The spring semester has already brought stress, anxiety, and the deadly sin of procrastination, but it also has brought a fantastic gift along with all three of those dreaded things: another concert season. While we’ve had many performers come to Philadelphia last semester, like Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean in our own Liacouras Center, we have an even more spectacular line-up this semester. Here to guide you through our top picks at Her Campus Temple is our list of the Top 5 Spring 2013 Concerts. Sit back, scroll and dream about which one you want to attend.
When: February 14th, 2013
Where: World Café Live
Time: 6:30 PM (Doors) 8:00 PM (Show)
Take your Valentine to see the Smithereens! This rock n’ roll band is noted as Kurt Cobain’s inspiration during Nirvana’s album Nevermind and they are also nearby New Jersey natives. If you like rock, pop-rock, or just want to check off “See a cool band live” on your bucket list, The Smithereens are for you. Don’t let their old looks fool you; these guys can still rock out.
When: February 16th, 2013
Where: Sigma Sound Stage
Time: 8:00 PM
There’s nothing better than a concert with a cause and that’s just what Let’s Move It! Philly is all about. Black Thought from The Roots is hosting this concert to benefit his charity GrassROOTS Community Foundation, which will provide funds for Frankford’s Harding Middle School to have an after school program for girls. Come see Black Thought jam out with Austrian band, STS, Philly’s own Dice Raw, R&B singer Marsha Ambrosius, and many more.
When: March 14th, 2013
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Time: 7:30 PM
Rihanna Navy, rejoice! Ri-Ri is making an appearance at the Wells Fargo Center and she is not holding back with opening act, A$AP Rocky. Tickets are mucho dinero, but it is an investment (that’s what you can tell mom and dad) because both acts are on fire now. Both have recently released albums, Rihanna’s Unapologetic and A$AP’s LONG.LIVE.A$AP. You’d best believe that they aren’t playing any games. Two big names, one big night; this is definitely something to shell out the big bucks for.
When: March 24th, 2013
Where: Johnny Brenda’s
Time: 9:00 PM
Prepare yourself for Monday, your least favorite day of the week made better by seeing the lovely Kate Nash. This British crooner is a delightful treat in the mix of auto-tune and pop songs. Don’t write her off as some Adele knock-off; this girl has spunk. With her third album Girl Talk releasing on March 4th, Nash has the experience. Before the show, get ready to her new single “3AM” and sing her oldie-but-goodie song “The Nicest Thing” from her second album, Made of Bricks¸ into your hairbrush.
When: May 1st and May 2nd
Where: The Electric Factory
Time: 8:00 PM
When asked to describe Bassnectar, I always say, “You have to see for yourself.” Bassnectar has played music festivals like Coachella with funky remixes of songs by Lupe Fiasco, Ellie Goulding, and more. The man behind Bassnectar is Lorin Ashton and, besides having really awesome hair, his other superpower is making you have the time of your life at his shows. Attending Bassnectar will be the perfect way to prepare to take on finals or de-stress before graduation. Wear comfy clothes, be ready to dance, and take your best friends.
Queen Bey Bonus!
Whether you like classical music or punk music, Beyonce is for everyone. Don’t diss her Super Bowl performance and don’t talk about her lip syncing at the Inauguration because she was saving it for her little worker Beys on tour. Sadly, Beyonce is coming to town when most of us will be gone, but if you’re hanging around Philadelphia this summer or, if you call it home, you MUST try your hardest to get tickets to see Bey on her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. She will be gracing us with her presence on July 25th, 2013 to shut the lights off with her fierceness at the Wells Fargo Center at 8:00 PM. Whether backup singers, Kelly and Michelle will be in attendance is a mystery, but maybe they will be babysitting little Blue Ivy when Momma Bey is performing.