Welcome to Seven in Seven, where we look at shows coming to the region over the next week. As always, whether your musical tastes are rock ’n’ roll, jazz, heavy metal, R&B, singer-songwriter or indie, there will always be something to check out. Here are seven of the best on the docket for the week of July 11:
Axioma – Friday and Kung Fu necktie
Cleveland dark metal group Axioma melds elements of post, death, and extreme metal, evident in their most recent EP release, “Live Totality.” The lead track features a transcendent 14-minute instrumental doom composition that was recorded live on the shore of Lake Erie during the full solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, as well as three other compositions showcasing the band’s diverse take on darkened extreme metal. Though it is a live recording, it only hints at what the band is capable of onstage, making this week’s show at Kung Fu Necktie a must for those who want the full Axioma experience.
I Want My ’80s Tour — Friday at Hard Rock Casino and Sunday at Wind Creek Event Center
If you’re seeking some ’80s nostalgia this summer, look no further than the 2025 edition of Rick Springfield’s “I Want My ’80s Tour.” The singer behind the hits “Jessie’s Girl” and “Human Touch” has rounded up another squad of luminaries from the heyday of MTV, so break out the neon colors, the tight jeans, and put a hole in the ozone with all the hairspray you’ll be using. Regionally, the package tour will stop in Atlantic City, N.J., Friday at Hard Rock Casino and Sunday at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem. Both nights will feature full sets from Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young.
Murder by Death — Saturday at Union Transfer
Chalk it up to their misleadingly macabre name or the style of rock that rides along the outskirts of several disparate genres without firmly settling into any of them, but Murder by Death has never fit neatly into any music industry boxes. Now that they are saying farewell after 25 years, it’s as good a time as any for the uninitiated to go all in before the band disappears forever. Ahead of the goodbye tour, the indie rockers have released “Egg & Dart,” arguably their most sad and beautiful effort to date, presenting generous moments of triumph, desolation, horror, and joy, all while exploring the challenges of letting go and moving onto the next phase.
Young the Giant — Saturday at Tropicana Atlantic City
It’s an incredibly busy summer for Young the Giant, as the multi-platinum indie rock unit are playing a bunch of festivals, supporting The Lumineers for a handful of dates, and then heading to Australia for a series of shows with Bloc Party. Then they’ll be back Stateside for a run of acoustic performances into the fall. Amid all of that, though, they’ll be stopping in Atlantic City, N.J., for a headlining appearance at Tropicana. Also of note, especially given the number of gigs, Young the Giant is once again teaming up with Reverb to make their tour more sustainable, engage fans in meaningful climate action, and support the nonprofit’s groundbreaking Music Decarbonization Project, which fast-tracks innovative climate solutions to eliminate the music industry’s carbon pollution at the source.
Creed — Saturday at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion and Wednesday at The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
This was supposed to be a continuation of last year’s wildly successful “Summer of ’99 Tour,” with Creed and 3 Doors Down. Then Brad Arnold, frontman for the latter, announced this spring he was battling stage 4 kidney cancer that had metastasized to his lung, resulting in 3DD vacating the bill. The tour continues, with Daughtry and Mammoth handling support, and everyone wishing the best for Arnold. The trek makes two stops in the region over the next seven days, including Saturday in Camden, N.J., and Wednesday in Scranton.
Wavves — Sunday at Underground Arts
Late last month, Wavves returned with “Spun,” their first album since 2021, marking a new chapter for the San Diego garage rockers. Written in the same backyard shed where it all began, the record captures the band’s signature blend of chaos, clarity, and self-aware sneer. After years of label detours, solo ventures, and side hustles — including the launch of their cannabis brand Wavvy Supply Co. — Wavves is back on the road with fresh music and a renewed sense of purpose. Same noise, new energy, and a show that shouldn’t be missed if you like raw, high-energy rock and roll.
Phish — Tuesday and Wednesday at TD Pavilion at The Mann
Earlier this year, Phish received their first Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame nomination, honoring a singular four-decade career that has earned them one of the most dedicated fan communities in music history. Though they didn’t get in this time around, that doesn’t mean the group are going to hide in a corner and cry about it — quite the opposite. This summer, they’re pulling multi-night stands across the country, including two shows at The Mann next week. This follows an eventful 2024, which proved to be a landmark year for Phish, including an acclaimed four-night sold-out run at Sphere in Las Vegas. In addition, the band’s annual summer live run was highlighted by Mondegreen, a four-day festival at The Woodlands in Dover, Del.
Soundcheck
• Axioma: “Live Totality”
• Rick Springfield: “Jessie’s Girl”
• John Waite: “Missing You”
• Wang Chung: “Dance Hall Days”
• Paul Young: “Every Time You Go Away”
• Murder by Death: “Wandering”
• Young the Giant: “My Body”
• Creed: “Are You Ready?”
• Wavves: “Way Down”
• Phish: “Character Zero”
