Music: 7 Shows to See in the Next 7 Days
Kristin Hersh, Big K.R.I.T., MGMT and more.
Kelly Lee Owens plays Boot & Saddle on Saturday. (Kim Hiorthøy)
Godspeed You! Black Emperor @ Union Transfer | Wednesday, March 14
The is the first Philly show by the Canadian rock experimentalists since they released Luciferian Towers last year. It’s a noisy, dense, droney, glacial, orchestral, block of obsidian with hardly a hook or a melody to hum along to. Exactly what you want from Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
Kristin Hersh / Grant-Lee Phillips @ Boot & Saddle | Wednesday, March 14
A double-head of longtime favorites. In addition to her solo work, Kristin Hersh has led noteworthy alt-rock bands Throwing Muses and 50FootWave. Grant-Lee Phillips, of course, was the guy behind Grant Lee Buffalo. The show is billed as “an evening with” the two beloved singer-songwriter-frontpersons, which usually means an intimate and informal concert experience.
Nightmares On Wax @ Underground Arts | Friday, March 16
British hip-hop/dub/soul electronic artist Nightmares On Wax doesn’t just want to make you dance — he wants to make you give up plastic drinking straws. I’m on board. They’re bad for the environment and nobody ever recycles them. Let’s just drink directly from cups, people. NoW dropped Shape the Future in January and is touring with a full band.
Kelly Lee Owens @ Boot & Saddle | Saturday, March 17
Trancey and kind of dancey, the music of Kelly Lee Owens is delightfully economical. There’s a poppy vibe, but the beats and bass are muted, the melodies subtle like lapping waves. The Welsh electronic artist released her self-titled debut late last year.
Shabazz Palaces @ Boot & Saddle | Sunday, March 18
The spacey Seattle hip-hop duo just played Union Transfer in September, but this show’s a chance to get up close and personal. (P.S. for the Completists: Tendai “Baba” Maraire guested on Lushlife’s new side-project LP The Skull Eclipses.)
Big K.R.I.T. @ Union Transfer | Monday, March 19
The Mississippi rap star dropped the double-wide 4eva Is a Mighty Long Time LP last year.
MGMT @ Electric Factory | Tuesday, March 20
The glossy Connecticut pop/rock band released Little Dark Age last month. Here’s something kind of Cronenbergy.
