Cancelled
While studying History and Philosophy at Moravian College, music pulled John Gorka into a more exciting world. Before long he was networking with Canadian troubadours Eric Andersen and Claudia Schmidt among others and involved in the New York City folk scene. With motivation from Nanci Griffith, the New Jersey native won the Kerrville Folk Festival's New Folk Competition in 1984, followed by his debut release three years later. Today, those he once looked up to like Maura O'Connell and Mary Chapin Carpenter perform and/or record his songs while his co-touring resume consists of musical greats like Mary Chapin Carpenter and Nanci Griffith. His latest release, Writing in the Margins, features performances by Alice Peacock, Nanci Griffith and Lucy Kaplansky encompassing soul, pop, folk and country genres while tackling topics like hope, love and war.
Since her first self-released album in the early 1990s, Susan Werner has continuously reinvented herself. From jazz to folk to gospel and opera, Werner glides between genres while exploring issues others dare not to undertake. While living in Philadelphia, she put her opera plans aside after a Nanci Griffith concert inspired the Temple alumnae to become a singer-songwriter. Along the way she's recorded seven compilations including her 1995 breakout album with BMG/Private Music and My Strange Nation, her 2005 "alternative national anthem" released on the internet satellite radio. The March 2007 release of The Gospel Truth, her latest album, captures Werner's spiritual questions through an agnostic gospel record.
Set List:
Lost My Religion /
Heaven So Small /
Our Father /
Did Trouble Me
Help Somebody /
Time Between Trains
2nd Set:
Standing In My Own Way /
Big Car /
Barbed Wire Boys
Chicago Anyday /
I Can't Be New
A former student at the Berklee College of Music, Madi Diaz was opening for legend Bonnie Raitt at the Newport Folk Festival at only 21 years of age. Exhibiting early promise, she was one of the young talents featured in the documentary film on Paul Green's School of Rock. Writing honest, roots-tinged ballads, Madi Diaz demonstrates a vocal, musical, and lyrical maturity far beyond her years. Her new album, Skin and Bone, is a fully of haunting melodies, thoughtful writing, and subtle strokes of brilliance.
Set List:
Push & Shove /
Love You Now /
Marry Me Joan
Plans Change /
Heavy Heart /
Pictures
I Know I Know /
Side
With eleven members, Staten Island's powerful soul outfit The Budos Band is a force to be reckoned with. The Afro-soul inspired instrumentalists command listeners' attention with their invigorating exploration of funk, delving deep into realms of mind-expansion with their visionary sessions. Having joined the Daptone Records family in 2005, the band began to tour nationally with artists who had once been their inspiration and now even shares a few members with the illustrious Dap Kings. Their sophomore effort, 2007's The Budos Band II, marks the group's most recent release.
Set List:
Ride Or Die /
Budos Theme /
Mas O Menos /
Mark Of The Unnamed
Chicago Falcon /
Unshaken, Unshaven /
Up From The South
For as much as punk rock is about breaking down the barriers we build around ourselves, it's a challenge to be a "people's punk band" when the scene that spawned you wants you to stay inside its walls forever. But with their new, second album, Build & Burn, that's just the challenge Philadelphia's The Loved Ones are ready to take on. Broader-focused, more rock & roll-inspired, and (dare we say it) catchier than ever before, the disc finds the quartet crafting a sound that's as worthy of dive bars stages as it is of warming stadiums for Bruce Springsteen or Tom Petty. Forget the "pop-punk" tag that's followed these guys just because they're old hardcore kids (alumni of the Explosion, Trial by Fire, The Curse and Paint it Black, if you're keeping score) with a gift for melody. If you have to pigeonhole it, Build & Burn is populist punk — and it's also the best damned thing the Loved Ones have done. Lyrically speaking, Build & Burn — which follows the band's acclaimed 2006 debut album Fat, Keep Your Heart, and a self-titled 2005 EP on Jade Tree — is also the Loved Ones' widest-ranging record yet. (Excerpted from official MySpace page, written by Aaron Burgess)
Set List:
Pretty Good Year /
100k /
The Bridge /
Jane
Selfish Masquerade /
Brittle Heart /
Massive /
Living Will
Louisiana /
I Swear
As if by revelation, Dave Barnes realized he was destined for the life of the singer/songwriter while attending college at Middle Tennessee State University. A percussionist throughout high school, he also showed an early predilection for songwriting. Writing music for other bands for a time, he began to perform his music in college, graduating soon thereafter as a Recording Industry Management major. Three albums later, Barnes has become a critically-acclaimed artist known for his enthralling melodies and lyrical perspective. He newest album, Me and You and The World, was released last April.
