Wu-Tang Clan, Blues Traveler, Ghost among area concert highlights [Seven in Seven]

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 July 18:

Wu-Tang Clan — Friday at Wells Fargo Center

Featuring a foundation built on lyrics that blend the reality of 1990s New York with the world of martial arts, Wu-Tang Clan has created a unique mythology that captures the hearts of fans worldwide. Now, the most iconic collective in hip-hop history is bringing their touring days to an end with “Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber,” and the final show of the first leg is in Philadelphia on Friday. Group founder RZA said of the tour in a statement: “This is a special moment for me and all my Wu brothers to run around the globe together one more time and spread the Wu swag, music, and culture. Most importantly, to touch our fans and those who have supported us throughout the years.” RZA promises a show unlike any other, and with the duo Run the Jewels as openers, you just know it’s goin to get off to a killer start.

Rose City Band — Friday at Ardmore Music Hall

Rose City Band’s music is timeless country rock with a seemingly effortless momentum that carries the joy of its creation without ignoring the darkness pervading today’s world. Led by guitarist/vocalist Ripley Johnson, the music of the group is rooted in his love of records of the mid to late ’70s. Their latest album, “Sol Y Sombra,” digs its heels into insatiable grooves, with a parade of catchy songs conjuring a sunset drive through an open desert, both a celebration of a sojourn and a reach for the warmth of home.

Ghost will perform on Saturday at Wells Fargo Center. (Ryan Chang)

Ghost — Saturday at Wells Fargo Center

Transcending genre and defying trends, Ghost’s latest LP “Skeleta” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 when it was released this past spring, becoming the first hard rock album to do so in over four years. Now comes the “Skeletour World Tour,” which features the flesh and bone debut of frontman Papa V Perpetua on a North American swing that is already attracting the band’s biggest and most diverse audiences to date. From lifelong disciples to curious uninitiated first-timers to the outcasts and others who find solace in the music of Ghost, all are welcome to escape the travails of daily life and become one with the enthralling ritual.

Blues Traveler + Gin Blossoms + Spin Doctors — Saturday at Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort

If you’re seeking a little bit of ’90s nostalgia this weekend and happen to be down the shore, well, have we got a show for you. Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms are bringing their co-headlining summer run to Atlantic City, N.J., with Spin Doctors performing opening duties.  Blues Traveler has played over 2,000 shows in front of more than 30 million people, and their song “Run-Around,” had the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned them a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Gin Blossoms rose to prominence following the 1992 release of their major label debut album, “New Miserable Experience, and the singles “Hey Jealousy,” “Allison Road,” and “Until I Fall Away.” Then there’s the Spin Doctors, best known for their multi-platinum album “Pocket Full of Kryptonite,” which sold 10 million albums worldwide and featured hits “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong.”

Mekons — Saturday at Philadelphia Ethical Society

Legendary postmodern, post-punk, post-human, post-caring collective Mekons recently returned with a new album for 2025 in “Horror,” which provides a prescient reflection of the world in its current murk and how we got here. The LP looks at history and the legacies of British imperialism with mashed-up lyrics set against a typically eclectic sound that blends everything from dub, country, noise, rock and roll, electronica, punk, music hall, polka, and you can even take your partner for a nice waltz on “Sad and Sad and Sad.” Fifty years in, Mekons continue to astound with their sound, sentiment, and method of delivery mixed to perfection both on record and onstage.

The Warning — Saturday at Union Transfer

Drawing strength and power from a lifetime of sisterhood and music, Mexico-born sister trio The Warning has logged thousands of miles on the road, generated hundreds of millions of streams, and left countless fans in awe. All of this tireless work and dedication have shaped and sharpened their sound with knifepoint precision, arming alternative anthems with catchy hooks and an uncompromising hard rock kick. Their latest offering, “Keep Me Fed,” has amassed over 155 million streams globally, landing them at the top spot on Billboard’s Emerging Artist chart with the biggest album debut for an all-female rock group in the 2020s. The current headlining shows come in the wake of a spring spent opening for Halsey, so they’re already warmed up for a full set at Union Transfer this weekend.

The Decemberists — Wednesday at Wind Creek Event Center

Founded in 2000 when singer, songwriter, and guitarist Colin Meloy moved from Montana to Portland, Ore., and met bassist Nate Query, keyboardist Jenny Conlee, and guitarist Chris Funk, The Decemberists’ distinctive brand of hyperliterate folk rock set them apart from the start with the release of their debut EP “5 Songs” the following year. Years since have seen the band tour the world, perform at countless major festivals, and even found Travelers’ Rest, a festival of their own curation in Missoula, Mont. Along the musical journey, they’ve also appeared on “The Simpsons,” collaborated with Lin-Manuel Miranda, and released their own crowd-funded board game, Illimat.

Soundcheck

• Wu-Tang Clan: “Protect Ya Neck”

• Rose City Band: “Lights on the Way”

• Ghost: “Satanized”

• Blues Traveler: “Run-Around”

• Gin Blossoms: “Until I Fall Away”

• Spin Doctors: “Two Princes”

• Mekons: “Mudcrawlers”

• The Warning: “Hell You Call a Dream”

• The Decemberists: “Severed”