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 Aug. 27:
Authority Zero – Aug. 27 at Kung Fu Necktie
Since 1994 Authority Zero has been bringing their unique signature blend of anthemic melodic-punk and reggae to the masses. A lot has changed in the 20 plus years since the band got their start, yet they’ve found a way to persist and thrive in today’s ever-changing music world. Now, the future remains as bright as ever. Eager to continue to move forward, they’ve just released their sixth full-length album, Broadcasting to the Nations.
Old Dominion – Aug. 27 at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks
Proving that they are not your average country band, Old Dominion blends old-fashioned country charm, lyrical wit and rock and roll grit into radio-friendly, hook-heavy pop nuggets. They emerged as one of the hottest breaking bands in country music, fusing clever lyrics and an infectious sound. Two days before the Bethlehem gig will see the second OD album come out, which has already been generating a strong amount of buzz with the first single, “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart.”
PJ Morton – Aug. 29 at World Cafe Live – Downstairs
There’s no place like home, especially for New Orleans natives … which is what Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton was telling himself in 2016 when he moved back there last year after a whirlwind career that also saw him work with Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes. Back on his own, he got to work on what would become Gumbo, composed on vintage instruments and brought to a simmer with dashes of R&B groove, hip-hop bounce, and a whole lot of his signature soul across the 10 tracks.
Scott H. Birham – Aug. 30 at Kung Fu Necktie
“Rock ‘n’ Roll ain’t pretty” goes the old saying, and neither is Scott H. Biram. The self-proclaimed ‘Dirty Old One Man Band’ successfully, and sometimes violently, smashes together blues, hillbilly and country precariously to raucous punk and godless metal. Years of non-stop touring have honed his assault to a fine edge; his singing, yodeling, growling, leering and brash preachin’ and hollerin’ is accompanied by sloppy riffs and licks from his ’59 Gibson guitar and pounding backbeat brought forth by his amplified left foot. It’s quite the sight to see.
Green Day – Aug. 31 at BB&T Pavilion
Green Day have risen from snotty nosed punk kids who weren’t much more than an annoying joke in the early 90s to one of the most durable and socially conscious acts in music – all without losing their credibility, punk rock ethos and, most importantly, talent. Last year’s LP Revolution Radio further cemented the fact that this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trio still have much more to offer.
I Love the 90’s – The Party Continues Tour – Sept. 1 at BB&T Pavilion
This year’s edition of the I Love the 90’s tour is excellent. TLC are back with all those hits plus songs from their new – and final – album which came out this past June. Joining them on this date will be Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Snap!, C + C Music Factory and Naughty by Nature. So put on your neon anything, pack the Zima for some tailgating and head over to Camden for a blast of nostalgia.
Budweiser Made in America Festival – Sept. 2 and 3 on The Ben Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia’s very own music festival has a great lineup over the two days of Budweiser Made in America. Over two nights on the Parkway, fans will see the well-known likes of Run the Jewels, Solange, DMX, Beach Slang and, of course, headliner and curator Jay Z. Up and comers like Netsky, Nick Grant, Lizzo and Karen Rodriguez will be out to make a name for themselves too. Set across multiple stages with tons of food vendors, beer gardens and more, it’s like there’s no reason to even consider those costly, travel heavy destination festivals.