Set List:
Crazyboutya /
Butterflies /
Since You Said I Do
Someday Sarah /
Nothing Fancy /
Until You
Everybody But You
With unforgettable melodies and catchy hooks that are guaranteed to be swimming in your head for days, Lancaster's The Mint seem destined for widespread success. Reminiscent of alternative acts like Nada Surf and Phantom Planet, the group's pop sensibility is dead on. Performing boisterous rock with a kind of sunny day swagger and swing, The Mint's music provides listeners a perfectly infectious pick-me-up whenever needed.
Set List:
When Love Won't Go /
Finding New Ways /
Pen To Paper
Stay Here /
1000 Ships /
Blurred Vision
Though Joan Osborne is best known for her 1995 Grammy-nominated hit, "One of Us", her two-decade long career has produced a wealth of multi-genre-spanning work. From relative obscurity to Lilith Fair mainstay to venerated cult act, she's worked with country, blues and folk, but she's also dipped into the jam band scene, joining The Dead for a stint in 2003 and performing with Phil Lesh & Friends. Her latest album, 2007's Breakfast in Bed, marks her second album focused on the work of the legendary soul singers of the 70s and 80s, featuring eleven covers and five original songs that evoke the smooth power of Etta James, Gladys Knight and Howlin' Wolf, whose emotional rawness Osborne emulates in her songs.
Set List:
Right Hand Man /
Help Me /
Broke Down Palace /
Hallelujah
Cathedrals /
St. Teresa /
Baby Love /
Heart Of Stone
Ladder /
One Of Us /
Only You Know /
Bury Me
What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted
Growing up with a bandleader as a father, and harmony-singing instructor as a mother, Shelby Lynne has music in her blood. A presence in country music for 20 years, Lynne has established herself as one of the rare, unwavering voices in the notoriously fickle revolving door of the Nashville music industry. Compared to a diverse group of legends, from Bonnie Raitt to Elvis Costello, Lynne makes music that's enlivened by both her sultry voice and honest delivery. Evidencing the tradition she herself carries, in 2008 Shelby released an album of Dusty Springfield covers titled Just A Little Lovin'.
Set List:
Life Is Bad /
Telephone /
Your Lies /
Leavin'
Breakfast In Bed /
Only Wanna Be With You
Willie & Laura Mae Jones /
Ten Rocks
Killin' Kind /
Jesus
Following his move from Boston to San Francisco in the early 1990s, Nathanson broke onto the coffeehouse scene with his acoustic guitar and thought-provoking lyrics. Even with his wrenching melodies and independent artist state of mind, he hasn't forgotten his start of big-riff rock, breaking into a Bon Jovi or Kiss cover when the mood strikes. After headlining and opening for acts like John Mayer and Tori Amos Nathanson landed a major record deal for 2003's Beneath These Fireworks, but returned to independent roots for his next album. His 2007 release, Some Mad Hope, marks his 6th release and his first on Vanguard.
Set List:
Car Crash /
Gone /
Wedding Dress /
All We Are
Falling Apart /
Detroit Waves /
C'mon Get Higher
Answering Machine
27-year-old Ingrid Michaelson may be compared to artists Fiona Apple and Regina Spektor, but she has definitely staked out her own territory in the music industry. The New York-based singer-songwriter fuses indie pop, folk and alternative in a smooth and unique way, a quality that first attracted her audience via MySpace. Michaelson began playing the piano when she was five years old and continued training at various schools including Manhattan's Third Street Music School and Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute; throughout high school she worked with vocal coach Elizabeth McCullough.
