When local artists and businesses throughout a music scene unite as a community in celebration and support of each other, good things are the result. Philly Music Fest serves as an opportune event. What began yesterday at Johnny Brenda’s with Pissed Jeans and Soul Glo continues for the next two days at World Cafe Live. Tonight, the elegant hypnotically galvanizing pop of Vita and the Woolf, the endless boogie of Low Cut Connie, the raw and ragged, sweat-saturated, surf-infused, garage rock of The Whips, and the earnest, scene-transporting, songwriting force of Waxahatchee are among those that shape its sonic surroundings. And tomorrow, Palm cultivates an experimental push-pull, hovering between tranquil waves and frenetic, unconventional changes in direction. The melodic, eruptive, dynamic swings of The Districts, the tenacious, cosmic-rocking, riff-combusting charge of Ruby the Hatchet, and the soothing, introspective vulnerability of powerpop trio Hurry are also slated for Saturday. Come take part in this locals only weekend! – Michael Colavita

Other places where locals will be this weekend…

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Philly Music Fest: The Whips, The Mysteries, Secret American, DJ Royale/Vita and the Woolf, Waxahatchee, Low Cut Connie, SAT Philly Music Fest: Great Time, Levee Drivers, Orion Sun, Kingsley Ibeneche, Hurry, Man About A Horse/End of America, Hardwork Movement, Ruby The Hatchet, Palm, The Districts

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Worriers, Harmony Woods, Earth Telephone, SAT It's The Year 2008: DJ Emynd, Bo Bliz 

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT Beru Power Trio, SUN Storks

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI CatBite/DJSC, SAT Automatic Colors, Thank You Thank You, Tapes & Tubes/DJ Lean Wit It, SUN Brother Martin, Jane Carver

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) SUN Drums Like Machine Guns

Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) FRI Dice Raw, SAT DJ Sylo, Joshua Lang, SUN Lyve Harmon, Tray Verse

The Trocadero (1003 Arch St.) FRI (Balcony) Tony Season Show, Shawn King, SAT Steal Your Face, SUN Sean Taylor, Folk Fugitive, Andrew Montoya

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) SUN New Sound Brass Band

North Seventh (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT DJ Robert Drake, SUN Philly Bluegrass Revival: Midnight Flyer

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Craig Lynch’s 30th Birthday Party

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT Matt Cappy, SUN Derrick Hodge's Philly State of Mind, Treway & the Now Generation

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI S.T.O.P., High Reeper, SAT Jukebox Zeros, The Prisoners, Thorazine, SUN The Stone Eye

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Hootsie, Buddie/A Charity Benefit Show for United We Dream: The Stammer, Full Bush, Young Pilgrims, SUN Birthday Boy, 3weekoldroses

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) SAT Aleana

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI Fall Fest: DJ Beatstreet, SUN New Pony

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT DJ Shawn Ryan, SUN Forever 27: A Burlesque Tribute to the Artists of the 27 Club

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Montoj, Trap Rabbit

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT James Pace Band, SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI The Lot

Century (1350 S 29^th St.) FRI Witching, Night Raids, SAT Violet Waves

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Rover, SAT The Strange Heat, Athensville(Cd Release), Parsnip Revolt, Scott McClatchey

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Echo Lad, Blueroom

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Puppy Angst, Rebecca Zimmerman, Heaven Man

Planet Phitness (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Bad Heaven Ltd, Susie Derkins, In Trouble

Named after a previous project that Katie Crutchfield had started with former Swearin’ bassist Keith Spencer, Great Thunder, the new EP from Waxahatchee, is out now via Merge Records. The sparse, piano-anchored instrumentation directs the light onto the sincerity of Crutchfield’s vocals/lyrics. One is comforted by the familiar folk setting, as a thoughtful, meditative solace the whirlwind of news from the outside world. Waxahatchee is set to perform at World Café Live on Friday, September 28, as part of Philly Music Fest.

