Welcome to “Seven in Seven,” where each Friday we take a look at shows coming to the region over the next week. Whether your musical tastes are rock and roll, jazz, heavy metal, singer-songwriter or indie, there’ll always be something to check out in the coming days.
Here are seven of the best for the week beginning Jan. 15:
104.5 Winter Jawn – Jan. 15 at Xfinity Live
Typically, radio festival season ends sometime in December with the glut of jingle balls and almost acoustic Christmas events. Radio station 104.5 is proving anything but typical though, not only extending the season, but having it held outside of Xfinity Live, rain or shine they say. Tickets cannot be bought, they have to be won or picked up in a ticket raid. To find out when and where, you’ve got to tune in. Judging by the lineup, it’ll be worth it; Grouplove, Phantogram, LP and Civil Youth are just a few of the acts slated to perform.
The Ragbirds – Jan. 18 at Sellersville Theater 1894
Led by dynamic, energetic front woman and multi-instrumentalist Erin Zindle, the Ragbirds utilize an arsenal of instruments from around the world, making for a fusion of folk rock and pop hooks over danceable world rhythms stirred with a Celtic fiddler’s bow. Crisscrossing the nation in their converted diesel bus that runs on recycled waste vegetable oil, these festival favorites are a treat to catch when headlining, making this definitely a show to not miss.
Kings of Leon – Jan. 19 at The Wells Fargo Center
The family affair known as Kings of Leon returned in a big way last October with WALLS, their seventh studio album and first since 2013. Standing for We Are Like Love Songs, the record received mixed reviews from critics, but fans seem to love it, propelling it to a number one debut on the charts. It’s rare for a new-ish rock and roll band to step up to arenas these days, but buoyed by hits like “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody,” KOL have set a new standard other acts would love to reach.
The Marcus King Band – Jan. 20 at World Cafe Live Upstairs
Raised in Greenville, South Carolina, Marcus King was brought up on the blues, playing shows as a pre-teen sideman with his father, bluesman Marvin King, who himself was the son of a regionally-known guitarist, before striking out on his own. Going beyond the sonic textures of his acclaimed 2015 debut album, Soul Insight, the Marcus King Band broadens his sound live, touching upon everything from funky R&B to Southern soul and Americana in the process. His band gets in on the action too, stacking the songs with blasts of swampy brass, a lock-step rhythm section and swirling organ.
Jill Scott – Jan. 20 at Theatre of Living Arts
At the forefront of the neo-soul movement, Jill Scott has long been one of Philadelphia’s favorite artists. Bursting onto the scene at the turn of the millennia with Who Is Jill Scott?, she’s since become a sought after collaborator, actress and, most importantly, a live act for fans of the genre. The TLA show is a hometown event for sure, and so far, it’s one the only opportunities to catch Scott onstage this year. Hopefully, the follow-up to 2015’s Woman is on the horizon as well.
Sevyn Streeter – Jan. 21 at The Foundry
Raised outside of Orlando in the close-knit city of Haines City, Sevyn Streeter cultivated her voice in church as a young girl finding inspiration from already iconic voices in gospel, R&B and pop. Her 2012 debut single, “I Like It,” was filled with sweeping hooks, vocal runs and the type of pulsating bassline that DJs, and listeners in their car, dialed up to 11. Following two acclaimed EPs, her first studio album is due later this month, titled Girl Disrupted.
Pat Metheny – Jan. 21 at The Keswick Theatre
Sporting what is easily the coolest and wildest hair of any contemporary jazz artist, Pat Metheny has landed himself a staggering 20 Grammy Awards for his musical endeavors. Over the years, he has continued to redefine the genre by utilizing new technology and constantly working to evolve the improvisational and sonic potential of his guitar. Over the years, he has performed with artists as diverse as Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock and David Bowie. His body of work includes compositions for solo guitar, small ensembles, electric and acoustic instruments, large orchestras, ballet pieces and even the robotic instruments of his Orchestrion project.