Though she is currently unsigned by a record label, Michaelson has been gaining recognition from the media. On January 10, 2005 she self-released her debut album Slow the Rain, but her career has taken off with the release of her second album Girls and Boys on May 16, 2006. A few songs from the album were featured on the popular television dramas "Grey's Anatomy" and "One Tree Hill." On September 18, the album was re-released by record label Cabin 24 and in support of the re-release, she performed "The Way I Am" the same week on "Last Call with Carson Daly." This catchy and romantic tune has been extremely successful, making its way onto Old Navy and Chevrolet commercials later in the early fall. The soothing piece peaked at number 6 on iTunes and number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. She was XPN's Artist to Watch in November 2007.
Set List:
Die Alone /
Breakable /
Overboard /
Far Away
The Chain /
The Hat /
Keep Breathing
The Way I Am /
Starting Now
After forming 3 years ago, Davy Knowles (guitars, vocal, mandolin, lap steel), Ross Doyle (drums) and Adam Jones (bass) have been taking the world by storm with a sound influenced by Jimi Hendrix, BB King, and Eric Clapton. Natives of the Isle of Man in UK, the teenagers were raised on blues music, leading to the mix of contemporary/traditional blues-rock they perform today. Since touring the states for the past year, the young group has played at festivals like SXSW, Lollapalooza and opened for acts like The Who, Styx and Corinne Bailey Rae. Roll Away, their 2007 debut album, reached #7 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Back Door Slam was XPN's Artist to Watch in March 2008.
Set List:
Outside Woman Blues /
Heavy On My Mind /
Gotta Leave
Come Home /
It'll All Come Around /
What In The World
Riding With The King
Mutlu's music is a clever blend of soul, reggae, hip-hop, and Brazilian jazz deriving inspiration from Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Bob Marley, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. He avoids falling into retro phonic traps with cool grooves and a quick wit. His songs feel foreign and familiar, risky and romantic. The worldly sound of Mutlu finds the groove that makes his thoughtful, clever lyrics dance. Fans outside his hometown of Philadelphia and music industry professionals got a taste of Mutlu’s music during his well-received stint with Amos Lee on Lee’s North American and UK tours. His performances ultimately caught the attention of Manhattan Records, which lead to the release of his 5-song EP produced by Amos Lee.
Mutlu is currently touring with Joe Jackson. He just finished up recording his new album Livin' It featuring Daryl Hall, Amos Lee, G. Love & Raheem DeVaughn. Release date is July 8 on Manhattan Records.
Set List:
Livin' It /
See What It Brings /
Upside
Shaky Ground /
Without Love
Website:Mutlusounds.com | MySpace: Myspace.com/mutlusounds Recent Release:Livin' It | Release Date: July 8, 2008 Label: Manhattan Records Origin: Philadelphia, PA
As members of the band Luna, Dean and Britta have been working together since
the late '90s. From 2003, Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips have collaborated
on albums and composing for films like The Squid & The Whale. Both
Dean and Britta have had their share of success outside the music world as well.
Britta starred in Satisfaction with Julia Roberts and lent her voice
to the '80s cartoon character JEM while Black Postcards: A Rock & Roll
Romance, Dean's new memoir, was published in March 2008. The Back
Numbers lineup, the Dean and Britta band, lists Matt Sumrow on keyboards
and Anthony LaMarca on drums. Back Numbers was
released in 2007.
Set List:
Singer Sing /
Night Nurse /
Words To Say / Bavaria /
Ginger Snaps
You Turn My Head /
Bonnie & Clyde
Ezra Furman & The Harpoons aren't your typical college students. Since 2006, the band has gone from recording their debut in various dorm rooms at Tufts University to signing with indie label Minty Fresh Records. After writing a series of songs, lead singer Ezra felt an utmost urgency to lay down the tracks with bassist Job Mukkada, guitarist Jahn Sood and drummer Adam Abrutyn hence the band's start. Produced by Brian Deck (Josh Ritter, Iron & Wine, Modest Mouse), Banging Down the Doors marks their 2007 national debut.
Set List:
We Should Fight /
The Stakes Are High /
My Soul Has Escaped From My Body
The Worm In The Apple /
Take Off Your Sunglasses /
Big Deal
Halloween Snow
Citing both Bill Monroe and Prince as influences, New York musicians O'Death create a raw, eclectic mix of gothic folk, gospel fervor, and punk rock exuberance. Formed in 2003, the group has cultivated a congregation of fans with their riotous and captivating live show that has been likened to a "moonshine-fueled hoedown," full of stomping, hollering, and general uproar. While their second LP, Head Home, does well in capturing the group's raucous dynamic, O'Death's live performance remains a must-see.
