Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

During this Friday's free at noon concert, we are taking a course through some of the most exciting soulful blues, funk, gospel and steel pedal music around.

With their vibrant combination of styles, Robert Randolph and The Family Band have marked themselves as one of the most revelatory groups to stem from the church tradition. Growing up in the House of God church, where the pedal steel was a common staple, Randolph was surrounded by a slew of incredible pedal steel players and decided to pick up the instrument at fifteen. Towards the end of his teenage years, the young Randolph was introduced to guitarist Stevie Ray, who opened a whole new way of thinking about steel pedal playing and paved an entirely new approach to Randolph's playing. Breaking away from tradition, Randolph completely restyled the steel pedal approach to mimic certain guitar techniques and sounds and is now considered as one of the top guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone. As his style became an immediate aweing sensation, he started incorporating it into newly written pieces that were performed throughout the New York and later to Philly and Boston. Eventually getting picked up by Warner Brothers, Randolph and his family band were stealing the attention of some of the greatest known musicians- including BB King and Eric Clapton- and subsequently picked up their bags and began touring with groups like The Roots, Pharell and John Mayer.

Their first studio album "Unclassified" was released back in 2003, which was followed by the celebrated sophomore release "Colorblind" three years later. Taking another four years to release their latest effort "We Walked This Road," Randolph and the band are clearly not afraid to take the extra time needed to put together a solid set. Released with the help of T Bone Burnett, the band ambitiously set out to honor the last one hundrend years of African-American music through blues, rock and gospel. Linking together the past and present with recreations of old material and original creations, "We Walked This Road" is a musical journey down the path of musical history. And as someone who spent his childhood centered on styles pre 1970, Randolph cites this album as not only a celebration of the old and new, but as a very personal reflection of his own musical discoveries.

Robert Randolph & The Family Band Bring Their “We Walk This Road" Tour to the T.L.A. Friday Night, November 12, 2010.

Website: robertrandolph.net/
MySpace: myspace.com/robertrandolph
Recent Release: We Walk This Road
Release Date: June 22, 2010
Label: Warner Bros.
Origin: Orange, New Jersey

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live. Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

After a year of state-wide touring, Dawes lives for the stage. Pouring every ounce of their work into soul-bearing and gritty live performances, they show no signs of slowing down... and it has been over a year since the release of their debut!

Dawes' blend of classic 70's folk-rock with contemporary flair made "North Hills" an instant hit, quickly pushing them onto everyone's radar. Ultimately this clever mixture of styles manages to simultaneously evoke a sense of nostalgia and refreshing anticipation. It is difficult to resist Taylor Goldsmith's lyrical prowess, which is often backed by elegant folk-pop harmonies. Taylor's powerful voice wavers between reflectional sorrow and bursting optimism and his quiet confidence carries with it an incredible sense of maturity and wisdom. And while the vocals and lyrics are central to their music, Griffin Goldsmith (Tayler's younger brother), Wylie Gelber and Alex Casnoff solidly flesh out their intimate and timeless Cali-roots sound with carefully crafted arrangments that often garner comparisons to Neil Young.

The L.A. based band, Dawes is in town for a show at the T.L.A. this Thursday night, November 4, 2010

Free At Noon Setlist
1. That Western Skyline
2. Give Me Time
3. Time Spent In Los Angeles
4. Love Is All I Am
5. How Far We’ve Come
6. If You Let Me Be Your Anchorv 7. Fire Away
8. When My Time Comes

Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives

Check out the archives, listen to the concerts. Visit NPR.org/Music to hear this concert.

Website: dawestheband.com /
MySpace: myspace.com/dawestheband
Recent Release: North Hills
Release Date: September 29, 2009
Label: ATO
Origin: North Hills, California

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live. Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

Upon the epic release of their sophomore album "The other Side of Zero," the whimsical pop/rock trio Elizabeth & The Catapult grace the stage for another Free at Noon Performance.

