Alex G is not only a dearly cherished piece of Philadelphia’s vibrant music scene now, but also a symbol of hope to nice, normal, loner dudes everywhere who waste inordinate amounts of time recording solo jams in their bedrooms. Maybe what you’re creating isn’t completely terrible and self-indulgent; maybe what you’re pouring so many countless hours into actually has value in more than a narcissistic way; maybe it has the power to inspire a whole scene. For most of you – let’s be honest – probably not, but Alex G’s self-made, sleeper-hit success can’t help but encourage a wide body of solo bedroom artists discreetly toiling away on their masterworks. His introspective, sometimes gritty, sometimes pure approach to song making and ability to navigate a stellar pop hook have earned him comparisons to artists like Elliott Smith and Pavement, while his musical flights of fancy, experimentations with noise manipulation, and other idiosyncratic flourishes distinguish him as something unique. Catch Philadelphia’s indie sweetheart performing live at First Unitarian Church this Saturday with the drummerless yet dynamic Girlpool, who craft songs steeped in angst, uncertainty, and childhood nostalgia, the never dark-sided Eskimeaux, an atmosphere attuned troubadour from Middle Earth who will carry your ears to the heavens, and the out of step Brandon Can’t Dance, who bring off-kilter electropop ditties to the mix. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., $15 (Sold Out), All Ages – Bryce Woodcock
Other places to hang this fall weekend…
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI Joy Again
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Son Little, SAT Ill Doots, Three Oranges, SUN Amanda X, Throbbing Chakra
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Black Horse Motel, Chelsea Sue Allen, SUN Vilebred, HighKick, The Parameters (Record Release)
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI A Victim Of Good Times, Dulls/Aspect/Smarty Pants, SAT Gringo Motel, F. Woods/CaveWomen, Mercury Milk/Fame Lust, SUN Ashes to Vanity
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SUN Sun Organ, Petal
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Splintered Sunlight, SAT Gondola
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI The Yellow Pines, Duo, Reade McCardell, SAT Varos, Van Wolf, SUN Rootology, Chris Gennett
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Yikes The Zero, 30 and Over League, Reef the Lost Cauze
TLA (334 South St.) SAT Heavens Edge, Britny Fox, Hammerdown, Cyanide Saints, SUN Grayscale
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SAT (Upstairs) Quiet Jack, Whiting, Brandywine Band
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Andysocial and The Antidotes, The Slotcars, SAT Anna Ladd/E-Dubble, Teef, SUN Moto Surf
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Driftwood Soldier, SAT Post Sun Times
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St) FRI Grandchildren, Baker Man, Flat Mary Road, SAT Seeing Snakes, Oldermost
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Lee Mayjahs?, DJ Everyday, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Subtronics
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) FRI Airways, AlyCat, Anam Owili-Eger, SAT Dave Steel Blues Band
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI Giovanni Vitacolonna
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI The One2s, Phantasm, Pravda, SAT The Late Saints, American Schoolyard
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI A Minor Error, Stargazer
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Little Big Things, SAT Ian Saint Laurent, Skipmode, SUN Candy Shoppe
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI Wax Future, Momonita, SAT Control For Smilers, Chronicles of Sound
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Alright Junior, SAT Hezekiah Jones (Album Release), West Philadelphia Orchestra, Lauryn Peacock
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Marge, Sun Organ
The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18th St.) SAT Coping Skills, I Tried to Run Away When I Was Six, Ylayali, SUN Nyxy Nyx, R. R. Perkins
Lava Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue more info.) FRI Eight
Oxford Lounge (Please contact one of the acts or venue more info.) Minor Setbacks, Birthday Ponies
Fort Kickass (Please contact one of the acts or venue more info.) SAT Drowse, Narcos, BURP!
Girard Hall (Please contact one of the acts or venue more info.) SAT Satellite Hearts, R.R. Perkins
Second Empire (Please contact one of the acts or venue more info.) SUN Backslider, Crazy Bull, BURP!
Lacuna (Please contact one of the acts or venue more info.) SAT 185668232, Lead Pipe, Lora Bloom, Whoopsydaisy
The Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue more info.) FRI QQQ, Francis Kasibante, Dr. Plotkin
The Shred Shed (Please contact one of the acts or venue more info.) FRI Aghori Monk
The Petting Zoo (Please contact one of the acts or venue more info.) FRI Drok, Irv the Villain, Baby Face Jones, Bergs & Vndl