Set List:
Adelita /
Spider Home /
Only Daughter /
On An Aching Sea / Peshtigo
Boss /
Hogtie /
Lowtide / Down To Rest
It's not often that a band as refreshingly dynamic as The Shackeltons emerges
from a town described as having virtually no music scene. And yet, since they
formed in 2004, their music's infectious raw power and the energetic fury of
their live shows has captured the attention of tastemakers across the nation,
earning them glowing praise from Rolling Stone, Spin,
and just about everyone else who's heard their self-titled debut LP. Garnering
well-earned comparisons to The Pixies, early White Stripes, Black Rebel Motorcycle
Club and Fugazi, it's safe to say The Shackeltons are not just another indie
band; they're a group actually worth the hype.
Set List:
Kind /
Get Out /
The Breaks /
Your Movement
Saturday /
Umbrella /
Emergency /
The Ship
Catchy melodies mixed with humor have been winning over fans all over the country
for Philly local band Fooling April. "Firefly," the first single from their
debut album, spent four months at number one on Clear Channel's unsigned Top
10 helping them gain a spot on American Idol Underground, the online version
of the hit TV show. Print campaigns and appearances on Fox-TV and NBC-TV followed
bringing in new fans like Teddy Geiger and Comedian Karith Foster. The band
has also performed with top musicians like Nellie McKay, Franz Ferdinand and
John Mayer. Fooling April is currently on a campus tour, and their album
In The Now was recently named one of the Top 10 Most Overlooked Albums
of 2007 by Phillylist.com.
Set List:
breaking the skin /
2nd chair /
pretending /
chuckie
ordinary /
H&O /
c-4
Since starting piano at age seven and guitar at sixteen, it's no wonder fourth-generation musician Jesse Ruben is already a recording artist before even graduating from college. After playing guitar for only nine months, he was accepted into Berklee College of Music, the only school he applied to. By his 2004 move to Boston, Jesse had a record worth of work reflecting his life in relation to those around him. Before long the Pennsylvania native was selling out shows from Boston to Philly. His album Aiming For Honesty debuted earlier this year and was recently featured on the just released XPN Local CD, Volume 2.
Set List:
Love, Don't Turn Your Back on Me Now /
Advice
Standing Strong /
Impossible to Find /
Ace of Spades
Point Me in the Right Direction /
A Lack of Armor
Since 2000, Philadelphia's Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer have been blasting fans with their high-energy, pepped-up power pop. Fueled by crunching staccato guitar riffs and cascading synth lines, Zolof's sound brings to mind current mainstream favorites such as Motion City Soundtrack and The Click Five. Frontwoman Rachel Minton's strong pep-rally vocals make the perfect match for the band's irreverent but fun sound.
Set List:
mean old coot /
moment /
how bout it /
argh...i'm a pirate
crazy ='s cute /
can't stand it /
the way it goes /
death or radio
i did it /
the hot situation
Combining Philly's raw, do-it-yourself ethos with the psychedelic folk-rock of the British Invasion, Cheers Elephant (named after America's first pachyderm import, famous for opening beer bottles and consuming their contents) perform songs full of rich three-part harmonies and spiraling guitar lines. Bearing a flattering resemblance to The Kink's keen and daring pop exploration, Cheers Elephant's music takes listeners on twisting journeys that visit melancholia and exuberance alike. Though unbefitting to their namesake, the band's musical innovative nimbleness and flexibility sets them apart creatively from the large majority of indie-rock acts today.
Set List:
Dharma /
Sunshine Spaceships /
Captain Crowningshield / Mr. Marvelous
Wide Eyed /
Space & Time / Slide Jelly
It seems Michael Franti was destined for a life of music. Though he planned to pursue a college basketball career, fate had other plans, leading him to an apartment just above his college radio station in 1986. There he fell in love with music, and for the last 20 years he's poured his passion into his work. In 1994, he joined session musicians who he was recording with in Philadelphia to form Spearhead, a funk-inspired rock, reggae, and soul outfit which has released five studio albums of socially and politically-charged songs since its inception. The now established lineup features Carl Young (bass), Dave Shul (guitar), Manas Itiene (drums) and Raliegh J. Neal, II (keyboards). Their upcoming album, All Rebel Rockers, will be released in September.
