This week in Philly music features the biggest country music tour of the summer for two nights in South Philly, the Chicks in Atlantic City, PJ Morton in Fishtown, a bluegrass fest in Wind Gap, Pa., Lyle Lovett kicking off a three-night stand at City Winery, and two all time great music legends born with the name Herbert playing on the same night.
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Wednesday, July 29
Herbie Hancock
A giant with a history that includes fruitful years playing with Miles Davis in the 1960s, funk and fusion innovation with Headhunters in the 1970s, and even a breakout MTV hit with “Rockit” in the 1980s. Herbie Hancock is the rare jazz artist who can — at age 85 — headline a room as big as the Met. For this tour, the pianist and keyboard player’s band includes trumpeter Terence Blanchard and guitarist Lionel Loueke. 8 p.m., Met Philly, 858 N. Broad St., themetphilly.com
Wayne Hancock
Pop country stars pay lip service to the legacy of the late great Hank Williams. But few if any embody Williams’ unvarnished honky tonk than Wayne “The Train” Hancock. Particularly in this extreme weather season, “Thunderstorms & Neon Signs” is a classic. 8 p.m., Nikki Lopez, 3014 South St., instagram.com/nikkilopezphilly.
Herb Alpert
Trumpeter, bandleader, and visionary businessperson — he founded A&M Records with Jerry Moss in 1962 — Herb Alpert has had a career of remarkable duration. The 91-year-old entertainer, whose instrumental hits include “A Taste of Honey,” “The Lonely Bull,” and “Rise,” released his 50th album, 50, in 2024 and celebrated the 60th anniversary of his iconic 1965 album, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, last year. He’s touring with a new version of his longtime ensemble, the Tijuana Brass. After his show in Delaware, he has dates in New Brunswick, N.J., on Thursday and York, Pa., on Friday. 8 p.m., The Grand, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington, thegrandwilmington.org
Thursday, July 30
Cinderella’s Tom Keifer Band
In the 1980s and early 1990s, Keifer led Cinderella, the Philly band formed in Clifton Heights, which was the leading light of the hair metal scene at Empire Rock Club in Northeast Philly. The band scored with hit albums Night Songs in 1986 and Long Cold Winter in 1988. 8 p.m., Keswick Theatre, 291 S. Keswick Ave., Glenside, keswicktheatre.com.
Babe Rainbow / Sam and Louise Sullivan
Australian psychedelic rock band Babe Rainbow — formed in the surfer’s home of Rainbow Bay — is touring behind its seventh album, Acid and Honey. Just added to the bill are Sam and Louise Sullivan, the sibling duo who are part of the South Philly-based Historic NJ collective, and has just released their terrific third album, Love & Devotion. 8 p.m., Foundry at the Fillmore, 29 E. Allen St., thefillmorephilly.com
Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July 31
Nduduzo Makhathini
South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini is a composer, educator, producer, and sangoma, or spiritual healer. The Myth We Chose is his lovely, calming new album on Blue Note Records. Makhathini cites John Coltrane’s quartet with McCoy Tyner as a prime influence. 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 S. Broad St., solarmythbar.com
Thursday July 30-Sunday Aug. 2
Appalachian Fiddle and Bluegrass Association Bluegrass Festival
This four-day fest in Wind Gap, Pa. — an hour and a half north of Philly in Northampton County — looks like fun to me, with a slew of serious pickers and fiddlers. Bands include the Grascals, Henhouse Prowlers, the Coal Fired Rounders, Martha Spencer, and Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass. Thursday-Sunday, Mountain View Park, 206 E. Mountain Rd., Wind Gap, abfawindgap.org
Friday, July 31
Te Vista
Jangly power pop-plus South Jersey band Te Vista’s bittersweet and catchy album House would surely be on a list of the best Philly-area releases in 2026 … if its release date of Dec. 26, 2025, had been a week later. Free. Noon, World Stage, 3025 Walnut St., xpn.org
PJ Morton
Partying happens on Saturday, and praying commences on Sunday. That age-old chronology is explored on Saturday Night / Sunday Morning, the new album from keyboard player and singer PJ Morton, who is also a member of Maroon 5. It’s half R&B (and pop, with a little reggae), and half gospel. 8 p.m., Fillmore Philly, 29 E. Allen St., thefillmorephilly.com.
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Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy becomes a nonagenarian on Thursday, and the Chicago bluesman who remains a thrilling guitarist will be in Atlantic City the following evening. His “Buddy Guy 90 tour” then comes to the Keswick Theatre in Glenside on Sunday. 8 p.m., Ovation Hall at Ocean Resort, 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, theoceanac.com.
The Chicks
The Texas trio of Natalie Maines and sisters Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire is on tour for the 20th anniversary of Taking the Long Way, the 2006 album that won five Grammys. It was the first album to be released after the band became a culture war flashpoint after it was essentially banned from country radio due to Maines’ comments criticizing the George W. Bush administration’s war in Iraq. There are no Philly dates, so this is the only date in the area in 2026. 8 p.m., Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city
Friday and Saturday, July 31 and Aug. 1
Morgan Wallen and Ella Langley
Morgan Wallen and Ella Langley are not only the two biggest country stars in America in 2026 — they’re the biggest sellers in any genre. Wallen’s 37-song I’m the Problem, which came out in May 2025, is the biggest-selling album of 2026, with just over 2 million units, according to Luminate Data. Langley’s Dandelion is second, with 1.6 million.
And with 15 straight weeks at #1, Langley’s single “Choosin’ Texas” has surpassed Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” and Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” as the longest chart topper by a woman that’s not a holiday song. (Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” held the spot for 22 weeks.)
Wallen’s “Still the Problem” final two dates are in South Philly, with Brooks & Dunn opening Friday and Langley on Saturday. 5:30 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field, One Lincoln Financial Way, lincolnfinancialfield.com.
Saturday, Aug. 1
Mitch-A-Palooza
Retro City Studios Room B owner Mitch Beer is hosting a benefit concert for Philly Music Fest and the locally based Music Media Collective. The lineup is headed up by Stereo League, whose Alex Savoth just released a rock-solid solo album, Midnight Sun. Also on the bill, the Commission, Brian LaPenn, Bo Rains, and the Sharpness, which is Beer’s family band with his wife, Bo Rains, and their 6-year-old son, Levi. 8 p.m. Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, ardmoremusichall.com
Sunday, Aug. 2
Dinner Party
The new album by Dinner Party, that’s due Aug. 7, has a cute question in its title: Whatchu Bringing? In a show that’s been moved from Heuser Park in King of Prussia, the quartet of saxophonist Kamasi Washington, pianist Robert Glasper, rapper-producer Terrace Martin, and DJ-producer 9th Wonder will be bringing an improvisational jazz-soul-funk-hip-hop stew that’s likely to result in one of tastiest shows of the summer. 8 p.m., Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St., utphilly.com
Tuesday, Aug. 4
Lyle Lovett
Lyle Lovett is a funny storyteller and a gifted musician and songwriter, as well a natty dresser. In 2022, he did a run of shows at City Winery with his Large Band, and in March, he played in Landsdowne with John Hiatt. Now, he’s coming back to City Winery solo for three shows, beginning Tuesday. 8 p.m., City Winey, 990 Filbert St., citywinery.com/philadelphia