DAVID BYRNE
More than 30,000 people are expected to see 35 artists on three stages this weekend at the 25th annual XPoNential Music Festival, hosted by Philadelphia radio station WXPN (88.5 FM). Most of the music will take place on two stages at Wiggins Park, July 27-29, though there will also be two concerts at the BB&T Pavilion amphitheater.
The venues are located next to each other on the Camden waterfront.
David Byrne will headline at the amphitheater on July 27, with The War on Drugs, Sturgill Simpson and others performing on July 28. Wiggins Park acts will include Margo Price, Josh Ritter, Femi Kuti, the Blind Boys of Alabama, The Lone Bellow, Bermuda Triangle (featuring Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes) and JD McPherson.
Byrne will be performing in an unusual “untethered” format, meaning the musicians walk an empty stage, freely, with no one tied to any one area. See the video below for a taste of what this means.
It’s an eclectic festival, with rock, country, hip-hop, blues, gospel and world music all represented. There will also be an area for children’s activities, and local food vendors.
Here is the schedule. For information, visit xpnfest.org.
JULY 27
BB&T PAVILION
6:30 p.m.: Proper Dark
7:30 p.m.: Cloves
8:30 p.m.: Sylvan Esso
10 p.m.: David Byrne
WIGGINS PARK
River Stage
5 p.m.: The National Reserve
6 p.m.: Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
7:50 p.m.: The Lone Bellow
Marina Stage
4 p.m.: Swift Technique
4:35 p.m.: Greg Sover Band
5:30 p.m.: M.A.K.U. Soundsysterm
6:55 p.m.: Bermuda Triangle (featuring Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes)
JULY 28
BB&T PAVILION
6 p.m.: Fantastic Negrito
7:15 p.m.: Preservation Hall Jazz Band
8:30 p.m.: Sturgill Simpson
10:15 p.m.: The War on Drugs
WIGGINS PARK
River Stage
12:25 p.m.: Hurry
1:35 p.m.: Natalie Prass
3:05 p.m.: Mondo Cozmo
4:45 p.m.: Femi Kuti
6:35 p.m.: Margo Price
Marina Stage
Noon: Katie Frank
1 p.m.: &More (Donn T & Chill Moody)
2:20 p.m.: Jupiter & Okwess
3:55 p.m.: Courtney Marie Andrews
5:45 p.m.: Sunflower Bean
JULY 29
WIGGINS PARK
River Stage
Noon: Harmony Woods
1:05 p.m.: Lo Moon
2:40 p.m.: Phoebe Bridgers
4:15 p.m.: Tank & the Bangas
5:55 p.m.: Blind Boys of Alabama
7:50 p.m.: Josh Ritter
Marina Stage
12:25 p.m.: Devon Gilfillian
1:55 p.m.: Mt. Joy
3:30 p.m.: Darlingside
5:05 p.m.: Hiss Golden Messenger
7 p.m.: JD McPherson