Intern Derrick’s Weekend Picks: Resolution, Part II – Experience The New.

Admit it. That New Year’s resolution you declared a few weeks back is like Justin Bieber’s recent career—spiraling out of control in a haze of bad decisions. But there’s hope for you yet. How about a resolution to experience new music? Take some risks, listen to things you’ve never heard before and tune your eyes and ears to worldly, nostalgic, classic and relaxing sounds. Seriously, get off the treadmill, put down the doughnut and treat yourself to something new. – Derrick Krom.

FRIDAY

Vinnie Paz, featuring Army of the Pharaohs, @ Union Transfer

Independent Philly MC Vinnie Paz — frontman of classic Philadelphia hip-hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, part of hip-hop supergroup Army of the Pharaohs and one-half of Heavy Metal Kings (not to mention JUMP winter issue cover boy) — is reuniting with the core members of Army of the Pharaohs for a highly anticipated show at Union Transfer. A full-on Army of the Pharaohs set will follow solo sets by each member. It’s Philly hip-hop at its finest.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo @ Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

South African a capella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo are one of the most talented and critically acclaimed world music groups on the planet. Celebrating more than 50 years of joyous and uplifting music and coming off a recent GRAMMY® win for Best World Music Album, Ladysmith Black Mambazo are not to be missed.

SATURDAY

Béla Fleck and Brooklyn Rider @ The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

It’s not every day that you get the chance to experience a live performance from a banjo virtuoso. Béla Fleck is known across genres as the premier banjo player in the world and through his unique blending of musical styles has reinvented the sound and image of the instrument. Fleck will be joined by the contemporary Brooklyn Rider string quartet for an extremely interesting and unforgettable show.

Saved By The 90s Party with The Bayside Tigers @ The Trocadero Theatre

If you’re one of those people who love the ’90s (and in all seriousness, who doesn’t?), then the Troc is the place to be this Saturday. New York City’s Bayside Tigers are a time machine of a band, transporting you back to the time of ripped jeans, boy bands and Boy Meets World. Covering everything from grunge to hip-hop, the Saved By The ’90s Party is bound to be all that and a bag of chips (see what I did there?).

WHIRR, Nothing and Sad Actor @ Boot & Saddle

Northern California shoegazers WHIRR create effects-filled noise rock that is as heavy as it is beautiful. Using a wall of guitar noise along with faraway vocals, pounding drums and trippy synth, WHIRR — and their dark, Philly shoegazing counterparts Nothing — will help bring your weekend to a peaceful climax. Sad Actor (above) is a new band featuring Kyle Costill and Shorty Boy-Boy. This is an afternoon show, which means you’ll still have time to catch the Big Game.

Young and Sick, and Yellerkin @ Johnny Brenda’s

Young and Sick blend soulful and soothing vocals with electro beats and samples to produce a unique and dreamy sound. Defining itself as a music and art project, Young and Sick turned down major label six-figure deals, releasing their latest single on the dangerous Tor underweb instead. A truly independent group, Young and Sick is bound to be an interesting artistic experience.