Music News

Japanese pop, EPCOT Center ambience, and (of course) indie rock: Eric Schuman’s Ears We Trust picks

I’m always happy to take time from listening to music to tell people about the music I’ve been listening to. It’s quite literally my…

By Eric Schuman

You’re invited to the next Inside Hustle music industry networking event

Back in May, we told you about how Philadelphia Music Alliance, Philly Music Fest, and we at WXPN were expanding the popular music industry…

By Max Bennett

The War On Drugs just released their first new song in 4 years

2022 feels like 10 years ago, doesn’t it? If not for the countless major events we’ve all witnessed and endured, but also for the…

By Max Bennett

Numero Group’s pop-up archival record store coming to Philly for one day only

After founding Numero Group 23 years ago, Ken Shipley is taking the archival record label on the road across a large swath of the…

By Max Bennett

John Morrison’s Top 5: Grover Washington Jr., new Nicholas Krolak, a Sun Ra reinterpretation, and more

Since music is both my passion and my profession, I spend a lot of time contemplating and reevaluating my relationship to it. This summer…

By John Morrison

Low Cut Connie’s Free At Noon barnburner

Perennial WXPN favorite Low Cut Connie put on a clinic for those unfamiliar with good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll Friday at Ardmore Music Hall,…

By Max Bennett

How 2 new record shops are making their name in Philly’s vinyl ecosystem

“Vinyl at heart.” If you listen to WXPN, you’ve heard that slogan many times over. And given our love of wax, we’re here to…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Peter Hook, MEMORIALS, Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, more

Friday to Sunday: Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival at the Salem County Fair AssociationThe three-day bluegrass festival in New Jersey will kick off Friday at…

By Max Bennett

XPoNential Music Festival set times announced

Our 2026 XPoNential Music Festival is nearly here. And you may have been wondering when the heck is everyone playing, and on what stage?…

By Max Bennett

SNACKTIME’s new single just dropped, listen to it here

Philly’s standout funk-soul-hip-hop fusion band SNACKTIME, hot off their performances at Newport Folk Festival and Lollapalooza, released their newest single Wednesday. The band—comprised of…

By Max Bennett

Rising Sun Programming Director Graham Noel taps math rock, instrumental acoustic, black metal for Ears We Trust

Rising Sun Presents is one of the region’s most prolific concert production companies, and Graham Noel is one of their key figures who make…

By Max Bennett

The Womack Sisters | Artist to Watch — September 2026

Hometown: Los Angeles, California Why They’re WXPN’s Artist To Watch: Kucha, Zeimani, and BG Womack released their first single “Darling” in 2017, blending classic R&B in…

By Max Bennett

Breakout indie brother-sister duo Sam and Louise Sullivan perform, curate playlist on The Folk Show

The Folk Show – 08.30.26 Sam and Louise Sullivan are one of Philly’s hottest musical acts at the moment. Their third album, Love &…

By Max Bennett

Arlo Parks talks new tunes, musical origin, and more with Mike Vasilikos

Arlo Parks – 8.31.26 London-based indie R&B singer-songwriter Arlo Parks popped into the WXPN studio Monday afternoon to chat with host Mike Vasilikos ahead…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Tim Motzer, Arlo Parks, Sovei, more

Friday: Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration with The Philly Pops at TD Pavilion at Highmark MannThe Mann is hosting a night of The Grateful Dead…

By Max Bennett

Grace Potter treats jam-packed Free At Noon crowd to rocking jams

Grace Potter Free At Noon – 8.28.26 A shoulder-to-shoulder crowd packed into the Music Hall at World Stage to catch rock star Grace Potter…

By Max Bennett

Former Sleepy Hollow host Keith Brand returning this weekend

Keith Brand, our Sunday Sleepy Hollow host from sometime in 1986 to the spring of 2013, graced his listeners with a relaxing, eclectic mix of…

By Keith Kelleher

Nik Greeley names his top 5 albums for Ears We Trust

Eccentric band leaders aren’t in short supply, but in Philly Nik Greeley is among the most electric and animated. With his band The Operators,…

By Max Bennett

Brittany Ann Tranbaugh plays new song, chats with Mike Vasilikos live in studio

Brittany Ann Tranbaugh – 8.25.26 The phrase “it takes a village” is largely used when discussing raising children. But for Philadelphia singer-songwriter Brittany Ann…

By Max Bennett

Dolly Parton dies at 80

Country music icon Dolly Parton died peacefully at 80 years old, according to her family, who made the announcement on social media Tuesday afternoon.…

By Max Bennett

Gregory Alan Isakov is Philly Music Fest’s surprise headliner this year

Back in May, the lineup for Philly Music Fest 2026 dropped. The shows feature a range of artists and genres, including Mo Lowda &…

By Max Bennett

Christian McBride ponders the proverbial cards dealt to Americans for Philly Anthems

Eleven-time Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist Christian McBride’s newest song is another track written and recorded for WXPN’s Philly Anthems project. The Philadelphia native wrote…

By Max Bennett

Kiwi Jr. rocks out to new, old tunes at joyous Free At Noon

Kiwi Jr. Free At Noon – 8.21.26 Hot off their latest record, indie rockers Kiwi Jr. are out on tour and putting on extremely…

By Max Bennett

Isaiah Rashad’s new album challenges hip-hop’s possibilities, hypermasculinity, and phobias

In February 2022, Tennessee-born rapper Isaiah Rashad’s life changed forever. While sitting in Zaxby’s, eating a chicken salad, Rashad began receiving calls and texts…

By John Morrison

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Rush, Johnny Dynamite, Ella Mai, More

Friday: Gregory Alan Isakov with the Philly Pops at TD PavilionColorado by way of South Africa and Philadelphia folk singer-songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov is…

By Max Bennett

Grammy-nominated artist Perry Shall takes us to the gym for Ears We Trust

Philly artist Perry Shall has worked with some serious bands, from The Black Keys to Green Day and Kurt Vile to The Arcs (the…

By Max Bennett

Local favorites stand out among national acts at 63rd Philly Folk Fest

As a lifelong Philadelphia Folk Festival attendee, witnessing this volunteer-run institution emerge from post-COVID turmoil has been truly remarkable. While the volunteer core has…

By Max Bennett

Ruth in the Bardo’s forthright politics shine in new genre-fluid album

Ruth in the Bardo‘s third album You’re Not Missing the Mark, You’re Missing the Point. is one you listen to with headphones on, barely acknowledging…

By Megan Matuzak

Yard Act throws punky dance party at Free At Noon

Yard Act, the UK’s eminent post-punk export, played a high-energy Free At Noon gig Friday as they wind their way around the Eastern seaboard…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Kingfish, Rhett Miller, Philly Folk Fest, Dungeon Crawl, more

Friday through Sunday: Philadelphia Folk FestivalOne of the longest-running folk music festivals in the nation, the 63rd Philly Folk Fest is back this weekend…

By Max Bennett

Homegrown Live! serves up folk and Americana with a rock ‘n’ roll cherry on top

Wednesday night at The Lounge at World Stage Wednesday night was a corker of an evening, as we hosted another Homegrown Live! show with…

By Max Bennett

Folk Show host Ian Zolitor is leaving WXPN

After nearly a dozen years of hosting WXPN’s Folk Show, Ian Zolitor is leaving WXPN. The Norristown native who grew up listening to our…

By Max Bennett

Tyler Asay of The Tisburys is loving indie rock for this week’s Ears We Trust

Back in June 2025, we named local rock outfit The Tisburys our Artist To Watch about a month after their fourth album, A Still…

By Max Bennett

Low Cut Connie reps Philly rock & roll in standout ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ performance

About a week after Low Cut Connie threw a killer free show in the heart of South Philly, where the band played its first…

By Max Bennett

Ex-BrooklynVegan editors confirm staff layoffs

One week after reports claimed layoffs impacted beloved music publication BrooklynVegan, the outlet’s now-former editors have confirmed layoffs. Former BrooklynVegan Senior Editor Andrew Sacher…

By Max Bennett

New venue accessibility guide helps music fans better enjoy live performances

Music is the universal language, and that means people from all walks of life should be able to enjoy concerts. To ensure fans who…

By Max Bennett

Lady Alma explores hope, poverty, and joy in her Philly Anthems songs

Philly soul and gospel icon Lady Alma is known for her upbeat and playful songs. But for WXPN’s Philly Anthems project, she steps beyond…

By Max Bennett

Tift Merritt regales Free At Noon crowd with songs of love, resistance, and art

Tift Merritt Free At Noon – 8.7.26 North Carolina-based singer-songwriter Tift Merritt is celebrating the release of her ninth studio album and first in…

By Max Bennett

Low Cut Connie gives love to South Philly’s diversity and toughness at steamy, free street show

“We’re getting down here with the people,” quite literally. That’s the first line of the chorus of Low Cut Connie’s “Boozophilia,” the breakthrough hit…

By George Murphy

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Mannequin Pussy, Steve Forbert, Hilary Duff, more

Friday: Owen Stewart at Abington Art CenterA WXPN favorite, Owen Stewart, will be in Abington with fellow Philly rockers Speeding Arrow for a free…

By Max Bennett

Drexel music industry professor Monika Julien is all in on orchestral psych rock, proto-ska, more for Ears We Trust

Back in May, an archived master tape of Choice 4 Inc. was released after being recorded in 1972 at Philadelphia’s legendary Sigma Sound Studios.…

By Max Bennett

Beloved music publications reportedly see mass layoffs

Several institutional music publications have undergone apparent layoffs, dealing a major blow to the music journalism industry. According to Pitchfork, mass layoffs have impacted…

By Max Bennett

At 102, Marshall Allen embarks on an ‘Audio Odyssey’

At 102 years old, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Marshall Allen has lived more life than most people. As the current leader and longest-tenured member of…

By John Morrison

Documentary on women in Philly’s hip-hop scene celebrating 20 years with screening, panel

Philadelphia is an underdog city, though its star has risen in recent years for its standout food, art, sports, and—most importantly to us here…

By Max Bennett

John Morrison’s Top 5: vocal jazz, underground rap, ’60s psych rock, more

Following last month’s hustle and bustle, July has been relatively chill, unhurried, and low stakes. I’ve mostly been hanging out with friends, going to…

By John Morrison

mary in the junkyard | Artist to Watch – August 2026

Hometown: London, England Why They’re WXPN’s Artist To Watch: mary in the junkyard is the hottest indie art-rock outfit out of the UK right…

By Max Bennett

Electric Free At Noon set draws new fans to Te Vista

Te Vista Free At Noon – 7.31.26 Te Vista is one of the region’s hottest up-and-coming acts, and their first-ever Free At Noon here…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Mitch-A-Palooza, Buddy Guy, The Happy Together Tour, More

Friday: Joe P at Ruba ClubAsbury Park basement rocker Joe P is rolling through Ruba Club to kick the weekend off right. The artist…

By Max Bennett

Philly artists and more remember Glen Hansard

Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard’s untimely death shocked the music world Wednesday. The beloved artist was just 56-years-old when he lost his life in a…

By Max Bennett

Planette Automatic talks debut album with WXPN host Mike Vasilikos

Planette Automatic – 7.28.26 Planette Automatic is the new rock outfit from Katie Hackett, AKA The Poet KR. The former frontperson of The Lunar…

By Max Bennett

Nostalgia’s Joe Lockwood & Morgan Walbridge keep it (mostly) local for Ears We Trust

Philly’s newest and buzziest venue, Nostalgia, is officially up and running after owners Morgan Walbridge and Joe Lockwood worked for more than a year…

By Max Bennett

Glen Hansard, beloved WXPN artist, dies at 56

One of WXPN’s most favorite singer-songwriters, Glen Hansard, has died today in a motorcycle accident in his hometown of Dublin. He was 56 years…

By Bruce Warren

On ‘WHACK’S MUSEUM,’ Tierra Whack enshrines herself among Philly hip-hop legends

“They call me Whack, luckily, it’s my government, one of a kind, your label been trying to double it,” is a hell of a…

By Josh Leidy

Anthony Green and Zayna Youssef’s Porno For Pyros cover supporting animal rescue groups

Two of Philly’s premier emo vocalists have teamed up for a cover of alt rock supergroup Porno for Pyros’ song “Pets,” and for a…

By Max Bennett

Jill Scott plays the hits on ‘To Whom This May Concern’ tour at The Met

There’s a scene in the 2005 concert documentary Dave Chappelle’s Block Party where Jill Scott tells us exactly who she is. Seated in the…

By John Morrison

Make The World Better concerts rock The Dell to help rehab Philly parks and rec centers