The Brooklyn based group became an underground sensation back in 2006 after the release of their debut EP Elizabeth & The Catapult, becoming a popular staple in the Lower East Side of NY. Frontwoman Elizabeth Ziman is a trained classical pianist and vocalist who, while attending the prestigious Berklee college of Music, won the 2001 ASCAP Leiber and Stoller award for her song "Like Water is to Sand." After touring with Patti Austin, Ziman began incorporating jazz influences into her personal compositions, which began to materialize after a chance meeting with drummer Dan Molad. A third Berklee student, Pete Lalish, entered the mix and the trio fully materialized upon their graduation by relocating to Brooklyn. While they became immediate local darlings with their debut album, they hadn't garnered national attention until the release of their sophomore album "Taller Children" on Verve Records.

"Taller Children's" pop rock arrangements are full of whimsy and clever songwriting. And pairing such pop whimsy with sublte jazz and orchestral touches, the album's title describes its content perfectly. From the playful energy of the inner child to the lyrical complexities that define adulthood, the trio struck upon the perfect blend of song, style and meaning. The success that mounted after the album's release in 2009 has left fans in anticipation of their latest release "The Other Side of Zero." Distributed on October 25, the album shifts towards a darker, sassier template compared to Taller Children. Lead tracks like "You and Me" hark more towards their earlier winning material, but they are paired with gut wrenching piano based tunes like "Julian Darling" and "Worn Out Tune."

Join us in celebrating their recent release by listening to their latest materialplayed live!

Free At Noon Setlist
1. Apathy
2. Go Away My Lover
3. Race You
4. Perfectly Perfect
5. Kadoka
6. Open Book
7. You and Me
8. Taller Children

Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives

Check out the archives, listen to the concerts. Visit NPR.org/Music to hear this concert.

Website: elizabethandthecatapult.com/
MySpace: myspace.com/elizabethandthecatapult
Recent Release: The Other Side of Zero
Release Date: October 25, 2010
Label: Verve Forecast
Origin: Brooklyn, NY

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live. Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

GUSTER is in Philly for a show at the Electric Factory this Friday night. They are touring in support of their new album, Easy-Wonderful, and will be here for our Free At Noon show from World Cafe Live on Friday, October 22, 2010

Started in 1991 while the band attended Tufts University, Guster entered the mainstream with 1999's Lost and Gone Forever, their third studio album, featuring single "Fa Fa", an Adult Top 40 hit. Though they've repeated the feat several times since, their success has come from the ground up, driven by their intensely passionate fans and the band's dedication to them. Known for their vocal harmonies and instrumentation, the band's live shows have a deserved reputation for being extremely entertaining and humorous.

Free At Noon Setlist
Set List:
1. Architects & Engineers
2. Satellite
3. Hercules
4. This Could All Be Yours
5. Bad Bad World
6. Stay With Me, Jesus
7. Do You Love Me
8. Hang On

Blog entry:
David Dye Lives!

Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives

Check out the archives, listen to the concerts. Visit NPR.org/Music to hear this concert.

Website: guster.com
MySpace: myspace.com/guster
Recent Release: Easy Wonderful
Release Date: October 5, 2010
Label: Aware/Universal Republic
Origin: Boston, MA

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live. Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

XPN Favorite, Ingrid Michaelson plays The Trocadero on Friday night October 15, and she'll be here with her band for a Free At Noon concert, Friday, October 15!

Ingrid Michaelson may be compared to artists Fiona Apple and Regina Spektor, but she has marked her own territory in the music industry. The New York-based singer-songwriter fuses indie pop, folk and alternative in a seamlessly unique way, a quality that first attracted her audience via MySpace. Several years ago she became an internet sensation by self marketing her music through online media sources like myspace and facebook. Michaelson instantly became a model for other musicians, proving that artists could launch their success through perseverance and clever online marketing. After self-releasing her debut album Slow the Rain in 2005, her career switched from a smalltown stint to a full fledged pursuit. Her popularity really skyrocketed in 2006 with the release of her sophomore album "Girls and Boys," landing her tunes on popular television dramas Grey's Anatomy and One Tree Hill. After being picked up by Cabin 24 Records, Michaelson pushed her way up to no.6 on iTunes and no.37 on the Billboard Hot 100. Album after album, the down to earth starlett continues to climb the charts with her quirky indie pop hits.

