Five Shows To See This December In Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As you rush through the hectic whirlwind of the holidays this month, consider taking a moment to treat yo self. Sure you've got a long stretch of wrapping-papercuts and strategic Elf placement ahead of you, but your ability to "even" would be greatly increased if you took a night to get NSFW with Miley in-person or jam out with that guy from The Black Keys. Here are five times you should tell the Target Gingerbread Man that the forecast calls for music.
Saturday December 5th – Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz at Electric Factory
Another year is coming to a close and we're still talking about Miley Cyrus. We saw more of Cyrus (literally) in 2015 than ever before. A boob and a blow-up with Nicki Minaj at the VMAs only set the table for her free album with The Flaming Lips, who now play along with Miley through every costume change and ode to former four-legged friends. The album is a rough listen, but the spectacle is worth it. This month she jams all of her THC fantasies into Philadelphia's Electric Factory for a sold out show.
Friday December 11th – The Get Up Kids at The Trocadero
There have been a lot of ups and downs for The Get Up Kids since their humble Kansas City beginnings twenty years ago. The highlight being the timeless 1999 album Something To Write Home About – which was a logical next step for the era's high school and college kids after the gateway drugs of Weezer and Green Day began to wear off. What followed were a few left turns musically, extended breaks, reunions, and now finally a celebration of the band's twentieth year together. Although always associated with words like "emo" and "pop punk", The Get Up Kids at their core are just a sincere rock band when in their purest form. This month they commemorate the big two-zero at The Trocadero.
Friday December 11th – Grace Potter at The Fillmore
Grace Potter is raw power – a dynamic howl that now you can dance to. This year the singer released Midnight - her first step away from her band The Nocturnals – that finds her more on the neon dancefloor than the bourbon-soaked barroom. She's gone pop, but still has some ragged rock left in her. Her voice is incredible no matter what's behind her, and should sound great rattling around the newly-opened Fillmore.
Wednesday December 16th – The Arcs at The Fillmore
One of the best albums of 2015 belongs to Dan Auerbach and The Arcs. Yours, Dreamily gives you just enough of Auerbach's main squeeze The Black Keys, but leaves him enough room to explore the full spectrum of his influences. It's killer and you should listen to it, or just see it this month at The Fillmore.
Saturday December 19th – Beach Slang at First Unitarian Church
With all the buzz surrounding Philadelphia bands this year, perhaps no one has been more raved about than Beach Slang. The Replacements-esque hard-charging infectious band has gotten accolades from every corner of the music-loving internet and it's only going to get louder. Seeing them in the friendly confines of "the church" is a can't miss. Be ready to sweat more than you thought possible in December.