The Biggest Concerts and Music Fests in Philly for Spring 2024 & Beyond

Barbz, unite. The unmistakable Nicki Minaj tours behind her latest release, Pink Friday 2, an always-adventurous display of wordplay and genre that serves as a follow-up to her groundbreaking 2010 album Pink Friday.

April 3 & July 25, 2024

It’s a family affair when AJR, the pop trio comprised of brothers Adam, Jack and Ryan Met, hit the Wells Fargo Center twice on their spring tour. They’ll first come through in April and then again in July, bringing TikTok and radio-friendly hits The Good Part and Yes I’m A Mess.

On the brink of collapse, Dan + Shay rediscovered their love for music and wrote a new album, Bigger Houses, released in September 2023. They’ll play their catchy country-pop in an arena fit for their melodies.

Part heavy metal music festival and part hardcore beer festival, the annual Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest delivers plenty of both. Over the course of two days at The Fillmore Philadelphia, attendees take in sets from Biohazard (playing their 1992 album Urban Discipline in its entirety), Deicide (performing hits from three of their ’90s classics, Deicide, Legion and Once Upon the Cross), Crowbar and more while knocking back brews and other adult beverages from nearly 20 breweries — including local faves Yards, Attic Brewing, and Imprint Beer Company — curated by Indiana’s legendary 3 Floyds Brewing.

Holding down the record for the most streamed album on Spotify (that would be his 2022 record, Un Verano Sin Ti), Bad Bunny tours behind his sprawling 2023 album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, a record that spans Latin trap, club and house.

Created and curated by local musician Dave Haus, the Sing Us Home Festival is a three-day affair featuring the city’s most talented artists (plus acts from outside city limits). This year’s fest features The Jayhawks, The Loved Ones, Dave Hause & The Mermaid, Langhorne Slim, Amythyst Kiah and more.

Uh oh, do you feel that? The temperature is already rising in preparation for dancehall royalty’s return to Philly this May. Sean Paul brings his infectious style and signature mix of Jamaican dancehall and reggae, hip-hop, and pop to The Fillmore in Fishtown. Let your hair down and dance your cares away to throwback classics like Get Busy, Gimme the Light and Temperature. We dare you to try to stand still.

Celebrate the women in your life with this concert featuring some of today’s biggest names in gospel music. Donnie McClurkin, The Clark Sisters, Ricky Dillard and more put on a powerful show celebrating mothers, daughters and matriarchs of all generations. Upgrade the experience by purchasing a seat at the pre-show supper. Can I get an amen?

The Irish singer-songwriter takes us to church with his soul-stirring and poignant songbook. Hozier’s latest album, inspired by Dante’s Inferno and written during and after the pandemic, delivers for fans craving the artist’s poetic lyrics and soulful delivery. When the Unreal Unearth tour stops at Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion this May, fans can expect new favorites from the album alongside long-loved hits like Someone New and Work Song.

Known for melding jazz, pop, country and blues into a sultry and smooth style totally her own, Norah Jones has earned a whopping eight Grammys and the hearts of millions. The talented songstress returns to Philadelphia late this spring with special guest Emily King for an evening at The Met. Fans can look forward to an intimate and personal concert experience as she performs favorites like Don’t Know Why and Come Away with Me.

Sum 41 is going out in style. The pop-punk band rose to fame in the early-2000s, becoming a mainstay on MTV and having their music featured in movies like American Pie and Spiderman. Now, after more than two decades together, the iconic group has decided to go their separate ways — but not before headlining one last, epic tour. Don’t miss your chance to relive the music and memories and bid the group farewell when The Tour of the Setting Sun comes to Philly this spring.

Ask any child of the early-aughts, and they’ll tell you that Ashanti ran the R&B music scene of the decade. Known as the “Princess of Hip-hop and R&B,” the singer took over the airwaves with singles like Foolish and Always on Time. This May, Ashanti brings her infectious sound to The Met for a celebration of rhythm and blues. But what would a princess be without her royal court? Ashanti is joined by Fellow Murder Inc. hitmaker Lloyd; R&B royalty in her own right, Mya; and newcomer Maeta.

Who’s ready to have a Hot Girl Summer? To kick off the start of hot girl season, superstar Megan Thee Stallion turns up the heat at the Wells Fargo Center this May. Accompanied by fellow hottie GloRilla, Meg fans can count on a fire show for the rapper’s first headlining arena tour.