After releasing her autobiographical album Everbody back in 2009, Ingrid is hard at work putting new material together. In addition to international touring, she has released a new single entitled "Parachute," which is now available for download.

Join us in welcoming the pop darling's return to World Cafe for another Free at Noon.

Join us in entering their world at this Friday's Free at Noon concert.

Website: ingridmichaelson.com
MySpace: myspace.com/ingridmichaelson
Recent Release: Everybody
Release Date: August 25, 2009
Label: Cabin 42
Origin: Staten Island, NY

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live. Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Brad Features Shawn Smith and Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard with their New Release, Best Friends

Hear a live concert every Friday at noon from WXPN NPR Music
Made possible by XPN Members, and Comcast.

XPN favorite Pete Yorn is on tour in support of his new self-titled album.

Often earning comparisons to legendary artists like Jeff Buckley & Nick Drake for his delicate vocals and thoughtful lyrics, New Jersey-native Pete Yorn's slightly mysterious demeanor wins fans everytime he steps up to the mic. His impeccably crafted songs have appeared in the popular TV shows "Dawson's Creek" and "Felicity" and several films.

Yorn began writing his own material in high school and after graduating from Syracuse University, he relocated to L.A. with the dream of obtaining a record deal. He consistently performed in various local cafes and clubs, drawing many admirers; but his dream finally came true after a Columbia Records rep witnessed one of his striking performances. Granted a deal with the label, York recorded his debut, 'musicforthemorningafter', playing most of the instruments himself. A rigorous 18 month world tour in support of the album helped his debut go gold.

Yorn went on to release several critically acclaimed records, including 2003's "Day I Forgot" and 2006's "Nightcrawler." And continuing down that path of success, Yorn released two albums in 2009, including a collaboration with Scarlett Johansson. Since then, he has been working closely with the Pixie's Frank Black, who after expressing interest in working with Yorn ended up producing his latest and highly anticipated self-titled album.

Website: peteyorn.com
MySpace: myspace.com/peteyorn
Recent Release: Pete Yorn
Release Date: September 28, 2010
Label: Vagrant
Origin: Montville, New Jersey

Brad features Shawn Smith and Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard!

Officially forming in 1992, the Seattle based band 'Brad' has been in and out of the picture for years. With members Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam), Shawn Smith (Pgeonhed and Satchel), Regan Hagar (Satchel and Malfunkshun) and Jeremy Toback working with multiple bands and side-projects at once, it has been difficult for 'Brad' to survive within the tumultuous year-long breaks. But no matter long their hiatuses last, they always seem to gravitate back to one another to work on new material. Their sound, which certainly revolves heavily around multiple sources of inspiration and Smith's vocals, is raw and energetic.

But since the release of rough demo outtakes on Brad vs. Satchel, the group admits that their newest album Best Friends? is "more delicate than the others...it shows how we've all aged and mellowed." Though the original set of the album was recorded all the way back in 2003, they spent the past several years discovering their new sound and building upon what already existed. The process has been slow, but extremely rewarding. And after happily announcing the anticipated release of the album back in April, they have finally put forth the product of their scrupulously pieced together work.

Brad plays a full show Friday night, 10pm, at WorldCafeLive.com.

Website: bradcorporation.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/bradcorporation
Recent Release: Best Friends?
Release Date: August 10, 2010
Label: Monkeywrench Records
Origin: Seattle, WA

A co-production of WXPN and NPR.org/Music.

Visit NPR Music to hear the concert.

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live.

Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

Shooter Jennings & Hierophant...He's the Son of Country Legend, Waylon Jennings and on the Road with his Rock Band, Hierophant in Support of their New Album Black Ribbons

Shooter Jennings was brought up on the road where as a child he learned piano, guitar and everything there was to know about country and southern rock music. His knack for singing and songwriting gave him an edge over other emerging artists and by 2005, he landed a record deal with Universal South Records, under which he released his Billboard charting debut "Put the 'O' Back in Country." Four years and three albums later, Jennings found a new calling in hard rock and decided to form the band Hierophant with Bryan Keeling, Bobby Emmett,Ted Russell Kamp and The Schreffman. They are an ambitious group, pushing their prog rock music past conceptual and musical boundaries on "Black Ribbons."

Coursing through the "black ribbons" that weave together a progressively dark and ominous album, Shooter Jennings & the Hierophants (with the aid of Stephen King's narration) explore the future of humanity as it is destroyed by the technology of the digital age. But where there is an abundance of futuristic sounds, there are also hints of Shooter's country influences, adding a hint of the human voice.

Join us in entering their world at this Friday's Free at Noon concert.

Free At Noon Setlist
1. Wake Up! 2. Triskaidekaphobia 3. Don’t Feed the Animals 4. Breaking Point 5. Summer of Rage 6. California Via Tennessee 7. All of This Could Have Been Yours 8. When the Radio Goes Dead

Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives

Check out the archives, listen to the concerts. Visit NPR.org/Music to hear this concert.

Past Magazine Review: Jay Sweet over at Paste Magazine writes a great review of their new CD.
Website: shooterjennings.com
MySpace: myspace.com/shooterjennings
Recent Release: Black Ribbons
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Label: Rocket Science
Origin: L.A.

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live.

Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

British Rock Veterans, James are touring the states in support of their new album The Morning After The Night Before, and play The Trocadero here in Philly this Friday night, September 24, 2010.

When Paul Gilbertson managed to league up with Jim Glennie and Gavin Whelan in Manchester, UK back in 1982, he didn't realize that his actions would create a framework for decades of music to follow. Sharing their music with fans, the group gigged extensively thorughout the 80's before becoming the popular hit band James in the 1990s. It was then that they teamed up with Brian Eno, who pushed them to expand on their brit pop-rock style with new and exciting experimentation in sound. And with that growth, they were able to accentuate their warm melodies and win over the hearts of millions.

Expanding their sound to feature vocals, guitars, keyboards, violin, percussion, bass and trumpet, James maneuvers between quiet intimate moments and rivoting blasts of sound. Their mastery of dynamics and catchy melodies has always proved to be a crowd winning formula, and their impact on modern rock is undeniable.

With 10 released studio albums and millions of internationally sold copies, the modern rockers decided to depart ways in 2001. Returning to the scene in 2007, James is proving to be as capturing as they were when they started. Their latest double feature is a two mini-album release, "The Morning After The Night Before," which were originally released as separate discs in the UK.

So take the time to explore the light and dark side of these new releases at this Friday's Free At Noon. This is one you don't want to miss.

Website: http://www.wearejames.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jamesisnotaperson
Recent Release: The Morning After The Night Before
Release Date: September 14, 2010
Label: Mercury
Origin: Manchester, UK

Free At Noon Setlist
1. Dust Motes
2. Rabbit Hole
3. Out To Get You
4. Laid
5. Getting Away With It
6. Crazy
7. Say Something
8. I Want To Go Home

A co-production of WXPN and NPR.org/Music.

Visit NPR Music to hear the concert.

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live.

Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

Philly Songwriter, Birdie Busch is Celebrating the Release of her New E.P. Everyone Will Take You In

Birdie Busch's music hardly fits into a specific category or genre. Her atmospheric folk has strains of country-blues, and rockability. She sings about magic, luck, the universe, and the human heart speeding off on dangerous missions. Birdie has had a long-time partnership with her bandmates, and will be here this Friday, playing XPN's Free At Noon. Now on her fourth album, Everyone Will Take You In, Birdie Busch has shared the stage with Regina Spektor, Dar Williams and Amos Lee. Birdie joins other local and talented Philadelphia musicians, like Devin Greenwood, Todd Erk, Chris Giraldi, Ross Bellenoit, and Craig Hendrix in the making of great music.