Waxahatchee, a.k.a. Katie Crutchfield, re-awakens/imagines the material of Great Thunder, on the aptly titled Great Thunder EP, slated for release on September 7 via Merge Records. Compared to its previous, somewhat haunting incarnation, the latest take of “Chapel of Pines” captures the inherent warmth of exploring a familiar place. In its video, which was directed by Christopher Good, Crutchfield is accompanied by Kevin Morby through the midst of nature’s beauty, and together, they joyfully navigate the terrain, before building a little shelter. However, he mysteriously vanishes, and some weirdness ensues. You can catch Waxahatchee as part of the Philly Music Fest on Friday, September 28 at World Cafe Live.

We are here once again at The Deli Philly’s final post of the year. It’s been an honor getting a chance to share new music with all of you this past year (and nearly a decade), and I look forward to continuing to discover the best of Philly’s underground music community with you. And without any further ado, here is my “Best of” year-end list for my favorite Philly albums of 2017. I look forward to seeing you on the other side.

Much love – cheers!

Q.D. Tran

1. Raw Rock Fury (Relapse) – Ecstatic Vision

Ecstatic Vision weren’t joking when they decided to name their latest album, Raw Rock Fury. There are few, if not any Philly releases that can match the pure intensity and glorious shredding found on my favorite local release of 2017. And it also provides you a glimpse into the awesomeness of their live performances.

2. Rocket (Domino) – (Sandy) Alex G

With Rocket, Alex Giannascoli proves that all the adoration from the media for the young songwriter is certainly not unfounded. Using the guise of an Americana framework, he is able to craft wonderfully intimate campfire songs that make left turns at all the right places.

3. Veblen Death Mask (Kill Rock Stars) – Taiwan Housing Project

Veblen Death Mask is music without boundaries – so chaotically beautiful!

4. Need to Feel Your Love (Wilsuns RC) – Sheer Mag

All riffs and vocals – garage-punks Sheer Mag make their retro-fit sound oh so good. Rock ‘n’ roll is not dead.

5. Out in the Storm (Merge) – Waxahatchee

Waxahatchee’s earnest songwriting speaks right to the heart, and it’s hard to ignore.

