Our Weekly Concert Picks: February 27–March 5

The weather's finally warming up—let's get out there and rage!

Thursday, February 28: Cold Fronts at Kung Fu Necktie

Philly garage rockers Cold Fronts are a band on the rise, thanks in part to big pop licks, and an interminable spirit of rock'n roll revelry. Since forming two years back, the band has quickly proved its mettle, playing an insane number of shows, including opening for MewithoutYou, Free Energy, The Morning Benders, and more. Now, the band is ready to depart for a month-long tour—including a stop at SXSW—and will celebrate with an epic kick-off party, along with fellow rebel-rousers Double King and TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb. Only $5!

8:00 at Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., $5. Tickets available here. 

Friday, March 1: Unknown Mortal Orchestra + Foxygen at the First Unitarian Church

Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Foxygen are two of our favorite bands making music right now, which makes this dual line-up (in a small venue!) super sweet. UMO hail from Australia, which means they only tour the States every few years—and craft fuzzy, understated, pop gems like the twangy, R&B-tinged "How Can U Luv Me?" and the low-key, water-y "Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)." Foxygen hail from California, and concoct breezy, '60s-influenced charmers, that run the gamut from mellow and Dylanesque (see: the anthemic "No Destruction") to surprisingly seductive groovers (see: the oh-so-smooth "Shuggie.") Both bands have won critical acclaim from the greater media, including one very influential website whose name rhymes with "Hitchfork"—as a result, we're guessing, this baby is long SOLD OUT. You might have luck on Craig's List though.

8:00 at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St. Tickets are sold out, so Craigslist it.

Saturday, March 2: Man Man at Union Transfer

Philly gypsy-circus-punk-collective Man Man are practically a city-wide institution, their jaunty tunes and madcap melding of the serious and the silly an inspiration for countless local bands. Over the past year, the group's been mostly quiet—with front man Ryan "Honus Honus" Kattner focusing mostly on side project Mr. Heavenly (with Islands' Nick Thornburn and Modest Mouse's Joe Plummer) instead. But after a hiatus, the band is back, with plans to release a new record this summer. The specific details are still hush-hush—but Kattner promises fans can hear the new songs live on Saturday, which also happens to be the closing night of a month-long tour. This is the band's first Philly performance since last summer, and we expect it will be (rightfully) crazy.

8:00 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., $20. Tickets available here. 

Monday, March 4: Mouse on Mars at Johnny Brenda's

Almost 20 years after their groundbreaking debut, Vulvaland, German electronic pioneers Mouse on Mars are still crafting complex, innovative music, and will return to Philly this Monday in support of two new records: 2012's Parastrophic and WOW. A striking comeback after a six-year hiatus, Parastrophic comes alive through mischievous, quirky melodies, and dense sonic textures that are both instantly recognizable and refreshingly new. It was shortly followed by the more club-oriented WOW,  a mini record of dance floor ragers. Live, the band will draw from both records, in what we can only imagine will be a trippy, bizarre celebration of rhythms and flesh. Before you go: check out this vid of new single "They Know Your Name" to get pumped.

9:00 at Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., $17. Tickets available here.

Monday, March 4: Mac DeMarco at KFN

22-year-old "slacker" rocker Mac DeMarco writes warm, stripped-down pop songs about pretty girls and cigarettes; suburban angst and family drama. It's a combo that feels achingly honest and natural—even though in reality it took DeMarco several tries to get it right (early EP's exuded '80s, creepster sleaze—think slowed-down vocals and not-so-subtle innuendo.) Live, the capricious rock star has tended towards the debauched—past shows have featured off-color jokes, nudity, and in one case, beer showers— and while label Captured Tracks swears he's more grown up now, we'll believe it when we see it.  Guaranteed to be the craziest thing you do this Monday!

7:00 at Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front Street, $10. Tickets available here.