With the high temperatures this last week culminating over the weekend, I chose to limit my inaugural visit to the XPoNential Music Festival in Camden, NJ to one band per day. There were other solid acts to see, but I didn't want to overdo it with Newport Folk Festival just 1 week away.
On Saturday, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists took the river stage in 100 degree heat, but fortunately there was a breeze. The heat was nearly enough to keep me away, but I was determined to see the band.
As it is 10 years since the release of the Tyranny of Distance, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists played the album in its entirety. I had hoped his was kidding, when her first started, but I had my doubts as I had read previously of an anniversary show. Why, when at a festival, and not everyone is a Ted Leo fan, would he not put his best hits out there? But this was a 45 minute set and it did fit nicely. I would give it a shot, if that's what they were going to do. I hadn't heard the album before, but hey Ted rarely disappoints. But then, when 'Under The Hedge' was played third I was confused, as this was released within the Be On The Lookout! sampler on Amazon in 2009. I was further confused, when hearing 'Timorous Me' played fifth, as that has been included in other live sets that I've heard. But, when
trying to figure out the name of the song, I checked Wikipedia and confirmed, it was in fact the Tyranny of Distance in full. By this point, it didn't matter. 'Dial Up' completely rocked as the fourth selection. The lengthy 'Stove by a Whale' was also rockin'! After hearing live concerts of his online before, and seeing this selection of a decade ago, Ted Leo has easily been added to my, watch whenever he's in town list!
Sunday, Hayes Carll
with the The Poor Choices
After a brief rain, Hayes Carll took the Rive Stage today, for a fun set on this humid afternoon. You could tell that this weather didn't bother the Texans any, as they rocked their Americana/Alt-Country sound for all of Philadelphia & Camden to hear.
The festival sized set was a great teaser for the audience. Some, like me had familiarity with the popular tracks from KMAG YOYO
and Trouble in Mind
, others loving the deeper cuts, but there were no disappointments. The stage banter was quite humorous, especially observing that you "need to have a banjo" to be successful in this ill-defined genre. Also describing his efforts to write with Ray Wylie Hubbard, was a laugher as he mocked Ray's animal themed music with a quick line or two from the fake song, 'Snake Farm', before playing 'Drunken Poet's Dream'
Hayes played 'Bad Liver and a Broken Heart' as a tribute to the recently passed Bill Morrisey. 'Grand Parade' and 'KMAG YOYO', along with set capper 'Stomp and Holler' were highlights of the afternoon.
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| Ted Leo @ XPoNential Music Festival |
As it is 10 years since the release of the Tyranny of Distance, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists played the album in its entirety. I had hoped his was kidding, when her first started, but I had my doubts as I had read previously of an anniversary show. Why, when at a festival, and not everyone is a Ted Leo fan, would he not put his best hits out there? But this was a 45 minute set and it did fit nicely. I would give it a shot, if that's what they were going to do. I hadn't heard the album before, but hey Ted rarely disappoints. But then, when 'Under The Hedge' was played third I was confused, as this was released within the Be On The Lookout! sampler on Amazon in 2009. I was further confused, when hearing 'Timorous Me' played fifth, as that has been included in other live sets that I've heard. But, when
trying to figure out the name of the song, I checked Wikipedia and confirmed, it was in fact the Tyranny of Distance in full. By this point, it didn't matter. 'Dial Up' completely rocked as the fourth selection. The lengthy 'Stove by a Whale' was also rockin'! After hearing live concerts of his online before, and seeing this selection of a decade ago, Ted Leo has easily been added to my, watch whenever he's in town list!Sunday, Hayes Carll
with the The Poor Choices  |
| Hayes Carll @ XPoNential Music Festival |
The festival sized set was a great teaser for the audience. Some, like me had familiarity with the popular tracks from KMAG YOYO
and Trouble in Mind, others loving the deeper cuts, but there were no disappointments. The stage banter was quite humorous, especially observing that you "need to have a banjo" to be successful in this ill-defined genre. Also describing his efforts to write with Ray Wylie Hubbard, was a laugher as he mocked Ray's animal themed music with a quick line or two from the fake song, 'Snake Farm', before playing 'Drunken Poet's Dream'Hayes played 'Bad Liver and a Broken Heart' as a tribute to the recently passed Bill Morrisey. 'Grand Parade' and 'KMAG YOYO', along with set capper 'Stomp and Holler' were highlights of the afternoon.
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