Her newest release, Everyone Will Take You In, is a group of songs inspired by her hometown. The project is the first release for the new label Be Frank Records, a Philadelphia label specializing in vinyl releases and digital availabilities.

Birdie played this summer's XPoNential Music Festival. You can check out her photo gallery, and listen to her full set in the Festival Archives.

Don't miss the perfect way to kick off the Labor Day Weekend--a free performance by local favorite Birdie Busch, hosted by WXPN.

And, be sure to catch Birdie Busch at Johnny Brenda's at 9pm on Friday, September 17, too.

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/birdiebusch
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Discography :
2010 Everyone Will Take You In (Be Frank Records)
2009 Pattern of Saturn (Monotask Music)
2007 Penny Arcade (Bar/None Records)
2006 The Ways We Try (Bar/None Records)

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live.

Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

Indie rock band Ra Ra Riot joins us for the next Free At Noon. Playing songs off their upcoming album, The Orchard, along with other fan-favorites, Ra Ra Riot is sure to impress with their unique variety of indie rock. With a cellist and violinist featured as core members of the band, Ra Ra Riot combine their indie rock background with haunting classical aesthetics, resulting in a very dramatic, affecting song output. Such unconventional instrumentation, when coupled with the band’s knack for exultant rhythms and melodies, makes for an all-at-once intimate, grand sound. With songs steeped in a variety of different genres, from ‘80s pop to breezy rock, Ra Ra Riot possess the pop sensibilities of such greats as the Shins and Vampire Weekend. One of the most interesting indie bands around, Ra Ra Riot is certainly not to be missed.

Website: rarariot.com/
MySpace: myspace.com/rarariot
Facebook:facebook.com/rarariot
Twitter: twitter.com/RARARIOT
Recent Release: The Orchard
Release Date: August 24, 2010
Label: Barsuk Records
Band Origin: Syracuse, NY

Join WXPN at noon on Friday, August 13, when the Indie Rock band, Murder by Death play songs off their new album, Good Morning, Magpie.

Formed in 2000 in Bloomington, Indiana, Murder by Death play a unique brand of music that highlights Gothic themes, Americana, and traditional rock and roll. With their crunching guitars and pulsating electric cello, Murder by Death have successfully bridged the gap between raucous, energetic rock music and softer, more low-key, country. Murder by Death have gained fame not only for their musical offerings, but also for their lyrical matter. With many songs touching on dark, ghastly themes – from zombies to the Devil – it is no wonder Murder by Death are seen as one of the most magnificently morbid bands of today.

On Good Morning, Magpie, Murder by Death have crafted their first non-concept album, although there are still plenty of detailed narratives threading the record. A sprawling, ambitious work, "Good Morning, Magpie" makes good on Murder by Death’s ability to heighten suspense in their music, and bring the listener into their darkly-crafted dream world. You can practically see the barren, haunted towns and dense, dark woods that serve as the backdrop to Murder by Death's unforgettable storylines. Far more than a Halloween-tinged gimmick band, Murder by Death weave these storylines into their tightly arranged blend of country-inspired instrumentation. As the cello tragically entwines the thump of the drum with the buzz of the guitar, it is near impossible to not be enchanted by Murder by Death. With affecting plotlines and superb musicianship, Murder by Death show once again that indeed they are a force to be reckoned with.

Website: murderbydeath.com/
MySpace: myspace.com/murderbydeath
Recent Release: Good Morning, Magpie
Release Date: April 6, 2010
Label: Vagrant Records
Origin: Bloomington, Indiana

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live.

Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

Born in the small town of Libertyville, Illinois, Reilly began his music career in the late '80s, securing gigs in Chicago with The Drovers, The Eisenhowers, and Community 9. His eclectic tastes were evident from the beginning of his career--from Celtic to punk rock to mixtures of blues and R&B, he had touched on a bit of everything. By the early '90s, Reilly was retired and working odd jobs, including as a doorman and a cemetery worker. In 2001, Reilly returned with a thrilling debut band album Salesman and Racists. His gritty voice and honest yet provocative lyrics helped propel the album to positive reviews.

In 2003, Reilly and his band assumed the name the Ike Reilly Assassination and released two albums in subsequent years: Sparkle in the Finish (2004) and Junkie Faithful (2005). His fourth, the politically charged "We Belong To The Staggering Evening", came out in 2007, and was followed by the like-minded collection of street poetry taken from numerous demos,"Poison The Hit Parade" in 2008. Sprinkled in between the albums are a number of strong EPs, some just digital.

Reilly's latest, "Hard Luck Stories," is full of his characteristic rough rock and honest vocals. His songs are Bohemian poetry, putting tales of hard luck into song. As PopMatters reviewed the release, "...it’s a very strong piece of work, filled with good yarns and catchy tunes."

Don't miss this free performance of Ike Reilly's this coming Friday, when he comes on stage for a Free at Noon show.

Website: http://www.ikereilly.net/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ikereilly
Recent Release: Hard Luck Stories
Release Date: November 24, 2009
Label: Rock Ridge Music
Origin: Chicago, Illinois

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live.

Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

Fully trained soprano opera singer Kate Miller-Heidke thought she was heading towards a career in Australian opera, with full-fledged plans to take up Gilbert & Sullivan roles. But despite her classic training and multiple degrees in music, she was so compelled by the power of pop music that she decided to veer off her original musical path into another. The singer/songwriter and pianist joined several Brisbane bands before deciding to go solo in 2002, releasing her first EP "Telegram" in 2004. A year later she won the Helpmann Award for Best Performance for her role in the 2005 Women in Voice show and her single "Space They Cannot Touch" was becoming a major radio hit. The viral music sensation continued to power out theatrically tinged folk-pop piano tunes on subsequent EPs, and it seemed that her eclectic, shrill voice and operatic comedy was sending transformative waves across Australia. Often collaborating with her husband, Keir Nuttall, Kate states that her music is "experimental, hooky, unashamedly pop..." It is these features that landed her on Sony Australia records and led to her multi-ARIA nominated and Gold debut album "Little Eve"(2007).

Surely a hard album to follow, Kate took up the challenge and put together one of the top albums of 2008. "Curiouser" caused instant buzz, going Platinum before being nominated for and ultimately winning awards. Recorded in Los Angeles, the album has the right combination of her operatic humor and wit as well as a new found sense of confidence. She coompletely throws herself into the waters of songwriting, embracing the intimate words she feared revealing - seeing as she's landed at the top of the charts, it's a tactic that seems to have worked.

Join us this Friday for a live performance from Miller-Heidke in the World Cafe. It's free at noon, it's going to be great, and is there any better way to start off the weekend?

Free At Noon Setlist
1. Space They Cannot Touch
2. Politics in Space
3. Caught in the Crowd
4. Dreams/I Love You
5. Can’t Shake It
6. The Last Day On Earth
7. Psycho Killer
8. Words

Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives

Check out the archives, listen to the concerts. Visit NPR Music to hear this concert.

Website: http://www.katemillerheidke.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/katemillerheidke
Recent Release: Curiouser
Release Date: October 19, 2008
Label: Sony/Bmg Int'l
Origin: Brisbane, Australia

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live.

Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

Gogol Bordello, named after the famous writer Nikolai Gogol, is a Gypsy punk band from New York City. They came together in the late '90s, playing their first shows in an after-hours club where they quickly became the house band. Over the past decade, they've cultivated a reputation by word of mouth and by following a hefty tour schedule--this nine-person outfit never fails to impress while on the stage. Their theatrical performances, multitude of instruments, and Gypsy-based music mixed with punk and dub are something to behold.