Night One — Pavement and Ratboys It was a perfect summer night at the Dell Music Center as two of the finest alt-rock outfits…

By WXPN

Man Man makes triumphant return to Philly

The prodigious son of Philly indie music absurdism, Honus Honus, aka Ryan Kattner, returned to Underground Arts Thursday to mark Man Man’s hometown stop…

By Megan Matuzak

Eliza Hardy Jones’ Philly Anthems song examines ‘dissonance’ of the United States

The second song in our Philly Anthems project is out today, and it’s by singer-songwriter Eliza Hardy Jones of The War On Drugs. Jones’…

By Max Bennett

Hannah Cohen mesmerizes Free At Noon crowd

Hannah Cohen Free At Noon – 7.24.26 Singer-songwriter Hannah Cohen popped into the Main Hall at World Stage Friday for a Free At Noon…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Bruce Hornsby, Muse, Red Meat Conspiracy, more

Friday: Read Meat Conspiracy at MilkboyPhilly’s self-described “electronic funk cow band” Red Meat Conspiracy will bring their genre-bending tunes to Milkboy. Baltimore funk-jam-psych rock…

By Max Bennett

New book chronicles Philly punk icons The Dead Milkmen’s history

The rise of punk rock across the globe is a bit of a double-edged sword: the subculture built by people who rejected the status…

By Max Bennett

Make The World Better marries Philly’s two greatest loves—sports and music—for a good cause

This weekend, The Dell Music Center in Fairmount Park is hosting two consecutive nights of music that will help support rehabilitation work at recreation…

By Max Bennett

Screamo, synth pop, indie post-punk fuel award-winning Chef Jesse Ito: Ears We Trust

For Ears We Trust, we typically hit up members of the Philadelphia music scene. Sometimes, though, we step outside our lane to ask other…

By Max Bennett

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell talks new album, memoir, Brian Wilson on WXPN

Mike Campbell – 7.21.26 Mike Campbell, a founding member of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, stopped by WXPN Tuesday for a midday chat with…

By Max Bennett

Cole Berggren’s stepping up to the mic in his debut solo release

Waxahatchee and Kevin Morby are two standard bearers of the indie rock and alt-country scenes, both with strong ties to Philly. And anyone who’s…

By Max Bennett

Defunct Philly vinyl pressing plant Softwax gets new life thanks to Pittsburgh’s Hellbender Vinyl

Philly-area bands and artists have a new resource for getting their music pressed on vinyl with Hellbender Vinyl’s recent acquisition of the now-closed Softwax…

By Max Bennett

Mikaela Davis brings country-Americana-psych harp rock to Free At Noon

Mikaela Davis – 7.17.26 Harpists are typically seen only in classical music settings. But Rochester native Mikaela Davis is doing things with her harp…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Wild Pink, Chicago, Catbite, more

Friday: Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards at Scottish Rite AuditoriumThe two folk icons are hosting a joint show across the river in Camden to…

By Max Bennett

Homegrown Live to feature Birdie Busch, Max Davey, and Dylan Zangwill Aug. 12

Another night of free music from WXPN? That’s right. We’ve got another Homegrown Live show on the calendar, and you’re invited to catch three…

By Max Bennett

Why Hurry didn’t put their new album, ‘Zoned Out,’ on Spotify

Philly’s indie pop rock outfit Hurry is celebrating the release of their seventh studio album, Zoned Out on Lame-O Records. The band just threw…

By Max Bennett

Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz, Sad13 shouts out Tierra Whack, Ted Leo, Mothermary more for Ears We Trust

Sadie Dupuis a favorite here at WXPN, and she just added to her discography with the release of 1331, a new DIY mixtape under…

By Max Bennett

The Flying Vees: our 24 Hour Song Challenge – Philly Anthems Edition winners

Our 24 Hour Song Challenge – Philly Anthems Edition has come to a conclusion, and we’re here to tell you The Flying Vees have…

By Max Bennett

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: a local Wings cover, King Britt’s Blacktronika, a listening living room, more

It’s hot as hell and summer is in full swing. Marked by a seemingly non-stop barrage of big concerts, small intimate shows and music-related…

By John Morrison

WXPN’s Philly Anthems begins today with a new song from Eric Bazilian

We recently celebrated the Semiquincentennial with a Philly-centric World Cafe Sense of Place series, the Sound of History music project, a Free At Noon…

By Bruce Warren

Greg Mendez and American Football kick off the weekend with a sold-out Free at Noon doubleheader

The summer weekend kicked off with a sold-out Free at Noon doubleheader featuring the melodic vocals of Greg Mendez and the Midwest Emo riffs…

By Ellen Miller

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Owen Stewart, IRIS Music Festival, Bob Dylan, more

Friday and Saturday — Dave Matthews Band at Freedom Mortgage PavilionDave is back in town for a two-night stint at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion after…

By Max Bennett

Philly luthier James Sturner picks The Dead, Alex Cameron, This Is Lorelei for Ears We Trust

James Sturner is the man behind Philadelphia’s Sturner Guitars. The Council Rock North art teacher and alumni of Temple’s Tyler School of Art and…

By Max Bennett

Meet the finalists in our 24 Hour Song Challenge – Philly Anthems Edition

We here at WXPN are nearly ready to select a winner for this year’s 24 Hour Song Challenge – Philly Anthems Edition. But before…

By Max Bennett

human plushie is shaping sound and space in Philly’s underground dance scene

human plushie exists at the center of a rapidly evolving corner of Philadelphia’s underground dance scene. Moving between DJ sets, hardware-driven production, and the building…

By Rita Thompson

Riley Lauren’s goodbye to Philly

Riley Lauren isn’t wasting time. The math major-turned-stylist-turned-singer-songwriter grew up in the Philly area, and in just three years has built a music career…

By Maeve Zeleniak

Ready to Jam? WXPN programming schedule changes coming July 13

WXPN’s weekday evening on-air programming will undergo some changes Monday. With Kids Corner’s final show in the books, listeners will hear a new weeknight…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s top 10 songs by, from, and about Philly

If you’ve been tuning in all weekend up to now, you’ve heard 240 songs that we at WXPN have deemed the essentially Philly songs.…

By Max Bennett

Philly music all stars team up for Wawa Hoagiefest song

If you live in the Philly area, you know Wawa’s annual Hoagiefest is underway. Sure you can get excited about the meal deals, Hoagiefest…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Paul Simon, Patti LaBelle, mc chris, more

Friday — Ikechi Onyenaka at Spruce Street Harbor ParkKick off your holiday weekend with a free performance by Upper Darby-based Jazz saxophonist Ikechi Onyenaka…

By Max Bennett

The 250 songs that define Philadelphia

Over 4th of July weekend, WXPN is celebrating the country’s 250th birthday with 250 songs that are from, by, and about Philadelphia. The list…

By Max Bennett

Alex Amen | Artist to Watch – July 2026

Hometown: The Gulf Coast of Texas. Why He’s WXPN’s Artist To Watch: Alex Amen blew us away at NON-COMMvention 2026, when he performed in…

By Max Bennett

REC Philly’s Dave Silver gives love to (mostly) Philly artists for Ears We Trust

Dave Silver co-founded REC Philly his longtime friend Will Toms back in 2014. His work was integral is helping us here at WXPN and…

By Max Bennett

The Strokes highlight classic 2000s tracks at sold-out Philly show

The Strokes are a sort of generational band. Created in the late 90’s and putting out records semi-regularly since, they’ve garnered an all-ages fan…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

Rising Sun Presents expanding into Baltimore by taking over iconic venue

Baltimore and Philadelphia are both are home to passionate blue collar denizens, often get overshadowed by larger nearby metropolitan areas, have very specific culinary…

By Max Bennett

Trout Fishing In America’s bittersweet Free At Noon bids Kathy O’Connell, Kids Corner farewell

Trout Fishing in America Free At Noon – 6.26.26 The Music Hall at World Stage hosted a true all-ages show Friday with Trout Fishing…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Molly Tuttle and Daniel Donato, an emo showcase, jazz trumpeter Steven Bernstein, more

Friday — The Breeders at The FillmoreAn integral band of the 1990s alt rock scene is coming back to Philly Friday. Twin sisters Kim…

By Max Bennett

Spoon gets the crowd moving at The Fillmore

Indie rock rarely sits still long enough to be studied or defined, but it has suffered the same criticisms since The Clean and the…

By Patrick Rapa

Highmark Mann Programming VP Toby Blumenthal taps into the past, present, and future for Ears We Trust

In this week’s Ears We Trust, we asked Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts Vice President of Programming and Chief Innovation Officer Toby…

By Max Bennett

Listen back to Clive Davis’ 2013 World Cafe Interview

Clive Davis, a titan of the music industry, died at 94 years old Monday at his Manhattan home. The record executive and producer, A&R…

By Max Bennett

Philly’s A Country Western, Ruth in the Bardo join Horse Jumper of Love for riverside show

The Spruce Harbor Live & Local Series of concerts is in full swing, and last Thursday Massachusetts-based Horse Jumper of Love were joined by…

By Megan Matuzak

Zeek Burse, Laurin Talese vocalize the American Revolution at Juneteenth Free At Noon

SOUND OF HISTORY — 06.19.26 WXPN on Juneteenth hosted local musicians and past Black Music City grantees Laurin Talese and Zeek Burse for Free At…

By Max Bennett

The Mann’s new campus gives concertgoers enhanced, revamped experiences

People attending performances at Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts will see quite a few news features and designs upon entry as the…

By Max Bennett

Local musicians to celebrate The Kinks at benefit tribute show Saturday

This Saturday, The Fallser Club will celebrate the iconic British rock band The Kinks with KINKSTRAVAGANZA, which will bring out local acts and specials…

By Max Bennett

WXPN Musicians On Call bringing bedside music to Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehab patients

In our ongoing mission to spread the joy of music to the masses, WXPN Musicians On Call has expanded in 2026 by welcoming the…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s Concert Picks: SG Goodman, Del Amitri, Sound of History, more

Friday — Jimmy Eat World at Skyline Stage at Highmark MannJimmy Eat World’s breakout album Bleed American is old enough to drink alcohol now,…

By Max Bennett

Jim E. Brown picks wordless 26-minute Norwegian track, ‘elderly German men,’ and his own music for Ears We Trust

Jim E. Brown is a 19-year-old pop sensation from Manchester, England, but for some reason the internet thinks he’s from Philadelphia. Maybe it’s because…

By Max Bennett

Jack Antonoff brings the full Bleachers band in return to Philly

On a beautiful summer night, Jack Antonoff and his band Bleachers took us from The Mann to New Jersey. Walking out to Sinatra classic,…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

Snapshots from Break Free Fest 2026

Break Free Fest, Philly’s three-day festival featuring BIPOC bands across the punk and hardcore spectrum, returned for its eighth year over the weekend. Tristate,…

By Megan Matuzak

Holly Humberstone leans on the rock of pop rock at TLA show

Long before the doors opened Tuesday night, a line stretched down South Street for Holly Humberstone’s sold-out show at the Theatre of Living Arts.…

By Bridget Massa

Robyn Hitchcock plays acoustic songs, chats with Mike Vasilikos live in studio

Robyn Hitchcock – 06.12.26  ”You have all eternity in which not to exist, so better get it done now,” Robyn Hitchcock said in the…

By Max Bennett

Deer Tick rocks with indie folk country tunes, and a punk cover, at a sold out Free At Noon

Deer Tick Free At Noon – 06.12.26 Providence, Rhode Island’s Deer Tick drew a massive crowd to The Music Hall at World Stage (formerly…

By Max Bennett

How a cease operations order and local music lovers helped new Fishtown venue Nostalgia go legit

Resiliency and community are through lines in almost every great story in Philadelphia. The tale of Fishtown’s newest venue Nostalgia is no different, as…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Dead Calm, Brother Wallace, Sun Within release show, more

Friday — Maxwell Stern & The Good Light Band at Johnny Brenda’sIt’s all local at JB’s Friday night. Maxwell Stern, Labrador, and Old Souls…

By Max Bennett

SNACKTIME’s Sam Gellerstein is loving live recordings, rap rock, soul for Ears We Trust

You’ve seen Sam Gellerstein getting groovy on bass with Philly’s beloved funk-soul-jazz-hip-hop fusion band SNACKTIME. But did you know he came up in the Florida…

By Max Bennett

James Blake brings a fluid, unfixed set to Franklin Music Hall

James Blake’s music is often discussed in terms of production. Since emerging from the UK’s post-dubstep scene in the late 2000s, the British singer,…