Set List:
Little Bit A Riddim /
Hello Bonjour /
Time To Go Home /
Rude Boys
Sweet Little Lies (AC) /
Everybody On A Move /
All I Want Is You /
Is Love Enuf (AC)
I Got Love For Ya /
Hey World /
Ikina /
Yell Fire
Say Hey
A singer-songwriter who takes his inspiration from the soul and folk artists
of the '70s such as John Prine, Neil Young, James Taylor, Bill Withers, Amos Lee
first gained wide recognition when he toured with Norah Jones in 2004. Sometime
after giving up his job as an elementary-school teacher to pursue a career as
a musician, Lee released his eponymous debut album; on his sophomore release
(2006's Supply and Demand), he tackles the issues of money, success
and power. The album retains his mixture of folk, soul and jazz, and also asserts
his versatility with slow, simple, dark melodies. Amos Lee's forthcoming album, Last Days at the Lodge will be available in stores and online June 24, 2008, on Blue Note. Last Days at the Lodge is Lee's third record, following his first two critically acclaimed and tremendously successful records: Supply and Demand and his self-titled debut from 2005. The new record is produced by Don Was, and features Lee on guitars, Doyle Bramhall, Jr. (Eric Clapton) on guitar, Spooner Oldham (Neil Young, Aretha Franklin) on keys, Pino Palladino (The Who, D'Angelo) on bass, and James Gadson (Bill Withers) on drums, along with many others.
Set List:
Listen /
Truth /
Won't Let Me Go /
Baby I Want You
Loose/Tight /
Sweet Pea /
Colors /
Bottom of Barrel
Jails and Bombs /
Street Corner /
Arms /
Shout Out Loud
Fat Bottom Girls /
A Change is Gonna Come
Referring to themselves as what the Grateful Dead circa 1971 might have sounded like if they had been playing bluegrass rather than electric instruments, Railroad Earth burst into the music world in 2001. After only a month of playing together and only five recorded songs, they landed a spot at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, where their performance immediately earned them a deal with celebrated folk label Sugar Hill Records. With their third LP, 2004's The Good Life, the band joined SCI Fidelity Records to create an album that earned rave reviews from across the country and cemented them as a force in the bluegrass and folk world.
Set List:
Railroad Earth / Been Down This Road / Dandelion Wine / The Forecast
Right in Tune / Bird in a House / Hard Living
After finding a guitar in her attic at age 13, New Jersey native and XPN
Artist To Watch Nicole Atkins taught herself how to play. With the influence
of her father, she sat in on sessions with local musician friends and was exposed
to artists like Jimmy Reed. She played for three years while attending art school
in North Carolina before making her way to New York City's anti-folk scene.
With the help of a major entertainment attorney, she signed a record contract.
Her debut album is a like a mural of her hometown (where she still has her own
mural business), telling the history of her family and friends, sometimes sounding
country, at times a little psychedelic, and even vaudevillian.
Set List:
Party's Over /
Carousel /
Maybe Tonight / The Way It Is / Cool Enough
Kill the Headlights / I Wait 4 U /
War Torn /
Teen Creep
Love Surreal
The son of folk legends Linda and Richard Thompson, Teddy Thompson has been honing his musical craft since the early 1990s when he first toured as a singer and guitarist in his father's band. He released his self-titled solo debut in 2000 to much critical acclaim, and now eight years later has released his fourth and most ambitious LP, A Piece of What You Need. The album marks a more mature artist, though still playful, with his characteristic blend of catchy, pensive, and emotionally insightful songs retaining their sometimes black sense of humor. Thompson's formidable talent as a singer, songwriter and guitarist has earned him an international reputation, and A Piece proves he's earned it.
