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Fall concert season, incoming!
The days of sweating it out in the lawn section are over (for now). We’re ready to cozy up in our favorite clubs and mingle at arena shows while catching our favorite acts this fall throughout the Philadelphia region.
Speaking of arena shows, The Killers, Lizzo and Post Malone are all slated to dazzle crowds at the Wells Fargo Center.
For more intimate experiences, don’t miss Girlpool’s farewell show at Underground Arts or hometown hero Alex G at Union Transfer.
If you were thinking of catching Pavement, Weird Al or Kansas, we’re sorry to inform you you’ll have to wait until next time: They’re sold out.
Below, find our guide to the top concerts for fall 2022 in Greater Philadelphia, all taking place between the first and last days of fall (i.e. September 22 and December 20, 2022).
Lovers of ‘90s alt-rock, unite: The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction team up for a doubleheader in South Philly. The Pumpkins are working on a 33-song sequel to Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and Machina, but hopefully you have plenty of material to hold you over until then.
Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad Street
Indie-turned-mainstream mainstays Tegan and Sara helped define an era of early 2000s coming-of-age music. Though they’re a little older, Tegan and Sara’s music still has the same emotional resonance and their new album, Crybaby, coming this fall, has some heartfelt doozies like Faded Like A Feeling.
Where: Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street
Bringing the sound of New Orleans to venues nationwide for over 50 years, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band gets audiences on their feet with electrifying strikes of trombone, trumpet, saxophone, piano, drums, tuba and double bass.
Where: Miller Theater, 250 S. Broad Street
On Bodboy — his first work following his release from prison — Bobby Shmurda lets loose and makes music to dance and vibe to. Hoochie Daddy has a driving, bouncy beat, while On God begins with tense rhymes and breaks into a trap release. See it all come to life at The Fillmore.
Where: The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen Street
After nine years of silence, Conor Oberst’s critically beloved Bright Eyes reemerged and released their first new music in 2020. Since then, we’ve gotten a new album (Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was), reissues of their first nine albums (accompanied by new re-recordings) and now an expansive tour that has had them performing live for most of the year.
Philadelphia’s first son of DIY bedroom rock is all grown up now, and his brand-new album God Save The Animals features confident showings like Cross The Sea — featuring both autotune and acoustic guitar — and Runner. This is the third and final show as part of Alex G’s three-night stand in Callowhill; the first two nights are sold out.
Motown legend Smokey Robinson performs just a handful of dates this fall, and luckily Philly’s on that list. Out of his extensive repertoire, hits like You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me and The Tears of a Clown are sure to get the crowd going.
Where: The Met Philadelphia, 858 N. Broad Street
With ample eyeliner and a flair for ’70s-inspired glam rock, these Italian rockers — who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021 — are a breath of fresh air on Top 40 radio, where guitars can be lacking.
Where: The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 East Allen Street
Two of Motown’s defining acts — The Temptations and The Four Tops — share a bill at the Keswick Theatre for an evening of throwback soul delights like Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone and I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch).
Where: Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside
The saxophone virtuoso celebrates the holiday season with smooth jazz renditions of seasonal standards. Love him or hate him, Kenny G’s at the top of his game.
Where: Rivers Casino Philadelphia, 1001 N. Delaware Avenue
As a part of the Kimmel’s Nightlife event series, the ornately dressed jazz ensemble performs a free mid-December show. Combining a range of musical stylings, from Chicago blues to improvisation, the sonic palate never feels stale.
Where: Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad Street
Why does the fun have to end after the encore? (Spoiler alert: It doesn’t.) Book a stay at one of Philly’s great hotels to keep moving and grooving in the City of Brotherly and Sisterly Love right into the next day.
Now that you’ve got your concert plans settled, consider a pre-show meal at a hot new restaurant, checking out a street festival or big fall event or, best of all, booking an overnight stay. For more things to do in Philly (and there are always more things to do), click here.
Shotgun Willie’s got all his family there. Country legend Willie Nelson reprises his annual Outlaw Music Festival featuring a roster of A-list country acts, including Chris Stapleton, Zach Bryan, Larkin Poe, Brittney Spencer and, of course, Nelson himself.
Where: Freedom Mortgage Pavilion (formerly BB&T Pavilion), 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden, NJ
After meeting and forming the band in Los Angeles, Girlpool spent time in Philly before decamping back to the West Coast, releasing acclaimed albums What Chaos is Imaginary and this year’s Forgiveness. Unfortunately, the duo is calling it quits — but not without one final showing in their former home city.
