Tonight, Strand of Oaks begins a weekend-long stay at Boot & Saddle, billed as Winter Classic 2017. Each evening’s billing includes a different ascending opening act, doubling down on the local lines. Unfortunately, Friday and Saturday’s shows with Slaughter Beach, Dog and John Dyer Baizley are already sold out. However, that leaves Sunday night’s twin billing with Hemming. An earnest ease materializes within; heart-worn stories tap into a time-tested folk-Americana grit and resilience. Whether pared-down to its soulful singer/songwriter essence, or pushed to volatile instrumental ends, Candice Martello can shake one down to the core. – Michael Colavita
More places to be warm in this weekend…
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Strand Of Oaks, Shannen Moser, SAT Strand Of Oaks, John Dyer Baizley, SUN Strand Of Oaks, Hemming
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Young Statues, Steady Hands, SAT Orion Sun
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Drones for Queens, Atomic Cretins/Lamplighters/DJ Deejay, SAT All This Huxley, Kid Felix/Darko The Super, Mahatma X, Sudo Williams/Fame Lust/Night Sweats, SUN Caracara
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT The Morelings, The Silence Kit, Hidden Lights, SUN Joy Again, Ursula, Sitcom
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SUN Desoto Jones: 10th Anniversary of Aurora – A Benefit for Adam & Tracey Francois, Cassettes
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) FRI The York Street Hustle
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SUN Stealing From Thieves
The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Civil Youth
Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Get The Led Out, SAT Running Of The Santas: Split Decision, LeCompt, Shot of Southern, Lovekilledkurt, Flannel, TrainWreck, Romeo Delight
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Philadelphia School Of Rock, SUN (Downstairs) Cartoon Christmas Trio
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Elissa Janelle Velveteen, Lauren Scott, Vessna Scheff, Rachel Andie, SAT John Morrison, DJ Skipmode, DJ Caliph Now, Bo Bliz +Emynd, SUN Snake Charmer
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Harvey Cash, Stevie Rogers, Reseyolo, Lil Pill, Morskamo, SUN Christine Irizarry, Erin Fox, Lisa Chosed, Vessna Scheff
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Line Leader, Local Honey, Tiny Hueman, The Cold Spring, SAT Ryan Tennis (Album Release Show), The West Powelton Drumline
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St) FRI Mo Lowda and the Humble, Commonwealth Choir, SAT Mercury Retrograde, Solar Circuit
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Kingfisher, Will Brown and the Jamboree Band, Evan Scheerer
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT John Byrne and Mass Folk Commons, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) SAT The Twilights, Urban Resist, Fucksake
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Bree and the Reeds, Peace & the City Grease, Gobble Ghoul, SAT Kate Says,Megan Ann Saville, Paige Sawin,Julie Miller,Justin DePaola,Whackbat, SUN Sonni Shine, Katie Burke
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Everyone Orchestra (Including Aron Magner, Claude Coleman Jr)., Hezekiah Jones, SAT Everyone Orchestra (including Claude Coleman Jr, Marc Brownstein, Nik Greeley), Nik Greeley& Friends, SUN Tapes & Tubes
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI Radiator Hospital
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Aphra, Tygerstrype, Heatmap, SAT S.T.O.P., Lightninging, SUN Carcara
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Iamlive (Release Show), Career Crooks, Shane Great, SUN Canine10
Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Jason Killinger
Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Control Top, Corey Flood
JJ’s Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Henri Tyler (EP Release), James Barrett, Tessellations, Alyssa Joseph, Blueroom
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Camp Candle