Over the course of two sold-out evenings, The Districts headline the locals-only billings at Johnny Brenda’s, waving goodbye to 2017. The quartet’s evolution continues as evidenced by the band’s latest album, Popular Manipulations (Fat Possum). The group reaches new depths, while still pulling from unsheathed, emotive, narrative bookmarks, with an experienced melodic refinement. Those gravitational, guttural swings and riff-fueled stompers still resound, as the collective can push the pedal to its limits, but by the same token, attention to the details that steer the sonic ship are well attended. On Saturday’s slate they’re paired with Mannequin Pussy, whose highly energized volatility galvanizes with pop-sensibilities. Earnestly unabashed and catchy, Permanent Body will lead things off. Meanwhile, Sunday’s affair will be set off by the groove-generating folk rockers Pine Barons, whom branch off into experimental, psych trajectories while still maintaining traditional roots. With their new album White Reindeer in tow, the sticky, rumbling sensitivity of Lithuania reinforces a weekend worthy of capping off the year. – Michael Colavita
Damn, it’s cold! Other places to stay warm and get numb this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Matt Cappy, John Train, SAT New Year’s Eve Eve with The Districts, Mannequin Pussy, Permanent Body, SUN New Year’s Eve with The Districts, Lithuania, Pine Barons
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Lefty’s Deceiver, JJL, I Think Like Midnight, SUN Kississippi
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Sweat Daddy/Matthew Law, Astro 8000, SAT Bad Luck 13 Riot Extravaganza, Urban Resist/Dev79, Sideswipe, SUN Fame Lust
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI Petal
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI The Superweaks, Yankee Bluff, SAT The Great Enough, Andorra, Resilient, SUN West Philadelphia Orchestra, Johnny Showcase & The Mystic Ticket, Red 40 and the Last Groovement, Mambisa
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) SUN Making Time New Year’s Eve: Dave P., Zillas on Acid
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SUN Shannen Moser
TLA (334 South St.) FRI Boy Wonder, Chris Gennett, E-Hos, Dear Forbiden, Saint Wilde, Rachael Rota, John Gilbride, SAT Band of Brewers
The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Phat Geez, Pound$ide Pop, 100Proof Yannie, Reco Havoc, Lil Nizzy, ButterKnife, Lihtz Kamraz, SAT Billy Mungus Big Band, Archawah, Camera Thief
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Tiny Hueman, Past Life/(Downstairs) Bilal, SAT (Upstairs) Stu and the Gurus, SUN (Upstairs) Darla, Nik Greeley & The Operators/(Downstairs) Philly Bloco
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Promise of Redemption, Triangle Shirt Factory, SAT Promise of Redemption, Sleepy Limbs, SUN DJ Kirsh
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT No Option, SUN Imperial, DJ Ha, Left Rite
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Dave Patten, Luke O’Brien, Made Modern, SAT The Newspaper Taxis, Bickel Brothers
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Craig Dash, SAT Shawn Ryan
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Red Means Run, The Vinegar Creek Constituency, SAT Alice In Underpants: A Tim Burton Cabaret, SUN Ruby The Hatchet, Hound
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Christine Irizarry & The Foolhardy, Seth Aaron, George Engel Brooks, SAT Ringtail Howitzer, Children’s Books, Pray To Keep/Afrobear
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Rich Medina, SAT DJ Deejay
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Nero Catalano, SUN Brown Sugar
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) SAT Menace of the Canvas, Adventure Lost
Frankford Hall (1210 Frankford Ave.) SUN Vacationer, Mo Lowda & The Humble, Commonwealth Choir
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Vanderlyle, Luis, Free Pizza, SAT Slophouse, Hopscotch Jefferson, SUN Los Festingos
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Chris Forsyth, SAT Huffamoose, Rugby Road, Transistor Rodeo, SUN Start Making Sense, Swift Tchnique
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Soul Glo, DJ Haram