Be it a block party, a rooftop lounge or a cooperatively owned and operated coffee bar, you can hear amazing music all over Philly and beyond this weekend.
Thursday, Aug. 6
Mad Decent Block Party, Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing
What started as a tiny squad based out of what is now the PHILAMOCA building at 12th and Ridge in the Eraserhood has ballooned into a global phenomenon; Mad Decent is one of the biggest record labels on the planet. Led by Temple grad Thomas Wesley Pentz, better known to the world as Diplo, the label has spread the gospel of all types of club music far and wide, scoring numerous milestones along the way. The lineup is absolutely stacked for both Thursday and Friday: Flosstradamus, Makonnen, Diplo’s project with Skrillex called Jack Ü, plus Philly Mad Decent crew Dirty South Joe and Swizzymack. Definitely don’t forget about the after-parties either, which are happening throughout the city on both nights of the block party.
Starts at 3 p.m. on Thursday & Friday, 18+ up, sold out (try StubHub or Craigslist)
Truewave with Bakermat at The Dolphin
Truvewave has been killing it lately with their special guests, and this time, Jack Deezl and crew are going big, bringing in Amsterdam-based melodic house sensation Bakermat. With millions of views racked up on YouTube in the last six months, Bakermat is one of the most quickly ascendant young stars in recent memory in dance music.
9 p.m.–2 a.m., $10 advance tickets
LOVE Thursdays with special guests King Britt and Viktor Duplaix, Stratus Rooftop Lounge
If you haven’t checked out the swanky Stratus Rooftop Lounge on top of the Hotel Monaco, this will definitely be a great introduction. LOVE Thursdays at Stratus are all about championing the cultural, artistic and stylistic leaders of Philly. Few people fit that bill better than legendary musician, curator and thought leader King Britt, so definitely don’t sleep on this opportunity to catch some tunes in a laid-back and gorgeous environment from one of our city’s true legends! Curated by Grammy-nominated Philly native Viktor Duplaix, this event will also feature the works of fine artist/graphic designer Stacey "Flygirrl" Wilson.
8 p.m.–2 a.m., free with RSVP
Panda Kid; Sealion; Ghost Camp; Mason, Korine, & Darko; Kung Fu Necktie Upstairs
Flash Mob Productions has put together quite the musically and geographically diverse lineup for this Thursday night show upstairs at KFN, featuring Italian producer Panda Kid, Dallas artist Sealion, New Brunswick-based witch punks Ghost Camp and Philly artists Mason (live band), Korine and MC/producer Darko.
8 p.m., $6 advance tickets
Night Market, Lancaster Avenue
Hosted by The Food Trust, the night market heads west with a slew of new vendors and killer music selections in tow. Famed "sushi burrito" purveyors Hai Street Kitchen, Boba and Company, The Happy Hippy and many more lead the way as night market newbies providing the eats, while local electropop act KillerWhale and up-and-comers Minka provide the beats!
6–10 p.m., free
Friday, Aug. 7
BLACK BOX with familiaRise, Nigel Richards and Jeff Omega, Coda
I got super excited when I saw the name Black Box on the bill (remember that Jock Jams '90s anthem “Everybody Everybody”?), but then I got even more excited when I found out what this event actually is: a summit of some of the best house and techno crews in Philly coming together for a unique night of programming at Coda. Late-night techno kings familiaRise have teamed up with 611 Records head honcho Nigel Richards and Bangarang chief Jeff Omega to present BLACK BOX, a musical voyage that will feature a centralized DJ booth on the dancefloor in a low-light environment. Rumor has it they even added some special lasers just for this show!
10 p.m.–3 a.m., $12 advance tickets
Philly’s merry pranksters of dance man the roost at South Philly’s Dolphin Tavern for another night of dancing debauchery. Prior to playing at The Dolphin, the guys will be at Last Drop Coffee Shop in Center City from 6–9 p.m. for a retrospective gallery of all the posters they’ve had at their events from over the years. Expect equal amounts of Arthur Baker and acid-house as the soundtrack!
10 p.m.–2 a.m., $5 at the door
Profond Music N Arts First Friday Grand Opening with DEL, M//R, more TBA
Vinyl lovers get ready: A new record store in Northern Liberties specializing in electronic music is opening to the public! Profond, which means deep in French, is your go-to place in Philly for picking up the latest electronic jams, in addition to rare funk, soul, hip-hop and jazz selections. Located at 724 N. Third St., a block away from Honey’s Sit N' Eat, some of Philly’s foremost vinyl specialists will be laying down the vibes to help christen the new store as it opens its doors to the public for the first time.
