Philadelphia music scene explodes this fall

If you follow Philadelphia's live music scene, you may have noticed a trend building over the summer. 

For a city that often gets passed over by touring artists in favor of nearby New York City, suddenly it seemed as though everyone who matters in the music world will be making a pitstop in Philly in the fall.  

Sure, you might have missed Arcade Fire when it played the Mann Center in early August, but the Books, the Walkmen with Japandroids, Phoenix with Wavves and the Felice Brothers are all playing shows on Oct. 23 alone. 

Feeling overwhelmed? Keep reading for a quick guide of some of this semester's musical highlights, and get ready to organize your iCal.

It seems mandatory that when talking about music and live shows, Lady Gaga be mentioned, so let's get it out of the way. Yes, the Fame Monster will be attacking Philadelphia.  Gaga's Monster Ball Tour will be coming to the Wells Fargo Center on Sept. 14, leaving you with just under two weeks to get your ticket and best hair-bow.

Hair-bows may also be welcome at upcoming dub-step, electronic shows, where really, anything goes. Big names in this increasingly popular genre, Bassnectar and Pretty Lights, will both be coming to the area. 

Bassnectar will hit the Electric Factory on Nov. 5, with Pretty Lights also playing the venue just two nights prior, on Nov. 3. If you've never been to one of these light-show filled shows, check out videos from July's DeadMau5 concert, which was also held at the Electric Factory.

Rather pass out from the excitement of seeing one of your favorite nostalgia bands than from dehydration? Several "older" rock bands will be coming through the area to show Philly scenesters what angst really is. 

First, the Pixies will play the Tower Theatre next Tuesday, as part of their extended Doolittle tour, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their hit record, "Doolittle." 

Influential '90s lo-fi indie-rock band Pavement will be taking its extremely hyped reunion tour, after many years of speculation and a full year from the announcement of the tour, to the Mann Center on Friday, Sept. 17. 

Be sure to attend if you want to see the band that influenced 95 percent of your iTunes.

Broken Social Scene, a permanent staple in the indie-rock world for over 10 years, will play the TLA for two consecutive nights in September — a second night was recently added after the first night sold out. 

With members rotating from other popular groups, such as Metric, Stars, the Weakerthans and more, you never know who may make an appearance at a Broken Social Scene show. 

Famous group members include Amy Milan, Emily Haines and Leslie Feist, so get ready to get your girlcrush on.  

Also popular in the music scene for about 10 years, Sufjan Stevens will be making a stop at the Kimmel Center in Philly on Nov. 10. Stevens will play songs from his upcoming "The Age of Adz," which will feature the National on several tracks, as well as all of his biggest hits. 

You can pretty much guarantee that the sound of "Chicago" live in the Kimmel Center alone will be well worth the price of admission.

It would be unfair to talk about live music in Philly without mentioning R5 Productions, the Ardmore-based do-it-yourself concert promotion company that vows to put on inexpensive concerts with the biggest names in indie-music. 

It seems as though the company was working overtime this summer, with concerts scheduled nearly every night for the next three months.