The fourth and final Kat Kat Phest kicks into gear this Sunday with a pair of proceedings at Kung Fu Necktie. Over the course of six days, numerous bands from both near and far will showcase their skills, and this first night is a strong starter. The instantaneous surge of emotive pop-punk trio Hightide Hotel makes a swan song performance, balancing impassioned melodic vocals with momentary, speedy bursts of tight instrumentation. Similarly, Marietta’s sound begins from a pensively private place before stretching out instrumentally, pushing the pace and maintaining a honed in collaboratively united feel that ups its power while also staying loose in energy. On the heels of releasing their new LP Awkward Pop Songs last month, Jank uncorks their nerve catching jams. This event traverses both levels of KFN with a separate lineup upstairs that includes Mumblr, who weave in and out of dreary, soft, contemplative corners and roaring jams. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St. (Downstairs) 7pm, $10, All Ages, (Upstairs) 8pm, Free (w/admission to downstairs), 21+ – Michael Colavita
Merry Xmas & Chill…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Philly Loves James Brown: DJ Mike Nyce
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT The City & I, Pocket, Seismic Thrust, Broken Beak
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT The Quixote Project, SUN Kat Kat Fest: Hightide Hotel, Clique, Marietta, Jank, Christopher Walking/Mumblr, Howlish
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAY WNOC: Christmas Show
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Shane Henderson
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Downstairs) John Faye (Record Release), Dr. Beardfacé and the Spaceman, The Captain, The Pilot, The Driver, Molly Rhythm/(Upstairs) Ben Vaughn Quintet (Record Release), SUN Winter Beer Festival: The WhiskeyHickon Boys
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Shy Boyz, Dirty Soap Blues Band, QQQ, Whitebearbrownbear, Svvje, SUN Beatles Tribute: Kevin Killen, Hezekiah Jones, Looseleaf Trio, Chelsea Mitchell, Red Skiles and the Country Ramblers, Vilebred, Aaron Van Allen, Cowmuddy, A Fistful of Sugar
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT The Once Was, Something Like A Monument, Are Too
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT Dj Deejay, SUN Mast, Nommo, DJ Lil Dave
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) SAT Clashing Plaid, SUN Travis McDaniel, Matthew Leuzzi
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) SAT Flathead, Pocket Dial, Overcoming Gravity, Haywood Trout, Thomas G Waites Project
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) SAT Uptown Ezy, DJ NoPhrillz, SUN Reece Stacks, Scottie Kash, ThisIsInfinity, Skills Gates, Wyo Jair
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Electron, American Babies, Blendmode, SUN Dave Patten, Michele Karmin, Danielle and Jennifer
The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18th St.) SUN Walla Fest Mantee, Boog, Roof Doctor, Abi Reimold, Straw Hats
Cha-Cha’razzi (1918 S. Bancroft St.) SAT Shadow Band, White Crayon