncratic lyrics, breathy vocals and plucked guitar strings. This band is never on autopilot. Palehound’s latest, A Place I’ll Always Go, is their first for Polyvinyl.
Hoots and Hellmouth Summer Residency @ Boot & Saddle | Thursday, June 29
Hoots and Hellmouth are essential listening in Philadelphia — though they don’t sound like anybody else around here. Once simply rootsy and folkish, Sean Hoots and friends have been exploring the bounds of their sound over the past decade, finding pleading rock edges and soulful crescendos. This summer they’re welcoming a new EP into the world, Uneasy Pieces, and doing a three-show residency at the Boot — June 29, July 20 and August 17 — each of which will be recorded for use on a live album down the road.
Donnie/Lady Alma @ Ardmore Music Hall | Thursday, June 29
Atlanta’s Donnie Johnson and Philly’s own Lady Alma will sing their hearts out in what should be a night of heart-thumping, hip-bumping soul music.
The High & Mighty Reunion Show @ Kung Fu Necktie | Thursday, June 29
Philly hip-hop duo The High & Mighty — rapper Mr. Eon and producer/DJ Mighty Mi — gets together for the first time in years. They dropped records on Rawkus and Eastern Conference in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Old and young heads take note.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5ZE-XbePdc
Method Man and Redman @ Electric Factory | Thursday, June 29
If you know hip-hop you know Method and Red, with their Wu Tang/Def Squad alumni status. P.S., they probably look familiar if you have seen movies or TV or you live on Earth. Also on the bill: Raekwon, Cappadonna and Philly favorites Hardwork Movement. This is NSFW:
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart @ World Café Live | Sunday, July 2
The veteran indie-poppers’ newest record, The Echo of Pleasure, isn’t due out till September but i bet they play some of it at this show. Here’s a big, dramatic rock song from that album. Sorry it’s not a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u-0RPO6Tws
Independance Block Party @ Fillmore Philly | Monday, July 3
Free, family-friendly outdoor 12-hour dance party (2 p.m.-2 a.m.) featuring DJs Deejay, Matthew Law, Rob Paine and tons more.
Mary J. Blige/Fireworks @ Benjamin Franklin Parkway | Tuesday, July 4
Multi-platinum, multi-platform superstar Mary J. Blige — known for her hit songs “Not Gon’ Cry,” “Family Affair,” “Be Without You,” “Real Love” and tons more — will open for Fireworks who always puts on a good show, if a bit samey. Also on the bill: Boyz II Men,The Philly POPS, Mandy Gonzalez, Tony DeSare and Luis Figueroa-Roig.
