10 concerts to see this week including Carsie Blanton, Sunny War, Slaughter Beach, Dog and more

With the local live music scene continuing to heat up, we here at The Key are bringing back our weekly concert roundups to let you know who’s playing this week’s best shows and why you should see them. This week’s roster ranges from classic prog, to classic R&B, to modern rock and emo, and from small bars to big amphitheaters. Read on for more, mask up before you go, and make sure to check out each venue’s COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

Tuesday 9/7: King Crimson at The Mann

The parking lot might serve as an unofficial meeting spot for the Philly Prog Rock Cabal, but tonight’s concert at The Mann will show why King Crimson’s ever-futuristic musicianship continues to influence artists from Tame Impala to Kanye West. Bonus music nerd points: The Zappa Band opens. // 7:30 p.m., $40 – $155, AA // TIX + INFO – John Vettese

Thursday 9/9: En Vogue at The Keswick Theatre

Oakland’s favorite funky divas are back in effect and on the road for these late pandemic times. From their Salt N Pepa collab “Whatta Man” to powerhouse jams like “Free Your Mind,” En Vogue ruled the early 90s, and with founding members Terri Ellis and Cindy Herron still in the fold, they’ll play The Keswick in Glenside on Thursday. // 8 p.m. $39.50 – $79.50, AA // TIX + INFO – J.V.

Thursday 9/9: Carsie Blanton at Tellus360

If you missed out on getting tickets to singer-songwriter Carsie Blanton’s sold out November show at World Cafe Live, fear not — the Virginia-to-Philly-to-New-Orleans-to-Philly artist plays this Thursday night at Lancaster’s Tellus360. Her new album Love and Rage draws inspiration from the turbulent political and social climate of recent years, but spins those themes into poppy folk / jazz ear candy; she talked a lot about its themes of fighting the status quo at her virtual Free at Noon concert, which you can watch below. // 8 p.m., $20, 21+ // TIX + INFO – J.V.

Friday 9/10: Humilitarian at The Khyber

Led by commanding frontperson Kira Cappello and featuring Brendan Clarke on guitar, Tucker Pendleton on bass, and Elijah Glovas-Kurtz on drums, Humilitarian is one of the best new live acts on the Philly scene right now. Their shimmering modern rock is equal parts emo and psychedelic, and their big refrains will have you shouting along for days. For this gig at The Khyber upstairs, the band is joined by Brothers, The Living Strange, and another exciting new Philly band, the garage-psych outfit Delay 77 // 8:30 p.m., $10, 21+ // TIX + INFO – J.V.

Friday 9/10: Sunny War at People’s Light

Singer-songwriter Sunny War caught our ear a few NON-COMMs ago with a raw and emotive set, and her punk-inspired acoustic songwriting has been exciting to explore in the time since. Her latest album, Simple Syrup, released in March, and Sunny War is making the touring rounds this fall, with two regional shows this week. Friday night, she plays the People’s Light drive-in concert experience so you and a carload of friends can pull up and watch it from a safe social distance. If you prefer the less automotive setting, she also plays Lancaster’s Tellus360 on Saturday night; tickets and more information on that show can be found here. // 6:30 p.m., $75 per car, AA // TIX + INFO – J.V.

Friday 9/10 through Sunday 9/12: Grace Vonderkuhn, Lizdelise and more at Chester County Balloon Fest

The three-day Chester County Baloon Fest returns this weekend to Kennett Square, and this year features an exciting musical component (which, full disclosure, was programmed by Paige Walter of The Key and Cherry-Veen Zine). With three days of live sets from folks like Grace Vonderkuhn, Taylor Kelly, Lizdelise, Koof, Tubey Frank and more, it’s like the exciting outdoor concert energy of Sunflower Philly and Shady Grove Music Fest is being taken and transported to Willowdale Steeplechase Grounds. // times vary, $20 per day, AA // TIX + INFO– J.V.

Friday 9/10: Church Girls, Trash Boy, Cult Objects at PhilaMOCA

Indie rockers Church Girls kick off their 2021 fall tour this Friday the 10th at PhilaMOCA with Trash Boy and Cult Objects. The last time Church Girls and Trash Boy shared a stage was February 2020 at Johnny Brenda’s, just days before the world shut down. Now they’re both back for a rowdy return with Cult Objects, otherwise known as “your favorite West Philly wine moms.” And there’s no better spot to drink wine at a show than PhilaMOCA. // 8 p.m., $12, AA // TIX + INFO – Paige Walter

Friday 9/10: Ron Gallo and Becca Mancari at The Foundry

Years-long Philly music fans remember Ron Gallo from Toy Soldiers, before his move to Nashville and before he spent the summer of 2021 touring Italy. During his time in Nashville, the bright and sunny songwriter met fellow indie star Becca Mancari. The pair start their two-month tour on September 10th at Philly’s The Foundry with this not-to-be-missed show. // 7 p.m., $18, AA // TIX + INFO – P.W.

Friday 9/10 and Saturday 9/11: Loser Fest with Ali Awan, Sixteen Jackies and more at Ortlieb’s

Born Losers Records takes over Ortlieb’s once again for this mini festival on September 10th and 11th. Night one features Ali Awan, who sold out Sunflower Philly for his record release show back in June. Fans will be jumping at a chance to see Awan on a more intimate stage like Ortlieb’s. And don’t miss night two with headliners Sixteen Jackies, whose brand of nostalgic-queer-horror-rock n’ roll you have to see to believe. Born Losers Records’ Christopher Radawanski and Michael Cammarata know how to pick ‘em, so indie fans need not be worried about committing to these two dates. // 8 p.m., $15, 21+ // TIX + INFO [FRI], TIX + INFO [SAT] – P.W.

Saturday 9/11: Slaughter Beach, Dog, Gladie, and Hurry at Union Transfer

Jake Ewald, formerly of Modern Basebally, is making strides with his own indie rock group Slaughter, Beach Dog, who is reportedly very close to selling out Union Transfer this weekend. The Lame-O Records band will up with labelmates Hurry and Gladie (fronted by Cayetana singer Augusta Koch) for this friendly all-Philly bill. It’s the kind of special show that could’ve occurred years ago in a basement, but has since graduated to the 1,200 person capacity hall of Union Transfer. Few tickets are left for this show, which is sure to give Slaughter, Beach Dogs fans memories for years to come. Watch below to see Slaughter, Beach Dog perform XPN’s Virtual Free At Noon Concert from February. // 8 p.m., $18, AA // TIX + INFO – P.W.