6. My Idols Are Dead + My Enemies Are In Power (Self-released) – Lushlife

7. Messy (Self-released) – Curtis Cooper

8. Play “The Songs You Like” (Salinas) – Radiator Hospital

9. Oh, My Heart (Lame-O) – Shannen Moser

10. Soft Sound From Another Planet (Dead Oceans) – Japanese Breakfast

11. Movie Was Bad (Self-released) – Sixteen Jackies

12. Spirits (Creep) – Julia Rainer

13. Slacker Paint (Self-released) – The Mary Veils

14. Everything Is Always in the Past (@Self-released) – Blood Sound

15. A Deeper Understanding (Atlantic) – The War on Drugs

16. We Were Babies & We Were Dirtbags (Polyvinyl) – Quiet Slang

17. Tourist in This Town (Merge) – Allison Crutchfield

18. Why Love Now (Sub Pop) – Pissed Jeans

19. Shadow Expert (Carpark) – Palm

20. Let’s Be Nice – b-sides, covers & demos (Self-released) – Pill Friends

21. Birdie (Lame-O) – Slaughter Beach, Dog

22. Wilt (Self-released) – Line Leader

23. You’re So Smart (Self-released) – Joy Riding

24. Pleasure Suck (Tiny Engines) – The Spirit and The Beehive

25. Nothing Special (Honest Face) – Harmony Woods

26. Amuse-oreille, Vol. 1 (Self-released) – American Trappist

27. Grow (Self-released) – Them Jones

28. The Vernes (Self-released) – The Vernes

29. Cool and Fun – Madalean Gauze

30. White Reindeer – Lithuania

31. Tunnels (Self-released) – Vita and the Woolf

32. S/T (Self-released) – Teen Spaceship

33. Good Wind Pt. 1 (Human Kindness Overflowing) – Power Animal

34. Popular Manipulations (Fat Possum) – The Districts

35. Crime Waves – Moor Mother x Mental Jewelry

36. Jumpship (Lame-O) – No Thank You

37. Palisades (Egghunt) – Eric Slick

38. Dark Web (Suicide Bong Tapes) – Dark Web

39. Sadness is a Gesture (Inherent Sounds) – Aphra

40. Motel City Honey (Self-released) – Levee Drivers

Today was a good day for Philly music with the release of new records from Sheer Mag (Need to Feel Your Love) and Japanese Breakfast (Soft Sounds From Another Planet). And we are happy for the arrival of another new one from our featured Weekend Warrior pick, Waxahatchee. Out In The Storm, the fourth album from Katie Crutchfield, is now available via Merge Records, and you can also check out its stripped-down demos that are included with the deluxe version of the most excellent breakup album (below). Crutchfield will be bringing the tunes to life this evening, joined by her full band, when she headlines Union Transfer. They’ll be supported by Philly DIY gals Cayetana and Baltimore’s Snail Mail so don’t be afraid to weather the flash flood warnings tonight to get there early enough to catch this stacked bill. - H.M. Kauffman

More places to see new Philly music this weekend…

Union Transfer (1026 Spring Garden St,) FRI Waxahatchee, Cayetana

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI Camp Candle, Max Swan, SAT The Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret, Judith Priest, Mary Radzinski, SUN The Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret, Johnny Showcase And Rumi Kitchen, The Flannel Chucks

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI The Spinto Band, Suburban Living, SAT Cranes Are Flying, Decent, Danafox

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Rubber, Decap Attak/Heavy Temple, Moons/Dev79, Sideswipe/DJ Deejay, SAT S.R. Frost & The Sanctuary Band/DJ PHSH, Mr. Sonny James, SUN Mob Terror

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI Speaking Parts, DJ Shari Vari, SAT Jake Bernard, Sophie Coran

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) FRI Bored As Hell, SAT MAGNIFEEQ, Reece Stacks, Ace Malachi, Rellrap, Scoob Roc MIA, M.B.M., Tae Da Kid

The Foundry (1000 Frankford Ave.) FRI Splintered Sunlight

Electric Factory (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT Dayne Jordan

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Dukes of Destiny, Nothing Wrong, SAT (Upstairs) Gnarbot

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Storm Blooper, Oven Rake, SAT DJ Jem, DJ Baby Berlin, Remote Control, DJ UFO, SUN Malcolm Culleton

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Thrills, The Orange Drop, SAT The Superweaks, In The Pines, SUN Taylor Kelly, Max Swan, My Funky Brethren/MG & Swayzie, Sleepy Dahi, Mason, OHM, No Headliner

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Looseleaf (CD Release), Vilebred, Emily Drinker, SAT Ellen Siberian-Tiger

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St) SAT Brackish (Release Show)

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) Lee Mayjahs?, DJ Everyday, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Sean Hoots, Joey Sweeney & the Neon Grease, OOLALA, SAT Manikineter, The Magnificent ShitHawks Of The Greater Northern Americas, Sheena & Thee Nosebleeds

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI Counterfeit, SUN Young Gravy

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT DJ Lean Wit It, SUN Sunset Live with Slainte

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Trap Rabbit, Joe Kenney, SAT Mesmeria, Age of Truth, Madeline Haze, The Royal Ghosts

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Tom Hamilton’s American Babies, SAT HR (Bad Brains) with Kingsound Vibration, Hezekiah Jones, Mason Porter, HighKick (Album Release), Chris Grunwald & The Slow Response, West Philadelphia Orchestra

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Narra

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) FRI Space Drugs, Space Waster, SAT Anomie, A Day Without Love/Suburban White Males, I Am Not The Universe, SUN Yeenar, Sleepy Limbs, Heavenward

University City Arts League (4226 Spruce St.) SAT Ghost in Salad, Sirius JuJu

Tralfamadore (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Lev Ziskind, Cerulean Blue, Witch H(c)unt

Trash House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Bahdeavn, Tombo Crush, Fan Dancer

The Inconvenience Store (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT Broken Beak

Little Italy (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SUN Pauline, Short Milani, Soft Idiot