By Rita Thompson

Philly, European musicians play collaborative show for inaugural Transatlantic Stars Music Program

A select number of Philadelphian and European musicians have been spending time together to exchange industry experiences, skills, lessons, and of course music as…

By Ellen Miller

Son Little keeps it cool during Free At Noon on a scorching Philly Friday

Son Little dropped his latest album in late March, and before he hits the road to support Cityfolk, he came by WXPN to play…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Alex Savoth album release show, Jill Sobule tribute, Kevin Morby, Sadie Gust, more

Friday — Jillith Fair – Loving Jill Sobule at The Fallser ClubJim Boggia and Marykate O’Neil are hosting a night celebrating the late folk-pop…

By Max Bennett

KulfiGirls celebrating new deluxe album with mini tour

Philly’s Carnatic rock outfit KulfiGirls dropped their first album Divinity in February 2025. Online audiences got to know the band better after their Key…

By Max Bennett

World Cafe host Stephen Kallao’s got video game soundtracks, a cover, and Gloorp for Ears We Trust

Music lovers across the nation tune in to World Cafe to hear Stephen Kallao spin tunes and go on deep dives with artists of…

By Max Bennett

Roots Picnic celebrates local acts alongside headliners JAŸ-Z and Erykah Badu at Belmont Plateau

Belmont Plateau was the center of the music world this past weekend as people flocked to the 18th annual Roots Picnic. For nearly the…

By Max Bennett

Philly drag icon Dito van Reigersberg — AKA Martha Graham Cracker — dies at 53

A pillar of Philadelphia’s drag and performing arts culture has died. Dito van Reigersberg, known better as Martha Graham Cracker, died at 53 years…

By Max Bennett

BalletX and Dan Deacon team up to reimagine Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’

Dan Deacon is known for many things: his orchestral electronic music, live shows with heavy crowd participation, the viral “Drinking Out of Cups” audio…

By Max Bennett

R5 Productions’ Jeff Ziga goes in on hardcore punk, indie rock, power pop for Ears We Trust

Jeff Ziga came up in the Philly area’s DIY punk scene and now promotes shows in the region with R5 Productions. His history in…

By Max Bennett

Dar Williams dazzles packed Free At Noon in Ardmore

Ardmore Music Hall was bursting at the seams Friday, as fans of singer-songwriter Dar Williams packed into the Main Line venue to catch her…

By Max Bennett

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Improv psych rock, live hip-hop, and a Marshall Allen collab

For the last few months, I’ve been diving even deeper into writing about local music. In addition to my work with WXPN, I’ve been…

By John Morrison

The Top 50 ‘Kids Corner’ Songs of All Time

Years ago, my friend Scott described my job as, “you play ‘Star Trekkin’,’ you play ‘Fish Heads!’” Since the statute of limitations has long…

By Kathy O'Connell

CinéSPEAK Under The Stars bringing music, food, and indie cinema together

On May 29, CinéSPEAK will launch the latest edition of their CinéSPEAK Under The Stars summer festival, a consistent highlight of Philly’s summer season.…

By John Morrison

WXPN’s Mike Vasilikos shouts out jazz fusion, Kevin Morby, and a stellar cover song for Ears We Trust

You know him, you love him, it’s WXPN host Mike Vasilikos chiming in for the latest installment of Ears We Trust. He’s been into…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s guide to Philly-area music festivals

We here at WXPN not only love introducing you to new music on our airwaves, but also shepherding you to the best live music…

By Max Bennett

How a suburban Philly guitarist became the face of vintage gear

For more than half a century, Norman’s Rare Guitars in Los Angeles has been selling prime instruments to celebrities from all kinds of industries.…

By Max Bennett

Jazz, metal, indie rock, more in store for Philly Music Fest 2026

In mid October, six venues in the Philadelphia area will host more than two dozen eclectic bands for the 10th Philly Music Fest. The…

By Max Bennett

Dabble in darker sounds on World Goth Day

The goth subculture has a rich history and identifiable sub-genres that have captured the affection of a global and intergenerational audience. Friday is World…

By Max Bennett

The Head and The Heart pay tribute to debut album at Keswick Theatre

Fifteen years ago, Seattle-based indie-folk band The Head and The Heart released their debut namesake album. To commemorate this crucial moment, the band announced…

By Elie Pichanick

At back-to-back Philly shows, Lucinda Williams plans to spread message of resistance

Philadelphia music lovers are in for a treat, as Lucinda Williams will grace the stage at Union Transfer for not one, but two nights…

By Max Bennett

Philly indie punkers Cheap 52 love to hate (and hate to love) social media

Cheap 52 is playing a sold-out headlining hometown show Friday at Ruba Club with Philly bands Friend and Disaster Artist, as well as Boston’s…

By Max Bennett

Lady B, Earl Young, Adam Blackstone, more inducted into Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame

The Philadelphia Music Alliance‘s Walk of Fame just got a bit bigger, as nine inductees had plaques honoring their work unveiled Wednesday afternoon outside…

By Max Bennett

CMAT gets silly in Philly

A moonwalking bassist, a drummer who was crowned the lesbian queen, and Skirt Cobain walk into a venue. It may sound like the beginning of a…

By Emma Zoe Polyak

Barrett Lindgren books shows at Johnny Brenda’s and he’s got Ears We Trust

Barrett Lindgren took over the Head Talent Buyer role at Johnny Brenda’s in late 2019, but he’s been booking shows across Philly since about…

By Max Bennett

Dawes, Portugal. The Man, Little Feat headlining XPoNential Music Festival 2026

The wait is over and we here at WXPN are thrilled to announce the lineup for this year’s XPoNential Music Festival, which will return…

By Max Bennett

Philly-recorded soul album gets proper release 54 years later

Drexel University’s Mad Dragon Records just released a new album from its extensive archive of masters recorded at the legendary Sigma Sounds Studio. Choice…

By Max Bennett

Death Cab For Cutie, Hannah Cohen, Kevin Morby, Gail Ann Dorsey, More: NON-COMM 2026 In Review

Another NON-COMMvention here at WXPN is in the books. This year’s festival drew hundreds of public radio music programmers, music industry reps, music media,…

By WXPN

WXPN’s Concert Picks: The Lone Bellow, Iron & Wine, Gladie, More

Friday: Wheatus at 118 NorthBack in 2000, Long Island rockers Wheatus released one of the most iconic pop rock songs for a generation of…

By Max Bennett

Stereo League’s Alex Savoth drops the act in debut solo release

Alex Savoth has been making music alongside childhood friend Dan King in Stereo League for about 10 years. “I play a bit of a…

By Max Bennett

Sing Us Home Festival’s joy gets amplified by perfect weather

Sing Us Home Festival was back in Manayunk over the weekend for its fourth year, and Philadelphia’s own Dave and Tim Hause — who…

By Ellen Miller

WXPN’s Joey Sweeney picks dub, dream pop, hip-hop, more for Ears We Trust

Joey Sweeney is a man about town. He hosts Sleepy Hollow and writes here at WXPN, spins vinyl at 48 Record Bar, serves as…

By Max Bennett

Inside Hustle Expanding With Monthly Themed Events

Philadelphia’s premier music industry networking events are getting bigger this year, as organizers are planning to host not just two Inside Hustle networking events,…

By Max Bennett

The Future of Philly DIY is in the Kitchen

House venues are a testament to how much music means to people. Opening your living space up to the public and hosting bands from…

By Atticus Deeny

After a decade of ‘Give It Back to You,’ The Record Company return to WXPN

When The Record Company stopped by WXPN, the trio came in to mark 10 years of their Grammy-nominated debut Give It Back to You.…

By WXPN

Hunter Metts talks ‘A Crater Wide’ and plays live at WXPN

Hunter Metts grew up 30 minutes south of Nashville and spent his early 20s writing software before letting himself become a musician. That history…

By WXPN

Sing Us Home Festival Promises Plenty of Music With Town Fair And Family Reunion Vibes

The fourth annual Sing Us Home music festival is this weekend on Venice Island in Manayunk. The three-day event is packed with bands and…

By Max Bennett

Rising Sun Presents Booker Jesse Lundy Taps Little Barrie, Theo Lawrence, Eleni Mandell For Ears We Trust

If you’re a regular at Philadelphia area shows, chances high are you’ve been to a show organized by Rising Sun Presents booker Jesse Lundy.…

By Max Bennett

TLA Goes Goth At Clan of Xymox, Cold Cave Show

A post-punk, industrial, and darkwave show co-headlined by Cold Cave and Clan of Xymox led to hordes of humans donned in dark overtaking the…

By Max Bennett

The 24-Hour Song Challenge – Philly Anthems Edition Launches June 6

We’re thrilled to announce our 24-Hour Song Challenge – Philly Anthems Edition, tasking musicians with crafting an original song in just a day’s time…

By Max Bennett

Stepping Into Zinadelphia’s Boutique

“Everything I seek is also seeking me,” sings Zinadelphia on the title track of her new EP, The Boutique. It’s a phrase that doubles…

By Emma Zoe Polyak

Black Buttafly, Denison Witmer, John Faye Showcase Local Music Prowess At Homegrown Originals Gig

WXPN Thursday night was packed with local music aficionados there to catch three standout artists who are featured on our limited-release, all-Philly vinyl album…

By Max Bennett

WXPN Morning Host Kristen Kurtis Touts Tori Amos and Kim Gordon For Ears We Trust

Kristen Kurtis has always championed women who are unabashedly themselves in their music and lives. For this week’s Ears We Trust, she’s highlighting three…

By Max Bennett

Former Philly Teacher’s Kindie Rap Success Comes From Leaning Into Nerdiness

“I was just coming back from vacation. My wife and I were celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary. We decided to have some friends over…

By Josh Leidy

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: New Jazz Fusion, Experimental Rock, ’90s Instrumental Hip-Hop Throwbacks

Reflecting on this month, I’m reminded that the themes of learning and play are central to my work. In recent conversations with friends and…

By John Morrison

Waxahatchee And MJ Lenderman Shrink The Met Down To An Intimate Living Room

MJ Lenderman and Waxahatchee were back in Philadelphia for a springtime show as a duo over the weekend. The pair sold out The Met…

By Ellen Miller

Tigers Jaw Leave Sold-Out Union Transfer Crowd A ‘Sweaty, Happy Mess’

Tigers Jaw touched down from the emo-sphere last night at a sold-out Union Transfer and played a whopping, high-energy 22-song set. The Scranton exports…

By Megan Matuzak

Live Nation Operated Ticket Monopoly, Federal Jury Finds

Concert tickets in Philadelphia could get cheaper after a federal jury ruled Wednesday that Live Nation has been operating as an illegal monopoly. The…

By Max Bennett

Philly Songwriter Posthumously Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

Linda Creed was diagnosed with breast cancer at 26, and after a 10-year battle she succumbed to the illness at 37. But, the Philadelphia-born…

By Max Bennett

Former WXPN Host Julian Booker’s Picks For Ears We Trust Go Deep On Jazz And Funk

You may remember Julian Booker as the former host of Sleepy Hollow here on WXPN. Booker now serves as the Associate Program Director and…

By Max Bennett

Our Hosts’ Favorite Guest Tracks From Vinyl Day

We’re still giddy about Vinyl Day, when we aired a full 24 hours of analog content. Every song you heard Thursday last week was…

By Max Bennett

Mannequin Pussy Plays NPR Tiny Desk With String Quartet Accompaniment

Mannequin Pussy is one of Philadelphia’s most cherished bands, and on Sunday they graced one of their largest stages yet: NPR’s Tiny Desk. Vocalist/guitarist…

By Max Bennett

Doing It Scared: Jada Lee On Faith, Vulnerability, And ‘Love Lives Here’

From her early days singing in church in Salisbury, Maryland, to leading performances in school and eventually stepping out on her own as an…

By Abdur Rahman

Where’s The Balance? Following And Enjoying New Music In 2026

New music has become accessible to everyone through the internet and music streaming, but at the same time, this can lead to an overwhelming…

By Atticus Deeny

Record Store Day 2026 Events: What’s Happening In The Region

Record stores in Philadelphia, the suburbs, New Jersey, and Central PA we’ve partnered with to offer Homegrown Originals Volume 4 are extending hours, welcoming…

By Max Bennett

Hayley Williams’ Philly Spectacular

Is Ego Death right for you? Just before Hayley Williams took the stage at a sold-out Franklin Music Hall, she played what sounded like…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

Glen Hansard Is Making a New Album in Philadelphia and He Just Previewed It to a Sold Out Room

