The best fall concerts in Philadelphia

Fall is when live music moves indoors, and that will be true again this year, even as the pandemic persists and sites adopt COVID-19 protocols to try to keep it safe.

It’s still festival season, with the XPoNential Music Festival this weekend in Camden and star-studded Firefly in Delaware from September 23-26. But as the amphitheater and outdoor hours wind down, the action moves to clubs, theaters and arenas.

Besides the shows featured below, others of note include J. Cole at the Wells Fargo Center and Wesley Stace at the City Winery, both on September 29, Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin at the Wells Fargo Center and St. Vincent at the Met Philly. , both on October 13, and Asleep at the wheel of Philly-area native Ray Benson at the Keswick Theater on October 21.

Sold-out shows that will send fans rushing to aftermarket sources include Leon Bridges on September 27 and Philly songwriter Lucy Dacus on October 20 and 21 (both at Union Transfer) and the Philly band Dr. Dog, who sold five dates. at three locations leading up to New Year’s Eve.

A note on comedy: John Mulaney is playing not one, but 14 shows at the Academy of Music in a run that begins October 1. All but one are complete. And Jamie Foxx is at the Met Philadelphia on October 15th.

Most of the highlighted shows require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, but spectators should check with each venue first.

The North Carolina folk-rock group led by Scott and Seth Avett will be joined by Dave Hause of Roxborough, who is releasing his country-flavored album Harmony of blood October 22. (September 21, $ 39- $ 84, Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Ave, 215-546-7400, manncenter.org) 🎟️ To buy tickets

The independent trio Hoboken is on tour behind Sleepless night, an EP produced in collaboration with Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara, and We sometimes have amnesia, a set of improvised instruments. (Sept. 21, $ 25, union transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street, 215-232-2100, utphilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Frances Quinlan of Hop Along never had the opportunity to tour behind her beautiful 2020 solo album, Likewise, so ideally, she’ll taste it at the Anchor, which brings indie rock to the Jersey Shore. (September 22, $ 20, Anchor Rock Club, 247 S. New York Ave., Atlantic City, 609-808-4990, anchorockclub.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

The Soothing Album by Philadelphia Songwriter Tiffany Majette Save some space for me was released in March 2020. She finally gets to play it live, at this show and the next day at Firefly. (September 22, $ 16- $ 18, The Foundry at the Fillmore, 29 Allen Street Allen, 215-309-0150, thefillmorephilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

The Dover, Del. Rally is back with big names: Billie Eilish and Phoebe Bridgers perform on Thursday, and the Killers (who are also at Franklin Music Hall on September 22), Tame Impala and Lizzo are on the next three nights. . (Sep 23-26, $ 119- $ 259, The Woodlands, 1131 N. DuPont Hwy, Dover, DE, 800-441-7723, fireflyfestival.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

New Orleans culture is all about letting the good times unfold in the face of problems and conflicts, and Big Freedia embodies that spirit. The Bounce Queen will start a party on South Street. (September 28, $ 26- $ 28, TLA, 333 South Street, 215-922-1011, tlaphilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

The country soul singer presents his All-American Road Show in Camden. Marcus King Band and Caylee Hammack open. (Oct. 1 $ 39- $ 99, Pavillon BB&T, 1 Harbor Blvd, Camden, 856-365-1300, livenation.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

The all-local PMF is back in person this year, with multi-act shows at World Cafe Live, Johnny Brenda’s, MilkBoy Philly, REC Philly and Ardmore Music Hall. Nineteen groups play, including a WCL opening show that includes Alex G, Spirit of the Beehive and three groups with Moor Mother and a Hop Along date at JB’s. (Oct 6-10, $ 25- $ 39, five sites, phillymusicfest.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Eric Church may have crossed the line when he released two albums – Heart and Soul – earlier this year. But self-confidence serves Church well on stage, where her marathons kick in a quick kick that is often lacking in mainstream country. (October 9, $ 25- $ 165, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 215-336-3600, wellsfargocenterphilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

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On the Individualist tour, the Upper Darby native – and soon to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – will play side 1 of his 1973 album. A wizard, a real star the first night and side 2 the second. (More: hits.) (Oct 11-12, $ 55- $ 75, The Fillmore, 29 E. Allen Street, 215-309-0150, thefillmorephilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Willow Smith’s mother, Jada Pinkett Smith, once played in a nu-metal band, and now the “Whip My Hair” singer has ditched R&B for rock on her new album. lately I feel EVERYTHING. (Oct 12, $ 67 to $ 205, TLA, 332 South Street, 215-922-1011, tlaphilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

