Grandchildren celebrates its latest, eponymously-titled album (out now via Ernest Jenning Record Co.) with a performance this evening at Johnny Brenda’s. The former Danger Danger Gallery house band creates elaborately detailed instrumental frameworks, which despite their complexities retain an inherent, endearing optimism. With the addition of Shari Amanda, the group has added yet another facet. There’s a soothing cinematic quality to the songs, utilizing instrumentation with pinpoint precision, creating a spacious yet dramatic atmosphere. A sonic story is told that covers a vast expanse, while the dual-lined vocal harmonies capture a heartfelt proximity. Tonight, they’ll be joined by the reassuring, psych-inflected dreampop of Stereo League and singer-songwriter Vessna Scheff, whom soulfully merges folk and jazz with a ukulele in hand. – Michael Colavita
More tunes to fill your soul this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Grandchildren (Record Release), Stereo League, Vessna Scheff, SAT Rich Medina Presents: Jump N Funk – America’s Original Fela Kuti Tribute Party
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Morning River Band, Driftwood Soldier
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Poppy, Jukebox Zeros, Chino/DJ Deejay, SAT Adder/Vic B, SUN Birmingham Six, The Daggered Hearts
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT Nonfiction (Album Release), Twentythreenineteen, Rich People
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Conjunto Philadelphia, SAT (Downstairs) PhillyBloco, Unidos da Filadelfia Samba School
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Socko, Bored As Hell, Kissing the Klepto, SAT Brother Martin, Georgey V, The Last Generation On Film/Breakfast for Turtles
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) FRI Levee Drivers, The Bad Larrys, Slomo Sapiens, SAT Dull Blue Lights, SUN Cheeky
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) SAT The Rectors, Slomo Sapiens, Secret Nudist Friends
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Day, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay
Hard Rock Café (1113-1131 Market St.) FRI Great Time
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI The Tisburys, Blueroom, SAT Tone Bandits, The Pink Angels, Vixen77
Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7th St.) FRI DJ Marco: The Prince and Michael Experience, SAT Lower Wolves, Strange Attraction (The Cure Tribute Band), Dj Baby Berlin
The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Voodoo Death Cult , Cold Blood Creep, Let’s Disinfect, SAT Malphas, Corners of Sanctuary, SUN At Best, Allarms, Dear Forbidden, Friendo
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) SAT Allison Landon
Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI Cabaret Sauvignon/DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ed Christof
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Two Rocks Rye, Colin Lenox, Dylan Jane, SAT Hoochi Coochi, Earth Radio, Atomic Sky
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Splintered Sunlight
Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) SAT Man Like Machine, The Stonewall Vessels, Paradrei, Black Melanite
No Face Studios (5213 Grays Avenue) FRI Bungler, Sun Organ, Sandcastle
Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) SUN Cheer Up, Psychic Flowers, Half Thought
First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI Mannequin Pussy, SUN Sieve
Ahimsa House (5007 Cedar Ave.) SAT AnnonXL, Leeyuh Neptune , Sitcom
Warehouse on Watts (923-929 N. Watts St.) FRI Zejibo, Backpack
The Music Ward (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Gender Work
Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Telyscopes, Broke Body, Annalise Curtin