Each year, we gather to celebrate the extraordinary depth, diversity, and talent of Philadelphia’s music scene. From hip hop to folk, rock to jazz, punk to bluegrass, our Philly stages have come alive with the sounds that define our vibrant creative community. We are intentional about honoring the full spectrum of artists who shape the city’s cultural heartbeat—amplifying emerging voices alongside established headliners. We consider every artist that has played Philly Music Fest to be “in the family” and we treasure the Philly artists that have defined the last decade of Philly music. Please take a spin through the years and listen to the artists, buy some merch and go see a live show.
September 22 & 23, 2017
World Cafe Live
Strand of Oaks • Cayetana • Steve Gunn • Work Drugs • Slaughter Beach, Dog • Kississippi • Pine Barons • Cheerleader • Eric Slick • Ivy Sole • Shannen Moser • Harmony Woods • Chris Kasper • Abi Reimold • Sports • Ceramic Animal • New Sound Brass • West Philadelphia Orchestra • Local Smokes • Sixteen Jackies • Skull Eclipses • Sea Offs • Dominic • Slomo Sapiens • Tiny Hueman
September 27-30, 2018
Johnny Brenda’s, World Cafe Live, Milkboy
Pissed Jeans • The Districts • Waxahatchee • Low Cut Connie • Ruby the Hatchet • Palm • Hardwork Movement • Vita and the Woolf • Soul Glo • Kingsley Ibeneche • Levee Drivers • Orion Sun • Hurry • End of America • Man About a Horse • The Mysteries • The Whips • Secret American • Jazz Showcase featuring Derrick Hodge, James Poyser and Jaleel Shaw
September 25-28, 2019
Milkboy, Johnny Brenda’s, World Cafe Live
Man Man • Vacationer • Speedy Ortiz • Sun Ra Arkestra • Ceramic Animal • Restorations • RFA • Sixteen Jackies • Ali Awan • Secret American • Remember Sports • Chestnut Grove • Thin Lips • Jeremiah Tall • Foxtrot & The Get Down • Arnetta Johnson • Ill Fated Natives • Ill Doots • Rosali • Tate • Sammus
September 24 & 25, 2020
Live Stream at Ardmore Music Hall
Japanese Breakfast • Langhorne Slim • Mt. Joy • The Districts • Clap Your Hands Say Yeah • Arnetta Johnson & Sunny • Zeek Burse • Arthur Thomas and The Funkitorium
October 6-10, 2021
World Cafe Live, Johnny Brenda’s, Milkboy, REC Philly, Ardmore Music Hall
The Menzingers • Alex G • Hop Along • Ivy Sole • Son Little • Spirit of the Beehive • Control Top • Queen of Jeans • Moor Mother • Moses Mosima • Barney Cortez • Irreversible Entanglements • Stella Ruze • Annonxl • Highnoon • Moor Jewelry • West Philadelphia Orchestra • Lunch • Kelsey Cork and The Swigs
October 6-10, 2022
Ardmore Music Hall, World Cafe Live, Johnny Brenda’s, The Dolphin, REC Philly, Underground Arts
Mt. Joy • Mannequin Pussy • Low Cut Connie • Ron Gallo • Screaming Females • Working on Dying • Shamir • Electric Candlelight • Empath • Kayleigh Goldsworthy • Ghösh • Lady HD • Saleka • Stereo League • Marielle Kraft • Echo Kid • Max Swan • Riverby • The Ire • Justmadnice • Perpetual Motion
October 9-15, 2023
Ardmore Music Hall, World Cafe Live, Milkboy, Johnny Brenda’s, Underground Arts, Solar Myth
Kurt Vile and the Violators • Marian Hill • Mo Lowda & the Humble • Tigers Jaw • Algernon Cadwallader • Charlie Hall • Sadurn • Gladie • Knifeplay • Trap Rabbit • Ryan Gilfillian • Chris Forsyth • Julia Pratt • Purling Hiss • Schoolly D • Emily Robb • Grocer • Huey, the Cosmonaut • Church Girls • Sophie Coran • Yowler • Florry • The Cheddar Boys • Moustapha Noumbissi
October 21-27, 2024
World Cafe Live, Underground Arts, Milkboy, Johnny Brenda’s, Solar Myth, Ardmore Music Hall
Amos Lee • Waxahatchee • Slaughter Beach, Dog • Sheer Mag • Devon Gilfillian • Mondo Cozmo • Catbite • Marshall Allen • Anna Shoemaker • Reef the Lost Cauze • Cosmic Guilt • @ • Hurry • The Tisburys • Super Infinity • Santa Chiara • Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise • Angelo Outlaw • Queasy • Emily Drinker • The Out-Sect • Cadre Noir
October 13-19, 2025
World Cafe Live, Johnny Brenda’s, Milkboy, REC Philly, Ardmore Music Hall
Dr. Dog • Matt Quinn • The Wonder Years • Greg Mendez • Grace Gardner • Nazir Ebo • Chioke • Catie Turner • Caracara • Black Buttafly • Archawah • Daniel Villarreal • Dryjacket • Golden Apples • Public Works • Kulfigirls • 22° Halo • Soup Dreams • Làstima • ShyGodwin • Planette Automatic • Horrendous
We are incredibly proud of the bands that have played Philly Music Fest. Please support these musicians by purchasing their music, attending their shows and please buy merch, as that is often the best way to get money in a musician’s pocket.
