Hardcore and noise converge in the music of Great Weights. The band’s self-titled EP is jarring – a raw release of inhibited emotion. There’s a heaviness that pushes back in agitated expression. That ability to expose personal vulnerability and make it work as a source of strength creates a powerful universal dynamic. The stakes are high as unimpeded observations and analysis are on full display, as the music stews in calm yet formidable swells, or blitzes ahead with an uncontainable tenacity. This Saturday, the band represents part of the slate, which also includes Soul Glo, Demodex , and Rainbow Crimes [a new project from Leah Basarab (Ex. By. V.), Alex Smith (Solarized), Katy Otto (Callowhill, Trophy Wife)] at Children’s Community School of West Philadelphia, which will be host The Trans Equity Project Fund-rager. The Trans Equity Project offers peer-based support for trans individuals, sexual health and HIV prevention counseling, mentorship with transitioning, legal advocacy, and much more. It’s a rager for a good cause so come join! – Michael Colavita
More spots to hit this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SUN Bardo Pond, Mt. Vengeance, Concentration Moon
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Looseleaf, Kyle Sparkman
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI DJ Deejay, SAT Burnout Star, Hey Mark, Let’s Riot!, Holy Gifts/DJ Dame Luz, SUN Adventure Lost, Beach Bod, Mattress Food
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Ivy Sole, Lojii
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI DJ Wassup Gina, DJ Haram, SAT KuKui Glow Your Mind Fest
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Enemy Soil, Secret Cutter, Congenital Death, SAT Renaissance Blvd., The Willies, Karmalatta, Rob Levy, Eleven/Youthfool
TLA (334 South St.) FRI Chill Moody, Shawn Smith, SAT Martha Graham Cracker
The Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal St.) FRI Dirty South Joe, Magglezzz
The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Fame Lust, SAT Dayne Jordan, ill Fated Natives, Miles Chancellor, Filson, Kid The Great, Goody Gunz, DJ Lean Wit It
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) John Vettese/Taylor Kelly, SAT The Hype presents: Love Fest
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI ’90s Alternative/Grunge Sing Along: In The Presence Of Wolves, SAT Curtis Jr., 46 Reasons, The Quixote Project
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Holy Gifts, Santi Suede, SAT HiSoft, Jo Kusy/Bad Heaven Limited, Vivian K, SUN Erin Fox, Overwinter, Vessna Schef
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT L.M.I., Those Troublemakers/Body Spray, Faking, SUN Tessellations, Badnew, Fairy Godmother, Ready Now, Slugqueen/Rally, Screamcloud, Mesa Glow
Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI Those Troublemakers (Tape Release), Kahlil Ali, The City & I, SAT Roadkiller, Grey CELL, None But Equals
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI The HYPE! Presents Love Fest, SAT Pete Hill (EP Release), Haunted Continents, Flat Ernie, Nuna & The Wayward Spirit
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Dotgov, Urban Shaman Attack
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Insignificant Others, The Pogos, Chino, Suffacox Mach2, SAT Anomie
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Prince and MJ Experience: DJ Marco, SAT 30 And Over League
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI The Peek-A-Boo Revue/Ben Aire, SAT The Peek-A-Boo Revue/Brian Toll, SUN Shattered: A Burlesque Tribute to Black Mirror
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Sitting In Cars, Psychoskunk, SAT Cowboy Bohemian, Rock Bottoms, Knightlife
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Splintered Sunlight, SAT Lady Alma, King Britt
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Roxy Rollz, Mr. Unloved, Endless Taile, SUN Aether Eater
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) FRI In Different Sounds
The Music Ward (5101 Grays Ave.) SAT Secret Nudist Friends, Trash Boy
Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Sieve
The Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Shadow Band, SAT Lovelorn
Truck (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Who Loves You, Susie Derkins
Philly Folk Fest (Old Pool Farm) Bethlehem and Sad Patrick, Black Horse Motel, Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, Charlie Miller & Bob Beach, Christopher Davis-Shannon, The Cornerstones, David C. Perry, David Dye, Deb Callahan, Dukes of Destiny, Earth Radio, Gene Shay, The Gene Smith Band, Glengesh, J Solomon, Jason Ager & The Golden Eagles, Reed Brothers Band, The Jayplayers, The Jersey Corn Pickers, John Beacher & Matt Kresge, John Byrne band, Johnny Shortcake, Kicking Down Doors, Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise, Lolly & YoYo, Trickster Sister, Matt Santry, Meghan Cary,Michael Braunfeld, Midwestern Exposure, The Naked Sun, Orion Freeman, Poor Man’s Gambit, Rachel Eve, Rare Spirits, Reverend TJ McGlinchey, Texas Rose Band, Tin Bird Choir, Todd Fausnacht, Vanessa Collier, West Philadelphia Orchestra, Whirled