We might be able to break a little news here: Philadelphia, over these last few hard months, Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard has been in…

By Joey Sweeney

Ears We Trust: Dan Reed

Dan Reed, our musical director and prolific on-air host, jumped in for this week’s Ears We Trust to share the tunes he’s got on…

By Max Bennett

Kurt Vile Debuts Single From Upcoming Album On WXPN

Kurt Vile stopped by WXPN Monday afternoon to premiere his new single “Chance to Bleed” and talk about his upcoming 10th album with host…

By Max Bennett

In The Meadow With Madison Cunningham

Among pots of lush greenery and lavender, Madison Cunningham soundtracked a mystical night at Ardmore Music Hall Thursday. Touring on her newest album Ace,…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

Live Now: WXPN Goes All-Analog for a 24-Hour Vinyl Takeover April 9

Full Vinyl Day schedule below: Midnight to 6 a.m. Chuck Van Zyl5:10-5:45 a.m. Zach Maupin 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Kristen Kurtis7:25-7:45 a.m. Nick…

By Max Bennett

Ears We Trust: Jim McGuinn

Our Programming Director Jim McGuinn chimed in for the latest installment of Ears We Trust. If you tune in to WXPN Evenings when Jim…

By Max Bennett

Let WXPN Be Your 2026 Record Store Day Guide

April 18 is Record Store Day, and here at WXPN it’s basically a major holiday. After all, our slogan is “vinyl at heart.” In…

By Max Bennett

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Fierce Hip-Hop And Dance Worthy Beats

Spring has (kinda) sprung! Amidst the unpredictable weather, one thing that’s been unsurprisingly consistent has been the brilliance of Philly’s music scene. In both…

By John Morrison

46 Years Later, Rockpile’s ‘Seconds Of Pleasure’ Gets A Response Album

Philly’s pub rockers The Donuts are hosting a vinyl release show Saturday night at Kung Fu Necktie with power-pop group Foxycontin for their album…

By Max Bennett

Ex-Turnstile Guitarist Charged With Attempted Murder

The former guitarist of Grammy-winning hardcore punk band Turnstile has been charged with attempted murder and felony assault in Maryland, and the alleged victim…

By Max Bennett

Meet The Man Behind Delco Donny, The Viral Troubadour

If you’re an Instagram or TikTok user in the Philadelphia area (and even beyond) you may have seen Delco Donny. The viral sensation has…

By Max Bennett

Pavement, Kurt Vile, Ratboys, More Playing Former Eagles Player’s 2-Day Benefit Concert

Indie rock legends Pavement and Philly’s own Kurt Vile are tag teaming both nights of the 11th annual Make The World Better benefit concerts,…

By Max Bennett

It’s Opening Day For The Phillies — Here Are 8 Songs And Artists For The Moment

Baseball season is officially underway here in Philadelphia (and elsewhere, but who’s keeping up with other cities and their teams). In honor of the…

By Max Bennett

Ears We Trust: Amber Miller

We’re launching a new feature here at XPN dedicated to what people behind the Philly music scene are listening to. Welcome to Ears We…

By Max Bennett

Philly’s Breakout Emo Punk Band Sweet Pill Cancels Tour

Philadelphia emo punk band Sweet Pill has cancelled the remaining U.S. and European dates of their current tour. The band broke the news on…

By Max Bennett

Homegrown Live Returns April 23 with Black Buttafly, Denison Witmer, and John Faye

WXPN is offering you a chance to see three artists featured on our limited-release, all-Philly compilation vinyl, Homegrown Originals Volume 4, live and at…

By Max Bennett

Kehlani, Brandy, T.I., More Joining JAŸ-Z And Erykah Badu At Roots Picnic

Organizers of Roots Picnic Friday revealed the full lineup of performers on the heels of announcing JAŸ-Z and Erykah Badu as headliners. The festival…

By Max Bennett

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Bring Dance-y Funk Jams To Sold-Out Free At Noon

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Free At Noon – 03.20.26 Temperatures reached the mid 60s Friday in Philadelphia, but Free At Noon here at WXPN…

By Max Bennett

From WXPN Host To WXPN Ambassador: Kathy O’Connell Announces Retirement

After four decades of soundtracking childhoods across the region and beyond, WXPN host Kathy O’Connell has announced her retirement. Since O’Connell is irreplaceable, this…

By Max Bennett

Erykah Badu, JAŸ-Z Headlining Roots Picnic At Belmont Plateau

UPDATE: The full Roots Picnic lineup has been announced. See who’s joining the festival here. The 18th Annual Roots Picnic is taking place May…

By Max Bennett

Don’t Miss Homegrown Originals Volume 4 On Record Store Day

We’re back at it again with another installment of the popular Homegrown Originals album series, highlighting local artists and celebrating vinyl records in a…

By Max Bennett

WXPN’s Concert Picks: Tom Rush, Dessa, Sweet Pill, And More

The Philly area has plenty of shows coming up this week and weekend, and they prove the region’s taste for a wide breadth of…

By Max Bennett

These Are Philadelphia Music Alliance’s 2026 Walk of Fame Inductees

The Philadelphia Music Alliance has named the eight artists joining its 2026 Walk of Fame class, continuing a tradition that stretches back nearly 40…

By Max Bennett

XPN Is Honoring America’s 250th Philly Style

The nation’s 250th anniversary celebration is upon us, and here at XPN we’re commemorating in four ways. The Philly 250 is a special programming…

By Max Bennett

The Teaches of Peaches Pull No Punches at Union Transfer

The Teaches of Peaches are pretty simple. Basically, the rules are: “Be nice” and “Stop policing our bodies and what we do with them.” Likewise,…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

XPN Honors Lilith Fair On International Women’s Day

Sunday, March 8 is International Women’s Day, and XPN is marking the occasion with a full day of music from Lilith Fair, the revolutionary…

By WXPN

Homegrown Live Returns to WXPN with Te Vista, Polaroid Fade, and Fat Mezz

WXPN’s Homegrown Live returned to World Cafe Live on Wednesday, with Te Vista, Polaroid Fade, and Fat Mezz each taking the stage for a…

By Emma Zoe Polyak

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Underground Anthems Of Philly Soul

Happy Black History Month! February has been all about DJ gigs, the endless task of sorting records, and occasionally popping out to my friends’…

By John Morrison

Stream Brandi Carlile’s “Be Human: A Concert for Minneapolis” this Saturday

Brandi Carlile’s “Be Human: A Concert for Minneapolis” is sold out, but you can catch the whole thing streaming live right here this Saturday…

By WXPN

Unpacking Jill Scott’s Utterly Iconic Tiny Desk

When we told you a month or so back that Jill Scott is back, no one could have predicted the degree of back-ness that…

By Joey Sweeney

Meet Kingspy, The DJ and Creator Behind the Rhythm Nation Party

Long before he was moving dance floors across the city, Kingspy was Malik Robinson — a Girard College student discovering the magic of filmmaking…

By Abdur Rahman

15 Years of Frank Ocean and The R&B Mixtape

Frank OceanNostalgia, Ultra(Self-released) Fifteen years ago, Frank Ocean quietly uploaded Nostalgia, Ultra to Tumblr, bypassing traditional industry machinery and, in the process, reshaping the…

By Abdur Rahman

Get Ready for 8 Hours of Love On WXPN with this Valentine’s Day Playlist

Love: It’s pretty good! And nowhere is that more evident than in the world of song. There’s so many great love songs, and so…

By WXPN

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Jazz & Pop Past & Future

It’s early 2026 and Philly’s music scene is already on fire with activity. From viral dance challenges and resurrected rap classics to jazz of…

By John Morrison

Brandi Carlile Made Xfinity Mobile Arena Feel Intimate on Her Opening Night in Philadelphia

The first show on a tour, I believe, always carries a particular kind of excitement: There’s a sense that anything can happen. By every…

By Emma Zoe Polyak

Philly Braves the Cold for Kashus Culpepper

“I’m a long way from home /It must be something about the weather, babe/That makes me feel so alone” — Culpepper sings to start…

By Ellen Miller

Rieko Safiyya Shares New Music on WXPN’s Sofa Sessions

Rieko Safiyya joins us for Episode 3 of WXPN’s Sofa Sessions with performances and a conversation about where her music comes from and what…

By WXPN

Tyler Ballgame | Artist to Watch – February 2026

Hometown: Los Angeles by way of Rhode Island  Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: Tyler Ballgame has a big, round, theatrical tenor voice that’s…

By Joey Sweeney

Ali “Amaculent” McGuire Is Back Home And “On One”

Rapper/Mix Engineer Ali “Amaculent” McGuire’s debut album On One (and its accompanying book, The Inner Compass) is a deeply personal reflection on life, healing,…

By John Morrison

Bruce Springsteen Releases ‘Streets Of Minneapolis’ And He’s Naming Names

On Wednesday, Bruce Springsteen released “Streets of Minneapolis,” a protest song condemning ICE violence and memorializing Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti, who were…

By WXPN

Free At Noon: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Piano & Voice

Alec Ounsworth says he’s only about 20 shows into his current piano-and-voice iteration of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, but make no mistake: His…

By Joey Sweeney

‘I Would Know Your Voice Anywhere’: Brandi Carlile Reconnects with WXPN

“I would know your voice anywhere,” Brandi Carlile told WXPN host Dan Reed, kicking off a conversation that felt part interview and part reunion.…

By WXPN

Sun Ra gets the American Masters treatment in new PBS documentary

Legendary jazz pioneer Sun Ra, the pride of Germantown and Outer Space, is the subject of a new documentary. Directed by Christine Turner, Sun…

By Joey Sweeney

Q&A: Pax Ressler On Inhabiting The Songs Of Aimee Mann In Poor Judge

Pax Ressler has had a heckuva new year so far — with just a few week’s notice, the performer and Barrymore Award-winning composer has been…

By Joey Sweeney

How To Ditch Spotify & Have No Regrets

New year, new you! Here’s some fresh guidance on how to ditch the big green dread machine There’s an ever-increasing list of reasons that…

By Joey Sweeney

Cate Le Bon Brought Honest To Goodness Art Rock To Union Transfer

Women of the world, take overBecause if you don’t, the world will come to an endAnd we haven’t got longWomen of the world, take…

By Joey Sweeney

WXPN remembers Bob Weir, Grateful Dead co-founder, who has died at 78

Bob Weir, guitarist, songwriter, singer, and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, has died. He was 78.His family shared this statement on his website: “It…

By Bruce Warren

Gail Ann Dorsey on learning from Bowie and returning to her own music

Gail Ann Dorsey grew up at 61st and Race in West Philadelphia, just eight blocks from the Tower Theater where she’d eventually share the…

By Kristen Kurtis

Jill Scott is back with her first album in a decade

After a decade-long hiatus, Philly R&B legend Jill Scott has announced a new album, To Whom This May Concern, and a much-anticipated return. On…

By John Morrison

Celebrate Philly Loves Bowie Week 2026 with WXPN

Candy Volcano kicked off the 10th annual Philly Loves Bowie Week with a sold-out Free at Noon at Ardmore Music Hall earlier today. If…

By WXPN

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Robert Drake’s The Night Before But Were Afraid To Ask

This December 24th will mark the 33rd (!) anniversary of Robert Drake’s The Night Before on WXPN. From midnight to midnight — on the…

By Joey Sweeney

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: That ’90s Late Night Mixtape Vibe

Here’s what caught the ear of our Culture Cypher Radio host this month. This month’s column won’t be a space to recap the “best…

By John Morrison

The War On Drugs’ Drugcember Rocked The Dickens Out Of This Town

TO BEGIN WITH, Marley was dead. Lennon was dead. Jerry was dead. Rock itself — dead! But people kept doing it anyway. Rock was…

By Joey Sweeney

They Are Gutting A Body Of Water Closes Out A Big 2025 at the First Unitarian Church

The local shoegaze trailblazers known as They Are Gutting A Body Of Water (or TAGABOW) may have reached a new peak this year: Starting…

By Atticus Deeny

Jingle All The Way: How Béla Fleck Made A Holiday Album For The Ages

Having hosted The Night Before on XPN for over three decades, there are several holiday albums that bubble up to the top of my…

By Robert Drake

Q&A: Ted Widmer, The Historian Tasked With Telling The Story Of Wings And Paul McCartney In The 1970s

Ted Widmer’s previous gigs have included speechwriter in the Clinton White House, four books on former U.S. presidents and the presidency as a whole,…

By Joey Sweeney

“That’s a Cover?!” XPN Hosts Discuss the Biggest Surprises of the 885 Countdown

If you’re not ready to let the 885 go, you don’t have to. The 885 Countdown page is still up with the full archive,…

By WXPN

Portugal. The Man Shake Up Philadelphia

Union Transfer gathered under the full moon this Thursday, dancing and howling the night away with Portugal. The Man. Yes, you read that right…

By Emma Zoe Polyak

Moments when a borrowed song became a blunt weapon

A cover is usually a tribute. But sometimes, it is a weapon. In the right moment, someone else’s song can settle a score, answer…

By WXPN

Can’t Move? Already Watched The Last Waltz? Watch These Last Waltz-Adjacent Classic Rock Docs This Weekend

Oh hey, don’t get up on my account! ‘Cos I see you, buddy: It’s 9pm or it’s midnight, some time on Thanksgiving weekend, you’ve…

By Joey Sweeney

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Instant Funk

November is my birthday month, and like lots of folks, I usually take this time to reflect on getting older, my work, and my…

By John Morrison

Die Spitz and Babe Haven Ring the Bell at First Unitarian Church

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Die Spitz is one of those bands that grasps onto reality long enough that fans actually slow down for once…

By Megan Matuzak

Jingle Jams Is Back, And Spoiler Alert: No Whammies!