5:30-9:30 p.m., free
MR. MFN eXquire and The Dopplegangaz, YIKES the ZERO, Zilla Rocca, Kung Fu Necktie
Few rappers know how to turn a crowd up more than Brooklyn MC Mr. MFN eXquire. With appearances on big records for everyone from Danny Brown to Diplo, eXquire will look to capture the raw energy of his records and deliver on the hype of his live performances. Support from New York duo The Dopplegangaz and Philly acts YIKES the ZERO and Zilla Rocca.
8 p.m., $12 advance, $15 day of show
The WIZDUMB Show, Exit Skateshop
With support from some of Philly’s biggest names in style, this First Friday event is definitely a can’t-miss for streetwear and skate enthusiasts. Philly artist WIZDUMB will present his first collection to the public, and there will be some special announcements and giveaways as the event nears.
7–10 p.m., free
Saturday, Aug. 8
Oliver Dollar, Hacienda Lounge
With six years as a resident at famed Berlin mega-club Berghain/Panorama Bar and 2014’s biggest house track “Pushin’ On” under his belt, Oliver Dollar is a powerhouse DJ whose ascent seems limitless. SoundGarden Hall gets intimate with the Hacienda Lounge, where Ollie will be making his debut for a can’t-miss dancing affair!
10 p.m.–2 a.m., $10 advance tickets
chrome city 3: Banjee, Vox Populi
You may not recognize the name of vogue pioneer Vjuan Allure, but you’ve definitely heard his music before. Known for remixing Masters At Work’s “The Ha Dance” into an intense drum-crashing dance anthem, Vjuan is a vogue icon, and we’re fortunate to have him here in the intimate Vox Populi gallery. This lineup is jam-packed with too many names to list, so come out and show some love at this “retrofuturist, queer sci-fi sabotage, afrotechtopian bang out.”
7 p.m., $7-$10
CHEEK2CHEEK with Diamond Girl and Magglezzz, W/N W/N
If you haven’t checked out W/N W/N coffee bar yet, then this is your perfect chance to do so! The name of the spot is a play on "win-win," as the space is a cooperatively owned and operated café and bar that wastes not and wants not by focusing on local sustainable ingredients in their bar and kitchen. W/N W/N also happens to throws some really great events with unique artists and programming. For CHEEK2CHEEK, Diamond Girl and Magglezzz take the helm to provide the music, while a slew of artists will have zines available for purchase.
10 p.m.–2 a.m., free
1984: A Synth/Wave Dance Party, Bourbon & Branch
This Second Street bar/venue hosts a ton of great shows in its upstairs performance space and has a phenomenal kitchen to boot – so head to NoLibs for some beats and a bite. Step back in time to 1984 and free your mind and body with this dance-centric show for all you synth nerds out there.
9 p.m.–2 a.m., $3 advance tickets, $5 at the door
Skool Days with Matthew Law & Ian St. Laurent, Franky Bradley's
Dance classics and party grooves slung by two of the most qualified jocks to spin them: Matthew Law and Ian St. Laurent. This event is dedicated to the party people out there, so dress to sweat, head to Center City and prepare to dance it out across a wide range of genres and tempos for this edition of Skool Days!
10 p.m.-2 a.m., $5 at the door
Sunday, Aug. 9
Bridget Kelly with Brianna Cash and Rosemary Fiki, Underground Arts
Having worked with luminaries like Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Estelle and Kelly Clarkson, R&B singer Bridget Kelly has built a buzz in the industry as one of the most distinct and soulful crooners out there. Get there early and catch a performance from Philly’s own Rosemary Fiki, who will have her band in tow!
7 p.m., $14 advance tickets
Fishtown Record Swap, Kung Fu Necktie
The Fishtown Record Swap is the ultimate monthly gathering of vinyl enthusiasts to buy, sell and barter for records. Come find that super-rare Japanese original pressing Zapp record you’ve been looking for, and hang out with fellow record nerds in the air-conditioned comforts of Kung Fu Necktie. Plenty of new vendors, along with the usual suspects, will be at this month’s meetup.
Noon–5 p.m., free
Locals Only with Special Guests Jansen and Chris B, Silk City
Since the addition of DJs to their outdoor beer garden, Silk City and Locals Only have been getting nothing but love from patrons and late brunch-goers of all ages. Food and drink specials at this legendary diner will help you wind down the weekend, with vibes provided by the Locals Only crew! It’s always great to see some unsuspecting silver-haired patrons toe-tapping and grooving to the chill vibes, so bring the crew and even the parents!
3–9 p.m., free
Moonrise Festival, Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore
This heavy-hitting lineup down in Baltimore has a lot of Philadelphians hitting the highways to catch the fun, and we don’t blame them! Taking place both Saturday and Sunday, Moonrise boasts some of the biggest names in EDM and electronic music, including Bassnectar, Above & Beyond, Dillon Francis, Die Antwoord and Porter Robinson. If festivals are your thing, this is a great option that isn’t too far away!
11 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, one and two-day passes still available