Philly Music Fest returns for its eighth annual city-wide festival October 21-27, 2024. Taking place at six independent venues in six different neighborhoods across seven nights, PMF is a non-profit organization founded by a local husband and wife team, Greg and Jenn Seltzer. PMF highlights the thriving local music scene, then after paying all musicians and venues, PMF donates profits to music education programs for underprivileged kids. PMF estimates an annual economic impact of $500,000, including an annual donation to music education of $100,000.
The lineup for PMF is stacked with nationally recognized headliners paired with up-and-coming future stars. Amos Lee headlines the lineup at World Cafe Live on October 24, supported by Anna Shoemaker and Cosmic Guilt. Fresh off their sellout of The Fillmore, Slaughter Beach, Dog will headline Ardmore Music Hall on October 21. On October 22 at Ardmore Music Hall, PMF will again employ the “To Be Announced” strategy, which it most recently executed in 2022 when megastar Mt. Joy was the surprise headliner.
Devon Gilfillian and Mondo Cozmo will co-headline the show at Underground Arts on October 26th, while Catbite and Reef the Lost Cauze bring a Ska and Hip-Hop vibe to MilkBoy on October 25th. PMF again features a jazz show at Solar Myth on October 27th, headlined by Glass Band (featuring Steve Gunn) and supported by vibraphonist Angelo Outlaw.
“PMF is always GREAT,” says WXPN’s Bruce Warren. “It’s the ultimate and only gathering of Philly bands of this magnitude, and a joyous, multi-genre festival that brings together fans and bands. Most importantly, PMF never sucks.”
PMF collaborates with WXPN on Inside Hustle, the only Philly music industry and networking event, which takes place twice per year, including the Saturday afternoon of Philly Music Fest (October 26) at REC Philly. Inside Hustle has grown to attract over 400 attendees per session, including musicians, managers, agents, publicists, radio personnel, streaming experts, studio engineers and students.
"It's hard to choose a favorite aspect of Philly Music Fest,” says Rising Sun Managing Partner & Senior Talent Buyer Chris Perella. “Our teams at Ardmore Music Hall, Underground Arts and MilkBoy are honored to host wildly exciting and eclectic talent normally out of reach for our clubs, but possible due to the support and subsidy of Philly Music Fest. Philly Music Fest provides a healthy and essential injection of financial support and we all get an entire week of incredible shows that result in a massive benefit to music education programs that really need assistance."
“Philly Music Fest is intended to embody the spirit of Philly’s music scene, including a demonstrative DIY ethos that focuses on supporting a diverse array of musicians, while maintaining a backbone of giving and understanding that music education for kids ensures a vibrant and exciting next generation of Philly bands,” says Greg Seltzer. “By eliminating fees normally paid to a corporate producer and promoter, and utilizing the legal, business and accounting experience that Jenn and I possess, we keep costs very low and ensure that funds are directed to the musicians, venues, and kids.”
Philly Music Fest started in 2017 at one venue (World Cafe Live), donating $15,000 to music education for kids. PMF has gradually expanded to a full week of shows featuring Philly musicians and now annually donates $100,000 to music education, after paying all musicians and venues. PMF estimates annual impact on Philly’s music scene at $500,000. Despite receiving donations from several local businesses, both large and small, along with individual donors including Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata and Connor Barwin, PMF maintains a strict policy of no corporate advertising or banners, assuring focus on the music and maintaining a DIY atmosphere. In addition to the donations to music education, PMF established a microgrant fund in 2020, initially deploying over 330 microgrants to musicians suffering as a result of COVID-19, but now utilized to assist musicians with healthcare issues, as well as stolen gear or extreme financial distress.
Tickets for all seven PMF shows go on sale at 10:00 AM on May 24th via PMF’s website and the website of each venue. In each of the past four years, all PMF shows have sold out.
Find Philly Music Fest Online:
Official: https://phillymusicfest.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PHLMusicFest/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillymusicfest/
