Credit: Courtesy of The Rialto Theatre
The big-hearted songs on this Philadelphia singer-songwriter’s seventh full-length release, Bottle It In, is a vessel teeming with sentiment. “It’s like that moment on the airplane,” Kurt Vile says, “when you’re on your way somewhere and you have that burst of panic. When you’re terrified of dying. That’s when you want people to know you love them.” Kurt Vile and The Violators at the Rialto Theatre. Canadian alt-country rockers The Sadies open up the show. Details here.

Riot Grrrl resurgence? Fea and Taco Sauce commit ferocious acts of hook-filled hardcore with a lovely social conscience at the Surly Wench Pub. Details here.

Recreating the sound and flamboyance of Queen, Gary Mullen—winner of Britain’s “Stars In Their Eyes”—channels Freddie Mercury. (Queen guitarist Brian May says he bears “more than a likeness.”) One Night of Queen at the Fox Theatre. Details here.


And, Fat Tuesday would not be complete without a bonafide Carnival celebration New Orleans style. River Road Ramblers, Mike Herbert Prison Band, Tiny House of Funk, The Brian Dean Trio, Mighty Joel Ford and Michael P. Muffulettas, Bad News Blues Band and In tha Zone work all the kinks out before the divine spirit of Ash Wednesday soberly kisses the early morning air. At The Parish. Details here.

This article appears in Feb 28 – Mar 6, 2019.