XPoNential Festival

2013 festival had a much better line up, but 2014 did not disappoint in the end! We had a blast on Sunday sampling local food and drink, purchasing hand milled soap and recycled sari skirts. Ugh — I sound like such a public radio listener! Haha, I kid! Xponential never disappoints — family friendly, not too expensive, and a fun way to spend the weekend and support the arts!

Lookin forward to C J Chenier. The Flying Fish is still cold and perfect along the river stage.

The 2013 edition of the festival was a great time as always. From Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros to the John Butler Trio, all of the acts put on solid performances. The sponsor tents were essentially the same as last year, as were the food carts for the most part, with the exception of the local BBQ stand. I wasn’t able to grab the name of the place running it, which was really disappointing, but I have to say that the pulled pork and beef brisket sandwiches they were putting out were delicious. The same could be said for the sauces they had for addition on the side. I took a major liking to the hot BBQ sauce.
The volunteers and XPN staff were very kind and helpful as always, especially with the transition from Wiggins Park to the Susquehanna Bank Center. I guess the only gripe I had with the experience would be the size of the crowd that showed up. This was the first year that the festival had sold out at this venue and while I love Wiggins Park, it was very difficult to get a prime spot to sit or stand during an act compared to previous years. It’s good that they have a cap on attendance, but if that cap continues to rise, it’ll be time to look for a new venue.

I have to say that I miss when the festival was at Penns Landing– just because when it was there it didn’t involve traveling to Camden and paying a $ 5 bridge toll, but this festival is absolutely worth the Camden adventure!
Each year WXPN hosts this wonderful and eclectic music event. Years ago, when it was still at Festival Pier I actually saw John Mayer (before he started dating Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston, and before he really made it big) and had the opportunity to meet him– which was really cool. The beauty of this event is that it hosts not only local musicians but up and comers in the industry (in addition to some well known big ticket names).
Every time I go I leave with a new favorite artist! Great shows, great people, great time! Definitely check it out!

How do you welcome the 200+ people that you helped teach the ways of Unilocal to over a weekend? By writing a review for the event that you did it at of course!
For better and worse I’ve followed WXPN for years (shout out to my friend Robert Drake!). But for whatever strange reason I haven’t been to a an XPoNential Festival until this year. But I’ve always made note of how the diversity of the lineup always managed to successfully reflect upon the diversity of the station. And off the bat I’ll also add that although I jumped upon the opportunity to be the point man at the Unilocal Table with an enthusiastic HELL YES the moment that Monica asked me; They Might Be Giants, Peter Bjorn & John, East Hundred, Illinois and many others would have had me seeing it anyway.
I do have to give it up to the dedication XPN puts into setting up the festival, Since I’ve walked through Wiggins Park as a bare bones park when leaving the Tweeter (whatever it’s called) Center before (and will be reviewing now that I know what it’s called), I can honestly attest to the fact that NO part of the stages, or any of the booths are there when the festival isn’t in session. So that gives you the start of understanding how much they put into it. But when you factor in things like the entire fest being broad-​casted on air, how they accommodate it’s volunteers and sponsors during the fest, and then some it becomes abundantly clear. and the effort that WXPN puts into shows throughout.
In the end I was beyond thrilled with getting to see TMBG and Peter Bjorn & John for the first time ever, and I also enjoyed getting reacquainted with local favorites like East Hundred and Gillian Grassie (swoon). But I also had the chance to discover new favorites like Perkasie and The Hold Steady. I’m not going to lie and pretend that things like the burnt burger with cheese whiz, the random bouts of rain, The Bacon Brothers, and the crowd who came to see Toby Keith play the Center of Evil Ticket Bastard didn’t make me want to grab a shovel and bury myself. But over all the festival made for an absolutely AMAZING weekend. And I got to spend it all alongside some pretty awesome Unilocalers, which made for a priceless occasion.