Get Better Records recently put out an extensive (119 song) compilation, whose title says it all: A Benefit Comp To Help Pay Medical Bills For Those Activists Fighting Against Fascism & Racism. With proceeds aiding those injured in Charlottesville, as well as those affected by Hurricane Harvey, one can listen to a massive collection that includes a multitude of local talent Bren Lukens, Cayetana, Sadie Dupuis, Mischief Brew, Soul Glo, HIRS, S-21, Radiator Hospital, Mannequin Pussy, Worriers, Dominic, Jon Loudon, and Roger Harvey among many others. Especially in times of crisis it’s important to standup for what one believes in, reach out to those who have sacrificed and suffered, and help in any way you can.

September has arrived, and with it, comes the ceremonial conclusion of summer. However, before the sun-kissed season draws to a close, Ben Franklin Parkway plays host to a recently vested (6^th overall) tradition Made In America. While an assortment acts will grace the various stages over, the 2-day event, the local contingent continues to grow. This Saturday includes the silky, serenading electro-pop of Marian Hill, the retrofitted, harmony-harnessing Queen of Jeans, the devastatingly tenacious, melodic whirlwind of Mannequin Pussy, and experimental instrumental textures meets sincere Americana-folk songwriting of (Sandy) Alex G. And Sunday’s slate begins with PNB Rock, before a consecutive tandem that includes the heart-rendering, earnest elegance of Japanese Breakfast (whose Soft Sounds From Another Planet was our August Record of the Month) and the gritty, grab-the-wheel-and-drive indie rock of Beach Slang. Of course, the streets of Philadelphia will also be filled with bangers from Hova, Solange, Run the Jewels, Little Dragon, and many others. Hopefully the weather will hold out so that we can all enjoy a rad Labor Day Weekend in Philly! – Michael Colavita

More places where you can say goodbye to summer this weekend…

Made In America (Ben Franklin Pkwy) SAT Marian Hill, Queen of Jeans, Mt. Joy, Mannequin Pussy, (Sandy) Alex G, SUN PnB Rock, Japanese Breakfast, Beach Slang, Tigers Jaw

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) SAT Night Raids, Barakka, SUN DJ Lil Dave

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Hawk Tubley & The Ozymandians, Jason Ager (Trio), Rachel Eve, SAT Goodnight/Goodluck, Wax Wav, Cologne

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Devil's Grippe, Truant Minds, Punkes/Gravers Lane ImHul/DJ Deejay, SAT Drones for Queens/Wolf Dem, KT Caustic, Teknacolor Ninja/Lunacy, SUN Sublaymen, Yeenar/Disinhume, Descendency, Depletion

PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12^th St.) FRI The Improbables, SAT A Virgin

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Conjunto/Massive, Denelle Anderson, K-Soul, Rico Anderson, SAT (Upstairs) Steve Cal Quartet, Mike Kennedy

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) SAT Of the Archive (EP Release), Shy, Mage Hand, SUN Luxe

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Maggie Mae, Sonni Shine, Miss Cantaloupe, Granz

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI dot.gov, Dave Bakey, SAT Nicky P & Friends, Doug Wartman, Jeremiah Tall

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Shaky Deville, U.S. Lawns, SUN Langor, Circadian Rhythms

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Astro 8000

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SAT Alec Stewart, Bryant Eugene Vazquez, I am not the Universe, SUN Rusty Cadillac

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Project 28

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI Bad Luck 13 Riot Extravaganza

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT Menace Cartel

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ed Christof

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Christian O’Connor Band, Calla Bere & The Attitude, SAT Take Cover

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Eat Your Beats

First Unitarian Church (2125 Chestnut St.) FRI S-21 (Last Show)

The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18^th St.) SUN My Name Is Tom, MON Matt Kelly, Old Scratch

Beautiful World Syndicate (1619 E. Passyunk Ave.)  SAT Dark Web

Childhood pals Marisa Dabice and Thanasi Paul formed Mannequin Pussy during their time in New York City. The group went through multiple configurations before bringing in Kaleen Read to take over drumming duties and solidifying their sound with the addition of Colins Regisford (a.k.a. Bear) on bass. The congruous, musical union inspired the band to return to the studio and record the follow-up to its debut LP Gypsy Pervert. Mannequin Pussy had already been building a reputation in the punk/DIY music community as a must-see on billings, and with the release of 2016’s Romantic, they began to garner deserved national/international critical acclaim, which eventually brought them top honors in The Deli Philly’s annual Best Emerging Artist(s) Poll.

Now, the quartet is all set to embark on their first European tour this weekend, and we had a chance to connect with Dabice before the start of this exciting, momentous occasion to talk about her and the band’s past, present, and future. It was a truly enjoyable exchange with the thoughtful Mannequin Pussy frontwoman, which you can check out HERE.

Mannequin Pussy stopped by Audiotree Live on February 3, 2017 to unleashed their blissful, brutal blend of punk. Showcasing a solid sampling from their latest album, Romantic (Tiny Engines), The Deli Philly’s November 2016 Record of the Month, the quartet demonstrates a fierce intensity, while wielding a melodic precision. The group also took a moment to discuss some of their favorite local music, inspirations, collaborations, etc. Mannequin Pussy will be performing at Johnny Brenda's tomorrow night, as part of The Trevor Project Benefit, where they'll be joined by Abi Reimold, King Azaz, and Carcara.