PhillyPOP #5 | Silly, Spooky, Scary: 101+ Years of Halloween Music

Sat Oct 25 2025 at 08:00 pm to 10:00 pm UTC-04:00

Renata's Kitchen | Philadelphia

PhillyPOP
Publisher/HostPhillyPOP
PhillyPOP #5 | Silly, Spooky, Scary: 101+ Years of Halloween Music
Advertisement
The title says it all: our conversation about the music of Halloween will slither from corny to blood-curdling and everywhere in between.
About this Event

PhillyPOP is a meetup group for discussing popular music–it’s like a book club for playlists. We meet roughly once a month and every meeting has a playlist of songs on a given theme (see below). Participants listen to the playlist in advance and discuss it at the meeting. It's a great way to connect with local music superfans and hear stuff you wouldn't have otherwise. You can find more info about us here. If you'd like to be notified about future PhillyPOP events, make sure to check the box marked "Keep me updated on more events and news from this event organizer" when you RSVP, or follow us on our profile page.





NEXT EVENT: The season of the witch is upon us and you know what that means--costumes, candy, and West Philly's biggest multi-block party since Porchfest. PhillyPOP is getting things poppin' a little early this year with a discussion about Halloween music over the past century-plus. Rather than arranging our starter playlist in chronological order as I usually do, I've done it in rough descending order of campiness. The idea is to start with the corny stuff they play at kids' parties--your "Monster Mashes" and such--and then, slowly, song by song, progress towards more horror-oriented sounds. Of course this only applies through track 31, after which your submissions will start.

At the meeting we'll cover such spine-tingling topics as:



  • What are your favorite Halloween hits and deep cuts, and why?
  • What are some notable memories you associate with Halloween music?
  • What musical elements make a song "scary"?
  • What are the most and least scary instruments?
  • Are certain musical genres inherently scarier or more Halloween-y than others?



The starter playlist features Michael Jackson (how could it not? 🧟), MC Hammer, Dusty Springfield, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Remember: these are only my personal picks and are definitely up for debate. Think I've missed something essential? Please send up to five Halloween-appropriate songs to me via the "Contact" link below (under the "Organized by" header) or email them to [email protected] and I'll add them to the playlist. Also note that we are continuing our exploration of various West Philly venues and will be holding this meeting at Renata's Kitchen at 40th & Baltimore.



FUTURE EVENTS:

  • Early Dec -> 2025: The Year in Music/Best 2025 Discoveries
  • Late Jan 2026 -> PhillyPOP Goes to the Grammys: Record x Song of the Year
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Renata's Kitchen, 3940 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, United States

Tickets

USD 0.00

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Philadelphia

Magdalena Bay
Sat, 25 Oct at 07:00 pm Magdalena Bay

The Fillmore - Philadelphia

Dale Elliott Jr.
Sat, 25 Oct at 07:00 pm Dale Elliott Jr.

Punch Line Comedy Club - Philadelphia

The Philly Pops - Philadelphia
Sat, 25 Oct at 07:00 pm The Philly Pops - Philadelphia

Kimmel Center - Marian Anderson Hall

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets
Sat, 25 Oct Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets

Xfinity Mobile Arena

Tim Cappello at City Winery - Philadelphia
Sat, 25 Oct at 07:30 pm Tim Cappello at City Winery - Philadelphia

City Winery - Philadelphia

Charlotte Hornets at Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena
Sat, 25 Oct at 07:30 pm Charlotte Hornets at Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena

Xfinity Mobile Arena

The Click Five at Underground Arts
Sat, 25 Oct at 09:00 pm The Click Five at Underground Arts

Underground Arts

HALLOWEEN PARTY
Sat, 25 Oct at 09:00 pm HALLOWEEN PARTY

Izlas Latin Cuisine

Josh Wolf: The Campfire Tour
Sat, 25 Oct at 09:15 pm Josh Wolf: The Campfire Tour

Punch Line Philly

Stand-Up with Strings
Sat, 25 Oct at 09:30 pm Stand-Up with Strings

Next In Line Comedy

Philly Halloween Party by Hyesa
Sat, 25 Oct at 09:30 pm Philly Halloween Party by Hyesa

Alamodak Restaurant and Hookah bar

Philadelphia is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Philadelphia Events