Philly Music Fest returns featuring a new metal night and a surprise guest performer.

The Philadelphia Music Fest (PMF) is set to return for its ninth annual installment, continuing its tradition of celebrating local talent while supporting music education initiatives. Scheduled for October 13-19, the festival will feature performances across various independent venues throughout the Philadelphia area, marking another year of musical celebration under the theme “our genre is Philly.”

This year’s festival will occur over the course of a week and expand its offerings to nine shows across seven venues, incorporating two multi-act nights. For the first time, PMF will also spotlight Philadelphia’s heavy rock scene with a dedicated metal night at MilkBoy, along with the inclusion of a newly added venue, the Fallser Club in East Falls.

A highlight of the festival is the headlining performances by notable acts such as the pop-punk band The Wonder Years, led by vocalist Dan Campbell. Other featured artists include solo performances from Matt Quinn of Mt. Joy, a jazz double bill pairing Nazir Ebo and Daniel Villareal, as well as an engaging singer-songwriter night featuring indie folk artist Greg Mendez. The festival will kick off with a yet-to-be-disclosed headliner on October 13 and 14 at Ardmore Music Hall, continuing a tradition where a buzzworthy act is kept under wraps until close to the event.

Event founder Greg Seltzer has emphasized the significance of the mystery headliner, noting that the artist typically has a previous engagement in the region that must be fulfilled prior to the PMF announcement. This year marks the potential debut of a long-desired act that has eluded booking in past years.

The PMF aims to promote the local music scene while generating funds for music education programs, achieving a remarkable contribution of 0,000 each of the last three years. Seltzer, who also serves as an attorney with the Ballard Spahr law firm, estimates that the festival injects approximately 0,000 into the Philadelphia music economy annually, benefiting local musicians and venues alike.

The festival lineup includes several notable performances. On October 15 at Johnny Brenda’s, Mendez will headline, supported by acts such as 22 Halo and Soup Dreams. On October 16, Quinn is expected to perform solo at World Cafe Live, likely accompanied by special guests. The festival continues with two shows from The Wonder Years at Underground Arts on October 17 and 18, followed by Catie Turner on October 18 at the Fallser Club and concluding with metal acts on October 19.

Tickets for individual shows will go on sale on May 16 at 10 a.m. via the festival’s official site, with the star-studded Ardmore Music Hall performances remaining under wraps until later in the summer. As the Philadelphia Music Fest continues to grow, it remains committed to enriching the local musical landscape and providing vital support for music education in the community.

For more information on the event and ticket sales, visit the PMF’s official website.

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