Welcome to Seven in Seven, where we look at shows coming to the region over the next week. As always, whether your musical tastes are rock ’n’ roll, jazz, heavy metal, R&B, singer-songwriter or indie, there will always be something to check out. Here are seven of the best on the docket for the week of June 27:
The Taxpayers — Friday at World Café Live
Genre-bending punk band The Taxpayers come to town after a long hiatus in support of their latest LP, “Circle Breaker.” Formed in Portland in 2007, the group is known for their DIY punk ethos and ability to push musical boundaries. Following a series of critically acclaimed albums, including their last full-length release, 2016’s “Big Delusion Factory,” the new record marks a fresh chapter in the Taxpayers’ musical evolution, with touches on electro-funk, chaotic punk, and songs of love and hope.
Babymetal — Saturday at TD Pavilion at The Mann Center
Over the past two years, Japanese metal act Babymetal have released collaborations with Tom Morello, Bloodywood, and, most notably, Electric Callboy with “RATATATA” — a track that quickly amassed hundreds of millions of streams across all platforms. The new collaborations offer a peek into their forthcoming album, following 2023’s “The Other One,” their first concept album. The dance/alt metal trio has been wowing audiences for the past decade and a half, growing their audience of fans, critics, and metal luminaries like the aforementioned Morello, Rob Halford from Judas Priest, and more.
Dispatch — Saturday at The Met
The summer and Dispatch are synonymous, and the celebrated folk-rock band returns to the road alongside John Butler with his band and special guests — as well as hometown favorites — G. Love & Special Sauce. Formed by Chadwick Stokes and Brad Corrigan while in college in Vermont, Dispatch have forged their own path outside the mainstream music industry as one of independent rock’s most indelible acts over the last two-and-a-half decades. Throughout a slew of acclaimed studio and live albums and countless tours and festivals, the band has gone on to become one of the biggest success stories in music without traditional radio or major label support.
Krona — Saturday at The Fire
Born from Santo Domingo’s tight-knit DIY circuit, Dominican Republic natives Krona channel the spirit of resistance and cultural pride through electrifying performances and independent releases, driven by a shared history and relentless desire to push Caribbean punk forward. The trio fuses hardcore urgency and reggae grooves with a distinctive island flair, setting them apart in the global punk landscape.
Philly M.A.C. Fest — Sunday at Swarthmore Borough Amphitheater
The first annual Philly M.A.C. Fest, A Daylong Celebration, takes place this Sunday from noon until 8 p.m. in Swarthmore. As an unofficial preview of this year’s Philly Folk Fest, it features 10 artists who are members of The Philadelphia Folksong Society’s Musical Artists Cooperative and who also graced the stage at the 2024 edition of the fest. Performers include The Jefferson Coalition, Meghan Cary, King Edge Hill Galootin-Free Flourtown Doughboys, Aaron Nathans, CubiZm, Heidi Wolfson, Jersey Corn Pickers, Ernie’s KDD, Two of a Kind, and Mr. David C. Perry.
Kasey Chambers — Sunday at City Winery – Main Stage
With a career spanning over 25 years, Kasey Chambers continues to inspire with authenticity and unwavering commitment to her craft. At a time when the Australian could easily rest on her laurels, the beloved singer, songwriter, producer, author, mum and ARIA Hall-of-Famer instead launched herself into one of her most ambitious projects to date with both her ninth solo album, “Backbone,” and accompanying book “Just Don’t Be a (Expletive) and Other Profound Things I’ve Learnt.” She’s finally returned to the States for a long-awaited tour, one that kicked off last weekend at the Telluride Blues Festival. Expect her to celebrate the new LP at City Winery, along with taking a journey through the years of her career, life, and dozen albums.
Chained Saint — Tuesday at Kung Fu Necktie
Teen metal outfit Chained Saint was born in a South Florida garage back in the summer of 2022, and recently released their debut album, “Blindside,” which combines the raw, organic riffery of the best old-school ’80s thrash metal with a dash of modern-day brutality. Oh yeah — and it was produced by Alice in Chains frontman William DuVall. Befitting the many challenges confronting the youth of today who have reverence for their forefathers, it’s the past and present colliding, resulting in a modern, metallic whirlwind made by a bunch of kids who play with fire in their veins.
Soundcheck
• The Taxpayers: “Circle Protector”
• Babymetal: “RATATATA”
• Dispatch: “Yellow Jacket”
• Kröna: “Take ‘em All”
• Aaron Nathans: “Old Film”
• CubiZm: “River”
• Kasey Chambers: “Lose Yourself”
• Chained Saint: “Animosity”