Set List:
In My Arms /
The Things I Do /
What's This?!! /
I Wish It Was Over
Where to Go from Here /
Jonathan's Book /
Don't Know What I Was Thinking
Can't Sing Straight /
One of these Days /
In My Arms (Reprise)
With their beginnings in weekly jams at a Wilmington cafe, the vocal trio of Jen Schonwald, Kathleen Weber, and Nancy Josephson — known collectively as Angel Band — has evolved into a group that's not to be missed. Their sound is diverse, roaming from old time "mountain" music to contemporary rock and roll-influenced original work, but their impressively tight harmonies and the musicianship behind them create a performance both cohesive and powerful.
Set List:
Hey Papa Legba /
I'll Sing This Song For You / Place Of Grace /
Hold Me Angel
King of Nothing / Unlikely Place for Happiness /
Drown In The Fountain Of Good
I'm Coming Home To You / Fly Away Home / Ruth Rampant
Angel In The Morning / Jump Back in The Ditch
The quirky and witty Spinto Band was born after the discovery of lyrics on the inside of Cracker Jack boxes written by one member's grandfather, guitarist Roy Spinto. The chemistry was immediate and the six-man group has been creating work reminiscent of Pavement and the Flaming Lips for the past eight years. With seven self-released albums under their belt, the Spinto Band has performed with acts like Of Montreal, The Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players and Dr. Dog. The band is currently working on an upcoming album scheduled for a May release on Bar/None Records.
Set List:
Summer Grof /
Brown Boxes /
Later On /
Needlepoint
Mountains /
The Cat's Pajamas /
They All Laughed
Oh Mandy /
Direct To Helmet
Laced throughout with elements charmingly reminiscent of the 1960's, The Redwalls'
music is stirringly well-composed. Though the foursome calls the Windy City
home, the tangible influence of legendary British Invasion acts such as the
Beatles, Kinks, and Rolling Stones on their music has aligned them with more
Britpop than American artists. After successful tours with current UK greats Oasis,
Kaiser Chiefs, and Keane, it's clear that they've earned the flattering comparisons.
Signed to Drexel's MAD Dragon Records, the band released their acclaimed self-titled
album, their third LP, in 2007, and is reportedly working on a follow-up album
to be released this fall.
With their contemporary Dylan-esque style, The War On Drugs have emerged in the last year as the newest darlings amongst Philadelphia's ever-increasing exports of indie bands achieving national (and international) recognition. Though many have struggled to adequately describe their sound, the group - centered around the efforts of vocalist/guitarist/harmonica-touting Adam Granduciel and guitarist/vocalist Kurt Vile - is distinguishably intriguing, earning praise from just about everyone whose heard them. Their highly-anticipated debut LP, Wagonwheel Blues, comes out in June from revered indie label Secretly Canadian.
Set List:
Arms Like Boulders /
Buenos Aires Beach /
Pushing Corn / Taking The Farm
Show Me The Coast
Born in Brooklyn, schooled in Boston and currently residing in Boston, Jim
Bianco is not afraid to speak his mind. As a member of the Hotel Cafe Tour since
its start, he's toured the world with Rachel Yamagata, Kate Havnevik and the
Cary Brothers. Bianco's influences include Paul Simon, Billie Holiday and Jurassic
5. Thanks to the prominent use of instruments and succinct lyrics, his music
has landed a spot on cable networks HBO and Bravo and even made its way into
2007's Waitress. Jim's latest album, Sing, was released in March.
Set List:
Ok, I Suppose /
Sorry /
I Got at Thing for You / Handsome Devil /
If Your Mama Knew /
Sing
Each already distinguished in their own right, Cindy Bullens, Deborah Holland,
and Wendy Waldman have joined together as The Refugees, forming what has been
called "a female version of Crosby, Stills, and Nash." Accompanying one another
on a variety of instruments, vocalizing in three-part harmony, the trio of critically
acclaimed singer-songwriters creates music marked by its beauty, superb musicianship,
and, at times, quirky humor. Currently in the process of recording their highly-anticipated
debut, the super-group stands as an absolute fantasy matching of extraordinary
talents.
Kuf Knotz is hard at work finishing up his solo album. Co-founder and member of The Burndown Allstars, the BDAS have just finished up their third album and are featured on the reality show "Bodog Music Battle of the Bands" on Fuse Network. He loves music and anything art-related.
