Our Weekly Concert Picks: October 2 - October 8
A week’s worth of double-headers!
Wednesday, October 2: Wavves + King Tuff
Fall's the best season for shows at the Church, and this Wednesday two of our fave punkers join forces for an evening of unabashed raging. Wavves first broke onto the scene about three years back, with the release of BNM'ed LP King of the Beach—a messy, manic collection of surf-punk nugs that showcased singer/songwriter Nathan William's penchant for encapsulating youthful frustration. A much publicized relationship with Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino (and her cats, Snacks)—plus a successful follow-up in 2013's Afraid of Heights—led to even more publicity, and actually it's sorta amazing that they're still playing tiny, DIY spaces like the Church. They're joined by LA pop punk revivalists King Tuff—a.k.a., Vermont native Kyle Thomas and friends—who write catchy, '60s-influenced pleasers like the grooveable "Keep on Movin'" and easily on-point "Alone and Stoned." See you in the basement, Philly!
8:00 at the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., $17. Tickets available here.
Thursday, October 3: The Flaming Lips + Tame Impala
One of the most highly anticipated shows this fall sees long-running OK weirdos The Flaming Lips joining forces with Australia's Tame Impala for what is sure to be an evening of spacey, psych-rock vibes. Since the early '80s, Wayne Coyne and co. have delighted and occasionally scarred audiences with their trippy, exuberant psych-pop concoctions and bizarre stage show, which has featured, over the years, costumes, puppets, and Coyne's signature man-sized bubble, which he uses to surf above the crowd. They're now touring in support of their 13th full length, The Terror—although we're secretly hoping they bust out some Yoshimi too. The evening kicks off with up-and-comers Tame Impala, whose 2012 record Lonerism was one of our very favorites, mixing radio-friendly melodies with lush, dreamy soundscapes, for a record that recollects the Beatles' Magic Mystery Tour, reimagined for modern times.
7:00 at Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd. and Spring Garden St., $38. Tickets available here.
Saturday, October 4: Night Panther + Literature
Our local pick of the week is the Deli Mag Philly's 5-year anniversary party featuring Night Panther and Literature—two Philly bands to keep your eye on. Night Panther hail from Doylestown and craft sexy electro-pop grooves known to inspire dancing and making out, from the glistening synths of "Snudge" to the falsetto-laden disco vibe of "Fever." Members Mike Cammarata and Farzad Houshiarnejad cut their teeth in Drink Up Buttercup, a late-aughts band known for their oompah beats and gypsy punk antics—with Night Panther, they've traded their garbage can percussion and acoustic guitars for synths and dance beats, for a result that's silky smooth and slinky. They'll be joined by recent Austin transplants Literature, whose take on pop-punk is jangly, raucous, and so much fun. See 'em now before they're huge!
8:00 at PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., $10. Tickets available at the door.
Saturday, October 5: Hall + Oates
Ok, so this one's not as much a double-header as it is a perfect pairing—you can't live in Philadelphia without <3ing Hall & Oates! Since the late '70s, the pair of Daryl Hall and John Oates has churned out hits, from the blue-eyed soul of "Rich Girl" to the undeniable groove of "Maneater"—and has won countless fans worldwide doing so. The pair first met in 1967 at the Adelphi Ballroom in Center City and bonded over a love of music and their mutual enrollment at Temple University. Their first record, Whole Oats, dropped in 1972 and marked the start of a 40+ year career, which resulted in 17 original albums, 13 million records sales, and six number one singles—in addition to countless sold-out concerts, accolades, and younger bands who cite them as an influence. These days, both members are in their 60s, but still rocking—proving that even as they age, they'll never be out of touch.
8:00 at the Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow Sts., $40–$100. Tickets available here.
Tuesday, October 8: Palma Violets + SKATERS
Two of your fave new bands! Palma Violets hail from Britain and write snarky, quirky rockers à la the Arctic Monkeys (back in their Favourite Worst Nightmare days) or The Kinks and were recently crowned NME's best new band of 2013. Their debut record 180 spurred several hits across the pond, including the anthemic "Best of Friends." Judging from the energy in this video, this should be a real rager! Plus show up early for openers SKATERS, a.k.a. NYC's most laidback rockers. Inspired by skate culture, '70s punk, and life in the Big Apple, these dudes will make you wanna dance (even if you don't know how.) Tuesdays at the Boot have never been livelier.
9:00 at Boot & Saddle, 1131 S. Broad St., $13–15. Tickets available here.