A PACKED week of Outdoor Concerts at several local locations

LOTS of opportunities to see some great outdoor concerts this coming week at venues near & (not so) far...

We start off as we do every week with a FREE show over at Eagleview above Exton. Billy Allen & the Pollies are scheduled to appear along with Shelby Means.

Hailing from the Yellowhammer state, the band is a hybrid of four piece indie rock outfit The Pollies and fellow Alabamian, and frontman, Billy Allen. The band and the singer met at a recording session at the iconic FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals in early 2020 and hit it off. During the isolation of the COVID pandemic, they began exchanging voice memos. With the lockdown in full swing, the musicians became one other’s micro-community, and voice memos progressed to writing sessions in Jay’s garage.

When the time to record a proper record came, they tapped former Pollie Ben Tanner, a Grammy-winning producer/engineer/musician and keyboardist for Alabama Shakes. The result was Black Noise, which feels like walking on the alien terrain of a new genre, like garage grunge by way of Jackie Wilson. They are a band full of smiling time travelers, able to visit and draw from a multitude of eras and styles. Black Noise is an album that devastates you to the point of remembering why you love music. This is the type of band you root for. You can’t help it. They're that damn good.

Shelby Means was born in the bluegrass of Kentucky and raised on Wyoming’s high plains, She is one of the foremost bassists in bluegrass, with nearly two decades of experience in bluegrass, folk, rock, Americana, and country outfits. Now based in Charleston, SC, during her decade-plus in Nashville she was a member of the incredibly impactful GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass band of all women, Della Mae. With Della Mae and others she has traveled to more than 20 countries around the world spreading musical diplomacy.

All of them are EXTREMELY talented artists that are poised to EXPLODE big time going forward so make this your chance to come out & see them for yourselves.

In Malvern on Wednesday will be another FREE show in the "Chill on the Hill" series on Morehall Road (Route 29) in Malvern with Brother Wallace & Kikashima.

A true force of nature, Brother Wallace was born to make music that ignites pure joy, even in the darkest of moments. Since getting his start playing piano in church at 11-years-old, the Georgia-bred artist has followed his lifelong passion down an extraordinary path that spans from sharing the stage with gospel legend Kirk Franklin to performing at historic venues like Madison Square Garden as a background vocalist for globally adored rock band The Heavy.

Over the past few years, Brother Wallace has teamed up with The Heavy guitarist Dan Taylor in dreaming up a body of work built on his electrifying brand of soul music-all while continuing his longtime job as a K-12 music teacher. His music reveals the transcendent power and life-affirming impact of his timeless yet daring artistry.

Kikashima is the band and moniker of Mexican-Japanese-Californian singer/songwriter, Carissa Matsushima. Now based in Philadelphia, Kikashima is made up of equal parts legacy and rebellion. They are a sensuous power trio that boasts heart-breaking melodies, down-to-earth lyrics and grooves that move both body and soul thanks to Parker St. Charles on bass and Max Azarmehr on drums. Dropping hints of funk, soul, and folk, their music is as multi-faceted and unique as Kikashima herself, whose gorgeous vocals range from whisper to wail, all in the name of beauty, grief, and the courage to feel everything.

On Thursday, still ANOTHER FREE offering - This time it's right over in Kimberton Park at the Miller Ampitheater with local favs Be Kind Rewind.

The group plays '90s covers of Grunge, Alternative rock, Pop hits from way back when. The band was started by Mike DePalma, Dan Taney, Colin Laury, Brandon Johnston, and Liz Mott in 2018. Mike plays the guitar and tries his best to belt like Eddie Vedder and croon like Thom Yorke all at once. Frank plays the squealy high notes wayyy on the up-high frets. Dan keeps the beat locked down, Brandon kicks it with a low and tasty groove, and Megan keeps the whole thing from sounding silly when they play Natalie Imbruglia. Also, a food truck will be there from Fitzwater Station... A fun time is guaranteed!

Also on Thursday at nearby Wyebrook Farm in Honey Brook, the Manatawny Creek Ramblers are set to perform with Philly Nelson.

