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 Oct. 20:
Milly — Friday at Foto Club
Los Angeles indie rockers Milly come to Philly as part of their inaugural headlining tour behind the recently released Sebadoh tribute EP, “The Freed MILLY,” which included hand-drawn text by Sebadoh founder Lou Barlow himself. Last year, the group released its first full-length LP in the punchy, muscular “Eternal Ring,” which combined slowcore, grunge and emo. Written during the early days of the pandemic, the critically acclaimed effort often deals with the cataclysmic feeling of modern society and a sense that the world could end tomorrow, or even today, something which unfortunately continues to resonate.
Switchfoot — Friday at Harrah’s Resort
It seems like everywhere you look these days there’s an artist on the road celebrating the anniversary of an album in their catalog, but few have gone to the lengths Switchfoot has and gone and redone the whole LP. “The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version),” features re-recordings of chart-topping hits like “Meant To Live” and “Dare You To Move” from the 2003 multi-platinum release. This tour, which stops Friday in Atlantic City, marks the first time the band will play the record from front to back. Though it may seem like just yesterday, the underdog success story of the album exemplifies Switchfoot’s grassroots approach, defying the odds of major labels and mainstream media in becoming a touchstone of early aughts alt-rock.
Loreena McKennitt — Friday at The Miller Theater
It’s been eight years since Canadian singer-songwriter Loreena McKennitt last toured the States. “The Visit Revisited Tour: The Next Chapter” commemorates the 32nd anniversary of her life-altering, Juno Award-winning album, “The Visit.” The Celtic-folk record was released in Canada in 1991 and worldwide in 1992 as McKennitt entered into a partnership with a major international record company in Warner Music Group, making it the recording that propelled her onto the world stage, where she has comfortably remained ever since.
Lauryn Hill + The Fugees — Saturday at The Wells Fargo Center
One of the most notable hip hop, R&B and overall icons of the ’90s, Lauryn Hill, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the album that established her as a solo star, the masterful “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” Not only will she be performing it — potentially in full or perhaps choice cuts from the album, one never knows with her — but Hill’s band the Fugees have reunited for their first tour in years to co-headline. It’s a bill rife with storylines, the biggest one being Fugee member Pras having been recently found guilty of a multi-layered conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government. He is facing 20 years in prison. Then there’s the fact that Hill herself hasn’t released a new album since “The Miseducation,” which on one hand is the right move as nothing could possibly live up to expectations and on the other makes her lone solo effort that much more magical.
Beverly Glenn-Copeland — Wednesday, Oct. 25, at First Unitarian Church
Beverly Glenn-Copeland began his musical career in the 1960s, when he studied classical singing at Montreal’s McGill University and performed at Expo 67. A pair of self-titled, multi-genre albums released in the early ’70s showcased his powerful new age/folk voice and songwriting talent. This short tour faced setbacks due to the pandemic but has finally come to pass and will close out with a hometown show at Philly’s First Unitarian Church. It’ll also provide the opportunity to hear cuts from this year’s “The Ones Ahead,” Glenn-Copeland’s first studio LP in almost 20 years and the first since his career renaissance triggered by the rediscovery of his now-classic “Keyboard Fantasies” album.
Depeche Mode — Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Wells Fargo Center
Following the unexpected death of founding member Andy Fletcher last year, synth-pop legends Depeche Mode proved to be an indelible inspiration to fans, critics and artists alike by continuing to forge ahead. Earlier this year they released their 15th album, “Memento Mori,” which ranks as one of the greats in a catalog full of landmark LPs. The ongoing legacy of the group is now in the hands of frontman Dave Gahan and primary songwriter Martin Gore, who are doing their best to honor the legacy of their fallen bandmate and the DM institution as a whole. It’s a daunting task, but one they’ve been conducting in part with a rock-solid foundation as well as a deeply dedicated fanbase.
The Wood Brothers — Thursday, Oct. 26, at Union Transfer
Fresh off the release of their acclaimed latest studio album, “Heart Is the Hero,” in April and subsequent spring and summer shows, the Wood Brothers come to town for a performance that promises to be both energized and earthy. It’s been across the better part of two decades where siblings Chris and Oliver Wood, along with multi-instrumentalist Jano Rix, have cemented their reputation as free-thinking songwriters, road warriors and community builders, creating a catalog of diverse, roots-based music along the way.
Soundcheck
• Milly: “The End”
• Switchfoot: “Dare You To Move”
• Loreena McKennitt: “Greensleeves”
• Lauryn Hill: “Ex-Factor”
• Fugees: “Ready or Not”
• Beverly Glenn-Copeland: “Let Us Dance”
• Depeche Mode: “Ghosts”
• The Wood Brothers: “Line Those Pockets”
Source: Berkshire mont