The annual music festival curated by and named for Philly hip-hop band The Roots always has the most exciting lineup, highlighting both groundbreaking up-and-comers and legendary acts alike. For the 2024 festival, attendees can look forward to performances from Philly’s own Jill Scott, the incomparable Lil Wayne and ’90s rap royalty Nas. Did we mention 2024 Grammy Award-winner Victoria Monety, André 3000 (and his flute), Gunna, Fantasia and Babyface? Whew.

From The Voice to art pop alien woodland creature, cult-favorite vocalist Melanie Martinez embarks on her first stadium tour, performing songs from each of her three albums, including 2023’s Portals.

The soulful singer is a colorful lyricist, pulling listeners into his whiskey-soaked world with genre-bending songs like You Should Probably Leave, Tennessee Whiskey and White Horse, from his latest album Higher.

She can’t make you love her, but assuming you’re in the audience for this one, chances are you probably already do. Bonnie Raitt follows a prolific two years of touring with another spring tour featuring a whopping four Pennsylvania tour dates, including this one in Philly.

Relative newcomer to música mexicana, Peso Pluma mixes elements from traditional Mexican music with heavy-hitting, modern trap production styles. The singer has already gained enormous success and multiple Billboard Top 200 hits, including El Belicón, Siempre Pendientes, and AMG. Come prepared for a lively, high-energy night at the Wells Fargo Center with the charismatic singer.

Two of the biggest acts in country music play the biggest venue in town: The Linc. Kenny Chesney handles the country-meets-beach vibe and Zac Brown Brand has the Chicken Fried on lock. Megan Moroney and Uncle Kracker round out the bill.

21 Savage brings his raw storytelling, deadpan delivery and rap finesse to the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion this June. Hits from Bank Account to A Lot have solidified his place as a major player in hip-hop’s trap genre and made him a frequent collaborator with other hip-hop heavyweights like producer Metro Boomin and Drake. Don’t miss your chance to turn up with the Atlanta hitmaker to fan favorites and new songs from his latest release, American Dream.

Niall Horan has fully stepped out from the One Direction shadow with his three solo albums. On his latest release, The Show, Horan goes heavy on earworm-y pop and dreamy ballads alike.

They can’t get no satisfaction — but they can book a stadium. One of the most legendary rock acts in the history of the genre embarks on its first tour since 2019 with only 16 stops nationwide, including one at Lincoln Financial Field.

Rock royalty collides when New England’s Pixies and the Pacific Northwest’s Modest Mouse meet for a rock-till-you-can-rock-no-more linkup at The Mann Center this summer. Both of these groups left their mark on the alt-rock indie scene in the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s, and their influence can be heard in the music of contemporaries and later groups like Nirvana and Radiohead. Always energetic (and at times unpredictable), the groups’ live shows are a blast.

The New York rapper has come a long way since nabbing a highly coveted spot as a member of XXL’s Freshman Class of 2017, where the iconic hip-hop publication annually crowns the genre’s rising stars. (Past freshmen include Philly’s own Meek Mill, Lil Uzi Vert and the late PnB Rock.) Hailing from the birthplace of hip-hop, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie carries on the Bronx’s legacy well with hits like Drowning, Look Back at It and Swervin. The performer lights up the Wells Fargo Center with his magnetic charisma and catchy hooks late this spring.

June 18 & 20, 2024

This June, The Philadelphia Orchestra takes its talent outdoors to the TD Pavilion at The Mann Center for live music under the stars:

• Tchaikovsky Spectacular: The leader of the romantic era of music, Tchaikovsky packed his symphonies and ballads with emotion and a bit of dramatic flair. What could be more romantic than listening to The Philadelphia Orchestra perform some of the composer’s most beautiful works (including Symphony No. 6, selections from Swan Lake, and 1812 Overture) against the backdrop of the setting sun — with fireworks to top it all off (June 18, 2024)?
• Batman in Concert: Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Tim Burton classic. Grab a blanket and make your way down to The Mann to watch Michael Keaton’s take on the caped crusader. The movie is projected onto a huge, outdoor screen as The Philadelphia Orchestra literally keeps score, performing Danny Elfman’s iconic compositions live to picture (June 20, 2024).

While this show at the Wells Fargo Center will decidedly not be standing room only, the Standing Room Only Tour promises big thrills, big hits and big country. With 17 albums of material to pull from, expect a little bit of everything from the country superstar.