Where: Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street
Just try and not scream-sing along to Mr. Brightside when The Killers bring their Imploding The Mirage tour to the Wells Fargo Center. With over two decades of radio-friendly rock hits, including Somebody Told Me, Human and The Man, the band knows a thing or two about epic earworms.
Where: Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street
Lucy Dacus’ skill as a lyricist and vocalist is that her songs noodle around your brain, with each subsequent listen illuminating new images and interpretations. Now based in Philly, Dacus kicks off her fall tour, the final outing behind her deeply personal 2021 album Home Video, at Franklin Music Hall.
Where: Franklin Music Hall, 421 N. 7th Street
Fresh off her Emmy win, Lizzo brings her new album Special to the Sports Complex. Full of Lizzo’s signature lyrical wordplay and uplifting pop hooks, the album’s live debut — and the entire setlist — is bound to have the entire house on their feet.
Recalling the verve of their earlier work, Death Cab For Cutie’s latest, Asphalt Meadows came about during round-robin-type writing sessions during the pandemic. Expect to hear new singles like Roman Candles and Here To Forever, plus classics I Will Follow You Into The Dark and Soul Meets Body.
A few genres and band members removed from their emo beginnings, Panic! At The Disco are bonafide rock stars now and frontman Brendan Urie is hitting all the high notes to prove it. Exhibit one: this summer’s single Viva Las Vengeance.
Harmonica solos and ’90s vibes aplenty for Blues Traveler’s 35th-anniversary tour. They’ll perform songs from their 2021 Grammy-nominated album of covers Traveler’s Blues, plus truly timeless hits Runaround and Hook.
Where: Parx Casino, 2999 Street Road, Bensalem
The crossover pop artist that indie fans love to stan, Carly Rae Jepsen brings her brand of dance pop to the Met stage. Touring in support of her sixth album The Loneliest Time, Jepsen delights in a glittery hook and quotable lyrics … you know the one. (“Hey, I just met you…”)
Even if you think you don’t know who Post Malone is, you have almost definitely heard Post Malone before: the sing-song-y trap hit Rockstar and the dreamy collab with Swae Lee Sunflower. His fourth album Twelve Carat Toothache was released this June and skews poppier with songs like Wrapped Around Your Finger and I Like You (A Happier Song).
The Florida rapper began his pursuit of the craft in his teens, and, at only 27, his output has been nothing but impressive: five albums — the latest, Melt My Eyez See Your Future, was released this year — two collaborative albums, three EPs and five mixtapes. On Melt My Eyes See Your Future, Curry emerges as a more mature, introspective lyricist.
A collective of women and non-binary musicians over 60 members deep, Resistance Revival Chorus pairs music and activism to share messages of joy, resistance and human rights. Comprised of musicians, film and television actors, Broadway performers, solo recording artists, gospel singers, political activists, educators and more, the chorus represents a wide range of identities and causes.
Where: The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue
English prog rockers Yes have been at it for over half a century (really let that sink in) and now they’re touring to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their fifth album Close To The Edge. They kick off the tour in Glenside and, over the course of two nights, audiences will hear the album in its entirety — plus other classic Yes hits.
Pace yourself: This could take all day. This local music fest — the first annual! — features a lineup of Minka, DJ Sylo, Snacktime, Ben Arsenal & Friends, Out of the Beardspace, Francisco Collazo, Rob Paine, Xtina and Wassup Gina.
Where: Front Street between Girard Avenue and Thompson Streets
Everyone knows Philly musicians do it best. This six-night affair highlights some of the city’s finest musical offerings in a variety of genres at different venues: Ardmore Music Hall (October 10-11), World Cafe Live (October 12), Johnny Brenda’s (October 13), The Dolphin (October 14), Rec Philly (October 14), Underground Arts (October 15). Philly Music Fest headliners include Mt. Joy, Low Cut Connie, Screaming Females, Shamir and Working On Dying.
Where: Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore
VIEW OTHER LOCATIONS (4)
Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Avenue
The Dolphin, 1539 S. Broad Street
REC Philly, 901 Market Street
Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street
Going back to her rougher punk roots, Demi Lovato belts and lays bare her struggles with mental health, addiction and life in the spotlight on her eighth album Holy Fvck. Reportedly her last-ever tour, Lovato performs at a smaller venue than the one she last played in 2018 — the Wells Fargo Center — but you’ll want to see this powerhouse vocalist up close anyway.
Where: The Met Philadelphia, 858 North Broad Street
Damon Albarn’s virtual band tours in the real world in support of their upcoming album Cracker Island, due out in February (and features a number of A-list features like Stevie Nicks, Thundercat, Bad Bunny, Tame Impala and more). During their two-night stand in Philly, expect a stage full of musicians and top-notch visuals.
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
Fall for Philly all over again...