For thousands of area music lovers, it's a summer event that warrants skipping a day (or two) at the beach - the annual XPoNential Music Festival, which kicks off Friday night at Camden's Wiggins Park and runs through Sunday.
Now in its 21st year, the weekend-long event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a performance by Viv and the Revival. Spearheaded by Philadelphia-based commercial-free radio station WXPN, the festival showcases dozens of musical talents performing on two stages.
By the time festival closer Man Man winds the event down on Sunday, nearly 30 music acts will have offered up their finest to the all-ages crowd. Some of the more anticipated acts scheduled for the rain-or-shine event include: The Hold Steady, James Cotton, Ingrid Michaelson, the Old 97s, Nicole Atkins and C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band.
'I always refer to this as our 'gathering of the tribe,' ' says WXPN General Manager Roger LaMay. 'Our mission is to connect audiences with artists and the festival certainly ties in with that,' adding that WXPN is committed to providing 'as much music over this weekend for the least amount of money.'
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Add into the mix a great location, diverse lineup and a laid-back vibe, and you get a winning combination for music fans of all ages and interests.
Audubon resident John Froonjian, 57, first attended the festival in 2012, with his then-teenage daughter, Ginny. 'She's as big a music fan as am I, and very broad-minded in her taste ... it turned out to be a tremendous father-daughter bonding experience.'
Last summer, Froonjian enjoyed the XPN fest weekend with his wife and another daughter, along with some friends. Froonjian says he's especially excited for this year's 'incredibly strong' lineup: 'There are so many great acts, but I think the one I'm most interested in seeing is Trigger Hippy, a collaboration that features Joan Osborne, Steve Gorman and Jackie Greenie. I love their soulful mix of rock 'n' roll.'
Moorestown resident Becky Bradley-Gleeson has fond memories of last year's XPoNential Festival, where she was able to chat with the one musician she specifically came to see - Brett Dennen - backstage before his set.
'I'm a big fan, so it was a real treat,' Bradley-Gleeson recalls, adding that she's continually impressed by not only the mix of music, but also the array of food choices. 'As a vegetarian in South Jersey, it can be a real challenge to find tasty and healthy veggie options - especially in that type of setting - but they have really good choices. There's something for everyone.'
The same holds true for the musical options, according to Sweetwater native Kaitlin Kerr, who attended the XPoNential Fest in 2013 for the first time and will be part of the fun again this weekend.
'We had so much fun last year that getting a three-day pass for this year was a no-brainer,' says the 27-year-old artist.
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While ultra-hot weather can impact the crowd turnout, Kerr isn't concerned about what Mother Nature might have in store. 'Considering there was a monsoon last year on Sunday night and we were still dancing on the lawn, I wouldn't say weather has a huge impact on us. We're counting down the days.'
Over the years, more than 400 artists have performed in the WXPN summer music festival circuit. In 2012, WXPN joined forces with concert promoter Live Nation to include two nights of live music at the adjacent Susquehanna Bank Center. Those with a Festival Three-Day Go Everywhere Pass have access to the lawn area for both Susquehanna Bank Center shows, which feature headliners Ryan Adams (Saturday) and Beck (Sunday). According to LaMay, partnering with Live Nation has enabled the radio station to draw bigger acts, while keeping prices down and preserving the 'weekend festival vibe.'
'Last year, for the first time, we sold out at Wiggins on Saturday with 8,000 people,' he recalls. 'It was a highlight in a weekend of absolutely great music.'
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE Friday: Gates open 5 p.m. River Stage
In addition to the musical performances, the XPoNential Festival will feature a Kids Corner area from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. A Crafts Village along the marina will feature handcrafted creations for sale.
Band of Horses, one of the biggest acts in contemporary indie rock, will hit the Camden waterfront stage Sunday.(Photo: SUBMITTED)
* Lucius (6:45-7:25 p.m.)
Marina Stage
* Hold Steady (8:10-9 p.m.)
* Rodrigo y Gabriela (9:55-11:25 p.m.)
* Viv and The Revival (5:30-6:00 p.m.)
* Marian Hill (6:10-6:40 p.m.)
Saturday: Gates open 11:30 a.m. River Stage
* Houndmouth (7:30-8:05 p.m.)
* James Cotton (9:05-9:50 p.m.)
* Commonwealth Choir (12:30-1 p.m.)
* Hurray For The Riff Raff (1:40-2:20 p.m.)
* Strand of Oaks (3:05-3:50 p.m.)
Marina Stage
* C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band (4:40-5:25 p.m.)
* Ingrid Michaelson (6:20-7:20 p.m.)
* Our Griffins (Noon to 12:30 p.m.)
* Caitlin Rose (1:05-1:35 p.m.)
* Marah (2:25-3 p.m.)
Susquehanna Bank Center: Gates open 7 p.m.
* Jeremy Messersmith (3:55-4:35 p.m.)
* Dave Hause (5:30-6:15 p.m.)
* Dawes (7:30-8 p.m.)
Sunday - Gates open 11:30 a.m. River Stage
* Jenny Lewis (8:30-9:15 p.m.)
* Ryan Adams (9:45-11:15 p.m.)
* The Lawsuits (12:30-1 p.m.)
* J. Roddy Walston & the Business (1:40-2:15 p.m.)
* Old 97s (3-3:40 p.m.)
Marina Stage
* Lake Street Dive (4:30-5:15 p.m.)
* Trigger Hippy (6:05-7 p.m.)
* Ginger Coyle (Noon to 12:30 p.m.)
* Bear's Den (1:05-1:35 p.m.)
* Nicole Atkins (2:20-2:55 p.m.)
Susquehanna Bank Center: Gates open 7 p.m.
* Diego Garcia (3:45-4:25 p.m.)
* Man Man (5:20-6 p.m.)
* The Districts (7:15-7:45 p.m.)
* Band Of Horses (8:15-9:30 p.m.)
IF YOU GO
* Beck (10-11:30 p.m.)
By teaming with the Susquehanna Bank Center, WXPN has been able to attract mega stars, including Sunday's headliner Beck.(Photo: SUBMITTED)
* The Three-Day Go Everywhere Pass is $70 for WXPN members and $140 for the general public. The Three-Day Wiggins & Garden Pass (does not include access to Susquehanna Bank Center shows) are $55 for WXPN members and $110 for the general public. The One-Day Wiggins & Garden Pass is $30 for WXPN members and $60 for the general public, pending availability (does not include access to Susquehanna Bank Center).
* A One-Day Kids Pass (ages 2 to 12) are $5 each. Call (215) 222-1400 or visit http://ift.tt/1gdI8ux for more information. Tickets for reserved seats at the Susquehanna Bank Center shows are available at livenation.com and do not include access to Wiggins Park shows and activities.
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