An article in last Sunday’s New York Times made a few predictions for summer 2023. Among them: Ed Sheeran will claim the song of the summer. Which must mean that the sandwich of the summer will be the cheesesteak, since Ed was seen last week slinging steaks at Philip’s on Passyunk.
The Times did not, however, predict which concerts will be most in-demand among fans of bluegrass and acoustic roots music in Philly this summer. For that, you’ll have to consult the Philly Bluegrass Top 10 for Summer 2023.
It’s easy to predict that performances by Béla Fleck and Tyler Childers will be popular. (They’re already sold out.) And it’s a similarly safe bet that Heritage will be packed this weekend for the celebratory final bluegrass brunch, with a performance by Wood Flower and a jam to follow. Read on for some more sure things this season.
And beyond these great touring acts, you won’t want to bet against Philly’s local scene, which is currently thriving with new bands and jams. Check the calendar and follow Philly Bluegrass on social so you don’t miss a thing.
June 7: Watchhouse at Longwood Gardens
Watchhouse’s latest album, Duo, features live-in-studio acoustic duo renditions of the songs from the band’s self-titled LP. Often seen at Union Transfer, this time around Watchhouse (fka Mandolin Orange) ventures into a new venue when they visit Longwood Gardens on June 7. Tickets range from $38 to $50 and include the entrance fee for the gardens.
June 11: Wood Flower at Heritage Bluegrass Brunch
Since 2015, the Philly Bluegrass Brunch at Heritage has been the city’s go-to destination for Sunday afternoon bluegrass. After eight years of Sunday afternoon bluegrass gatherings, the series will conclude on Sunday, June 11 with a performance by Wood Flower, and an open jam to follow. Read more.
June 14: Larry & Joe at World Cafe Live (The Lounge)
Larry & Joe is Larry Bellorín, a Llanera musician from Monagas, Venezuela, and North Carolina’s Joe Troop, who is perhaps best known for his band, Che Apalache. Larry & Joe performed for those in the know last summer at a West Philly house concert. The duo returns to Philly by way of World Cafe Live, this time with a debut record, Nuevo South Train. With special guest Patricio Acevedo. Tickets are $20.
July 15: Steep Canyon Rangers at Sellersville Theater
Change is in their air for Asheville, North Carolina’s Steep Canyon Rangers, who have a new album in the works and a brand new lead singer. In August 2022, the band announced that Aaron Burdett, an accomplished singer-songwriter in his own right, has joined the Steeps on vocals and guitar, following last year’s departure of founding member Woody Platt. Tickets are $55-80 when the band visits Sellersville Theater on July 15.
July 16: Keller Williams and The Hillbenders at Upper Merion Township Concerts Under the Stars
Keller Williams and the Hillbenders, otherwise known as “KellerGrass,” is a “marriage of psychedelic + traditional bluegrass” that takes “an abundance of liberties” with Keller’s original material. You can catch KellerGrass at the 37th season of Concerts Under The Stars, presented by Ardmore Music Hall, Point Entertainment, and Upper Merion Township. Advance tickets $27 plus fees.
August 6: Béla Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart at Longwood Gardens
Béla Fleck’s “My Bluegrass Heart” is a bluegrass hall of fame, all-star team, and supergroup, all rolled into one. In addition to its impossibly challenging material, the project has featured the likes of Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, Chris Thile, Michael Cleveland, Stuart Duncan, Justin Moses, Edgar Meyer, Mark Schatz, Bryan Sutton, Molly Tuttle, Billy Strings, and others. Fleck’s debut appearance at Longwood Gardens quickly sold out.
August 10: Tyler Childers at The Met Philly
Released in September 2022, Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? (Hickman Holler) is the fifth studio album by Tyler Childers. Each of the album’s three discs offers a different vibe and feel on the same eight gospel songs like “Angel Band” and “Old Country Church,” and features Childers’ longtime band The Food Stamps (James Barker, Craig Burletic, Rodney Elkins, Chase Lewis, CJ Cain, and Jesse Wells). With special guest Margo Price, Childers’ appearance at The Met Philly is sold out.
August 18: Fireside Collective at Sellersville Theater
Hailing from Asheville, North Carolina, Fireside Collective won the 2016 MerleFest band contest, which helped launch the band onto the national scene. Their 2022 record, Across the Divide (Mountain Home), is the band’s fourth full-length studio recording and was produced by Jon Weisberger. Philly locals Midnight Flyer open at Sellersville Theater on August 18. Tickets $20-30.
August 27: Serene Green with Owl and Crow (of Cabinet) at Bluegrass at the TileWorks
“Bluegrass at the TileWorks,” the bluegrass music series at the historic Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, first launched in 2022 and will make its return this August. The double billing of Pennsylvania bluegrass features NEPA’s Serene Green, recent winners of the 2022 Podunk Bluegrass Festival band contest, where they were also voted fan favorite. They team up with Owl and Crow, also known as Cabinet’s J.P. and Pappy Biondo. Tickets $35. (Rain or Shine.)
September 1-3: Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival
The 51st edition of the Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival boasts one of the strongest lineups in recent memory, with longtime bluegrass stars like Dan Tyminski Band, Larry Sparks and The Lonesome Ramblers, and Dailey & Vincent juxtaposed with newer standouts like AJ Lee and Blue Summit, The Lonesome Ace Stringband, and the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. We say it every year, but considering the strength of this year’s lineup it’s even more true in 2023: don’t miss DelVal! Early bird adult tickets $116 (through August 13).
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