That was XPoNential: Day 2
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.
Hop Along, Vita and the Woolf, First Aid Kit, St. Vincent and more.
The highlight reel continues:
- The best single hour of music at XPoNential was on Saturday between noon and 1. Philly was represented at this time by two of its best. First it was the soulful folksplosion of Vita and the Woolf. Led by Jen Pague and her out-of-this-world voice that resonated throughout Wiggins Park, they certainly wowed. Then Hop Along then crushed it at the River Stage. The gritty vocals and lyrics of leader Frances Quinlan sent shivers down my spine and, when mixed with the rest of the band’s brilliant drums and guitars on such stunners as “Texas Funeral,” they showed why Philadelphia circa 2015 is a top-notch rock town.
- And lest's not forget Son Little, another Philly music ace. With temps in the 90s, the bluesy rock of Son Little, aka Aaron Livingston, was refreshing to catch in the shady Marina Stage.
- Johanna and Klara Soderberg brought their somber and stirring rock outfit First Aid Kit to the hearts of the crowd. Hair flowing and guitars and key from another century stirred in such great songs as “Emmylou.”
- Some Latin-tinged folk music closed out the Marina Stage with Gina Chavez. The crowd was dancing, entranced by Chavez and her band.
- At Susquehanna Bank Center’s one-two punch finale, St. Vincent destroyed ears and minds with her shredding and one-of-a-kind showmanship. Jim James and My Morning Jacket took everyone on a different rock trip that can almost be as equally dazzling.
See Also:
- DAY 1: Cole Redding, Milton, Madisen Ward & Mama Bear, Lost Bayou Ramblers, JD McPherson, The Word, Dawes.
- DAY 3: Cheerleader, Israel Nash, Bombino, Kopecky, Pine Barons, Buckwheat Zydeco, Lone Bellow, Courtney Barnett, Indigo Girls, The Wailers, George Ezra, Grace Potter.