Since their inception, Gogol Bordello has been on stage with big names such as Madonna, Flogging Molly, and Cake. They've performed on almost every late-night show one could think of, appeared in several films, and released five studio albums in addition to several EPs and compilations. Their latest, "Trans-Continental Hustle", is also Gogol Bordello's studio album debut.

"Trans-Continental Hustle" is the follow-up to the band's highly acclaimed 2007 breakthrough, "Super Taranta!".

It's rough, fast, extremely danceable, and palatable to just about every taste--it's produced by main-stream-maker Rick Rubin but doesn't lose one lick of its originality. With their accordions, guitars, multiple forms of percussion, and on-stage dancers, Gorgol Bordello puts sheer exhuberance to music.

Join us this Friday at noon for a free performance for one of America's festival show-stoppers, the unconquerable Gorgol Bordello.

Free At Noon Setlist
1. Ultimate / Immigrant Punk
2. Wonderlust King
3. My Companjera
4. Break The Spell
5. Immigraniada (We Comin’ Rougher)
6. Pala Tute
7. Strange Uncles From Abroad
8. Sun Is On My Side

Website: http://www.gogolbordello.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/gogolbordello
Recent Release: Trans-Continental Hustle
Release Date: April 27, 2010
Label: Columbia/DMZ
Origin: New York City, New York

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live.

Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

Next up on Live Friday Free At Noon, boasts the up-and-coming six-man outfit Truth and Salvage Co. who produce what can only be called genuine American rock 'n' roll. With a total of four main songwriters/lead singers at the helm, Bill "Smitty" Smith (drums and vocals), Joe Edel (bass), Adam Grace (organ), Walker Young (piano and vocals), Tim Jones (rhythm guitar and vocals), and Scott Kinnebrew (lead guitar and vocals) could easily lose their vision and focus. But give a listen to their debut or attend a live concert, and it's easy to see the simple, energetic chemistry that makes Truth and Salvage Co.

Every current member had a previous stake in some other musical project, including The Moldy Peaches, Ben Folds Five, and Jack Johnson. In something they like to call a 'mass exodus', each made their way to Los Angeles from across the states where fate had them all on the same stage in no time. What started out as just jamming for fun turned into a full-blown musical project. Their energetic live performances soon had them selling out venues, and they signed onto Silver Arrow Records (The Black Crowes label).

The eponymous debut of Truth and Salvage Co. was released in late May of this year, and its "timeless sound" and "interwoven lyrical storytelling" is making many fans out of critics. (Amazon.com) There are obvious hints of classic rock (the Eagles, anyone?) but the album is a wholehearted blend of alt-country and even alt-rock influences.

This buoyant band with the unwieldy name opened for the Crowes last year, but this gig is their first headlining effort. Truth and Salvage Co. are touring nationally in support of their studio debut. They currently have stops in New York, Cleveland, San Francisco, and of course, Philly. Catch them at World Cafe this Friday at noon, but for those who can't manage the time, the band is playing the North Star Bar that same night.

Free At Noon Setlist
1. Call Back
2. Welcome to LA
3. Jump the Ship
4. Heart Like a Wheel
5. Rise Up
6. Old Piano
7. Brothers, Sons, & Daughters
8. Pure Mountain Angel

Blog Entry:
So good to be back in the northeast, we missed all y'all a whole bunch. And thanks for supporting the new record - it's been getting quite the buzz - all because of y'all!

Summer is proving to be good and fun! Dates coming up with The Black Crowes, Big Head Todd, Gov't Mule, and The Avett Brothers. It's good to be busy - keeps the head from spinnin'. Hope to see y'all out there somewhere.

Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives

Check out the archives, listen to the concerts. Visit NPR.org/Music to hear this concert.

Past Magazine Review: Jay Sweet over at Paste Magazine writes a great review of their new CD.
Website: truthandsalvageco.com
MySpace: myspace.com/truthandsalvageco
Recent Release: Truth and Salvage Co.
Release Date: May 25, 2010
Label: Silver Arrow/Megaforce
Origin: L.A. (formerly of Black Mountain, North Carolina)

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live.

Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Live Concert Broadcast and Webcast Fridays At Noon

From NPR Music and WXPN, hear a live mix of roots rock, folk, country and more.

Made possible by XPN Members, and Comcast.

Already a superstar in Ireland, folk-rock singer-songwriter and Idaho native Josh Ritter is finally getting the recognition in America that he deserves. Ritter will return to headline a concert from WXPN and World Cafe Live in Philadelphia for the weekly Free At Noon performance.

Influenced by classic songwriters such as Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, Ritter began writing songs while attending Oberlin College, where he changed his major from Neuroscience to Folk Music. After relocating to Boston, Ritter started getting his name out through a self-released eponymous debut album and near-constant gigging.

Opening slots on tour with both Bob Dylan and The Frames netted Ritter a good deal of attention, and even led to his own sold-out headlining tour of Ireland. His growth as a songwriter and a musician have continued unabated with a decade of critically acclaimed releases that show his many musical faces. Named one of the 100 Greatest Living Songwriters by Paste Magazine, he established a strong fan base in the Americana section and shared stages with names like the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Ray Lamontagne, and the Swell Season.

Ritter's sixth album, "So Runs The World Away", is due out this spring, and critics are already calling it 'ambitious', 'literary', and a 'triumph' all around. Join the rest of Philly in welcoming this proven folk star to the XPN Free At Noon stage at World Cafe Live on Friday, March 26, 2010. With any luck, he'll play from this new highly anticipated release.

Josh Ritter is playing a special sold out show in Asbury Park, before heading out on his Spring Tour to Ireland. He'll be back in Philly on May 7, 2010 at the TLA. Tour Dates and more at JoshRitter.com.

Website: http://www.joshritter.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/joshritter
Recent Release: So Runs the World Away
Release Date: May 4, 2010
Label: Pytheas Recordings
Origin: Moscow, Idaho

Free At Noon Setlist
1. Rattling Locks
2. Rumors
3. Southern Pacific
4. The Curse
5. Folk Bloodbath
6. Right Moves
7. Another New World
8. Empty Hearts
Visit NPR Music to hear the concert.

PARKING NOTICE

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live./p>

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Live Concert Broadcast and Webcast Fridays At Noon

From NPR Music and WXPN, hear a live mix of roots rock, folk, country and more.

Made possible by XPN Members, and Comcast.

This Year is the 5th Anniversary of XPN Free At Noon

Called a musical mixologist for his expert blending of differing genres, Citizen Cope (Clarence Greenwood) is the name for both the lead singer and the band he heads. Born in the blues-drenched city of Memphis, the young musician learned to tell stories with music and has continued to do so ever since. Hip-hop beats, quiet piano melodies, a hint of pop, and ever-present blues have served him well in every release. He'll be performing this Friday at World Cafe, bringing his "gritty urban poetry" to the stage for a lunch-break performance.

First catching the eye of the music world in the '90s with his contributions to rap albums, Citizen Cope released his debut in the mid-90's, "Cope Citizen". He's created three more LPs to date, as well as contributing his talents as a DJ, singer/songwriter, keyboardist, guitarist, and producer to numerous projects. His latest album, The Rainwater LP, is due out this March on his own label.

Releasing half of the album to devoted fans in the fall of 2009, Citizen Cope has built anticipation for the second half with its deeply personal feel. As said by the creator, ""When you’re writing a song, you take in everything – the people you’ve met, what you’ve experienced. You take in everything and it makes a story.” The Rainwater LP is filled with stories from the life and musical journey of Citizen Cope, and told well. As quoted in Rolling Stone, he's "a modern day bluesman who paints a plaintive portrait of the human condition".

Be sure to make it to this week's Free at Noon with Citizen Cope as he stops in Philly for his massive album tour. This will be one heck of a bluesy lunch break.