Calling all classic and alternative rock fanatics. Kick off your summer with Santana and Counting Crows, two bands with long histories and legions of loyal fans. Santana rose to fame following the band’s performance at the storied Woodstock Festival in 1969. For 50 years and counting, audiences have been mesmerized by front man Carlos Santana’s signature guitar riffs and classic records like Oye Como Va. Counting Crows rose to fame in the 1990s with more meditative and introspective songs like Mr. Jones and Round Here.

Corinne Bailey Rae took soul music by storm in 2006 with her globally beloved and critically acclaimed self-titled debut. The singer-songwriter’s light and breezy vocals practically float on top of her melodies, and her catalog spans from up-beat, feel-good anthems like Put Your Records On to more somber meditations on grief such as I’d Do It Again. This June, join Rae for her Plum Red Lipstick tour celebrating the release of her fourth studio album, Black Rainbows.

Janet (or Ms. Jackson if … you know how it goes) has given us iconic music videos and countless hits over the years. And when it comes to live performances? She elevates them to a level of art. Don’t miss your chance to see the performance veteran take the stage at the Wells Fargo Center this June with special guest Nelly. You can expect mesmerizing choreography, gorgeous production, and plenty of opportunities to sing along to fan favorites like Rhythm Nation and Lonely.

You oughta know Alanis is coming to the Camden waterfront this summer to belt hits like Hand in My Pocket, Ironic, You Learn and Head Over Feet. If that wasn’t enough, Joan Jett is also performing.

Celebrate this Fourth of July with a country music legend. This year, Willie Nelson brings his iconic 4th of July Picnic to Freedom Mortgage Pavilion to celebrate America’s birthday. The full-day show promises an all-star lineup of musicians, including Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, and Celisse. Plus, picnic-goers can look forward to delicious pay-as-you-go food and drinks to celebrate the holiday. Tickets are required.

Who doesn’t love a homecoming? When Daryl Hall — Philly legend and one-half of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame duo Hall & Oats — takes the stage in July, the singer is not doing it alone. Like an episode of his popular music series Daryl’s House, he’s bringing along another iconic singer-songwriter: genre-bending star Elvis Costello. Between these two prolific performers, it’s impossible to count the number of hits. Time to start taking bets on what’s on the setlist.

We first met Kid Cudi as an under-the-radar 20-something with a mixtape and dream, but over the years, we’ve watched the Day’n’Nite rapper grow into a true renaissance man — a genre-expanding performer who’s also involved with mental health advocacy, acting and animation. The performer returns to the stage with his raw and introspective lyrics, as well as his signature melodic flow. Keep an ear out for a mix of recognizable hits like Get Off Me and Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare), deeper cuts for the longtime fans and new additions from his latest album, Insano.

One of pop’s most refreshing acts, Olivia Rodrigo channels the rage and femininity of forebears Alanis Morisette and Fiona Apple. Last year’s GUTS was a guitar-heavy meditation on the transition from teenage life to adulthood.

This summer, celebrate 30 years of the Dave Matthews Band during the group’s near-annual visit to Camden. With three decades of hits to choose from and a brand-new album titled Walk the Moon, concertgoers can expect a mix of both new stuff and classic DMB with fresh and fun twists.

This West Philly festival draws thousands of revelers each year to celebrate jazz music in all its flavors. Tap your toes to some of Philly’s funkiest jazz musicians, visit community vendors to buy locally made goods, or take a load off with cool treats and summer eats at the food trucks. The Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Fest is free to attend, with pay-as-you-go food and refreshments. For updates and this year’s lineup, keep an eye on the festival’s Instagram.

Things are about to get loud when Def Leppard and Journey co-headline Citizens Bank Park. Get a taste for the ’80s nostalgia, courtesy Pour Some Sugar On Me and Don’t Stop Believin’.

Are you ready to sing along? Pop-rock powerhouse Train teams up with REO Speedwagon, one of the best-selling classic rock groups of all time, for this late-July concert in Camden. Come ready to join in on catchy earworms like Hey, Soul Sister and Keep on Loving You.

Back with the original lineup for the first time in more than a decade, Blink-182 snagged its third No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 with last year’s One More Time…. Come for the nostalgia, stay for the power chords.