Kuf also use to front the band, Subtleground, and now fronts his own band "The Hustle."
Set List:
Run Wit Me /
I'm Over /
Encounter /
Mean World
Tomorrow /
2 Get Her /
Philadelphia
MySpace: myspace.com/kufie
Recent Release:Run Wit Me and new EP Theraputic Music Origin: Philadelphia, PA
Song Clip:Run Wit Me
While she only released her fourth solo album in February of 2006, English singer-songwriter Beth Orton seems more prolific and hardworking than many acts with twice her experience. On top of her collaborations with Beck, Emmylou Harris, Ryan Adams, and the Chemical Brothers, and others, the BRIT Award-winning artist has contributed her music to a number of films, television shows, tribute albums, and charity events. With her distinctive folk sound that ranges from stripped-down anti-folk to dazzling folktronica, Orton's beautiful songwriting and incredible performance leave no question as to why audiences just can't seem to get enough her.
Set List:
Heartland Truckstop /
Shadow Of A Doubt /
Comfort Of Strangers /
Concieved
Warns /
Stolen Cat /
Shopping Trolly /
Sweetest Decline /
Rectify
She Cries Your Name /
Katie Cruel /
Singer Boy /
Central Reservation
Alejandro Escovedo began playing guitar in college and hasn't stopped since.
With the influence of his father's mariachi career and older brothers playing
with bands Azteca and Santana, Alejandro was destined for musical stardom. After
forming several bands around the country, including one with two of his brothers,
Alejandro decided to try it solo. His 1992 debut Gravity, won rave
reviews and national awards leading up to the honor of No Depression magazine
labeling him "Artist of the Decade" in the 1990s. Now with a 14-year solo career
under his belt, he tours alone as well as with a rock combo (at one time toured with his
13-piece Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra). His newest album Real Animal is scheduled for release June 24. With help from famed producer Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T-Rex, Thin Lizzy), this, Escovedo's 9th solo release, will also include a limited edition double vinyl version featuring two bonus tracks: "In Love Again" and a cover of the Stooges "I Got a Right". Real Animal is a collective journey through Escovedo's various musical incarnations from punk rock to string quintets and is as introspective as it is retrospective. "The inspiration for this record really is my life in music and the characters that I have known in and throughout that life. It's also about how music helped me survive that life," Escovedo said. (Excerpts from official website press release)
Set List:
Put You Down /
Always A Friend /
Everybody Loves Me /
Sister Lost Soul
Chelsea Hotel 78 /
People /
Nuns Song /
Real Animal
San Francisco-based singer Chuck Prophet made a name for himself in the '80s
as the young guitarist in L.A.'s Green or Red. By 1990, Prophet released his
first solo album, Brother Aldo, to positive reviews. With a sound reminiscent
of Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, Prophet subsequently released a number of inspired
albums throughout the '90s. As an extremely proficient guitarist flying somewhat
under the radar, Prophet has carved an independent path through rock, soul,
and country. His latest album, Soap and Water, triumphs in the tradition of
Alex Chilton, the Rolling Stones and Tom Petty, functioning as a loose, guitar-based
slice of Americana.
Set List:
Little Child /
Freckle /
A Woman's Voice /
Something Stupid
You Did /
Summertime Thing /
Doubter Out Of Jesus (All Over You) /
I'm Bored
An accomplished singer-songwriter, author and activist, Dar Williams has been
making waves in the music industry since the early '90s. From her home state
of New York to across the country, Williams has been entertaining fans and performing
with acts like Ani DiFranco, Joan Baez and Mary Chapin Carpenter along the way.
With the launch of Echoes Initiative in 2005, Dar now raises awareness and funds
by partnering with local organizations. Soon after, Scholastic Press published
her youth novels, Amalee and Lights, Camera, Amalee. Her current CD, the much
celebrated My Better Self, is to be followed by a much anticipated release in 2008.
Set List:
The Easy Way /
Babysitter /
Spring Street /
You Are Everyone /
Buzzer /
Iowa
The One Who Knows /
Are You Out There
Incorporating many elements of American music including folk, jazz, and post-rock,
Philly Local Artist, The Brakes are a rock band with considerable depth. Marked
by their memorable lyrics and the unquestionable musicianship, the group's songs
prove rewarding listen after listen. The Brakes' newest release, Tale of Two
Cities chronicles the bands stretch of concurrent weekly performances in NYC's
Knitting Factory and Philly's Milkboy Coffee.
