Ardmore Music Hall hosts the opening nights of Philly Music Fest's 10th anniversary edition, with singer-songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov headlining two shows on Monday, Oct. 12 and Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Isakov, who was born in South Africa and raised in Philadelphia, headlines both evenings at the Lancaster Avenue venue. Jordan Caiola opens the first night, and two-time Grammy nominee Madi Diaz opens the second. Diaz grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

The seven-night festival, running Oct. 12–18, then moves to Philadelphia venues including Johnny Brenda's, Underground Arts, The Fallser Club and Solar Myth. More than 20 artists are on the bill, according to Main Line Today. The lineup includes The Dillinger Escape Plan, RJD2, Sweet Pill, Mo Lowda & the Humble and Upper Darby-raised jazz saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, who closes the festival at Solar Myth on Oct. 18.

Isakov was the festival's "mystery headliner" for the 2026 edition. PMF has a tradition of withholding its top act's name until the artist finishes a previously booked Philadelphia-area show, the Philadelphia Inquirer first reported in August. Past surprise headliners have included Mt. Joy, Waxahatchee and Dr. Dog.

Greg Seltzer, a partner at Ballard Spahr, and his wife, Jenn Seltzer, founded the nonprofit festival in 2017. It donates proceeds to music education programs including Rock to the Future, Settlement Music School, Beyond the Bars and Key of She. In recent years, the festival has donated $100,000 annually after paying all musicians and venues, according to a Ballard Spahr interview published in November 2025.

PMF books exclusively at independently owned venues. In that same November 2025 interview, Seltzer explained why: "Independent venues are rare, these rooms are owned and operated by citizens of Philadelphia … the independent venues have the autonomy to book shows that they feel are important."

Ardmore Music Hall, at 23 East Lancaster Ave., fits that mold. Owner and head booker Chris Perella has run the independently owned club since 2014. The site has hosted live music for more than 40 years, operating as 23 East Cabaret from 1980 to 1994 and Brownies 23 East from 1995 to 2012 before reopening as Ardmore Music Hall in 2013. The venue sits about 100 feet from the Ardmore SEPTA station.

Tickets for each show are sold separately at phillymusicfest.com.

Upcoming community events

  • Saturday, Oct. 10: Penn Wynne fire station hosts a free safety event for families.
  • Oct. 12–18: Philly Music Fest's 10th anniversary, opening at Ardmore Music Hall. Tickets at phillymusicfest.com.