Let Faye Webster transport you from the buzzy streets of Philadelphia to a soft, ethereal world in the middle of Fairmount Park. The Atlanta songstress has previously taken her dreamy folk-meets-pop sound on the road as an opener for acts such as Haim and Vampire Weekend, but now with hits like Kingston and a growing fanbase, she strikes out on her own in support of her new album, Undressed at the Symphony.

A little jazzy, a little soulful and with a whole lotta boogie, the double bill of Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago will have the Camden waterfront dancing (despite it not being the 21st night of September).

Fun fact: More than half of Jason Aldean’s singles have topped either the Hot Country Songs or Country Airplay charts throughout the artist’s 25-year career. This summer, he tours behind his 2023 album, Country Desperado.

August 6 & 7, 2024

A little over a year after playing the Wells Fargo Center, Zach Bryan levels up yet again to take on Lincoln Financial Field. Bryan had a busy 2023: He released his fourth album (which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200) and an EP, and he also won the Academy of Country Music Award for new male artist of the year.

Now in its fifth year, this traveling emo, pop-punk, and alternative rock festival stops in Philly for a full day of music and summer fun. This year, the festival is headlined by the bands Mayday Parade and The Maine with performances by The Wonder Years, We the Kings, Real Friends, Knuckle Puck, Daisy Grenade, Hot Milk, and Diva Bleach. General admission is standing room only, so be sure to bring a blanket and comfy shoes.

Fourteen albums deep and Green Day are as essential as ever. The punk trio delivers another brash, political, introspective album in Saviors, which they’re touring behind. This year also marks the 20th and 30th anniversaries of seminal Green Day records American Idiot and Dookie, respectively.

Triple threat Jennifer Lopez has been leaving her mark on music since the early-2000s. Her songs have formed the soundtrack for many a party and summer get-together, so it’s very fitting that the This is Me … Now tour stops at the Wells Fargo Center this August. With an arsenal of danceable pop hits, J. Lo invites fans to relive songs from her early days, like Jenny from the Block and Get Loud, as well as get to know the current version of the star via music from her newest album, which shares the name of the tour and is the singer’s first new body of work in 10 years.

Professional dancer turned pop star, Tate McRae hits the sweet spot between sultry and somber, offering a truly contemporary pop sound. Her first global tour takes the TikTok fave to Philly (and beyond, including Sweden, New Zealand and Italy).

Proving ’80s and ’90s nostalgia will never go out of style, New Kids On The Block heads out on its first solo headlining tour in a decade. (The band has had a couple of co-headlining jaunts in there, but this one is all New Kids.) Keeping in line with the pop music of the time, Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff offer support.

Hootie & the Blowfish took over the soundwaves when their debut album, Cracked Rear View, became one of the 10 best-selling albums in music history. Since then, the group has won Grammys and spawned 17 Billboard-topping singles. The band’s frontman Darius Rucker has even gone on to carve out a place for himself in country music — a departure from Hootie & the Blowfish’s rock origins. The band has come together again for their first major tour since 2019. Get ready for ’90s nostalgia and feel-good tunes like Hold My Hand, Let Her Cry, and Only Wanna Be with You.

Produced by the Philadelphia Folksong Society, this annual celebration of folk music features a lineup of contemporary and legendary folk artists, plus camping, workshops and activities. Headlining in 2024 is Philly native and musical legend John Oates (of Hall & Oates). Others taking the stage: genre-bending band Gangstagrass, underground Americana folk band the Adam Ezra Group, singer-songwriter Ellis Paul, multi-award-winning band RUNA, soul-blues singer Miss Emily and more.

A year after selling out Citizens Bank Park twice last summer, pop phenom P!NK returns to her hometown for another massive stadium show, this time at the Linc. Expect the singer’s usual aerial acrobatics and big vocals, belting songs like So What and TRUSTFALL.

August 21 & 23, 2024

After illness forced The Boss to postpone last summer’s Philly tour dates, Bruce Springsteen makes good on his word with these rescheduled dates at Citizens Bank Park. All previous tickets will be honored for the new dates. If you slept on buying tickets the first time around, now’s your chance to get in on the glory days.

Where were you in 2001? Alt-rock band Incubus was releasing Morning View, the band’s hit album that catapulted it to mainstream popularity and spawned a ton of hits including Wish You Were Here, Nice To Know You, and Warning. The group, joined by the band Coheed and Cambria, returns to the City of Brotherly Love this August to celebrate its recent re-recording of the album. The audience can enjoy a live performance of the entire album from front to back with a sprinkling of some other hits in between.

