Tonight, Underground Arts (specifically the cozy confines of the Black Box) will be abuzz as a trio of local acts revs up the audience for tonight’s headliner. That initial sky-rocketing blast will be detonated by Harsh Vibes, whose cosmic journey plays in fuzzed-out long form. They stretch sonic waves to allow those noisy particles to methodically gather momentum and fortitude, while maintaining a steady course and exploring unknown regions, only to seamlessly transition into a higher gear in the optimal setting. It’s a powerful-meets-purposeful head-trip. After just sharing a few new demos, the propulsive synth- driven, creeping wave of The Bad Doctors will rouse you to your feet, although you may want to occasionally peer over your shoulder. Meanwhile, the get-loose, surf-garage rock of The Tough Shits retain a gritty spirit, producing the type of songs that you’ll replay in your head throughout the weekend. They’ll be bridging the divide to the heavy plunge of California psych-garage outfit Meatbodies. Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., 8pm, $12, 21+ – Michael Colavita
Other places to escape the chill this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Swollen Fox Anniversary: The Lawsuits, Commonwealth Choir, Lou
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Abi Reimold, SUN Hoser, The Cats
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Posers, Sonic Screemers/The KMX Band, Assaultica, The Junior Spies /The Blurry Nights / Tommy Hogunz, SAT Captain Scurvy & The S.S. Pancake, Witch Craft/Cadaveric Spasm, Decap Attak, Black Urn, SUN Anti Suburbians, Chinga, Traitor
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Sounds Like Summer Music Showcase
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) SAT Dogs On Acid
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Love a Lunatic, The Fearless Fly, Something Like A Monument, SAT Jesse Gimbel, Those People, Stallions, Widowmaker Social Club, SUN Myrrias, The Morelings
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI (Balcony) Alustrium, Lör, Prosper or Perish, Parius, SUN Nuevo Fest
TLA (334 South St.) SAT Peedi Crakk, Bok Nero, Joie Kathos, Pharaoh Dinero
Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) SUN Modern Baseball
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Nicky Egan, SAT Aaron Parnell Brown, SUN El Malito
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT ialive, E. Grizzly, SUN (5pm) Sophie Koorhan, Sophie Shah/ (8pm) Mason
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Bill O’Meara Band (Release Show)
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St) FRI Tin Horses, Mark Lanky, SAT Address, Jeff Riddle & The Bella Vista Social Club
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Shy Boyz, SAT Manifested
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Lee Mayjahs?, DJ Everyday, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Ed Christof, Risky Disco
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St) SAT The Clockmen
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI American Schoolyard, SUN Rusty Cadillac
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St) FRI Cicada Jade, The Droogettes, Roxy Rollz, Soraia, Cheerbleeders/Founders, Baby Blitz, Matchstick Men, SAT (1pm) Mesmeria, Uphevil, Slyphr, Stealing Fame/(7pm) Threatpoint, Flesh Engine, We Our War, Makhaira, Corners of Sanctuary, SUN (10 am), Commonwealth, Malphas/(4pm) Ketosis, Autoerotica
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SAT Punx Picnic: Nightfall, Dronez, Drowse
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Royale, SAT DJ Case Bloom, FRI Friends With Benefits
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Mr. Sonny James, SUN (2pm) DJ Jugo w/percussionist Josh Robinson/(9:30pm) DJ Royale
El Bar (1356 N, Front St.) SAT Friendship, Bryant Vazquez
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Lukey Bird, SAT Borrowed Equipment, Cicada Jade, Dirt Dirt
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Control For Smilers, Cocktail Party Phenomenon
The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18th St.) FRI A Benefit for PAWS: Dying, Die Choking, Drones For Queens
Everybody Hits (529 West Girard Ave) FRI Mannequin Pussy, Bad Canoes
Nut Hut Saloon (1873 Frankford Ave.) SAT Lapses (EP Release), QQQ, Blood Sound, Skydive Dubai
FDR Skatepark (1500 Pattison Ave.) SAT (1pm) The Charley Few, Anti-Suburbans, Planet 88, Loss of Effect
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Rockers: Palaceburn, Revolution, I Love You, Moor Mother Goddess & Abdul Kadir
Kat Frat (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Marge, Run Forever, Loose Tooth
A House Named Virtue (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN The Goodbye Party, Open Wide, Jonagold
Slacka Barrel (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI No, Incisor, Severed, Lip Service
Pariah (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN: Block Party (12pm) Spent Flesh, Coffins Across Hiroshima, Traitor, Aseptic, Disjawn/(9pm) Crescent