Our Weekly Concert Picks: October 23–October 29

What we're checking out this week!

Thursday, October 24: Pattern Is Movement

One of our most highly anticipated new releases this winter comes from Philly art-pop duo Pattern Is Movement, who will release their first record in five years come January, and will treat fans to a special sneak peek this Thursday (check out first single "Suckling" here.) Over the past half-decade, the pair of Andrew Thiboldeaux and Chris Ward has been busy: Ward's been on the road, drumming for Strands of Oak, and booking shows at Johnny Brenda's—and the band's been occupied fine-tuning new material. We caught their appearance last spring at PhilaMOCA, during the venue's weekly Tuesday Tune-Out, which featured some new tunes synched with Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood…and based on this experience alone, we have every reason to believe the new record will be epic. (Revisit the trailer from that event here.) Plus arrive early for a positively STACKED bill of local talent, including adorkable Wilmington, DE sweethearts The Spinto Band; recent BKLYN transplants and Afro-pop aficionados Norwegian Arms; and local up-and-comers Worshypper. Also, apparently Pizza Brain is one of the sponsors, which means…free pizza? We can dream.

8:30 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., $13. Tickets available here.

Thursday, October 24: YACHT

In the wake of LCD Soundsystem calling it quits in 2011, we've been on a quest to locate the next big indie-dance act, whose creative songwriting and on-point lyrics perfectly encapsulate the 20-something lifestyle, while still providing a veritable soundtrack to rage along to. LCD's label mates (on DFA Records) and LA-by-way-of-New-York-by-way-of-Portland duo YACHT seem perfectly poised to fill that void. And it's about time too. Their 2011 record, Shangri-La, was one of our very favorites of the year, mixing gravelly disco numbers with bass-y hooks and throwback trip-hop, and asking big questions about life and God—in addition to detailing (in stunning accuracy) the stages of f**ked-up-ness one encounters during a night out. Formed in 2001 by weirdo/idealist Jona Bechtolt (the name YACHT was originally intended as an acronym, standing for Young Americans Challenging High Technology), the group expanded to include Claire L. Evans in 2008, and has released five full-length records total. They'll stop by South Philly's Boot & Saddle this Thursday for an intimate, free show sponsored by Red Bull Sound Select—RSVP online now for entry.

8:00 at Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., free w/ RSVP ($10 without). Tickets available here.

Friday, October 25: Of Montreal

Of Montreal gets a bad rap among the indie elite these days—front man Kevin Barnes is "too indulgent," they say, and past OM records have delved a bit deeper into sexy-time, R&B weirdness than most fans are comfortable with. But on new record Lousy With Sylvianbriar, out now, Barnes firmly reestablishes his footing within the canon of accessible rock, for the most enjoyable listen since 2005's The Sunlandic Twins (the record that spurred The Outback Steakhouse Song). It's been a long time indeed since he's experimented with folk or classic rock tropes (see: 2001's Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse) but here he taps Dylan (yes, Dylan!) and the Stones, on tunes like "Belle Glade Missionaries" and "Fugitive Air," for a result as breezy as a weekend morning. Live, the glitz-loving front man has long displayed a penchant for over-the-top opulence—when I saw Of Montreal on their False Priest tour, there were crazy lights and set changes, sequins, horse heads, and choreographed dance moves. Just because Sylvianbriar is comparatively more toned-down doesn't mean his live show will be. Which is awesome, because experiencing Of Montreal live is one of the very best ways to experience the magic.

8:30 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., $20. Tickets available here.

Saturday, October 26: Kurt Vile & The Violators

It's been just about two months since Philly's fave "constant hitmaker" played a hometown show (during "Kurt Vile Day," last summer)—and we'd be lying if we said we didn't miss him a lil. It's crazy to think it's been five years since KV's first solo record (and launchpoint into fame)—it still feels like just yesterday that he was but a mysterious longhair, setting up shop on a stool (a stool!) weeknights at JB's, hair covering his face as he strummed his guitar. These days, he's practically a rock legend, who earned not one but TWO "Best New Music" designations from Pitchfork, in addition to his own mural on Front Street in Fishtown.  It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, and we've loved watching Vile gracefully transition from seated crooner to confident shredder. His latest LP, Wakin on a Pretty Daze, is a free-wheeling collection of tunes that seems practically made for autumn walks and afternoon drives—from the Springsteen-esque "KV Crimes" to the gorgeous title track. What a lovely way to spend Saturday night!

9:00 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., $22. Tickets available here.

Tuesday, October 29: Disclosure

Our new fave band! London duo Disclosure are a great example of a modern buzz band that actually DOES live up to the hype—their 2013 record Settle is a perfect collection of dance floor-worthy jams that are also perfect pop songs, from insatiable opener "When a Fire Starts to Burn" to skulking, house-driven "F for You." The brainchild of brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence (ages 21 and 18, respectively), the band started tinkering with electronic sounds after finding inspiration in Burial and Joy Orbison LPs, and released their first single, "Street Light Chronicle," in 2010 (at ages 18 and 15)! Interest grew with their 2012 singles "Tenderly/Flow" and "Latch"…and by the time Settle dropped this past summer, they were already international stars. The record debuted at number 1 on the UK charts and was shortlisted for a Mercury Prize. This Tuesday, the boys bring it to life at Union Transfer—we expect dancing, raging, and positive vibes.

8:30 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., sold out.