Hauntingly exhilarating, FUNeral, the freshly released EP from Madalean Gauze, sits between layers of secluded strangeness and playful enjoyment. Twisting traditional storytelling with a fantasy-laced vibe, the album may catch you off guard in a pleasant, surprising fashion; taking on cinematic undertones, the plot quickly turns. Tonight’s EP release show at Boot & Saddle will benefit Valley Youth House, a Lehigh Valley organization that ensures vulnerable, abused, and homeless youths in the community access to shelter and counseling, and features support from a trio of locals. Recently added to the Topshelf Records family, the harmony-fueled, girl-pop, throwback sounds of Queen of Jeans plan to release their debut album this year, and they’ll be working double-duty this evening, supporting Balance and Composure’s sold-out show at First Unitarian Church as well. Cut from similar musical cloths, the garage-pop quartet of Louie Louie dips into easy-grooving, semi-psych waters that retain a classic catchiness. Unleashing their personal-brand of barraging noise-pop, Empath will get the night started. – Michael Colavita
Other places to stay warm this weekend…
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Madalean Gauze (EP Release), Queen of Jeans, Louie Louie, Empath, SAT Flat Mary Road, Baker Man, Tough Guy Soda
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Nightfall, Trash Knife, The Charley Few, SAT Frog Holler, Hezekiah Jones, Dem Hills
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI All This Huxley/DJ Deejay, SAT Brother Martin, Port Arthur/A Black Celebration: DJ Baby Berlin, DJ Jem/DJ Mighty Mike Saga, DJ Elijvh Vrms, SUN The City and I, So Totally, Lowercase Roses
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) FRI S.T.A.R.W.O.O.D., F. Woods & The Fellow Humans, Bunny Savage & The Plibmen
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Dance Party Quizzo: The Beating, Crouse
The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) SAT Alex Catrambone & Friends
TLA (334 South St.) SAT Candy Volcano
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Conjunto, SAT Light of Day(Upstairs) John Byrne/(Downstairs) Ben Arnold, SUN (Upstairs) Diane Monroe & Tony Miceli Duo
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Panophonic, Sonny Knockout, E.Joseph & The Sparrows, Magnificent Birds of Prey, SAT Outer Heaven, Backslider
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) FRI The Last Generation On Film, Vacation James, SAT Hayley Dare, Seb Isaac Band, SUN Dan Malloy, Nicklas Hughes, Michael J. Vitale, Slenko & McKeys
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT The Jesse Lundy Band: Mach 4
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Sexoffice, Rover Rover, SAT Kiska
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT Darla
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) SAT Mercury Retrograde, Pet Lizard, Visoon
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) SUN Honeygasm
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Chad Jenkins Band, Primatives, Kevin Segal & The Old Souls, SAT Alright Junior, The Good Mess, Phantasm, The Sea Tease
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Stiltwater, Big Mind, Dry Reef, SAT An All-star Tribute to Paul Simon’s Graceland: Ryan Tennis
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI Balance and Composure, Queen of Jeans
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Jacopo & The Late Saints, Truant Minds, Tiger Castle, SAT So Totally/Cerulean Blue, Gracie & The So Beautifuls
LAVA Space (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Mista Quik, Prototype:AT, Tapes & Tubes, Alpha Alpha
Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Trash Boy, Overwinter, Georgey V
Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Fleabite, Susie Derkins
JJ’s Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Past Life, Kinda Alright, SAT Sleepy Freak, Dinosaur Diner