It’s insatiably hot outside, the charcoal smell of burgers on the grill permeates the air, and you’re craving cold barley and hops in a glass. It’s a time for friends, campfires, and most importantly, festivals. Is there a better festival to avail yourself of than the XPoNential Music Festival, presented by Subaru, running from July 20th-22nd at Wiggins Park on Camden Waterfront?
Philadelphia’s WXPN, the noncommercial keystone in local indie and alternative music, is joining forces with Live Nation to extend the fest with a Saturday night (7/21) set featuring Wilco, the Avett Brothers and Dr. Dog, to take place at the Susquehanna Bank Center. The three-day passes include admission to this folk-rock triage brought to you by Triple A (Adult Album Alternative) radio.
Lawn seat admission will be included in the pass, but may also be purchased separately through Ticketmaster. Purchasing a ticket to the Wilco/Avett Brothers/Dr. Dog show will not give you access to the Saturday festival, just as a ticket to the Saturday festival will not buy you admission to the show that night. All sales are nonrefundable, so purchase your tickets wisely.
This year’s exponentially amazing lineup of musicians include indie, folk and blues rock up-and-comers and seasoned faves alike, including Wilco, Counting Crows, the Avett Brothers, Dr. Dog, Mike Doughty, the War on Drugs, Kathleen Edwards, The Lumineers, Good Old War, Dana Alexandra, and more.
Chicago-based alt-folk-rock outfit Wilco is a band that needs no introduction, but we’re giving you one anyway. The group has been making music since 1994, and while they have undergone several personnel changes, they have created incredibly indelible and critically acclaimed albums like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and A Ghost is Born.
You may know songwriter Mike Doughty from his creation of the band Soul Coughing in the ‘90s. He eventually doused that endeavor and made a name for himself as a solo artist in the ‘00s. His most popular tunes include “Looking at the World from the Bottom of a Well”, “I Hear the Bells”, and “27 Jennifers”.
The ‘60s-influenced alt-rock quintet Dr. Dog is no stranger to the Philadelphia music scene. They have brought you albums like We All Belong, and Shame Shame, which was ramped up in production quality from their initial, very rustic EP. Built on eclectic musical influences, Dr. Dog creates skillfully-arranged and melodically-sophisticated tunes that teem with hints of The Beatles and David Bowie.
If you haven’t heard by now, Good Old War is a trio of gentlemen from Philadelphia, composed of Keith Goodwin, Tim Arnold, and Dan Schwartz. The band’s name is derived from the three members’ last names- Goodwin for Good, Arnold for Old, and Schwartz for War. They write tunes of the folk/pop persuasion, and are known for their well-blended harmonies.
All of the musicians participating in this year’s festival are great, which is why you should probably just buy a three-day pass and soak up as much music (and sudsy beer) as possible. Tickets for the XPoNential Festival can be purchased at LiveNation.com, the Live Nation Box Office, Susquehanna Bank Center or by-phone at 800-745-3000.
Ticket Prices are as follows:
XPN MEMBERS:
3-Day Pass: $45 (before 7/9) | $55 (after 7/9)
Daily Ticket: $18 (before 7/9) | $25 (after 7/9)
GENERAL PUBLIC:
3-Day Pass: $90 (before 7/9) | $110 (after 7/9)
Daily Ticket: $36 (before 7/9) | $50 (after 7/9)
The Lineup:
Wilco
Counting Crows
Avett Brothers
Dr. Dog
The Hold Steady
Kathleen Edwards
Diego Garcia
The War On Drugs
John Wesley Harding’s Cabinet of Wonders
Patterson Hood
Mike Doughty
Ozomatli
Lee Ranaldo Band
JD Souther
The Lumineers
Good Old War
JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
JD McPherson
Work Drugs
Delta Rae
City Rain
by Michele Zipkin
