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May 11, 2015 at 4:02pm PDT
Philadelphia’s live music scene sizzles all summer, but this month drops some seriously hot shows you won’t want to miss in the City of Brotherly Love.
With the upcoming Fourth of July weekend and an incredible lineup of talent performing in Philly throughout the month, July might just be the prime time to catch live music in Philadelphia.
Kicking off with the city's signature Independence Day celebration, the Wawa Welcome America! Philly 4th of July Jam returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with a massive free concert headlined by The Roots, Miguel, Jennifer Nettles and more.
Also returning in July, WXPN's three-day alternative rock bash XPoNential Music Festival takes place across three stages at two venues along the Delaware River waterfront in Camden, NJ from July 24 through 26.
In addition to these two must-hit events, we've pulled together this list of more than a dozen shows that are going down in and around Philadelphia this month. Indie rock, R&B/soul, pop, alternative or hip-hop if you're looking for it, Philly's got it.
Read on for our top picks for live music in Philadelphia in July.
LGBT Civil Rights Movement 50th Anniversary Concert
Friday, July 3, 5 p.m., Festival Pier, 601 N. Columbus Boulevard, $27.90
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Gay Rights Movement with a July 4th-weekend concert on the Philly waterfront. Hosted by Aubrey O'Day and Shannon Bex of dance/pop duo Dumblonde, this show features performances by FANCY, GoGo Morrow, Roxxy Starr, Adore Delano, Jonathan Allen from America's Got Talent and many more. MORE INFO
Philly 4th of July Jam & Fireworks
Saturday, July 4, 711 p.m., The Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Free
Celebrate America's birthday with the "Largest Free Concert in America." Starting at 7 p.m., The Philly 4th of July Jam concert, anchored by Philly hometown heroes The Roots, kicks off with performance by R&B/pop star Miguel, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, pop group MKTO and singer/songwriter Zella Day. The show culminates with a stunning fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. MORE INFO
Patti LaBelle
Thursday, July 9, 7 p.m., Dell Music Center, 2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive, $25-$75
This year, the Dell Music Center in Fairmount Park launches the 2015 Essence of Entertainment Summer Concert Series with an all-star Philadelphia lineup that includes saxophone phenom Pamela Williams, touring trombonist Jeff Bradshaw and the original R&B/soul diva, Patti LaBelle. Together, these notable talents will create an unforgettable evening of live music under the Philadelphia summer sky. MORE INFO
One of the city’s most popular July 4th events are the spectacular fireworks above the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia)
More music picks, below.
Foo Fighters
Monday July 6 & 13, 7 p.m., Susquehanna Bank Center, Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbor Boulevard, Camden, NJ, $56-$90
Fresh off the release of a new album and accompanying HBO miniseries, both entitled Sonic Highways, the Foo Fighters add two Philadelphia dates to their ongoing stadium tour. A love letter to American music, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl recorded the project in historic studios across the country. For the tour, the band will play music from the new release, along with some old fan favorites and covers. MORE INFO
Idina Menzel
Thursday, July 16, 7 p.m., The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue, $29.50-$125
The star of Broadway smash hits Rent and Wicked, and the voice behind the multi-platinum hit "Let it Go" from Disney's Frozen, Idina Menzel comes to The Mann this summer. For this one-night-only affair, Menzel will take her audience on a special journey through classic pop performances, musical theater favorites and songs from her own personal catalog of music. MORE INFO
Neil Young and Promise of the Real
Thursday, July 16, 7:30 p.m., Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Boulevard, Camden, NJ, $34.50-$154.50
Rocker Neil Young is on the road touring with Promise of the Real, a band comprised of Willie Nelson's sons Lukas and Micah, in support of their just-released album, The Monsanto Years. For the Philadelphia stop of this U.S. tour, Young lands at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ for a one-nighter. MORE INFO
The Dell Music Center continues its Essence of Entertainment summer concert series with a performance by Al Jarreau and David Sanborn on August 21 and a Funk concert on August 28. (Photo by D. King for Visit Philadelphia)
Floetry
Friday, July 17, 8 p.m., The TLA, 334 South Street, $25
After disbanding to pursue careers as solo acts, the soulful Philadelphia-born music duo Floetry reunites for a can't-miss summer tour. On Friday, July 17, catch the "Songstress" Marsha Ambrosius and the "Floacist" Natalie Stewart at popular South Street music venue The TLA. MORE INFO
Neon Trees
Tuesday, July 21, 8 p.m., The TLA, 334 South Street, $25
On July 21, American pop/rock sensation Neon Trees stops in Philadelphia on the second leg of its U.S. summer tour. For the An Intimate Night Out With Neon Trees Tour, the band will perform music from each of their three albums, including their most-recent studio project, Pop Pyschology, which was released in spring 2014. MORE INFO
Babyface, Toni Braxton & Mint Condition
Thursday, July 23, 7 p.m., Dell Music Center, 2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive, $20-$75
This month, music legends Babyface, Toni Braxton and Mint Condition will hit the Dell Music Center for an unbelievable throwback R&B concert. Together, these R&B/soul greats will sing fans down memory lane with their classic hits like “Unbreak My Heart,” “Pretty Brown Eyes” and “When Can I See You Again.” MORE INFO
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Sep 27, 2014 at 3:20pm PDT
2015 XPoNential Music Festival
July 24-26, Wiggins Park (Mickle Street at Riverside Drive) & the Susquehanna Bank Center (1 Harbour Boulevard) in Camden, NJ, $25-$150
A annual staple of the Philadelphia summer music season, the XPoNential Music Festival returns with an awesome assortment of alternative rock playing across three stages at two venues on the Delaware River waterfront in Camden, NJ. The 2015 performance highlights include sets by Indigo Girls, Calexico, My Morning Jacket, Grace Potter, St. Vincent, George Ezra and many more. MORE INFO
Ariana Grande with Prince Royce
Wednesday, July 29, 7:30 p.m., Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street, $20-$79.50
A teen star turned pop sensation, Ariana Grande first burst on to the scene in 2010, wowing audiences with her powerful vocals and unstoppable, soul-laced music. Her 2013 debut, Yours Truly, which was produced by celebrated songwriter Babyface, won the star millions of fans worldwide and paved the way for her 2014 smash hit "Problem." Catch her live on July 29 with an opening performance by singer/songwriter Prince Royce. MORE INFO
PJ Morton & Aaron Camper
Thursday, July 30, 8 p.m., World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, $20-$25
Maroon 5 keyboardist and backing vocalist PJ Morton performs at World Cafe Live in University City this month. A GRAMMY-, Dove- and Stellar Award-winning producer, songwriter and solo artist, Morton's July 30 show will include an opening performance by Philly’s own Aaron Camper, a globetrotting band member for major acts like Jill Scott and Justin Timberlake. MORE INFO
Miguel
Friday, July 31, 8:30pm, The TLA, 334 South Street, $36
After headlining this year's Philly 4th of July Jam alongside The Roots, Jennifer Nettles and others, R&B/pop sensation Miguel returns to Philadelphia for a headlining concert at The TLA. Miguel fans can catch the singer for second time as he hits Philly with his Wildheart Tour, supporting his latest album of the same name. MORE INFO
WXPN’s XPoNential Music Festival hits the Camden Waterfront with three full days of live music on multiple stages. (Photo courtesy Xponential Music Festival)