Jingle Jams, our annual 24/7 holiday music stream, is back on XPN2, and this year’s run officially kicked off on November 17. Curated by…

By WXPN

Inside Geese mania at Union Transfer

Remember the last time you were counting down the days to a show? I bet that’s how many of the attendees of Geese’s sold-out…

By Paige Walter

Mon Rovîa Brings Songs of Hope and Unity to Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia

Blending his West African roots with Appalachian folk, Mon Rovîa’s music is rich with heritage and history. And the sense of calm and community…

By Emma Zoe Polyak

Josh Ritter returns to WXPN for his fifth Free at Noon

Josh Ritter Free at Noon – 11.14.25 There’s a reason Josh Ritter keeps coming back to Philadelphia. On Friday afternoon at World Cafe Live,…

By WXPN

How Vince Barreras manages the vinyl pressing floor at Studio 4 and still finds time to run Abandon Everything Records

On a good day, Studio 4 Vinyl in Coatesville, PA, presses 4,500 records. Pressing floor manager Vince Barreras knows every machine in the 20,000…

By Megan Matuzak

“We’re in a really silly mood”: Inside Lucy Dacus’ all-request show

At 10:16 a.m. on Thursday, October 16th, an email from Lucy Dacus hit my inbox: “Lucy Dacus will be performing a special total request…

By Bridget Massa

Larry Magid Writes the Live-Music Biography of Philadelphia

Legendary Philadelphia concert promoter Larry Magid has spent a lifetime shaping how live music looks and feels in this city, from opening the Electric…

By WXPN

A Free at Noon goodbye for The Caulfields

“Thank you for coming to watch us play our 30-year-old songs as men who are pushing 60 years old,” John Faye joked a few…

By WXPN

Philly’s Lilith Fair tribute honors women artists, raises funds for queer youth

“In my Lilith Fair era,” writes one woman on the r/AskWomenOver30 subreddit asking for music recommendations — and she’s not alone. Her sentiment speaks…

By Paige Walter

Can iPods change the music industry again?

The Apple iPod undoubtedly changed the ways of casual music consumption during the 2000s, but now in 2025, people are trying to bring the…

By Atticus Deeny

S.G. Goodman brings Big Snapper Energy to Free At Noon

The icon currently defining S.G. Goodman’s moody new LP, Planting By The Signs, and the accompanying tour and merch is a snapping turtle. It’s…

By Joey Sweeney

Denison Witmer performs at WXPN, discusses Sufjan Stevens-produced album

Denison Witmer’s new album Anything at All starts with a question about kindness, the type we offer others, and the type we often forget…

By WXPN

“Greetings Citizens”: Pierre Robert, Philadelphia radio legend and voice of WMMR for over 40 Years, Dies At 70

Having grown up in the city and listening to the great Philly rock radio station WMMR, I think I can speak for thousands, maybe…

By Bruce Warren

Salina Kuo carves out a space between indie and R&B/soul using vibraphone harmonies

When Salina Kuo first began writing songs, it was quietly at the piano, experimenting with melodies that blended jazz ballads and instrumentals reminiscent of…

By Rita Thompson

Big Thief is incomprehensible at The Met

Three years isn’t long for any other band to spend between records, except Big Thief. Earlier this year, the illustrious indie act followed up…

By Paige Walter

Songs from “Real Warmth” create an intimate atmosphere at Joan Shelley’s Free at Noon

Coming off her sold out show the previous night at Harmonie Hall in East Falls, Joan Shelley and her band took to the World…

By Megan Matuzak

Philadelphia pays tribute to D’Angelo

Few artists cause a shift in the collective musical solar system quite like D’Angelo, the R&B icon who reshaped soul music with a trio…

By Dylan Itkin

Jeff Tweedy Brings Twilight Override to Union Transfer

“I think he is going through something… but I think it’s good,” is what I say to my partner over Sunday dinner when she…

By Joey Sweeney

Horrendous Lástima, and Shygodwin close out Philly Music Fest

This year’s Philly Music Fest ended this past weekend at a packed, raucous MilkBoy, with metal bands Horrendous, Lástima, and Shygodwin. Shygodwin kicked the…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

Nazir Ebo and Daniel Villarreal Close Out Philly Music Fest with Jazz Sets at Solar Myth

“This is music made in Philly for Philly,” declared drummer Daniel Villarreal, opening the final night of 2025’s Philadelphia Music Fest at Solar Myth.…

By Emma Zoe Polyak

The Art of Appreciation: Pat Finnerty and Friends Pay Homage to Tom Petty on his 75th Birthday

There was no shortage of star power as the Philadelphia Tom Petty Appreciation Band took to the stage at a packed Union Transfer to…

By George Murphy

The Wonder Years headline second sold-out Philly Music Fest Show with Caracara and Kulfigirls

Just a few minutes into The Wonder Years’ set, the crowd was already swimming in crowd surfers. Underground Arts was packed for a second…

By Emma Zoe Polyak

Philly Music Fest welcomes The Wonder Years home with two sold-out nights at Underground Arts

Pop-punk giants The Wonder Years played a rare barricade-free show in the city for the first of two nights at Underground Arts during this…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

WXPN’s Inside Hustle offers musicians direct access to industry insiders on Oct. 18

The music industry doesn’t come with an instruction manual. Most musicians figure it out through trial, error, and if they’re lucky, conversation with someone…

By WXPN

David Byrne on AI, Bike Lanes, and Finding His Sound with Kid Harpoon

David Byrne stopped by WXPN for a conversation with host Dan Reed ahead of his three-night stand at Philadelphia’s Metropolitan Opera House, part of…

By WXPN

Matt Quinn Brings a Star-Studded Celebration to Philly Music Fest at Underground Arts

Day four of Philly Music Fest brought a full-on celebration of local artistry, filling both stages at Underground Arts on Thursday, October 16. The…

By Emma Zoe Polyak

Greg Mendez, 22° Halo and Soup Dreams bring day 3 of Philly Music Fest to Johnny Brenda’s

Day Three of the Philly Music Fest featured an all-star trio of local indie pop/rock acts – Soup Dreams, 22° Halo, and Greg Mendez…

By Atticus Deeny

John Morrison’s October Top 5: Joe McPhee, Greg Weeks, ENESS, and more

October has brought several fantastic releases from Philly artists and some novel and creative musical experiences throughout the city. Staying somewhat true to my…

By John Morrison

Mumford & Sons debut new song “Rubberband Man” at sold-out Philadelphia show

Tuesday night, Mumford & Sons turned the Xfinity Mobile Arena into a campfire singalong at their sold-out show in Philadelphia on Oct. 14. With…

By Jim McGuinn

Dr. Dog kicks off Philly Music Fest with deep cuts and Wawa hoagies

The term “underplay” is used in the music industry to describe when a band performs at small venues with capacities significantly lower than their…

By Bruce Warren

WXPN Local Picks – Week of October 13, 2025

Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos…

By WXPN

Philly Music Fest week is here with 9 shows across 7 nights

Philly Music Fest returns this week for its ninth year, spreading across seven nights from October 13 to 19. The festival has expanded to…

By WXPN

Five albums that aren’t on your autumn playlist yet, but should be

“Seasonal” music goes one of two ways: thoroughly literal or an embodiment of how it makes people feel. Music that feels like fall is…

By Megan Matuzak

Watch Reef The Lost Cauze play WXPN’s Homegrown Live

One of the giants of Philly hip-hop, Reef the Lost Cauze has been rocking stages in Philly and around the world for over twenty…

By John Vettese

Algernon Cadwallader shows off their first album in 14 years at WXPN Studios

Since reuniting in 2022, Algernon Cadwallader has operated at a much higher level than in their heyday. The beloved Philly punk outfit, once celebrated…

By John Vettese

Hotbed is just warming up

Hotbed has come a long way since their dorm room days.    An exciting new psychedelic rock outfit from Philly, the band cut its teeth…

By Nishanth Bhargava

Pause & Play: Exploring Philly’s Intentional Listening Spaces

In a city known for lively nightlife and concert halls, a small but dedicated group of spaces is taking a different approach: creating rooms…

By Rita Thompson

WXPN Local Picks – Week of October 6, 2025

Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos…

By WXPN

Choose Transcendence: An inside look at Making Time ∞, Philly’s most daring music festival

At Making Time ∞, transcendence is both a guiding principle and a lived experience. You see it plastered on signs across the historic grounds…

By Rita Thompson

Sing Us Home Festival returns to Philly’s Venice Island May 1-3, 2026

WXPN is excited to once again be part of Dave Hause’s Sing Us Home Festival, returning to Venice Island in Philadelphia’s Manayunk neighborhood from…

By WXPN

Unadorned and uninhibited, Lorde’s ‘Ultrasound’ tour rocks Philly

On the last day of September, Lorde asked, “Do you have the stones?” and dared us to be brave and meet her where she…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

XPN Goes Back To School: What college radio is listening to in the upcoming semester

Remember when fall meant more than pumpkin spice lattes and rewatching Gilmore Girls in the diminishing twilight hours? Like when it meant you had…

By Paige Walter

Golden Apples’ Russell Edling talks art, music, and collaboration on WXPN Local

Golden Apples on WXPN Local Russell Edling is not just the singer, songwriter, and guitarist behind the Philly band Golden Apples; he’s also a…

By John Vettese

Buddy Red brings southern rock spirit to Philadelphia

“I’m still reserving judgment,” is Buddy Red’s response when I asked if he still feels like he was born in the wrong era. The…

By Abdur Rahman

NxWorries bring soul, nostalgia, and humor to Philly on the ‘Why Lawd?’ tour

When people think of Anderson .Paak in a duo, Silk Sonic with Bruno Mars is usually the first that comes to mind. But for…

By Abdur Rahman

Start the 885 Greatest Cover Songs countdown with your top 10

This year, for WXPN’s annual listener-voted countdown, we’re building the definitive list of The 885 Greatest Cover Songs. Vote for your top 10 covers…

By WXPN

Singer-songwriter fave Ben Arnold brings new music and old faves to Homegrown Live

Tough to believe, but it’s been 30 years since Ben Arnold broke out of the local rock scene with his major label debut Almost…

By John Vettese

Watch Philly power pop band Benny P play live at WXPN Studios

In the eternal continuum of indie power pop, from Big Star to Teenage Fanclub to Nada Surf and Hurry, West Philly newcomers Benny P…

By John Vettese

Sam Fender brings big Brit rock riffs and good times to The Fillmore

The Fillmore was littered with sports merch this Sunday. Kelly green Eagles gear was to be expected, but for every Birds shirt there was…

By Emma Zoe Polyak

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Punk history and rap relics rediscovered for September

Almost one year ago to the date, I finished the manuscript for my book, Boyz II Men: 40th Anniversary Celebration. Pouring that much time,…

By John Morrison

Inside the Clef Club’s Love Supreme Weekend

From September 23rd to the 28th, the Philadelphia Clef Club will be paying tribute to one of the highest artistic achievements of the 20th…

By John Morrison

WXPN Local Picks – Week of September 22, 2025

Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos…

By WXPN

A reunited Alabama Shakes rock The Mann

Almost ten years to the day from their last Philadelphia appearance, Alabama Shakes took the stage of the Mann Center — the same venue…

By WXPN

Wolf Alice’s untethered energy captivates Union Transfer

The siren sound that filled Union Transfer on Monday night didn’t happen until about halfway through the set, when Wolf Alice singer Ellie Rowsell…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

