Cool, composed, cultural commentary, approached at an energetic yet cruising speed, The Guests create music that balances a dynamic of deep thought, whilst in a casual, intimate mobility. Mysterious, mercurial synthpop engages describing the bleakness of the world in which we currently live, with a compact bright open air instrumentation. Acknowledging the disturbing dreariness, it’s as though a grey cloud perpetually hangs over our heads and the compact precision of the music gracefully attempts to out race it in search of hope. This Saturday evening at Boot & Saddle, The Guests will be headlining a benefit for the Philadelphia Tenants Union, supported by art-punk quartet JUICE, whose enchanting, chaotic, contagiously kinetic EP 100% was our December Record of the Month, as well as the beguiling psych-punk of Madalean Gauze. (Photo by Sam Pellegringo) – Michael Colavita
Other places that you can hang at for the first weekend of 2019…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Mothers, Empath, Corey Flood, SAT Philly Loves Philly: DJ Mike Nyce, Rich Medina, SUN Eric Slick
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT The Guests, Madalean Gauze, Juice
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Queen Jesus, Sandcastle, Weekend Athlete/DJ Deejay, SAT DJ Lean Wit It, SUN BLK MGC
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Candy Volcano presents: Bowie Birthday Bash! Ziggy vs. The Thin White Duke
Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St.) FRI A Night of Stardust – Celebrating Bowie
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Conjunto Philadelphia/(Downstairs) Kuf Knotz, SAT (Upstairs) School Of Rock/(Downstairs) Breakwater
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Haxon, Earth 7, SAT Allarms, SUN SEB, Ascension Drive, Enigmyst, Cardinal Sin, Infinity
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Mixed People, My Funky Brethren, SAT Baby Berlin, Elijvh Vrms
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Elison Jackson, Pouring Silver, Shadow Band (Solo), SAT VoirVoir, Morgan Pinkstone
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT A Scent Like Wolves, Last Minute Hero, Zombie Shark, SUN Mage Hand, Dean
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN The Jawn, Mercury Retrograde
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Paul Green Rock Academy Punk Rock Brunch, SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI Adventure Lost, Jesse Gimbel, SAT Melt With You, 7@7
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI Limm, ShawnWeTrust, Ignant Yuth
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI Samantha Rise, Brother Martin, The People, SAT Cubbage, Emily Drinker
Century (1350 S 29th St.) FRI Fairfield Project, New Alone
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Cabaret Sauvignon/DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ed Christof
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI All-star Graceland Tribute Band: Ryan Tennis, Stella Ruze, Looseleaf, Emily Drinker, SAT Steal Your Peach, The Newspaper Taxis
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SAT Floor Space, Socko, Andross, Menace of the Canvas
No Face Studios (5213 Grays Ave.) SUN So Totally, Knifeplay, Yung Sham
Hubris House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Puppy Angst, Feel Something
Lizard Lounge 215 (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Blubird, Americanadian, Swim Camp
The Glass Onion (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Lazy Eye (Album Release), Gorpho, Bona To Vada
The Sankofa House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Masie Blu, Interminable