A Quick preview of the 2025 XPoNential Music Festival presented by Subaru
Tomorrow afternoon is the kickoff of one of the Philadelphia area’s great music festivals, the XPoNential Music Festival presented by Subaru, taking place just across the Delaware River at the Camden Waterfront. Its location is easy, a quick ride on the PATCO from Center City. The lineup ranges from legends, to some of the world’s most notable songwriters. It’s a fantastic combo and a perfect representation of what WXPN, the festival’s host radio station is all about and the festival’s 32 year history.
The festival runs from September 19 thru 21st, 2025 at the Camden Waterfront. You can buy a pass here. They also offer discounts for station members, including a bundle of a 3-day pass and XPN membership for $10 less than just a 3-day pass! You can also stream the festival here.
Day 1
Day 1 of XPoNential Music Festival is one that focuses on soul, blues, jazz, and will have one hell of a groove from the moment the gates open. Day 1 is headlined by two legendary acts, WAR and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. WAR needs no introduction, and one of the best examples of the band’s current lineup comes from WXPN themselves, from NON-COMM at World Cafe Live in 2023. Seriously, feel that groove below.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band are also complete legends, dedicated to the history of New Orleans Jazz. They have a rotating cast of members, some tour, and some stay at home at Preservation Hall. Bassist Ben Jaffe leads the crew and his passion for New Orleans Jazz is generational. Their universe is always expanding, from notable collaborations with My Morning Jacket, Andrew Bird, and even Luke Combs.
SNACKTIME are Philly’s hometown answer to the above bands. A mix of American soul, funk, and alternative, they blend so many styles together with huge energy.
Southern Avenue hail from Memphis and channel that city’s iconic sound brilliantly. Expect bombastic vocals and killer guitarwork.
The XPoNential Music Festival is not quite a hometown show for New Brunswick’s Black Buttafly, but her sound will be right at home on the River Stage. The video below from WXPN is a perfect example of why not to miss her set.
The first time I heard Fawziyya Heart, I was blown away. Not only is her voice as soulful and powerful as it can get, the musicians around her add so much to her sound. Complex rhythms, gorgeous harmonies, and some wonderful guitar work underscore this set from WXPN.
Day 2
Day 2 of the XPoNential Music Festival presented by Subaru features some incredible songwriters with a big indie flair. Headlined by Sharon Van Etten and her new band, The Attachment Theory, it’s shaping up to be one of the best single-day lineups we’ve ever seen at a festival.
Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory are headlining the River Stage. Van Etten one of this generation’s great songwriters, and her new record came with a new band. Both are fantastic, and when you mix in Van Etten’s deep catalog of great songs, this really is going to be a special set.
Molly Tuttle‘s 2025 record So Long Little Miss Sunshine is one of the year’s best records, for sure. Tuttle’s finally getting the praise that she’s long deserved to anyone who’s heard her music. A sharp wordsmith wrapped in an alt-country, bluegrass package.
Seriously, this day is heavy on songwriters that pack a punch. Soccer Mommy may hit the hardest. With a style that doesn’t stay anywhere too long, from grunge, to alt-country, to even poppier tracks. 2024’s Evergreen is a statement record from creative force Sophie Allison.
Richard Thompson is a folk legend with a body of work that spans decades. An incredible storyteller, especially when his words are accompanied by his finger-picked guitarwork. I, personally think I may be looking most forward to Thompson’s set out of anyone on Day 2.
I guess it’s cliche at this point in the list to once again call someone a legendary songwriter, but does Kathleen Edwards fit the bill. Another incredible artist with 20+ years of undeniably great tunes in their arsenal. Edwards just released Billionaire last month, and it’s among her best work.
Where most of the day is rooted in folk, the completely unclassifiable Tune-Yards throws that all on its head. Unconventional and unpredictable are ways to describe the music of Tune-Yards. Their live shows are infectious, with great energy. They just released the stellar Tell the Future With Your Body a couple of days ago and yeah – you should not miss this set.
Owen Stewart is well on his way to joining the legends he channels with every performance. Heck, he even plays on some tribute bands on the Philly circuit. His website cites Plant, Fogerty, Seger, and so, so many classic rock greats. To invoke those names is ballsy, but when you hear his tunes, from the great guitarwork to his powerful voice that is perfect for his style, you’ll find it’s not a reach at all.
Maxwell Stern is another Philly local, via Cleveland OH. It ain’t easy being the first band on at a festival, but his band, Maxwell Stern & The Good Light Band are truly worth getting there early for. Their 2024 record In The Good Light is phenomenal, and features Ratboys on a track.
Day 3
Day 3 is going to be one loud party. Headlined by Courtney Barnett, it’s the fest’s most musically diverse day featuring Spin Doctors, Craig Finn, and Greensky Bluegrass.
Courtney Barnett‘s music is honest, often brutally, and introspectively. At times, it’s self-deprecating like “Avant Gardner” or “Pedestrian at Best”. But some of her best work looks at the larger world, like “Depreston” or “Kim’s Caravan”. Her latest (proper) record Things Take Time, Take Time is a more grounded, personal record.
Greensky Bluegrass are students, and advocates for the genre. Where many bands that took on the style a decade ago have moved on or faded, Greensky Bluegrass remained true to their roots and have thrived because of it. Their records are really wonderful capsules of modern bluegrass, and while I think their original work is absolutely worthy of checking out, I can’t help but hope they play their fantastic cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City”.
Then there’s Spin Doctors. Legends. Obviously well known for “Two Princes“, they have such a deep and awesome discography that goes far beyond the 90’s pop of that track. I’ll get funky, jammy, and delightfully weird.
Known for his work as the frontman of The Hold Steady, Craig Finn has one hell of a discography under his belt. It’s hard to live up to that reputation as a solo artist, but some would argue his solo stuff may be among his most brilliant work. Dynamic, ranging from the bombastic rock we’re accustomed to, to softer, more introspective music. Another one of the great storytellers of his generation, and we can’t wait to hear him on the Marina Stage.
At its core, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country is just that – country. But his sound is expansive, from the jammy rocker “Dance in the Desert” to some of his more Dead-infused tracks. Like the Dead, he’ll push the boundaries of the songs, extending them into cosmic territory. And Donato’s one hell of a guitarist.
Zinadelphia is another artist who blends a ton of influences and genres into their sound. I legitimately do not know how “The Seamstress” isn’t the #1 hit of the summer. Blending disco, soul, with a polished modern pop sound, it’s an undeniable earworm. Once it escapes containment, it’ll be a monster we’ll hear about for years.
Michigander take the Marina Stage Sunday. Led by songwriter Jason Singer, they’ve been around for a decade, and they really channel the energy that made the time around their formation so special for indie rock. It’s especially noticeable when you look at who they’ve collaborated with, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, Manchester Orchestra, and Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional. Impressive, however, Michigander’s music stands up just as well on its own.
Philly’s Emily Drinker has the opening duties on Day 3 of the XPoNential Music Festival, and she’s absolutely worth showing up early for. With her expansive brand of folk, Drinker’s set is poised to be a special one. Some original tunes and likely a cover or two, she’s a perfect start to a great day of music.
See you at the fest!