“Why you have to go and make things so …” You know how the rest goes — and might as well get ready to belt it out with the pop-punk princess herself when she takes the stage in Camden for her Greatest Hits tour. Lavigne promises to perform the most memorable moments from her seven albums, from Let Go to 2022’s Love Sux. Come prepped to sing along to favorites like Sk8er Boi, Complicated, and My Happy Ending.

The world was introduced to Usher Raymond as a fresh-faced youngster crooning RnB in the mid-’90s. That talented teenager has grown into a once-in-a-generation performer and indisputable global superstar. Fresh off his explosive Super Bowl halftime performance and a blockbuster, multi-year Las Vegas residency, the hitmaker takes the show on the road. While you can expect some newer music, Usher promises to take audience members on a trip down memory lane with plenty of throwbacks from his extensive catalog from My Boo to OMG.

The Grammy Award-winning band follows up the release of its newest album, Neon Pill, with an extensive cross-country tour. The Kentucky born-and-bred rockers make a stop in Philly at The Mann Center to rock out under the stars to songs like Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked and Come a Little Closer.

September 7 & 9, 2024

Pearl Jam helped pioneer the grunge era and the band’s music defined a generation of rock fans. Now the group is back with a brand-new album (their 12th!) and tour, though concertgoers can expect the same intensity and unexpected twists and turns that the band’s live performances have been known for.

Weezer is taking us on a voyage back in time to the ’90s – MTV was in its heyday, VHS players were ubiquitous, and the band had just released its iconic, self-titled debut album also known as The Blue Album. Weezer brings its Voyage to the Blue Planet tour to present-day Philly in mid-September to celebrate the record’s 30th anniversary. Don’t miss hits like Buddy Holly, Undone (The Sweater Song), and Say It Ain’t So as the band performs the entire album, start to finish.

WXPN, the public radio station of the University of Pennsylvania, brings together musical legends and new performers along the Camden waterfront at this can’t-miss annual fest at Wiggins Waterfront Park. This year’s lineup includes The Walkmen, Rosanne Cash, Pete Yorn and many more.

2024 Grammy winner for best new artist, Jelly Roll makes his way to Philly this October with his Beautifully Broken tour. The singer-songwriter scored viral success with songs like Dead Man Walking and Son of a Sinner and is known for crisscrossing genres in his music from country to rap and rock with ease. Fans from all backgrounds connect with his honest lyrics and moving life story.

Continuing the group’s Future Past tour into 2024, heavy metal rockers Iron Maiden bring out the pyrotechnics, riffs and theatrical vocals to the Wells Fargo Center.

Want even more great info on upcoming concerts and music festivals in Greater Philadelphia? WXPN, the public radio station of the University of Pennsylvania, curates an excellent calendar of who’s playing where and when. Check it out here.

Yes! Philadelphia is a major tour stop for many artists, in addition to boasting a formidable local scene. There is a live music show almost every night.

From A-list rappers like Meek Mill to indie darlings like Hop Along, plenty of great artists call Philly home. (See: The Roots, Pink, McCoy Tyner, Santigold, Cayetana, Jill Scott, Christian McBride and The War on Drugs, etc.) Homegrown talent is fiercely loyal to the city, often playing shows for local fans.

It depends who you ask. In the 1960s and ’70s, the city had its own genre, the Sound of Philadelphia (often called TSOP) — a lush and funky form of soul. In the decades since, R&B, hip-hop and indie rock acts have earned acclaim.

Take your pick! You’ll see the next-big things at Union Transfer and Johnny Brenda’s. The Fillmore and Franklin Music Hall are excellent mid-sized venues, and arenas like Wells Fargo Center are where you’ll find the legends.

You bet. The Roots Picnic and XPoNential Music Festival are both fan favorites.

Philly’s food scene is as highly regarded as its music. Try an essential dish like a pie from Pizzeria Beddia if you’re seeing a show at nearby Johnny Brenda’s or try something new such as Pietramala, which is only a short walk away from Franklin Music Hall.

The Visit Philly Overnight Package offers free hotel parking as well as choose-your-own-adventure perks like free attraction tickets. Better yet, make it a long weekend with the 3-Day Stay Package, where guests buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free. (Yes, free.)

So much! See world-famous art at our storied museums, shop till you drop and, of course, have a cheesesteak.