The Biggest Concerts and Music Fests in Philadelphia for 2023

Nick Cannon brings the next generation of musical talent to The Fillmore with his Future Superstar Tour . The rising stars shaking up the game include Symba, 24kGoldn, Big Boss Vette and many more. Each ticket also includes access to a youth-focused Future Superstar seminar, featuring a panel of entertainment industry leaders.

Throw it all the way back as a number of hip-hop legends, including TI, Jeezy, Gucci Mane and Cam’ron visit North Broad Street for an evening of throwback jams and hip-hop anthems . Cue the DJ air horn noise.

There are few things quite as hardcore as heavy metal and beer — and Decibel Magazine ’s annual festival promises plenty of both. Over the course of two days, attendees take in sets from Suicidal Tendencies, The Black Dahlia Murder, Gorguts, Incantation and more while knocking back brews and other adult beverages from 3 Floyds, Broken Goblet Brewing , Brimming Horn Meadery and many others.

If you were conscious at any point over the past 20 years, you’ve gotten down to Sean Paul . One of the most prolific artists of the era, the Jamaican rapper popularized the dancehall genre throughout the U.S. and has collaborated with Beyoncé, Sia and Dua Lipa.

With five Grammys, 11 BET Awards, four Billboard Music Awards and over 120 million records sold, this artist needs no introduction. Lil Wayne brings his lyrical prowess and earworm-y hooks to The Fillmore this April .

How many rappers are out there bridging hip-hop with nu metal? Progenitor of the sugar trap genre, punk rapper Rico Nasty takes her raspy, cutthroat flow and redefines everything you know about rap music today.

Philly’s own Dave Hause (The Loved Ones, The Falcon) assembles the rock and roll homecoming weekend he’s always wanted — and you’re invited. On the grounds of Manayunk ’s Venice Island Performing Arts Center, the Sing Us Home outdoor music festival offers a robust musical lineup, including Kathleen Edwards, Drive-By Truckers, Lydia Loveless and, of course, Dave’s own band The Mermaid. Parking is very limited, but the venue is along several bus routes and close to the Manayunk-Norristown Regional Rail station. ( Maybe even grab yourself a brew along the way .)

The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Because she’s at Lincoln Financial Field this May , playing three sold-out shows. Described by Taylor as “a journey through all of my musical eras of my career,” the Taylor Swift Eras Tour marks the iconic musician’s first tour in nearly five years.

Navy soldier turned country superstar Zach Bryan released his first major label album last year, debuting at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 — the biggest week for a country album in 2022 . Due to a unique ticketing situation, if you didn’t register for tickets back in January, your options for tickets at this point are third-party resellers.

The annual music festival curated by and named for Philly hip-hop band The Roots always has an exciting lineup, highlighting both groundbreaking up-and-comers and legendary acts alike — plus a podcast stage featuring our own Love + Grit . For the 2023 festival, attendees can look forward to performances from the legendary Ms. Lauryn Hill, the one-and-only Diddy (performing with The Roots!) and Philly’s own Lil Uzi Vert and Eve. Did we mention Busta Rhymes, Roy Ayers and The Isley Brothers? Whew. That’s a lot.

Famous for his mathematical suite of albums, English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran completes the cycle with his new album – (pronounced “Subtract”). Drawing on heavy life themes like his wife’s tumor and the death of a friend, – packs an emotional punch.

Don’t tell him it’s not worth fighting for. Bryan Adams is one of those rare musicians whose tunes sound great in bars, arenas and Broadway (yeah, he did the music for Pretty Woman: The Musical ). Hear over four decades of music in action, such as hits like Summer of ‘69 and Heaven.

Let’s go, girls. In the late ’90s and early 2000s, you couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing Shania Twain . Belt out the songs you love, like Man! I Feel Like a Woman! , That Don’t Impress Me Much and newer hits like Waking Up Dreaming and Giddy Up! from her recently released album “Queen of Me.”

Celebrating half a century of rockin’ and rollin’, Kansas performs for two nights at the Keswick Theatre. Between well-known songs like Carry On Wayward Son and Dust in the Wind and rarely played deep cuts, the entire set will be a complete retrospective on a storied career.

The Grateful Dead spin-off/supergroup consisting of former Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, plus John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti are calling it quits after one final tour. Don’t miss your last chance to witness the expansive career-spanning sets on one of the city’s largest stages.

A duo of uber melodic proportions, Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks co-headline the Linc this summer. Between the two of them, they’ve sold hundreds of millions of records and released some of the most culture-defining songs of the last half decade. Whether you’re a Piano Man stan or Edge of Seventeen devotee, you’re in for a heavy helping of nostalgia.

Part ceremony honoring inspiring Philadelphians and part concert, this free community event features musical performances curated by local artist Chill Moody.

