For anyone who frequents or even sporadically ventures through the Philadelphia original music scene, it has become vastly apparent that over the past decade, it has steadily declined and become almost non-existent as far as true talent is concerned. However, with its wealth of intimate to larger venues one can catch quite a slew of up-and-coming to entirely mainstream acts right here in our city. This week my main focus of acts coming to town is going to mostly center around pop and rock acts and hopefully I will be able to continue with the column and really be able to explore an incredibly eclectic mix of music available to us in the surrounding areas of the great city of Philadelphia. Here are the top shows coming in the next few weeks:
At the farthest reaches of the Philadelphia scene is Atlantic City. Home to the House of Blues, the city often provides fans with intimate shows of 3,000 seats or less at the House of Blues as well as numerous hotel halls such as the Tropicana, among others.
At the House of Blues this month, for metal fans (both of the Nu and classic varieties) is Slayer on Feb. 17 and Sevendust on Feb. 25. For the alternative and punk fans, Feb. 23 is Everclear, and on March 13 the Dropkick Murphys will be rocking with their Bostonian fists high in the air and most likely some blood and whiskey on the floor.
Last, but certainly not least for the blues and classic rock enthusiast, the man himself, B.B. King, will be performing on Feb. 24 while Pat Benetar can be seen on March 16. For a true experience, Get the Led Out, an amazing Led Zeppelin tribute band, will be rocking on April 20.
Venturing out of Atlantic City, we enter Philadelphia’s China Town district with its former burlesque theater the Trocadero. For those currently enamored with the song, “Cupid’s Chokehold,” by Gym Class Heroes, you will be ecstatic hear that on Sunday, Feb. 25, the band, along with the RX Bandits will be live at the Troc.
Right along the Indie-Pop type sound on Friday, March 9, Sparta (made up of ex-members of At the Drive-In) hits the Troc, supported by the always catchy Me Without You.
Trekking across town to the Willow this Friday, Feb. 16, is one of the most original and ridiculously entertaining blues/funk/soul artists, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, who will go on at 8:30 p.m. This show is a guaranteed amazing time. It’s basically taking Geoffrey Washington (who performs the first Friday of every month right here in town at Spence Caf) and multiplying it by 100, which is a definite compliment to both acts.
Another great time is set for Feb. 23 at the Factory featuring Rusted Root and Quintus. Lastly, for those into the heaviness of Killswitch Engage, Chimaira, and He Is Legend, all three are playing on Feb. 21.
This is only a brief overview of some of the amazing shows coming our way in the next few weeks.