The Penn graduate, who was one of the first bands to perform at the Met when it opened in 2018, returns with his Bigger Love tour. (Oct 13, $ 64 to $ 204, The Met Philadelphia, 858 N. Broad St., 800-653-8000, metphilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Philadelphia’s loss was Austin’s gain when Tim Showalter, who records as Strand of Oaks, migrated to Texas. The Prodigal Son returns in support of his album, In Paradise, due October 1st. (Oct. 13, $ 22, union transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street, 215-232-2100, utphilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie has built a global following with his Tough Cookies Breakouts from his South Philly home. Now he’s on tour with a makeover band to support the superb Private life. (Oct 14, $ 30 to $ 32.50, The Fillmore, 29 E. Allen Street, 215-309-0150, thefillmorephilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Katie Crutchfield has lived in Philly for several years over the past decade, but grew up in Alabama. She fully bonded with her southern roots last year on Saint Cloud, his best album. The second show is sold out. (Oct. 15 and 19, $ 22, union transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street, 215-232-2100, utphilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

With his triple LP 2015 Epic, saxophonist Kamasi Washington has become the rare jazz musician to break through to rock audiences. He opened for Herbie Hancock at the Met in 2019 and is returning to headlining. (October 20, $ 39 to $ 105, The Met Philadelphia, 858 Broad Street North., 800-653-8000, metphilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

The funk group is on tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their great debut in 1995 last year A typical Venezuelan and indigenous dance group. (Oct 23, $ 18- $ 49, Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E. Lancaster Avenue., 610-649-8389, ardmoremusichall.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Grammy and Oscar winning singer Gabriella Wilson performs at the Met on a busy weekend – Elvis Costello is on site the next night. She’s on tour behind her new In the back of my mind. (23 Oct, $ 59- $ 139, The Met Philadelphia, 858 N. Broad St., 800-653-8000, metphilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Cool indie project with Orlando, Florida, the band of the Tonstartssbandht brothers and cosmic cowboy Dougie Poole. (Oct 26, $ 15, Kung Fu tie, 1250 N. Front Street, 215-291-4919, kungfunecktie.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Mavis Staples killed in Questlove’s Summer of the soul. Fifty-two years after that performance, she is still a vital creative force, most recently highlighted on We manage, his 2019 album with Ben Harper. (Oct 26-27, $ 95- $ 125, City Winery, 990 Filbert Street, 215-479-7373, citywinery.com/philadelphia) 🎟️ To buy tickets

The Runaways co-founder is a true believer who always delivers her hymn “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” without a hint of irony. (Oct 29, $ 59-99, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, 609-449-1000, hardrockhotelatlanticcity.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

The Philadelphia punk trio led by Marisa Dabice wrote the songs performed by the band in Easttown mare. They’ll be singing them headlining at the club where they opened for Japanese breakfast this summer. (Oct 29, $ 18, union transfer, 1026 Spring Garden Street, 215-232-2100, utphilly.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Over last year Quickies, Stephin Merritt sang songs ranging from 17 seconds to 2 minutes and 35 seconds. It won’t take long, so he will shoot from his 69 love songs opus too. (November 2-4, $ 55 to $ 90, 990 Filbert Street, 267-479-7373, citywinery.com/philadelphia) 🎟️ To buy tickets

The dynamic Chicago blues guitarist is still an exciting performer at 85. (November 4, $ 25- $ 65, Parx Casino, 2999 Street Road, Bensalem, 888-588-7279, parxcasino.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

The great Tuareg desert blues ensemble has mastered trance-inducing guitar music. The last time in Philly, Kurt Vile sat down. (November 6, $ 25, Underground arts, 1200 Callowhill, 215-627-1332, undergroundarts.org) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Cameroonian-American songwriter Laetitia Tamko plays the Fishtown gastropub. (Nov 18, $ 20, at Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Avenue., 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Thelonious Monk-enthusiastic Terry Adams is the only original member, but the Q remains a fabulous live band. Members of Sun Ra Arkestra often attend concerts in the Philly area. (Nov. 20, $ 35- $ 50, Salon at 35 East, 35 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, 610-331-5459, salonà35east.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

Wu-Tang Clan members who made great solo albums, GZA Liquid swords, Raekwon Only built 4 Cuban Linx and Ghostface Supreme clientele. (November 21, $ 49.50, Franklin Music Hall, 7th and Willow St., 215-727-1332, bowerypresents.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

The powerful singer whose signature is “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” brings her holiday show to Glenside. (Dec 17, $ 39- $ 69, Keswick Theater, 291 N. Keswick Avenue Glenside, 215-572-7650, keeswicktheatre.com) 🎟️ To buy tickets

»READ MORE: For more information, check out our Complete Guide to the Fall Arts