Set List:
Boat Trip /
Supermarket /
Big Money /
Into the Ground
Everybody Wants To Rule The World /
Dusty Road
Performing for almost 70 years, southern gospel group and four-time Grammy Winners, The Blind Boys of Alabama, practically constitute an institution in their own right. Formed at an Alabama institute for the blind in 1939, the group has continued to share its distinctive, rare, and authentic traditional soul and gospel sound with its large audience through welcoming fresh talent into the group dynamic. Led by the soulful Jimmy Lee Carter, the group's last original member, The Blind Boys have won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album every year between 2002 to 20
Set List:
Down By The Riverside /
God Said It /
People Get Ready
Spirit In The Sky /
Down In The Hole /
Uncloudy Day
There Will Be A Light /
I Shall Not Walk Alone
Free At Last /
Amazing Grace /
Look Where You Brought Me From /
I'm A Soldier
Integrating hip-hop, rock, R&B, Latin and funk, the Salvador Santana Band is no stranger to collaboration. Flourishing on innovation, the SSB mixes their favorite music and influences to create their sound. With music in his blood, bandleader and head keyboardist Salvador is an accomplished composer and lyricist working with artists including his father Carlos Santana. Other band members consist of Emerson Cardenas, Tony Austin, Quincy McCaray, Woody Aplanalp and former Ozomatli player Jose "Crunchy" Espinosa. Released in February, their debut album, SSB features collaborations with DJ Nu-Mark of Jurassic 5, Ryan Tedder of One Republic, Ozomatli's Asdru Sierra and 10 time Grammy Award winner Carlos Santana.
Set List:
Why Oh! /
Summer's Day /
I'Ma Call Ya /
Funky Thang /
Lo Que Digas Tu
Toby Lightman first made waves in the music industry in 2004 with her hit single, "Devils and Angels," but though she caught the attention of many then, the true breadth of her talent wasn't fully realized until her 2006 album, Bird on a Wire. Two years later, the singer/songstress and native of Cherry Hill, NJ has performed with OAR, Train, Carbon Leaf, Rob Thomas, Jewel, Gavin DeGraw, and Prince, and her smooth yet powerful vocals stand out amongst a sea of female voices in music. Her country-inspired and Sheryl Crow-like sound makes for an inspiring performance.
Set List:
You're No Good /
Don't Wake Me /
Round & Round /
Let Go /
So Natural To Love
Love Is All Around /
Devils & Angels /
My Sweet Song
XPN Artist To Watch Jim
Boggia would spend hours in his room, as a child, listening to records like
The Kinks and Stevie Wonder, trying to emulate the sounds on his guitar. Born
legally blind in his left eye and the sight in his right eye receding over the
years, his ears have become a powerful tool. Jim started making a dent in the
local music scene after his stint in Philadelphia as a customer service representative
for a studio equipment company. After meeting at an open mic and regrouping
in 2001, the Michigan native recorded a CD with fellow Philly stars Scott Bricklin,
Joseph Parsons and Ben Arnold as the group
4 Way Street. Other collaborations include Aimee Mann, Juliana Hatfield
and Bernadette Peters. Jim's most recent CD Safe in Sound was released
in 2005.
Set List:
To and Fro /
Johnny's goin' down /
Listening to NRBQ /
No Way Out /
Three Weeks Shy
Hot Fun In The Summertime
Artist set lists from the festival shows are now available.
Select an artist below to listen to an archive of their performance and view individual set lists.
Select a day to browse a day's worth of set lists and audio.
Stick around between Audra Rox and Miss Amy's sets as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Kids Corner - complete with birthday hats, colorful beads and the presentation of the Big Birthday Card to Kathy O'Connell! Get there early and be sure to sign it!
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times while in the Camden Children's Garden. All performances and activities are subject to change based upon weather conditions.
Check out the WXPN Media Player streaming four channels, live concerts, video and World Cafe archives.
Listen Live to WXPN 
