December 10, 2015
Matt Rourke/AP
The Roots' Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson performs during an Independence Day celebration Saturday, July 4, 2015, in Philadelphia.
With the year almost over, this week brings a busy music schedule around town with a handful of long-anticipated shows rolling in over the weekend. While R5’s Punk Rock Flea Market will be the destination during the day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, check out our list of concerts and deejay sets below for your evening plans.
Local 10-piece jazz ensemble Fresh Cut Orchestra released their "From The Vine" album in February, a winding tour de force showing off the group’s chops and left-leaning ambitions. Fronted by trumpeter Josh Lawrence and anchored by Anwar Marshall’s drums and Jason Fraticelli’s bass, the group plays an early show at the Kimmel Center this week.
Doors 7 p.m., $19
Massachusetts indie rock outfit Speedy Ortiz brings their recently announced fundraising tour to Philly. Ortiz’s latest album, "Foil Deer," is likely their most ambitious, some further proof that they’re not done building. The tour benefits The Girls Rock Camp Foundation, an organization that lead singer Sadie Dupuis describes as helping "level the music business' playing field by coaching girls to form bands, develop skills in music engineering and technical production and build their self-esteem along the way."
Doors 8 p.m., Show 8:30 p.m., $13-$45
Doors 9 p.m., Show 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $5 after 11 p.m. (free until midnight with college ID)
Dogs On Acid, a newly formed Philly punk band built up by members of former outfits Algernon Cadwallader and Snowing, kick off their tour at Ortlieb's. The group, which released its self-titled debut in August, spoke with Noisey earlier this year about the new album and signing to Jade Tree Records. “We were excited to have a new project to offer to anyone who wanted to listen,” guitarist Peter Helmis said. “As before, we didn't want to be grouped into any category.”
There’s not much to say about Firebeatz...or at least the name says most of it. The “big room house” production duo from Holland haven’t strayed far from the over-the-top sounds they’ve dug into since 2008, and their Rumor set will likely bring out a familiar crowd.
Show 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $13.50
Mac Miller doubled down in 2015. A few years ago, Miller was reliably fratty, an awkward phase he painfully outgrew over the course of three albums. His latest, "GO:OD AM," completes the transformation, encapsulating Miller’s penchant for careful beatmaking and delighted rapping. Philly’s always been good to the Pittsburgh rapper, and on Saturday, he’ll be in good company with opening sets from Michael Christmas, Earthgang and Choo Jackson at The Fillmore.
Doors 7 p.m., Show 8 p.m., $80+
Catch up on Dave P.’s latest edition of Making Time RADio on WXPN here for a preview of what to expect.
Show 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Free before midnight ($5 after)
Show 8:30 p.m., $10
Eric Bellinger is quietly one of R&B’s most vital artists. The Compton musician started as a songwriter and found his lane writing for Chris Brown, penning a pair of tracks on the Virginia singer’s "F.A.M.E." album before working for Usher. Bellinger has been his own man for years though, too, and this year, he proved as much (again) with a new project called "Cuffing Season" (better timed for the winter, no doubt) released on 300 Entertainment.
Door 7 p.m., $15
Show 11 p.m., $15