Local country station 92.5 XTU’s annual anniversary show always draws a huge crowd. This year’s lineup includes Alana Springsteen, Tyler Braden, Chayce Beckham and headliner Luke Bryan . Baby, you can crash his party anytime.

New wave legends The Cure come to Philly for the first time since 2008, which means Robert Smith and his signature croon (and aesthetic) are coming to town to play Just Like Heaven and Friday I’m In Love for the first time in over a decade.

From their Undone days to their fan-favorite Africa cover, Weezer has stayed delightfully consistent. Expect plenty of power chords and Rivers Cuomo’s witty wordplay.

Who run the world? The only correct answer is Beyoncé . Queen Bey brings her highly anticipated Renaissance tour to the sports complex complete with elaborate choreography, sets, costumes and vocals.

A time-honored tradition, Dave Matthews Band comes to town for another summer outing. Be like ants marching and get your tickets for either Friday ’s or Saturday’s show (or both!).

Jam band Phish once again hit the road on a hotly anticipated summer tour, playing two nights of sprawling sets in Philly. Phishheads don’t play around: These shows are already sold out save for some platinum charity tickets.

The Grammy-nominated country artist is the first person to rack up 15 No. 1 songs on country radio. Perhaps many of those chart-topping hits like Going, Going, Gone ; Hurricane; and Beer Never Broke My Heart will appear on Luke Combs ’ Linc setlist.

Class is in session during the High School Reunion Tour, which sees collaborators Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa (did you see their 2012 stoner comedy Mac & Devin Go To High School ?) reunite once again. The bill is rounded out by West Coast rappers Too $hort, Warren G and Berner.

Two of the most influential voices in hip-hop take the stage in South Philly for what is Drake’s first tour in five years. Spanning the past decade of Drake’s career, the “It’s All A Blur” tour will celebrate moments like Hotline Bling through Her Loss , a collaborative album with 21 Savage.

Sorry, but you’re going to have Unholy stuck in your head for the rest of the day. The immensely decorated artist Sam Smith (seriously, they’ve netted Grammy, BRIT, Golden Globe and Oscar awards) hits the road for the first time since 2018 , touring behind their fourth album Gloria .

Willie Nelson’s annual Outlaw Music Festival returns with its biggest lineup yet. The 90-year-old legend is joined by The Avett Brothers, Marcus King, Kathleen Edwards, Flatland Cavalry and Particle Kid for an afternoon of country, Americana, folk, rock and beyond.

One of the harbingers of the early 2000s emo movement, Fall Out Boy is essential listening for kids who just want to feel. Touring behind their fresh new album So Much (For) Stardust , Fall Out Boy brings their very long song titles and whacky lyrics to Camden.

It’s easy-listening time ! Jason Mraz saw early aughts success with The Remedy and I’m Yours , but the singer-songwriter has consistently released music, appeared on Broadway (in Waitress ) and has a new album full of lyrical wordplay: Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride .

This one is going to go all night long. The soulful pairing of Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire covers all the musical bases: groovy ( Shining Star ), emotive ( Hello ) and everything in between.

August 16 & 18, 2023

Just a few months after making the rounds in Philly at the Wells Fargo Center in March (before that, it’d been six years since the Boss came to town), Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band return to the sports complex area for two nights of anthemic rock and rapturous fandom. The streets of Philadelphia, baby!

For the first time in his nearly two-decade career, Eric Church is embarking on an outdoor summer tour. Reviving his 2014 tour, Outsiders, Church brings his fresh brand of country rock to Camden.

Are you … hungry like the wolf? Live your new wave fantasy when recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Duran Duran bring their infectious earworms Girls On Film, The Wild Boys, Rio and, yes, Hungry Like The Wolf to the City of Brotherly Love.

Onetime Genesis frontman and prolific solo musician is readying his first album of new material in over two decades — i/o — with a world tour. The album’s first singles, Playing For Time and Panopticom , are equal parts heartwrenching and existential, respectively.

One of pop’s favorite non-conformers, Pink has always played by her own rules. Her live performances are full of aerial acrobatics and, naturally, her powerhouse vocals. So what? She’s still a rock star.

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 and Freedom Mortgage Pavilion (formerly the BB&T Pavilion). Stay tuned for this year’s lineup.

After a four-year hiatus, Queen, with American Idol alum Adam Lambert on vocals, reprise their Rhapsody Tour. Boasting ambitious production quality, expect a 150-minute career-spanning set list that includes We Will Rock You, Don’t Stop Me Now, Radio Ga Ga and Somebody To Love , as well as deep cuts.

Enjoy the silence — or not. Depeche Mode is touring behind its 15th album, Memento Mori with a staggering 75-date tour. The fall leg brings them to Philadelphia where fans can hear new cuts of Ghosts Again , plus some favorites such as Personal Jesus and Enjoy The Silence .

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. Made In America , The Roots Picnic and XPoNential Music Festival are all 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 ’til you drop and, of course, have a cheesesteak .