Watch Black Buttafly perform live at WXPN Studios

One of the Philadelphia region’s most spirited and soulful performers joins us on the WXPN Local Show this week. Keyboardist, singer-songwriter, and band leader…

By John Vettese

Wet Leg’s ‘Moisturizer’ tour packs Franklin Music Hall

UK rockers Wet Leg exploded on the scene three years ago with their self-titled debut LP and its unstoppable single, “Chaise Longue.” This year,…

By WXPN

Listen to Thundercat’s first new music in two years

We last heard from Thundercat back in 2023, when he released a collaborative single called “No More Lies” with Tame Impala; prior to that,…

By John Vettese

WXPN Local Picks – Week of September 15, 2025

Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos…

By John Vettese

A brief history of eclectic 70s greats War

By combining funk, R&B, rock, and Mexican rhythms, the band War created a truly unique musical fusion that defined the ‘70s. Since their debut…

By John Morrison

Watch Say She She make its late night debut with “Disco Life”

WXPN favorites Say She She return this fall with Cut & Rewind, their third studio LP, and as they ramp up to release day,…

By WXPN

Pulp soars at The Met Philly

When beloved Brit rockers Pulp took the stage at The Met this week, it had been just over 29 years since they last performed…

By John Vettese

Watch the 2025 AMERICANAFEST Day Stage LIVE

Click here to watch WMOT's free livestream of the 2025 AMERICANAFEST Day Stage on September 10th - 12th from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.…

By WXPN

WXPN Local Picks – Week of September 8, 2025

Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos…

By John Vettese

Free At Noon: The Happy Fits, Friday, Sept. 12 at 12pm

The Happy Fits center their indie pop around electric cello, delivering bright, polished songs with clean harmonies and rhythms that lock you in. See…

By WXPN

The joy and deliverance of an undead Rilo Kiley

Indie rock used to float on invisible currents, didn’t it? How big is a band? Who are their fans? Which songs are the “hits”?…

By Patrick Rapa

Live Forever: The Oasis reunion through the eyes and ears of WXPN

It’s weird how certain artists come to represent eras or styles. I was a massive fan of Oasis thru the ‘90s, but found myself…

By Jim McGuinn

Sting and Shaggy talk One Fine Day Festival on the XPN Morning Show

Sting and Shaggy chat with Kristen Kurtis on XPN Morning Show In 2023, the unlikely pop pairing of Sting and Shaggy brought their ongoing…

By Kristen Kurtis

WXPN Local Picks – Week of September 2, 2025

Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos…

By John Vettese

Philly film composers The Blair Brothers score ‘The Toxic Avenger’, reunite with an old bandmate

The Blair Brothers on WXPN Local Ten years ago, brothers Will and Brooke Blair were Philly rock scene people just starting to explore the…

By John Vettese

Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball is packed with theatrical majesty

“Welcome to the opera house, New York City.” Coming from just about any other performer at Madison Square Garden, this phrase would not feel…

By John Vettese

Paints, Plants, and ProTools: Erik Kramer makes space for it all in his Germantown home

The day we stop by the home of Philadelphia bassist and producer Erik Kramer, it’s a grey and rainy afternoon — perfect weather for…

By John Vettese

Counting Crows turned NON-COMM into a release-night party and you can now watch the full set

As the clock inched toward midnight back on May 9, Counting Crows were in Philadelphia on the eve of releasing their new record, Butter…

By WXPN

Golden Apples wants you to design a one-of-a-kind cover to their new album

“Do-it-yourself” is often the term we use for the independent ethos that drives so many of the great musicians here in Philly. But in…

By Sean Fennell

Kassa Overall gives the cream of the hip-hop crop a thrilling jazz twist

“Back in the days when I was a teenager / Before I had status and before I had a pager / You could find…

By John Morrison

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Jazz excursions and late summer celebrations

When I was a kid, summer felt way longer. I can’t quite articulate it, but your perception of time changes as you get older.…

By John Morrison

WXPN Local Picks – Week of August 25, 2025

Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos…

By WXPN

My Chemical Romance’s world-building theatrics rock Citizens Bank Park

In My Chemical Romance’s imagined world of DRAAG, The Black Parade lives forever. Or, rather, it keeps coming back to life. It’s a concrete,…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

Deep Sea Diver plays Free At Noon this Friday, August 22

Seattle’s Deep Sea Diver returns to Philadelphia this Friday, August 22, for WXPN’s Free At Noon. Fronted by Jessica Dobson, the band is touring…

By WXPN

HAIM talk new album, Philly roots, and why Este might cry on tour

HAIM chats with Kristen Kurtis on XPN Morning Show When HAIM’s tour kicks off September 4 at TD Pavilion at the Mann in Philadelphia,…

By Kristen Kurtis

WXPN Local Picks – Week of August 18, 2025

Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos…

By John Vettese

Throwback Thursday goes back to 2005, a year of instant classics

This Thursday, August 21, WXPN is rewinding to 2005. It was the year Bright Eyes released I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning, Death Cab for…

By WXPN

Music Heals Week: Donate to WXPN Musicians On Call!

This week WXPN presents Music Heals Week, celebrating music’s power to comfort, inspire, and heal while raising support for the Musicians On Call program.…

By Mike Vasilikos

The Music That Made XPN, From the Mid-’80s Through the 2000s

When we chose “XPN Classics” as one of the themes for #TBTXPN, the Programming team started with one question: How do we define an…

By Bruce Warren

WXPN Local Picks – Week of August 11, 2025

Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos…

By John Vettese

WXPN goes all vinyl for 18 hours to celebrate National Vinyl Record Day

On August 12, WXPN shut off the digital feed and spent the day spinning nothing but vinyl. To celebrate National Vinyl Record Day, we…

By WXPN

The “soul-filling” experience of Newport Jazz Fest

Newport Jazz Festival has spent seven decades proving that tradition and innovation can share the same stage. The legendary festival took place at Rhode…

By John Vettese

The slow burn of an evening with Wilco

A Wilco concert has a way of sneaking up on you. Over their 30-plus year career, the eclectic rock veterans have honed their grasp…

By John Vettese

Philly DIY heroes Algernon Cadwallader are back with their first album in 14 years

When they were first active in the early 2000s, the impact Philly’s Algernon Cadwallader made on east coast DIY was seismic. Incorporating the catharsis…

By John Vettese

WXPN Local Picks – Week of August 4, 2025

Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos…

By John Vettese

Alex G, Mt. Joy, SNACKTIME: Philly artists helped define this year’s Newport Folk

Kenny Loggins was a few minutes away from taking the stage on the first day of the Newport Folk Festival when the emergency announcement…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

“I Feel Like My Ancestors Came Here”: Why musicians keep coming back to Newport Folk Festival

Alynda Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff captured something truly essential when I asked her what Newport Folk Festival means to her. “As…

By Paige Walter

Support WXPN by picking up Lucius’ World Cafe session this Bandcamp Friday

With uncertainty in the wake of Congress voting to defund public media, stations around the country are looking for ways to make up for…

By WXPN

TV On The Radio electrifies Philly

From their days playing Brooklyn art spaces in the early 2000s to their singular and uncompromising discography, TV On The Radio has always been…

By Megan Matuzak

The indelible impact of Phillys’ Rap Underground North

From 1991 to 1994, Rap Underground North (aka The R.U.N.) was the hottest rap showcase in Philadelphia. From its beginnings in a garage in…

By John Morrison

Richard Ashcroft talks inspirations and legacy with Mike Vasilikos

Richard Ashcroft chats with Mike Vasilikos on the WXPN Midday Show This week on WXPN, we’re joined by one of the iconic voices in…

By Mike Vasilikos

Scenes from the Make The World Better weekend

In 2013, Connor Barwin staged his first Make The World Better benefit concert with Kurt Vile and The Districts, raising money to rehab Ralph…

By WXPN

Watch Philly singer-songwriter Suzanne Sheer perform for WXPN and REC Philly’s Sofa Sessions

Suzanne Sheer brings soul-stirring vocals and raw vulnerability to Episode 2 of Sofa Sessions. Known for her genre-blurring style and lyrical honesty, Sheer invites…

By WXPN

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Summer of dub

This month has been a fun mixed bag of activity. I’ve been doing lot more freelance writing, I’ve played a few DJ gigs, and…

By John Morrison

WXPN Local Picks – Week of July 28, 2025

Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos…

By John Vettese

Vinyl Chickie is a record store with community at its heart

Lisa Schaffer is a veteran music photographer, a DJ, and now, a record store owner. On May 18th, she opened the doors to Vinyl…

By Megan Matuzak

Pixies and Kurt Vile team up for a two-night stand at The Fillmore Philly

Two indie favorites, Pixies and Kurt Vile, are in the midst of their summer tour and brought  tunes and vibes to The Fillmore Philadelphia…

By Ellen Miller

Lucy Dacus spins her favorite Philly artists on WXPN

Lucy Dacus on the WXPN Midday Show Indie singer-songwriter fave Lucy Dacus is back in Philly this week, gearing up to play the Make…

By WXPN

Wu-Tang Clan’s Final Chamber tour concludes in Philly

It’s the end of an amazing era for the Wu-Tang Clan, who completed their Final Chamber Tour in Philadelphia on Friday, giving fans a heavy dose of…

By Ben Wong

Dawes and Phosphorescent light up Concerts Under The Stars

Two WXPN favorites played the Upper Merion Township Building Park on July 10th: indie singer-songwriter Phosphorescent, and rousing rootsy rockers Dawes. The bands played…

By WXPN

Shakey Graves joins WXPN for an acoustic set and a look back at ‘And the War Came’

Ahead of his recent show at Union Transfer, Alejandro Rose-Garcia, who records and performs as Shakey Graves, stopped by WXPN for a conversation and…

By WXPN

Finding Philly in Madrid: A songwriter’s story of a fresh start

Huddled in a cellar are a handful of people I cannot understand, gathered in front of a stage I just walked onto. A heavy…

By Lena Fine

Shakedown Street to “Sand”: WXPN’s day in Phish-town

Almost 32 years to the day since they first headlined The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, jam scene titans Phish returned to its…

By John Vettese

Tiny Desk Contest winner Ruby Ibarra stuns at her Philly debut

Since the early years of NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest, a tour with the winner was part of the package. It made it so…

By John Vettese

“All You Zombies,” Then And Now: How The Hooters’ classic found new life

All You Zombies, Then And Now In the summer of 1985, an unusual song fusing psychedelic atmospheres, arena rock hooks, and religious imagery climbed…

By John Vettese

The Key Studio Sessions ‘Homegrown Live’ Series: Toby Leaman

By John Vettese

WXPN marks 40 years since Live Aid with backstage stories from Rob Hyman, Pierre Robert and Chevy Chase

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the legendary Live Aid benefit concert — which took place in part at Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium on July…

By Robert Drake

Celebrate Live Aid’s 40th Anniversary on WXPN

It’s been 40 years since the music world rallied around the cause of famine relief in Ethiopia: through the hit fundraising singles “Do They…

By WXPN

WXPN Thru the Decades Returns for July 4th Weekend

Looking for a soundtrack to your 4th of July weekend? WXPN returns with Thru the Decades, a journey across four decades of music. It…

By WXPN

Inside Doom Bar: Philly’s new temple of sound and spirits

Doom Bar’s black brick facade looms beside Franklin Music Hall. It’s impossible to miss, nothing like the humble dive I imagined. Cross the threshold…

By Mariah Hall

Ms. Lauryn Hill surprised Beardfest 2025 with a pop-up performance

An R&B superstar popped up in an unexpected place this weekend when New Jersey’s own Ms. Lauryn Hill gave a surprise performance at Beardfest,…

By John Vettese

Iris Music Festival curator Taylor Kelly spotlights her inaugural lineup on WXPN Local

By John Vettese

24 Hour Song Challenge Winner Reveal: Sadie Gust

After a month-long search, we’ve found this year’s winner of the 24 Hour Song Challenge, and we couldn’t be more excited. Meet Sadie Gust,…

By WXPN

Philly DJ and producer G I N A reclaims her name and space with new EP ‘GINA Spaced Out’

Philadelphia-based DJ and producer G I N A has been a vital part of the underground music scene for over a decade. Known for…

By Rita Thompson

The Paradox’s electrifying punk wins over the crowd in their Philly debut

PhilaMOCA was packed wall-to-wall with fans of punk and rock, creating an atmosphere that felt both intimate and electric when The Paradox made their…

By Abdur Rahman

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Rounding out Black Music Month with Malcolm X samples, an O’Jays remake and more

