XPoNential Music Festival: Sunday
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Beck, Old 97's, Nicole Atkins, Diego Garcia, The Districts and more.
Lack of sleep caught up with me, and I missed the first four acts of the final day of the 2014 XPoNential Music Festival. There was still more than enough to enjoy and relish on Sunday. Here are some vivid memories:
* Nicole Atkins’ startling contrast of red locks and white kaftan, belting out such stunners as “The Way It Is.”
* Sunday’s top performer and personal favorite was the Old 97’s. Rhett Miller was leaping while songs from their brilliant 2014 release Most Messed Up , such as “Longer Than You’ve Been Alive,” punched the Camden air with their whiskey-soaked boozy rock fumes.
* Diego Garcia proclaimed his love for Philly in his stirring combo of evocative strings and soulful voice.
* Philly institution Man Man brought their indie freak show aesthetic to the small River Stage for a rousing 40 minutes. Lead singer Honus Honus donned a sparkly cape and white fur while the crowd levitated throughout.
* Jam roots rock supergroup Trigger Hippy (Joan Osborne, Steve Gorman, Jackie Greene, Tom Bukovac and Nick Govrick) closed out Wiggins Park with a certifiably soulful set.
* Beck allowed fans to gorge on his hits like “Devil’s Haircut” while he played charismatic ringleader to a glorious multimedia rock show, but The Districts stole the Susquehanna Bank Center show with their opening 30-minute set. Rob Grote led them with his folk calm that could be explosive at any moment. As the last show for founding guitarist Mark Larson, it was bittersweet and powerful.
Also by Chris Sikich:
