We have so many great shows coming up in January that you will not want to miss! Check out some of our staff favorites, and listen to song selections from the entire month on our Spotify Playlist.
We are very excited to launch our new Spotlight Artist Series in 2018, bringing you FREE shows from the best emerging talent to come through Philly. First up is Memphis five-piece, Southern Avenue on January 12th! Their self-titled debut album, released in February 2017, captures the soul, blues, and gospel traditions of Memphis, and has already reached #1 on the iTunes Blues chart. This will not be the last time you hear their name, so here is your chance to say you saw them at World Cafe Live first… for FREE!
Favorite Tracks: Slipped, Tripped And Fell In Love, Don’t Give Up, Love Me Right
David Uosikkinen of The Hooters returns with In The Pocket on January 18th! Uosikkinen is recording what he feels are the “Essential Songs of Philadelphia.” In The Pocket brings together a rotating line-up of Philly’s most celebrated musicians, who perform songs which were either recorded in Philadelphia, or written and performed by Philadelphians. The current line-up is set to include fellow Hooters band member Fran Smith Jr., Tommy Conwell of The Young Rumblers, Kenny Aaronson of The Yardbirds/Bob Dylan, and Charlie Ingui of Soul Survivors, among many other all-star Philly musicians. This will be a fun celebration of Philadelphia music!
Favorite Tracks: Punk Rock Girl, I Ain’t Searchin’, One Of Us
On January 20th, be sure to catch the greatest Tom Petty Tribute Band around, Damn The Torpedoes! Front man Rich Kubicz has mastered all things Petty with painstaking precision, and it’s no surprise that this show drew so much attention that we had to move it from our smaller upstairs room to downstairs! Since we now sadly live in a world without Tom Petty, Damn The Torpedoes is the next best thing to seeing the legend himself. RIP Tom!
Favorite Cover Tunes: Wildflowers, Learning To Fly, The Waiting
Roots rock/alternative country singer, songwriter, and guitarist Alejandro Escovedo Band returns on January 23rd! Escovedo, who comes from a family of several professional musicians, has been touring and recording since the early 90s and has an eclectic body of work spanning his career. His latest album, Burn Something Beautiful, was released last year, which Rolling Stone calls “timeless rather than trendy.”
Favorite Tracks: I Was Drunk, Heartbeat Smile, Always A Friend
WCL veteran Howie Day returns on January 28th! Through extensive touring, Day gained a loyal following among the college crowd in the early 2000s with his (unique at the time) in-concert use of samplers and effects pedals, which made him sound like a one-man-band. He gained national attention in 2004/2005 with his top 10 radio hits “Collide” and “She Says.” His latest release, Lanterns (2015), was fully funded by fans and himself through his PledgeMusic campaign.
Favorite Tracks: Collide, She Says, Anyone
Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth are stopping by on their “American Folk” Tour on January 31st! The pair, who are real-life folk musicians and not professional actors, star in the award-winning independent film of the same title, which is set for release on January 26th alongside the film soundtrack. “American Folk” is about two folk musicians who meet on a plane bound for New York on the morning of 9/11, and the soundtrack features a mix of original material from Purdy and Rubarth, as well as folk classics. Philly is one of only 8 stops on this unique tour!
Favorite Tracks: The City, I Love The Rain The Most, San Jose