With no major projects to work on this month, I’ve had more time and headspace to freely explore and discover music. This past month…

By John Morrison

Blondshell gives Union Transfer her take on pop stardom

Philly venue Union Transfer holds, give or take, 1,200 people. It would be difficult, impossible even, for one person to hold a meaningful conversation…

By Sean Fennell

Scenes from Break Free Fest 2025

Break Free Fest is an annual festival celebrating and centering BIPOC voices in punk and hardcore. For its seventh year, the event took over…

By Megan Matuzak

The Key Studio Sessions: KulfiGirls

By John Vettese

The Key Studio Sessions: Grace Gardner

By John Vettese

The Key Studio Sessions ‘Homegrown Live’ Series: Eliza Hardy Jones

By John Vettese

Living Colour’s Corey Glover pays homage to 70s rhythm and blues with The Soul Experience

Corey Glover might be best known as the wailing voice in the middle of the sonic maelstrom that is Living Colour’s 1988 smash ”Cult…

By John Morrison

The Kooks in Philly: A conversation about debuts, growing up, and never knowing

Luke Pritchard and Hugh Harris from The Kooks dropped by WXPN just hours before their sold-out show at The Fillmore on May 30th. The…

By WXPN

Santigold Lights Up the TLA With a Powerful Philly Return

Santigold returned to her hometown on June 10 for a performance at the Theater of Living Arts that was part joy ride, part revival.…

By Melissa Simpson

Mt. Joy’s Set with Gigi Perez Becomes a Governors Ball Highlight

Among the renowned lineup of artists that performed in Flushing Meadows Corona Park this past weekend at Governor’s Ball was Philadelphia’s own folk alternative…

By Elie Pichanick

The Beach Boys Songs That Mean the Most to WXPN Hosts, In Memory of Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson, the leader and creative force who shaped the sound of The Beach Boys and forever changed pop music, has died at 82.…

By WXPN

Governors Ball 2025 Brings the Energy Despite the Rain

Even a four-hour rain delay couldn’t stop Governors Ball, New York City’s largest music festival, from delivering a weekend packed with standout performances. From…

By Elie Pichanick

Perfume Genius wrestles with Glory at Union Transfer

“If you want to see something this weekend that’ll blow your mind, I have an extra ticket to Perfume Genius on Sunday,” read a…

By Paige Walter

How Lucy the Elephant and family photographs inspired The Tisburys’ latest album

The Tisburys on WXPN Local Reflecting on his band’s newly-released A Still Life Revisited, Tyler Asay of The Tisburys says “I’m really proud of…

By John Vettese

The Key Studio Sessions ‘Homegrown Live’ Series: Cadre Noir

By John Vettese

After a rocky start, the Roots Picnic finds redemption

Day two of this year’s Roots Picnic felt like a redemption arc — and the city showed up ready. After a chaotic Saturday where…

By Abdur Rahman

An encore weekend with Vampire Weekend at The Met

Vampire Weekend returned to Philadelphia for a sold-out two-night run at The Met this past weekend. Philly was one of the first stops of…

By Elie Pichanick

Transcending with Samia at the TLA

Every time Samia comes to Philadelphia, she changes my life. This week it happened at the Theatre of Living Arts. In years’ past, it…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

Inside Metallica’s Philly takeover

At the midway point of Metallica‘s opening concert of a two-night stand Philly, singer-guitarist James Hetfield gazed at the 65,000-something fans filling The Linc,…

By John Vettese

Carsie Blanton, Brittany Ann Tranbaugh team up at World Cafe Live

“Are you ready for protest songs?” Carsie Blanton asked the crowd at World Cafe Live, kicking off Memorial Day Weekend and her Philly headlining…

By Ellen Miller

The Key Studio Sessions: SOJI

By John Vettese

A journey through Philly music history with Boyz II Men and John Morrison

By John Vettese

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: The legend of The Philadelphia Experiment, a rap cult classic and more

By the time you read this, my first book, Boyz II Men 40th Anniversary Celebration will be in stores and (hopefully) on bookshelves everywhere.…

By John Morrison

Amyl and The Sniffers tear through Franklin Music Hall

Amyl and The Sniffers’ show at Franklin Music Hall wasn’t the typical reprieve you get from live music. Instead of offering an escape, they…

By Emma Zoe Polyak

The ascent of MJ Lenderman continues at a packed Franklin Music Hall

He’s got a houseboat docked at the himbo dome. There are people for whom that will mean absolutely nothing, but for those who do,…

By Sean Fennell

Thanks Members!  Tune in tonight for a live chat / all request show 7p-10p!

Thanks to all who have donated during our Spring Member Drive this past week – it’s been an amazing member drive and to celebrate…

By WXPN

Michelle Zauner’s in her Melancholy phase, but the sadness isn’t infinite

The lights come up and there’s Michelle Zauner up on a pedestal, sitting on the lower lip of a giant shimmering seashell, strumming a…

By Patrick Rapa

The Key Studio Sessions: Judah Kim

By John Vettese

Interminable’s Ximena Violante on their moving new EP The Lifegivers

By John Morrison

Festival Focus: Philly Music Fest, Philly Folk and more roll out 2025 lineups

(UPDATE 5/16: Since this article was published, Dave P’s annual Making Time ∞ weekend at Fort Mifflin was announced, and has been added to…

By WXPN

Celebrating 75 Years of Stevie Wonder, All Day on WXPN

On May 13, WXPN is celebrating Stevie Wonder’s 75th birthday with a full day of his music — a tribute to his groundbreaking career…

By WXPN

Inside Hustle Returns May 13 for a Free Night of Music Industry Insight and Networking

Inside Hustle returns on Tuesday, May 13, at 5:30pm. Hosted in World Cafe Live, this two-and-a-half-hour event brings together emerging artists and aspiring industry…

By WXPN

A history of Wu-Tang Clan and Philly

By John Morrison

David Shaw and SUNDAY (1994) Close Out Day 4 of NON-COMM 2025

NON-COMMvention 2025 comes to a close today, Friday, May 9, with one last burst of live music at WXPN’s Free At Noon concert. At…

By WXPN

Counting Crows, Tune-Yards & Bartees Strange Headline Day 3 of NON-COMM 2025

Thursday at NON-COMMvention 2025 kept the momentum going at WXPN with a full day of live music. Things kicked off at noon with inventive,…

By WXPN

Tunde Adebimpe, Margo Price, Maren Morris Headline Day 2 of NON-COMM 2025

Day two of NON-COMMvention 2025 picked right up where Tuesday left off. On Wednesday, May 7, WXPN’s annual Triple-A showcase opened with an intimate…

By WXPN

The Head and The Heart, Bob Mould, Arcade Fire, Lady Blackbird Kick Off Day 1 of NON-COMM 2025

NON-COMMvention 2025 opened on Tuesday, May 6, with eight back-to-back live sets streamed from World Cafe Live’s Music Hall and the PRX Stage at…

By WXPN

Sing Us Home Festival solidifies its hold on Philly

By Ellen Miller

The adrenaline high of Djo and Post Animal at Franklin Music Hall

How long would you wait in early onset summer heat for your favorite musician? For some Djo fans, it was 15 hours between when…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

Kendrick Lamar and SZA under the stars at The Linc

By Josh Leidy

Gigi Perez creates a comfort zone at the TLA

By Megan Matuzak

Building connections with Orla Gartland

In front of a soft pretzel wall decal, decked out in camo capris and graphic eyeliner, Orla Gartland seemed calm and collected ahead of…

By Danielle Ciampaglia

10 artists we’d love to hear a new album from in 2025

Here at WXPN, we’re always on the lookout for fresh new music that we can share with our audience. There’s no shortage of new…

By Atticus Deeny

Sharon Van Etten comes full circle with The Attachment Theory in Philly

In 2008, a 27-year-old Sharon Van Etten would begin working with audio engineer Greg Weeks at his own Hexham Head Studio in Philadelphia. The…

By Atticus Deeny

A Guiding “Blue Star”: Korine releases their fifth album ‘A Flame In The Dark’

Philly’s thundering synthpop duo Korine did it again: they produced an extraordinary new album called A Flame In The Dark and they chose Johnny…

By Megan Matuzak

Debunking Spotify Myths: What you’ve wondered about the streaming giant, answered via Liz Pelly’s ‘Mood Machine’

By Paige Walter

Phobymo on capturing Philly’s live music scene

If you’ve been to a show in Philly – sweaty basement gig, packed festival stage, or anything in between – there’s a good chance…

By Rita Thompson

The Key Studio Sessions ‘Homegrown Live’ Series: Hurry

By John Vettese

WXPN’s Concert Picks: The Bouncing Souls, Sharon Van Etten, Devo, Allison Russell, and More

WXPN’s John Vettese is back to bring you this week’s concert picks and provide a snapshot of Philadelphia’s evolving music landscape. Here’s your guide…

By WXPN

World Cafe Live founder Hal Real steps down as CEO

By WXPN

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are wild gods at The Met

By Gavyn Green

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: New jazz and old soul for April

By John Morrison

WXPN 2025 Song Challenge: Can You Write a Song in One Day?

Here’s your chance to prove it. Registration is now open – sign up by May 22 when entries close. On May 31 at noon,…

By WXPN

At home with Sophie Coran

The soft hiss of water coming to a boil echoes across a tiny Washington Square West flat as Sophie Coran flicks off her stove,…

By John Vettese

Brandi Carlile loves “Philadelphia”: Hear her sing the Neil Young classic for a new Bridge School benefit

By John Vettese

The Key Studio Sessions: Pale Shade

By John Vettese

The rollercoaster ride of Bright Eyes’ ‘Five Dice’ tour

By Ben Wong

WXPN’s Full NON-COMM 2025 Artist Lineup

For over two decades, NON-COMM has served as the premier gathering for public (non-commercial) Triple-A radio stations. This annual event brings together radio music…

By WXPN

WXPN’s Concert Picks: The Linda Lindas, Nick Cave, Bartees Strange, Orla Gartland and More

Philadelphia’s venues are bringing in some incredible artists this week, and WXPN’s own John Vettese is here to keep you in the loop. Here’s…

By WXPN

Talking trust and collaboration with Philly jazz poets Dromedaries x Alexoteric

By John Morrison

Lucy Dacus brings star power to her tour kickoff at The Met Philly

By Patrick Rapa

The Key Studio Sessions: Euphoria Again

By John Vettese

Dawes brings energy and singalongs to The Fillmore Philadelphia

By Ellen Miller

Listen to Robert Fripp play a WXPN benefit at UPenn’s Houston Hall in 1981

By John Vettese

5 quiet indie folkers to discover

By Sean Fennell

Why Vinyl Still Matters: Record Store Day’s Enduring Appeal

By Emma Zoe Polyak

The Key Studio Sessions ‘Homegrown Live’ Series: Queen Of Jeans

By John Vettese

The Key Studio Sessions: EXPO

By John Vettese

The unexpected return of Mondo Cozmo’s “Shine”

By WXPN

Get to know Philly’s ANGELCONCEPCION in WXPN and REC Philly’s Sofa Sessions

By WXPN

The Key Studio Sessions ‘Homegrown Live’ Series: Madska

By John Vettese

The Key Studio Sessions: The Angies

By John Vettese

Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon chats ‘SABLE, fABLE’ on the WXPN midday show

By Mike Vasilikos

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: It’s spring again!

By John Morrison

Lionel Richie’s ‘All Night Lounge’ sets up shop at Union Transfer

By Ellen Miller

The Key Studio Sessions: Slomo Sapiens

By John Vettese

Black Music City Announces 2025 Grant Recipients!

