After a pressure cooker of a week, this weekend offers the opportunity to let out some steam, ease the tension, and let loose. This evening, Cheerleader heads the billing at Johnny Brenda’s. The quintet’s misty, refreshing melodies wash over you in a pleasantly cruising daydream. An inherent, rolling, rhythmic optimism sticks into the grooves, escaping the day-to-day grind. Tonight, they’ll be supported by Buffalo garage-rock trio Made Violent and the Brooks Brothers-led musical ensemble of Louds, whose bright, bubbling pop-rock naturally spills over on to the dance floor.
On Saturday at Johnny Brenda’s, the quirky sing-along, carnival, musical troupe of OhBree brings out all the bells and whistles, celebrating their new record Burn Bridges, Burn Pies. Orchestrating their precision-oriented, multi-faceted soundscapes, Grandchildren helps in setting the musical scene, along with the engaging, energy-rich ebb & flow of Mumblr and the subdued pop of Glenn Matthews.
And whether you simply aren’t ready for the party to end or are an early riser ready for some Sunday day-drinking, get on over to The Barbary for the first annual Psychedelic Breakfast with psych-garage trio Residuels, local grindcore three-piece Die Choking, An Albatross, and much more. – Michael Colavita
Other places to escape the chill this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Cheerleader, Louds, SAT OhBree (Record Release), Grandchildren, Mumblr, Glenn Matthews, SUN Scantron, Matt Kelly
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Milton, SAT Oh, Are They?, Starterjacket
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Rosali, Valley Exit/Sky Valley, SAT Chvnce, Matt Arthur, Ellen Siberian Tiger/X-Hunters/Fame Lust, SUN Decap Attak, Buzzherd, Blasphemous, My Son Bison
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Palm, Palberta
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Splintered Sunlight, SAT Elvin T, Siyoung, Alex Burkat, Chris B, Shawn Ryan, Fosho & Tell
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI Tigers Jaw, SUN Hemming
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI 56 Men, Teen Dads, I Think Like Midnight, SAT On The Cooling Board, North Lawrence Midnight Singers, TC Cole Riot, SUN Tapes & Tubes, Jesse Gimbel
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Blac Papi, Kyte Wilson , Blum Bros., Born Cold, SUN Lee Mazin, Kur, DJ Diamond Kuts, Bri Steves, Phat Geez
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Chris Paterno Band / Joe Trainor Trio (Evening of Billy Joel)
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Geisha Façade, So Totally, SUN Die Choking, Residuels
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SUN Marielle Kraft
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Cold Roses, Chalk & the Beige Americans, Christine Irizarry
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Broad St. Burlesque, SAT Family Volleyball, Salfi
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT Drama, Spazz Ripley, Xilomen/DJ Deejay
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT The Ellipses, Wack Cheddar, The Phonies, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Riverside Odds, 66 Stitches, Seeing Snakes, Beer Me, SAT Thunder & Glory, The Charley Few
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI J.O. The Last Man, SUN Heavensake
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT DJ Kevin Kong, SUN Slainte
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI The Sly Foxes, Bazmati Vice, The Cultour, Jam Traffic, SAT Spicy Meatball, Adam Travis & The Soul, Brodi Valos
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI The Sermon. SAT Jah People
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Eagle Daddy, Black Dirty, Mage Hand/Disappearances, Sunstroke, Kochiyama, SAT The Stone Eye, Highburnator/Birthday Boy, SUN Clique, The Point Breeze Country Club/Truant Minds, Rentboys, Pretty Words
Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Elaine Rasnake, Gravers Lane
Glitter Galaxy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Thin Lips
The Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Carroll, Cerulean Blue