There’s something inherently welcoming about a record store/shop. Often times, you’ll go without a specific item in mind. Rather a mood that symptomatically dictates what your next purchase will be. It falls somewhere between a treasure hunt and a scientific system of trial and error – almost, but not quite there yet until you hit the musical X marks the spot. Of course, invariably, you’ll more often than not open previously unconsidered musical doors, which will draw you back, dictating a future return to this temporary musical safe haven/refuge. Music lovers are drawn to a place like Philadelphia Record Exchange like a moth to a flame, but the digital age poses a threat that forces many to struggle to stay afloat. This is why Saturday’s daylong 30th Anniversary block party is truly an accomplishment deserving of celebration. So come rejoice with a packed lineup that includes Watery Love, Purling Hiss, Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band, Strapping Fieldhands, Dixy Blood, Monkey 101, Wasted America, Rosali, Ben Vaughn, Monkey 101, and Aye-Aye. Cheers to 30! Philadelphia Record Exchange, 1524 Frankford Ave., 12pm, Free, All Ages – Michael Colavita
Other places to enjoy tunes this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT A Benefit For By My Side & Our Garden Playschool: Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band, Busses, Dan Matz
The Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Mannequin Pussy, The Superweaks, SAT Dark Blue
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Witch Fist, Blakeslee/Van Wolf, Port Arthur/Jesse Tyler, Sean Hearn, SAT Burnout Star, Fastride, Resilient, SUN I Am The Trireme, Drones for Queens/Coin Purse, Straw Hats, Woven In
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI The Goodbye Party, Thin Lips, Todd Killingz
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Splintered Sunlight
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI Jedi Mind Tricks
Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) SAT Freeway & Friends
Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI The Late Saints (CD Release), This Way to the Egress, Black Horse Motel. SAT Uptown Ezy, Aris Sparks, SUN Kim Jong Ill, The City Music Project
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Christine Havrilla & Gypsy Fuzz/(Downstairs) Chris Kasper, Birdie Busch and the Greatest Night, August John Lutz II, SAT (11am) Kira Wiley/(Upstairs) Not My Dogg/(Downstairs) John Byrne Band (CD Release)
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Ill Fated Natives, Little Strike, Bryant Vazquez, Svvje, IrCasim, SUN Hot Issue
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Mock Suns
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St) FRI Taggart, Howling Fantods, Sick Panda, SAT Let It Out Matt, Mohican, Ream, SUN Nick Millevoi + Chris Forsyth, Taiwan Housing Project
North Star Bar (2639 Poplar St.) FRI Hanging Hills, SAT Assemble, Twin Symptons, Tisbury Obama, Bits of Alan
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, Low Budget, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Dev79, Bombe, Sideswipe
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Sylvia Platypus, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd St.) FRI The Fallen Troubadours, Jonathan Monument, SAT Jeremiah Tall, Nathan Earl, Rachel Joy
The Legendary Dobbs (304 South St) FRI Giada J., Van Hamill and the One Hitters,
Black River Stone / (Upstairs) Moon Jellies, Civil Discord, SAT Cthulhu Martini, SUN Dobby Awards
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) FRI Moonstriker, Mercury Milk, SAT Sweet Eureka, Katie Barbato, Glorious Typing, SUN Only On Weekends
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Mr. Sonny James, SUN Live by Percussion by Josh Robinson
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) SAT Ed Christof, SUN The Smokin’ Gun Revue with Dead Flowers
The Grape Room (105 Grape St) FRI The Cultour, Local Smokes, Andrew Jude, Stella Ruze, SAT Chronic Wolf, Rad & Kell, Hanging Hills, Anthony Coppa
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocket, SUN Darla
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Doi, Tangiers, The Retinas, Old Scratch
The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18th St.) SUN The Beds, Sun Organ, (Noon), Jank
Federal House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Drowse, White Crayon
Double H Ranch (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Laser Background, Mercury Girls
Lavender Town (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.)FRI Shelf Life (Album Release), Blue Smiley, About A Million
Second Empire (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more information.) SAT Thin Lips, Dark Thoughts, Teenage Chainsaw