By WXPN

Announcing Homegrown Originals Volume 3: XPN’s all-Philly vinyl returns for Record Store Day

By WXPN

RSVP for WXPN Homegrown Live! with dd Toby Leaman Trio, Eliza Hardy Jones, and Cadre Noir

By John Vettese

Lucy Dacus, Remi Wolf and more will play the 2025 Make The World Better benefit

By John Vettese

Pieces of a Masterpiece: Ida’s Liz Mitchell on revisiting ‘Will You Find Me’

By John Vettese

The Key Studio Sessions: Lowercoaster

By John Vettese

Get to know South Jersey dreampop band Polaroid Fade

By WXPN

David Dye will be honored with a plaque on the Philly Music Alliance Walk Of Fame

By John Vettese

SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE finds unity in the unusual at their homecoming show

By Megan Matuzak

The Key Studio Sessions: Corey Bernhard

By John Vettese

Kristin Daelyn talks space, sound, and solace on the 25 O’Clock Podcast

By John Vettese

10 concerts to see this week, including Kim Deal, Wilder Woods, Brandee Younger and more

By John Vettese

The Weekly Rewind: RIP Roy Ayers, a star-studded Glasto lineup, and more

By WXPN

Kraftwerk’s Multimedia Tour kicks off in Philly

By John Morrison

Madison McFerrin returns with new single “Ain’t It Nice”

By John Vettese

Like it or not, Father John Misty gave one of his best performances at The Fillmore

By Paige Walter

Celebrate International Women’s Day with WXPN

By WXPN

11 concerts to see this week, including Kraftwerk, Inhaler, Jorja Smith and more

By WXPN

The Weekly Rewind: Remembering Roberta Flack, The Head and The Heart returns, a Wu-Tang farewell and more

By John Vettese

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Rounding out Black History Month from Marian Anderson to Black Thought

By John Morrison

Open Mic Adventures: An insider’s guide

By Mikey Franz

Backstage with Christian Lee Hutson

By Paige Walter

Close listening with Philly instrumental ensemble Hour

By John Vettese

The Key Studio Sessions: Kississippi

By John Vettese

Rilo Kiley expand reunion tour to include Philly date

By Paige Walter

Catbite announce new EP with comically dark single and video “Die in Denver”

By Paige Walter

Lionel Richie will headline an intimate concert at Union Transfer

By WXPN

16 concerts to see this week including Father John Misty, Benjamin Booker, Humilitarian and more

By WXPN

The Weekly Rewind: Mumford and Sons returns, Madonna revisits an old fave and more

By WXPN

Brittany Ann Tranbaugh, Brian Walker and more will play Listen to the Dissonance 2025, a concert and discussion of mental health

By Paige Walter

Lauren Mayberry showcases ‘Vicious Creature’ in an intimate Union Transfer show

By John Vettese

Phish is returning to The Mann for two nights in July

By WXPN

Creepoid makes a triumphant return to Union Transfer

By Megan Matuzak

Ben Kweller taps Waxahatchee for a nostalgic gut-punch, “Dollar Store”

By Paige Walter

D’Angelo, Lenny Kravitz, GloRilla, Meek Mill and more will play Roots Picnic 2025

By John Vettese

15 concerts to see this week including Lauren Mayberry, Jason Isbell, Mdou Moctar and more

By WXPN

The Weekly Rewind: Cast your Rock Hall ballot, celebrate SNL50, watch Dolly and Sabrina team up, and more

By WXPN

From Church Keys to Chart-Topping Beats: The evolution of J Melodic

By Abdur Rahman

Mo Lowda & The Humble are back with shimmering rock blockbuster “Canary”

By John Vettese

Watch Bartees Strange take “Backseat Banton” to Jimmy Kimmel

By Jack Clark

Japanese Breakfast expands the world of ‘For Melancholy Brunettes’ with new shuffling single

By Paige Walter

The Key Studio Sessions: Native Harrow

By John Vettese

Bon Iver is back with new album SABLE, fABLE

By Paige Walter

Watch Lucy Dacus and a dozen “hot mascs” star in video for single “Best Guess”

By Paige Walter

13 concerts to see this week including Black Buttafly, Native Harrow, Oh He Dead and more

By WXPN

The Weekly Rewind: Brandi and Elton duet, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour is here, Black Sabbath says farewell and more

By WXPN

Alabama Shakes announces first tour in eight years, including Mann Center date

By John Vettese

Philly’s women DJs are re-shaping the nightlife scene: here’s why it needs them

By Rita Thompson

Waxahatchee shares new single “Mud,” joins Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival

By Jack Clark

Listen to Lucius’ new single “Gold Rush”

By WXPN

Watch Japanese Breakfast play “Orlando In Love” on Fallon

By WXPN

The Key Studio Sessions: Joshua Finsel

By John Vettese

Valerie June’s latest activates our superpowers of joy

By John Vettese

A return to rock with Tim Heidecker

By Sean Fennell

Big Thief release five new tracks to support fire relief in LA

By Paige Walter

Jamie xx leads triumphant comeback tour to Franklin Music Hall

By Atticus Deeny

12 concerts to see this week, including Greensky Bluegrass, Joy Oladokun, Phantogram and more

By WXPN

Jessica Lea Mayfield plays an intimate Johnny Brenda’s gig

By Ellen Miller

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: From King Britt’s Hidden Treasures to Marshall Allen’s New Dawn

By John Morrison

The Weekly Rewind: Alabama Shakes, Alison Krauss and more prep new music, remembering Marianne Faithfull and more

By WXPN

Hozier’s ‘Unreal Unearth’ tour returns to Camden

By Jack Clark

The Key Studio Sessions: The Bul Bey

By John Vettese

Dave Matthews Band showing out for a two-night stand in Camden

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SASAMI collabs with Clairo on pop single “In Love With A Memory”

By Paige Walter

Channeling Midas: Wunderhorse on their new album and US tour

By Emma Zoe Polyak

12 concerts to see this week, including Hippo Campus, Jamie xx, The Bul Bey and more

By WXPN

David Gray goes on a deep dive at The Met

By Ellen Miller

Guster, this is your life

By Ellen Miller

Soccer Mommy shows Philly some Evergreen love

By Maeve Zeleniak

The Weekly Rewind: Remembering Garth Hudson, music in the Oscar noms, Craig Finn teams up with The War On Drugs and more

By WXPN

Watch rising star Lola Young perform “Messy” on Fallon

By Jack Clark

Sing Us Home Festival’s full 2025 lineup stars Bouncing Souls, Speedy Ortiz, Buzz Zeemer and more

By John Vettese

Nine Inch Nails announces 2025 tour, including Wells Fargo Center date

By John Vettese

The Key Studio Sessions: Song People

By John Vettese

Nothing’s Slide Away Festival goes bicoastal for 2025

By John Vettese

The Key Studio Sessions ‘Homegrown Live’ Series: Yuneer Gainz

By John Vettese

10 concerts to see this week, including Guster, Soccer Mommy, David Gray and more

By WXPN

The Weekly Rewind: Rilo Kiley is reuniting, Beyonce gives back, Catbite and Laura Jane Grace team up and more

By WXPN

R.I.P. David Lynch; Revisit the auteur’s mastery of film and music in two World Cafe sessions

By John Vettese

Preview Sunny War’s new album ‘Armageddon In A Summer Dress’ with three new songs

By John Vettese

Lucy Dacus shares stunning new single “Ankles” with music video, announces new album

By Paige Walter

Marshall Allen’s ‘New Dawn’ is waiting for you

By John Vettese

Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory share pensive new single “Trouble”

By John Vettese

My Morning Jacket will return with their tenth studio album in 2025

By John Vettese

This Is Lorelei kicks off ’25 tour with youbet and 22° Halo at Johnny Brenda’s

By Paige Walter

Michelle Zauner directs music video for Japanese Breakfast’s “Orlando in Love”

By Paige Walter

Listen to Jason Isbell’s “Bury Me” from his new solo acoustic album

By John Vettese

The Key Studio Sessions ‘Homegrown Live’ Series: Best Bear

By John Vettese

8 concerts to see this week, including Black Buttafly, The Vaccines, Robert Glasper and more

By WXPN

Blondshell announces 2025 tour, including summer date at Union Transfer

By John Vettese

The Weekly Rewind: New Blondshell, supporting LA artists, festival season on the horizon and more

By WXPN

The Key Studio Sessions ‘Homegrown Live’ Series: Mackenzie Johnson

By John Vettese

Japanese Breakfast announces new album and 2025 tour coming to The Met Philly in May

By John Vettese

11 concerts to see this week, including Speedy Ortiz, Chris Kasper, Sug Daniels and more

By WXPN

Five ways to celebrate Philly Loves Bowie Week 

By WXPN

Denison Witmer returns with new album produced by longtime friend Sufjan Stevens

By Paige Walter

Video Roundup: XPN by the numbers feat. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman, and more

By WXPN

Matt Quinn filled the Union Transfer stage with friends and holiday cheer

By Elie Pichanick

9 concerts to see in the rest of 2024 including SNACKTIME, The Menzingers, Ruby The Hatchet and more

By WXPN

Relive the year in Philly music on XPN Local

By Paige Walter

Philly Hip-Hop In The Rearview: A look back at 2024

By Abdur Rahman

In deep with Philly’s Feel The Four Records

By John Vettese

An absolutely feral set from The Jesus Lizard hits Union Transfer

By Josh Pelta-Heller

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Putting a bow on it with Vinyl Tap, Small Pro, Bilal and more in December

By John Morrison

Video Roundup: WXPN Artists to Watch of 2024 featuring MJ Lenderman, The Lemon Twigs, Julia Pratt, and more

By WXPN

Watch Don McCloskey and The Band rock WXPN’s Home For the Holidays concert

By WXPN

13 concerts to see this week, including Matt Quinn, Olivia Rubini, Euphoria Again and more

By WXPN

Suki Waterhouse welcomed Philly into her world

By Megan Matuzak

Video Roundup: Pause the music for these interviews with Sting, Orla Gartland, Steve Wynn, and more

By WXPN

Swing takes center stage for Squirrel Nut Zippers holiday spectacle at World Cafe Live

By Gavyn Green

Wednesday holds a different kind of service in the First Unitarian Church sanctuary

By Danielle Ciampaglia

They Might Be Giants lit up Union Transfer with an innovative, engaging retrospective

By Elie Pichanick

A night of storytelling and empowerment with Cyndi Lauper

By Maureen Walsh

10 concerts to see this week, including Kathleen Edwards, Low Cut Connie, Suki Waterhouse and more

By WXPN

Feeling the love with Interpol

By John Vettese

Video Roundup: Artists from the countdown featuring Fontaines D.C., Low Cut Connie, Jenny Lewis, and more

By WXPN

Conversation With a Sparklemuffin: Suki Waterhouse and the road to self-discovery

By Megan Matuzak

The Key Studio Sessions: Wax Jaw

By John Vettese

Kendrick Lamar teams up with SZA for stadium tour coming to The Linc

By Jack Clark

14 concerts to see this week, including Interpol, Oh He Dead, Wednesday and more

By WXPN

The Weekly Rewind: TV On The Radio takes on NPR’s Tiny Desk, a star-studded Patti Smith celebration forms

By WXPN

Zinadelphia’s homecoming show at The Foundry was a sold-out spectacle 

By Gavyn Green

Video Roundup: A deep dive into Home For The Holidays

By WXPN

The Key Studio Sessions: Fawziyya Heart

By John Vettese

John Morrison’s Philly Top 5: Vinyl Con, Philth Spector, and other local highs for November

By John Morrison

Changes announced for WXPN’s Sleepy Hollow

By WXPN

Adrianne Lenker’s bright future comes to Union Transfer

By Paige Walter

Maximal Meets Mod: A conversation with Zinadelphia  

By Gavyn Green

9 concerts to see this week, including The Menzingers, Adrianne Lenker, Dopapod and more

By WXPN

The Weekly Rewind: Macca, Jack, and Annie jam; Coachella ’25 unveils its roster

By WXPN

Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World: Bruce Warren’s next chapter

By WXPN

Modest Mouse’s ‘Good News’ tour is chaotically entertaining at The Fillmore

By Sean Fennell

The Key Studio Sessions: Olivia Rubini

By John Vettese

Black Music City is accepting grant applications for 2025

By WXPN

Slowdive mesmerized the crowd at the Franklin Music Hall

By Emma Zoe Polyak

13 concerts to see this week, including Lucinda Williams, Dawes, WXPN Homegrown Live and more

By WXPN

The Weekly Rewind: Jack White hits the road, Pitchfork Fest won’t be back next year

By WXPN

Ratboys, Palehound head up an indie rock double-header at Underground Arts

By Megan Matuzak

Neva Dinova brings ‘Canary’ on the road

By John Vettese

Sensation Blues gets to the heart of rock and roll

By John Vettese

Celebrate the holidays with Don McCloskey and WXPN!

By WXPN

The Dude Abides: Sturgill Simpson at The Met

By Sean Fennell

Video Roundup: Watch Cloud Cult, Jana Mila, Nathalie Joachim and more

By WXPN

The Key Studio Sessions: Dirty Dollhouse

By John Vettese

Thee Sacred Souls got a story to tell at The Fillmore

By Josh Leidy

RSVP for WXPN Homegrown Live! with Yuneer Gainz, Mackenzie Johnson, and Best Bear

By WXPN

It’s a new world for TooMxchRaw

By Melissa Simpson

Watch Michigander perform live on the midday show with Mike Vasilikos

By Paige Walter