Assuming the Mayans were wrong and we’re all alive and well, there are a number of great shows happening this weekend to whisk you away into the holidays next week.
There’s a little bit of something for everyone this weekend. Great local shows? Check. One of hip-hop’s newest and youngest players? Check. DJs to get down to? Check. Hopefully all the holiday shopping is done and you will not have to go out into the retail doomsday that is the weekend before Christmas. If you like to wait until the last minute to get things done then one, I’m sorry, and two, better find time to rest up because you do not want to be sleeping at 7PM and miss out on all these great concerts!
Friday, December 21st | Do you remember what you were doing when you were 17? If you’re like most, I’m sure you were not touring major venues and clubs across the country behind your debut release on a major label. Chicago’s Chief Keef however is doing just that. Say what you will about his lyrics and image, the kid has built up quite the following. Just days after his album Finally Rich came out, he makes his way to the TLA.
Out in West Philly, Fools Gold Records’ Treasure Fingers comes to the Blockley to throw an end of the world party. Joining him is Wyllys and Jayo.
The crowning jewel of shows for Friday is in Fishtown at Johnny Brenda’s. Norwegian Arms (who we’ve talked about before) celebrates the release of their incredible new album Wolf Like A Stray Dog. Helping out with the occasion will be Laser Background, Night Panther and the recently announced special guests, Pattern Is Movement. This will be the first show for Pattern Is Movement in over a year and they will be playing only new songs from their upcoming record!
Saturday, December 22nd | The Babies are a mini super group featuring members of some of Brooklyn’s finest lo-fi, garage rock bands. Made up of Kevin Morby (Woods), Cassie Ramone (Vivian Girls), and Justin Sullivan (Bossy), they make their way to Kung Fu Necktie Saturday night to show off their latest album Our House On The Hill.
Across town at Union Transfer another Brooklyn band stops by. The Hold Steady return! Known for singer/songwriter Craig Finn’s unique vocals and the group’s incredibly dense storytelling, they are not a band to miss live. Accompanying them is a relatively new, local band Spacin’. An off shoot from the group Birds of Maya, Spacin’ is led by Jason Killinger and put out one of the year’s best local albums in Deep Thuds.
Sunday, December 23rd | It’s Christmas Eve Eve. Music-wise, it’s pretty quiet around the city. Go out, spend time with your friends and family. It’s the holidays and that’s what they’re all about. Happy Holidays from The Vinyl District here in Philadelphia! We’ll see you in 2013 (assuming death and destruction doesn’t kill us all today.)
