Philly Music Fest has announced its return for a seventh year, spanning seven nights in a city-wide festival October 9th-15th, 2023. Taking place in six independent venues, PMF is a non-profit organization founded by a local husband and wife team, Greg and Jenn Seltzer, who are “dedicated to supporting and highlighting the thriving local music scene, then donating profits to music education programs to secure the next generation of Philadelphia artists, after paying all artists and venues.”
This year’s lineup includes Kurt Vile & The Violators, Marian Hill, Schoolly D, Mo Lowda & The Humble, Tigers Jaw, Algernon Cadwallader, Charlie Hall, Sadurn, Gladie, Knifeplay, Trap Rabbit, Ryan Gilfilian, Chris Forsyth, Julia Pratt, Purling Hiss, Emily Robb, Grocer, Huey, The Cosmonaut, Church Girls, Sophie Coran, Yowler, Florry, The Cheddar Boys, and Moustapha Noumbissi. Venues participating in 2023 include World Café Live, Johnny Brenda’s, Ardmore Music Hall, Milkboy, Solar Myth and Underground Arts.
Kurt Vile shares:
Sun Ra Arkestra blew my mind at Ardmore Music Hall shortly before the pandemic and I’ve been excited to play there ever since. It’s a thrill to be able to put two nights of shows together there: one with a Philly icon, Schoolly D, whose voice is just unbelievable, my favorite classic voice from Philly, so deep that it just cuts right through into your brain and soul. I can’t believe we get to play with Schoolly, he was the first person I requested actually… when I heard he agreed I definitely lost it a little bit. It’s just a Philly family affair all around, baby. See you all there in October, my people!
Philly Music Fest worked directly with Kurt Vile to curate a lineup that reflects Vile’s “passion, taste and dedication to Philadelphia.”
Philly Music Fest features Jazz, Rock, Hip Hop, Pop, Punk, Bluegrass, Folk, and Americana artists from Grammy winning, national touring acts to emerging artists. In 2022, after compensating the musicians and venues, Philly Music Fest donated $100,000 to local music education programs (including, Rock to the Future, Beyond the Bars, Musicopia, and Settlement Music School).
Tickets for all seven PMF shows go on sale at 10:00 AM on May 5, 2023 at PMF’s website and the website of each venue. In each of the past three years, almost all PMF shows have sold out, evidencing the demand and support for PMF and the amazing musicians and venues in Philadelphia.
