According to Philebrity, The Khyber Pass has installed a new sound system upstairs, and is planning to open itself up as a live music venue once again. We’re looking forward to seeing how that turns out. Stay tuned.

Kurt Vile performed a new song solo called "Never Run Away," which is off his upcoming album Wakin On A Pretty Daze (Matador) due out April 9. It was recorded for Radio K, a student-run radio station at the University of Minnesota, and you can view it HERE.

The Districts, a group of young trailblazers from Lititz, PA., is a band whose popularity is increasingly rising in Philly (thanks in part to the high schoolers being embraced by our local folk/blues community). The group kicked things off for the evening at the North Star Bar with their jazzy blues-infused power rock. The four-piece came out on stage and demanded the eyes and ears of everyone in attendance within just a few strums of their guitars, and immediately every notion of a novice band had been completely thrown out the door. Their age and talent was definitely not an issue. With a variety of song styles ranging from the likes of “Lyla” and “Funeral Beds” with their contemplative folk arrangements that melt your soul like a hot knife through butter to the more up-tempo “Four & Four” and “Long Distance,” which rejuvenated your weathered mind by enticing you to grab a loved one and ecstatically spin with them into tomorrow. The Districts offer a glimpse into the creative minds of the young talent flocking to our not-so-secret-anymore music scene.

The Kingston Springs are a bunch of good ole boys from the middle o nowhere Tennessee, who currently reside in Nashville, and they brought the absolute best arsenal of their backyard classically inspired surf rock, with a twist of southern style and flare. You could hear such jovial and relaxed tones in “1991” and “Sweet Suzie” which made you want to stomp your feet and knock back a few shots of bourbon and PBRs. They’ll be heading on to perform at the Beale Street Music Festival with notables like The Flaming Lips and The Smashing Pumpkins.

Now, brash teenagers, The Orwells, like it loud. They like it really, really loud to say the least. The flower punk band from Elmhurst, IL acknowledged everything that came before them, and set it all on fire with songs like “Mallrats” and “In My Bed” and the timeless charge of “fuck you!” However, you could still find traces of Bowie, David Yow and Iggy Pop in the ashes after the smoke cleared, providing plenty of hope for what they’ll be sharing with us in the future. You can also check out our photos from the evening HERE. – John Clements

More and more, the Philly hip-hop community is making people take notice with their next generation of youthful up-and-coming emcees. With a style that he’s dubbed “The Flow of a New Generation,” Young Savage, a.k.a. Daeshawn Johnson, is proving that he can lay down positive bars, leading the way for a whole new crop of hip-hop artist to follow. The Southwest Philly rapper has his eye on the prize, and thanks to the guidance of his manager and hip-hop veteran Jimmy DaSaint, he understands that a good work ethic is how he’ll be able to reach that brass (or should I say platinum) ring. Savage will be showing off his lyrical skills tonight when he opens for Juelz Santana at The Blockley along with Ground Up, who are certainly making some serious waves of their own. So head out to University City this evening and surf the flow of some standout talent in the local hip-hop scene. The Blockley, 3801 Chestnut St., 9pm, $20 – $40, 18+ – H.M. Kauffman

Tonight the madcap men of Man Man will be wrapping up a month-long national tour with Murder By Death at Union Transfer. The much-beloved traveling circus has been on the road testing out the new material from their upcoming album. Also in tow will be new members Shono Murphy and Adam “Brown Sugar” Schatz. The show is already sold out this evening, but for those who have their golden ticket, be prepared to embrace the weird. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., 8pm, $20 (Sold Out), All Ages – Ed Newton 

Power trios need to be tightly knit because musically there’s a lot of ground to cover. So who better to enlist than family? Penrose, a.k.a. the Brothers Murphy, consecrates the release of their new album Circe, which paired them with producer-extraordinaire Bill Moriarty (Man Man, Dr. Dog, Hoots & Hellmouth, etc.), tonight at Underground Arts. The band’s sound is a thick somewhat dark take on blues. Dan Murphy’s authoritative growling vocals fit the heavy artillery instrumental accompaniment. It’s aggressive with a pissed-off-don’t-get-in-our-way kind of edge. The drums bash, and the bass thuds like bumping into a bouncer standing like a brick wall. Penrose will be joined by a stacked lineup for the celebration with garage-psych rock enthusiasts St. James & the Apostles as well as the outlaw blues/rock of the Levee Drivers, and the soulful folk rock of The Lawsuits. Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Michael Colavita 

The Districts are here to pour some soul back into your winter blues. A familiar folk twang cuts through their rising and falling rhythms, weaving itself through multi-layered instrumentals. It’s not polished; it’s personable. Singer/guitarist Rob Grote belts like he’s walked the world and faced its evils (which is pretty impressive considering he and his bandmates haven’t even graduated from high school yet). They’ll be opening the all-ages show for Illinois-based up-and-comers The Orwells. Despite all their members still hovering in their teenage years as well, The Orwells will take you to school and teach you the ways of down and dirty garage rock ‘n’ soul.  Both bands maintain their youthful honesty and despite a jaded disposition, there’s a lot of heart underneath. Dystopian futures are works of fiction with acts like these on rock’s horizon. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 7pm, $12, All Ages – Shaylin O’Connell