Messy, The Deli Philly’s December 2017 Record of the Month and the latest album from Curtis Cooper, is being celebrated with a release show this evening at Johnny Brenda’s. Cooper harnesses an ability to expose an emotional intensity that’s endearingly accessible, developing a well-conceived, melodic framework, while still tapping into a raw, rip-it-out-of-your-chest, guttural tone. In contrast, they can create a sense of stillness, instrumentally illuminating pensions with a dim, folk backdrop, allowing the weight of the words to wrap around you in a comforting manner that still sends chills up the spine. The Andy Molholt-led Laser Background will also be joining them tonight, instilling ease as waves of playful, candy-coated dreams wash over. And infusing joy and humor into their infectious bummer-pop, the duo of Coping Skills will be leading the way. – Michael Colavita
More places to be this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Curtis Cooper (Record Release Show), Laser Background, Coping Skills, SAT OOLALA, David Fantasy & Adult Content
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI 722 (Reunion Show), Church Girls, Dylan Jane
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Eliza Edens/Slagmatter, Thunderbird Divine, The Gravies/Lil’ Dave, Dr. Plotkin, Gummibear/DJ Deejay, SAT The Charley Few, Fucksake/Pet Lizard, The Space Cats, Mesén Around/DJ Sylo, DJ PHSH, SUN Scantron, Trash Beach
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SUN Kohoutek, Northern Liberties
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Al-Tarik
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) SAT Patrick Richards
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) SUN Glenn Bryan & Friends
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Mt Vengeance, Bryant Eugene Vazquez, SAT Fixation/Traitor, Blasphemous
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Damn Right (Album Release), American Dinosaur, Greg D., SAT Mach22, Everlit, Siravo, Night Mission
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Air Is Human, SAT Goodnight Lights, Witch Bomb
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Creem Circus, RunHideFight
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Reed Streets, SAT Queue, Lizdelise, SUN Plastic Shrines, Styrofoam Dinosaur
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI Bo Bliz, Low Budget, SAT DJ Deejay
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Hambone Relay, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease, Hannah Taylor & The Rekardo Lee Trio, DJ Dan Reed, SAT Adventure Lost, Tyler Kingsley
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Ben Aire, SAT Ed Christof
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) SAT The Exclusive Tri-State Showcase
Century Bar (1350 S. 29th Street) SAT Blackhand, Buzzherd, Off Meds
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Port Arthur, Tiger Castle, This Kills Me, Justin Kerecz, SAT Kenny Price, XPresidents, Hank Henny
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Music For The Arts (11th Annual Benefit): Old Soul Revival, Chris Grunwald & The Slow Response, The TC Cole Riot, Droppin Deuce, The Bad Larrys, SUN The Whiskeyhickon Boys, Hannah Taylor and the Rekardo Lee Trio
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI PT Benefit: Narra, SUN Small Circle, AllegrA
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Seeing Snakes, Billy Bollinger, The Absolute Sky/Heaven Man, Swwik, Sitting in Cars, The Ugly Barnacles, SAT Badnew, Snakeboy, Flamingo Chicks, SUN Shelf Life, Mavis the Dog/Fred Beans
Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.)FRI Maryn Jones, Mowgli’s Mirror, SAT Crooked Spine, Tim Woulfe
The Spreehive (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Supine, Get Well, Jennifer
Skulls (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Leadrs, Median