It’s officially fall this weekend, so get ready for the layers to get added and sweaters to come out in full force. It also means for the most part that the outdoor shows are over, but there is still plenty going on in the region in terms of concerts. In fact, it’s one of the busiest times of the year with the fresh crop of new albums coming out and the bands on the road in support of them. Here’s some of the biggest and best coming to the region over the next few months:
Wells Fargo Center
The Wells Fargo Center kicks off the fall season with a great pop bill featuring Halsey with Charlie XCX and Partynextdoor on Oct. 7. The following night, the classic lineup of Guns N’ Roses, which has been ridiculously triumphant as it steamrolled stadiums around the globe for the past year and a half, scales it down slightly for the arena tour. Bruno Mars dances his way into the venue Oct. 10 and Katy Perry will “Swish Swish” across the stage Oct. 12 with Noah Cyrus opening.
October rolls on with the Power 99 Powerhouse indoor festival with Rick Ross, French Montana, Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert and many more on the 27th. Then Fall Out Boy close out the month Oct. 29. Nov. 2 has Imagine Dragos with support from K. Flay and Grouplove and Nov. 13 will see the long-awaited return of Janet Jackson to the stage. Dead & Company will be the final show of the month on Nov. 16.
It starts to quiet down for the holidays, but not without some seasonal shows in December like Andrea Bocelli on Dec. 18 and the annual Trans-Siberian Orchestra spectacular Dec. 17.
BB&T Pavilion
Across the river in Camden, the BB&T Pavilion is all but silent this fall; though when it does come alive, it brings the noise. Oct. 7 has the annual Rock Allegiance Festival set to shake the building to its foundations with Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Mastodon, Halestorm and He Is Legend among the big names, and the smaller acts nothing to sneeze at with Five Finger Death Punch, Steel Panther, In This Moment, Gojira and August Burns Red among them. Many more metal acts appear on the bill as well. Exactly one month later, Nov. 7, A Perfect Circle will be there, bringing their progressive style of metal to the masses.
Electric Factory
The big old block building runs strong over the next several weeks. Little Steven will be in town Oct. 1 and The Kooks a couple of nights later on Oct. 3. Later in the month has industrial legends Ministry in the Factory alongside Death Grips. The Celtic punkers of Flogging Molly will have Anti-Flag with them Nov. 3 and Seattle electronic duo Odesza will being doing a three-night stand Nov. 20, 21 and 22. A few nights later, Thrice and Circa Survive are on a double-bill for two shows Nov. 24 and 25. For a complete list of shows, visit www.electricfactory.info
The Trocadero
There might be the most interesting lineup in the region this fall, and so much of it is Halloween appropriate. Techno/industrial outfit Lords of Acid return Oct. 27, the costumed, blood spewing characters in Gwar will be grossing everyone out Oct. 29 and, finally, horror master and director of the classic Halloween John Carpenter will be performing his musical compositions Nov. 18. True to its name, the Troc is always rocking, and a full list of shows can be found at www.thetroc.com
Theatre of Living Arts
South Street remains jumping year round courtesy of the TLA, and this season is no different. The original Modfather, and former leader of The Jam, Paul Weller is in town Oct. 4. Andrew W.K. continues his endless party Oct. 11 and The Toadies team up with Local H for a slice of ’90s nostalgia Oct. 19.
November at the Theatre will guitar shredder Yngwie Malmsteen laying down fiery solos on the 7th, and there’s a double dose of metal with Hatebreed Nov. 24 and Cannibal Corpse Nov. 30. December has Philly’s own Beach Slang returning to the venue Dec. 2 and the hip-hop of Matishyahu Dec. 16. Head over to www.tlaphilly.com for a full rundown of TLA gigs.
The Fillmore
The Fillmore has become the place to play over the last couple of years. Kesha will be there Oct. 7, Ben Folds Oct. 20, The Shins Nov. 4 – and that’s just a few of the big names. HIM are bringing their farewell tour there Nov. 15 and LCD Soundsystem plan to pull off a three-night stand Dec. 5, 6 and 7. For a complete listing of shows there, check out www.thefillmorephilly.com
Santander Arena
It’s kind of quiet at Reading’s Santander Arena, but Alabama will be there Oct. 27 and for those who can’t make the BB&T Pavilion gig, A Perfect Circle are playing Nov. 4. Marc Anthony arrives Nov. 10 and neoclassical favorites Mannheim Steamroller will bring out the holiday classics Dec. 8.
Santander Performing Arts Center
Next door at the Performing Arts Center, Red Hot Chili Pipers get the bagpipes going Oct. 1 and later in the month, Oct. 29, the bearded banditos ZZ Top show up. Russian born singer songwriter Regina Spektor is in town November 8 and the fall concerts come to a close there with classic rock’s Kansas Dec. 16.
Sellersville Theater 1894
There’s a stacked lineup for the Sellersville Theater this fall. Wishbone Ash will be there Sept. 27, James Hunter Six Oct. 7, Nick Lowe Oct. 16 and Los Lonely Boys Nov. 4. There’s much more than that too; visit www.st94.com for the venue’s full list of gigs.
Keswick TheatreOver in Glenside, the Keswick is always making the best of their acoustics with Ani DiFranco Oct. 1, America Oct. 21 and local favorites The Hooters doing their annual holiday shows Nov. 3 and 4. Other highlights include Squeeze Nov. 17 and Shadow of the ’60s – A Tribute to Motown on Dec. 16.
To contact music columnist Michael Christopher, send an email to rockmusicmenu@hotmail.com. Also, check out his blog at www.delcotimes.com.