They're a Philly area Bluegrass, Indie Folk band that began in 2004 in the hills of Berks County playing a mix of traditional and original music. Some may know their bandleader Daniel Bower (guitar/vocals) who also played drums for another great, local band - Frog Holler. Since inception the band has built a mixed repertoire of classic bluegrass tunes by the likes of Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, Del McCoury and Flatt & Scruggs as well as an array of original material.

As the name may convey, Philly Nelson is a cosmic country salute to the music of Willie Nelson. With a deep bench & wide cast of top notch national touring, professional musicians, the band is a jubilant live music experience. Offering a refreshing approach, Philly Nelson not only plays the recorded arrangements but also embrace interpretation and
improvisation providing a pleasant mix of both familiarity & sonic adventure to the listener.

Over in King of Prussia on Friday at the Concert Under the Stars series, Hurray for the Riff Raff will be appearing... Alynda Segarra fronts the band and has spent more than a decade building one of the most distinctive catalogs orbiting contemporary Americana, blending folk storytelling, punk ethics, indie-rock experimentation, and socially engaged songwriting into music that rarely sits comfortably inside any single genre. Segarra’s lineage includes folk storytellers and Americana traditionalists, but the deeper spirit may come from artists like the Clash's Joe Strummer — musicians who treated songs not as museum pieces, but as living tools for resistance, solidarity, and connection. The popular indie-rock and singer-songwriter project Free Range will be opening.

Also on Friday at the Twilight Concert Series in Bryn Mawr, we will see the musical talents of Marielle Kraft + Kevin Walkman

Kraft writes the kind of indie pop that feels like a late-night FaceTime with your best friend — honest, infectious, and deeply relatable. A self-taught singer/songwriter now based in Nashville, Kraft has built a reputation for transforming personal moments into striking, universally resonant songs. Her confessional writing style — often likened to that of Taylor Swift and Maggie Rogers — has earned her prominent placements on Spotify and Apple Music editorial playlists, along with critical acclaim for her authenticity and lyrical clarity.

Kraft’s dynamic live shows have become a hallmark of her career. She has performed on national tours, supported artists such as Mt. Joy, Ava Max, and GIRLI, and taken the stage at major festivals including Summerfest and Nashville Pride. Her performances — which have been described by The Washington Post as experiences that “bring together a room full of strangers” — have cultivated a cult-like following that shows up both online and in person.

Kevin Walkman is a Philadelphia-based indie pop/rock artist known for his catchy and relatable tracks that resonate with listeners. His breakout single, "its alright :)," gained traction during his college years, propelling him into the music scene. Since then, Kevin has amassed over 50 million streams across all platforms and has a full nationwide support tour under his belt. As he gears up to return from a near 2 year hiatus, Walkman is poised to ascend from internet fave to breakout indie star.

Finally, staying out in Bryn Mawr on Saturday, we find our final show of the week with the legendary Livingston Taylor!

Taylor’s career as a professional musician has spanned over 50 years, encompassing performance, songwriting, and teaching. Described as "equal parts Mark Twain, college professor, and musical icon," Livingston maintains a performance schedule of more than a hundred shows a year, delighting audiences with his charm and vast repertoire of his 22 albums and popular classics. He has written top-40 hits recorded by his brother James Taylor and has appeared with Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, and Jimmy Buffet. He is equally at home with a range of musical genres - folk, pop, gospel, jazz - and from upbeat storytelling and touching ballads to full orchestra performances. In addition to his performance schedule, Livingston has taught stage performance for over 30 years, beginning at Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1989, passing on the extensive knowledge gained from his long career on the road to the next generation of musicians. Liv is an airplane-flying, motorcycle-riding, singing storyteller, delighting audiences with his charm for over 50 years... & playing just up the street from The Main Point where he honed his skills way back when... Will Dailey, the singer-songwriter blending indie rock, folk, and quirky soul into emotionally honest, lived-in songs has been tapped to open - Promises to be a magical, marvelous, musical night!

LOTS to pick and choose from... Hope you didn't book a vacation to New England this week & will have to miss these shows! ENJOY!