Nice job, Philly! What looked a little scarce with local representation for New Year’s Eve has filled out into a variety of sweet shows that will have folks spread out all over Philly. Kat Kat Phest, in its fourth and final year, will be auld lang syning away at Everybody Hits with Creepoid and The Spirit of the Beehive, two bands that definitely deserve more of that national/international love and attention in 2016. A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Captured Track’s EZTV, and Mercury Girls have the indie-pop goodness on lockdown over at Johnny Brenda’s. The dancin’ fools can be found with the Making Time crew at Union Transfer, West Philadelphia Orchestra, Johnny Showcase & The Mystics, and Ill Doots at Underground Arts, and LOUDS and Cheerleader, at Ortlieb’s this year. Unfortunately, Nothing at Boot & Saddle is sold out, as you should’ve known that it would, but I’m a firm believer that you can get into any show that you really want to. You just need to get crafty. Maybe unlawful sometimes, but it’s all in the name of the rock gods. Hope to see you out and about this NYE! - Q.D. Tran 

 

Merry Xmas & Chill…

 

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Philly Loves James Brown: DJ Mike Nyce

 

 

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) SAT The Quixote Project, SUN Kat Kat Fest: Hightide Hotel, Clique, Marietta, Jank, Christopher Walking/Mumblr, Howlish

 

 

 

 

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Shy Boyz, Dirty Soap Blues Band, QQQ, Whitebearbrownbear, Svvje, SUN Beatles Tribute: Kevin Killen, Hezekiah Jones, Looseleaf Trio, Chelsea Mitchell, Red Skiles and the Country Ramblers, Vilebred, Aaron Van Allen, Cowmuddy, A Fistful of Sugar

 

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) SAT The Once Was, Something Like A Monument, Are Too

 

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.)  SAT Dj Deejay, SUN Mast, Nommo, DJ Lil Dave

 

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

 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St) SAT Clashing Plaid, SUN Travis McDaniel, Matthew Leuzzi

 

The Grape Room (105 Grape St) SAT Flathead, Pocket Dial, Overcoming Gravity, Haywood Trout, Thomas G Waites Project

 

Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.) SAT Uptown Ezy, DJ NoPhrillz, SUN Reece Stacks, Scottie Kash, ThisIsInfinity, Skills Gates, Wyo Jair

 

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.)  SAT Electron, American Babies, Blendmode, SUN Dave Patten, Michele Karmin, Danielle and Jennifer

 

The Pharmacy (1300/02 S. 18^th St.) SUN Walla Fest Mantee, Boog, Roof Doctor, Abi Reimold, Straw Hats

 

Cha-Cha'razzi (1918 S. Bancroft St.) SAT Shadow Band, White Crayon

 

While some maybe resting up for their New Year’s Eve festivities tomorrow night or from last night’s victory celebration of the Eagles over the Cowboys to win the NFC East, Kat Kat Phest 2 parties on this evening at Kung Fu Necktie. Anchored by a new generation of lo-fi, home-recording acts rising up from the basements of Philly’s DIY scene, Alex G (a.k.a. Alex Giannascoli) and Pill Friends are proving that having an ear for melodies and off-kilter lyrics trumps the need for expensive equipment. They’ll be joined by like-minded musical brethren Elvis Depressedly (keeping my fingers crossed for a collaborative performance of “mickey yr a fuck up” with Pill Friends), Midwest emo/post-hardcore outfit Tiny Moving Parts, chiptune trio Crying, and more out-of-state imports. So what if it’s a Monday! Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 7pm, $8, All Ages - Alexis V.