Let’s be clear, there is nothing wrong with seeing a headlining artist at Union Transfer or The Filmore, but your Philly music–going experience should absolutely not (and doesn’t have to) be defined by these $100 ticket, once–every–few–months, 6–foot–WWE—wrestler—man–blocking–your–view–in–GA experiences. Even more, you don’t need a pretentious music nerd to tell you to go see Oklou or Dave at these venues. What this pretentious music nerd hopefully can provide you with is a few lesser–known venues, upcoming Philly artists, and some Philly music repertoire with better–known music you may not have known had origins in the City of Brotherly Love. This way, instead of taking your S/O to bot out in the GA section of a Lorde concert, you can have that experience and impress them with a smaller, more intimate, and interesting show.
Don’t Miss these Venues!
Self–proclaimed, “Philly’s sexiest independent venue,” W.O.W. sits just off North Broad near Union Transfer, and will “WOW” you with its gritty converted warehouse interior … or maybe not.
But with exposed brick, a speakeasy–style bar downstairs, and a rickety wood floor, this is a place definitely for the more adventurous, dancing–addicted music–goer. The venue hosts a hodgepodge of house nights, hyperpop, and underground hip–hop. Capacity is around 400, but the layout is intimate.
This March and April, they’re hosting a slew of punk shows to two–step us into spring. Most tickets go for $20 to $30, so your wallet is relatively safe. Personally, I will be here seeing my favorite buzzy electronic duo, ear, on March 18 for their debut album, The Most Dear and The Future. If that wasn’t enough, the W.O.W website also showcases community–oriented events and beauty conventions, or My Chemical Slow dance: Emo Prom, if you’re into that sort of thing.
For a more mellow, jazzy audience, visit Not So Latin—a living room–sized venue in South Philly with another self–proclaimed title: “The Tiny Desk of South Philly.” Founded in 2018 by Chilean and Cuban musicians, it doubles as a recording studio and cultural center on West Ritner Street. The programming leans toward jazz, Latin jazz, and experimental acoustic music with a tight–knit community that loves a BYOB—just like your average Penn student. Check their Instagram (@notsolatin) for weekly updates on shows.
Hidden above our beloved Ethiopian restaurant Abyssinia on 45th Street, this tiny bar–venue will get you right in food, drinks, and music ranging from gypsy jazz, traditional bluegrass, and whichever folk singer–songwriters are passing through town. You’ll walk through the restaurant (get the veggie combo if you’re feeling big), head up the stairs, and find a revamped bar with a small performance space in what used to be the back pool room. It’s intimate and slightly claustrophobic, but in a cozy way. I have once sat in as the sole audience member for a bluegrass show, and it was amazing—but I wish you guys were here to see it too! Their Instagram also details the bookings for the month (@upstairsabyss).
Upcoming Philly Artists!
Friendship is a Philadelphia band that rewards patience. Fronted by West Philly–based songwriter Dan Wriggins, their songs unravel slowly, carried by his deadpan observations about the mundane moments that sneak up with emotion. If Arthur Russell made a record about long walks through Philly streets and let it sit out in the rain, you’d be in the ballpark of Friendship. My personal favorite song is a sweet, plodding number called “Love Vape.” I started with the album “Caveman Wakes Up,” which left me in a fuzzy dream state with a new appreciation for a Motown beat, and I recommend you start here, too.
Delaware–born but a fixture of the Philly experimental scene, NO SIR E (a.k.a. Aaron Fisher) has built a devoted local following through years of shows and collaborations across the city. With yet another self–proclaimed title (sense a theme here?), “The Monome Magician” makes glitchy, bass–heavy beat music on a handmade instrument called a “monome,” which everyone should Google and read about. Thanks to the unique production and even more unique instrument, the beats feel chronically online in a great way. The song “Açai Berry,” an MFDoom feeling breakbeat, is one of my favorites and I recommend listening to his new single “Box Breath” where Fisher takes a more ethereal step away from his traditionally groovy beats.
Four–piece Philly band Kicker plays punchy, quick–hitting indie rock with a nod to the ’90s giants: Pavement’s slanted melodies, Built to Spill’s guitar sprawl, and a Cap’n Jazz restlessness. Lead singer Ben Wosczyna’s vocals are candid and upfront, and the songs on their debut album, Irish Goodbye—recorded at Hidden Fortress in Brewerytown, Pa.—have the hooks of a proper Philly basement show. If you miss when indie rock felt scrappy and sincere, Kicker is a perfect haven for you. Their recent album Eurostep is a project I wish I could make everyone listen to.
Did you know they were Philly?
Yes, the “Ocean Man” band—but hear me out. If you have never given Ween a shot beyond this song, you are sure to be pleasantly surprised (and even happy) to have shared a city with the eclectic experimental duo. I’ll keep it short with recommendations. For classic, soft, and low–stakes catchy rock: “Stay Forever” or “What Deaner Was Talkin’ About”. For a country ballad: “Help Me Scrape the Mucus off My Brain.” And if you actually liked the weirdness of “Ocean Man,” be sure to listen to “Roses Are Free” and “Waving My Dick in the Wind.”
Before there was a “Sound of Philadelphia,” there were The O’Jays. These Canton, Ohio natives became synonymous with Philly Soul after linking up with legendary producers Gamble and Huff at Philadelphia International Records in the early ’70s. Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, and the late William Powell crafted some of the most politically–conscious, groove–heavy soul music of the decade. Start here: “For the Love of Money” (for the bass riff alone), “Love Train,” “Back Stabbers,” and the gut–punch slow burn of “Use ta Be My Girl.”
Born and raised in a borough just outside the city Lansdowne, Pa., Vile is Philly through and through. He’s been a fixture of the local scene since the mid–2000s as a founding member of The War on Drugs before going solo. His slack, dreamy guitar work, coupled with a mumbled baritone, has made him one of indie rock’s most distinctive voices. There’s a lo–fi warmth to everything he does, even as his production has gotten more polished over the years. He sings like it’s summer and he has nowhere to be and all the time in the world to get there. Listen to “How Lucky” featuring folk legend John Prine, “Smoke Ring for My Halo,” and let tracks like “Pretty Pimpin” or “Wakin on a Pretty Day,” wash over you.
