Rather than the typical blog post where one source tells you who to like for an upcoming fest, we at Root Down in the Shadow are going to take a different approach to giving you a listening guide to the artists at the upcoming fest. I've asked my contributors and some of the festival artists for their views on who to see.
Here's the results:
Aaron Brown of Aaron & the Spell
(Wiggins Park- Friday 5:30)
Another band i'd like to see on the day I play: I'm actually pretty excited to see Michael Kiwanuka. It's not because, he plays right after [Aaron & The Spell]. I saw him when he played at the Trocadero in the winter and I enjoyed the show. I've been listening to Home Again, and really dig the title track
Another band i'd like to see on Saturday or Sunday: Wilco! They play on Sunday and are one of my absolute favorite bands, so I'm super excited to see them My first time to see them was at last year's XPoNential Fest. Loved the set. I'm also interested in checking out Lianne La Havas, also playing Sunday.
(Wiggins Park- Sunday 12:00)
I am excited to see Bob Dylan. He's an old warrior and can barely stand up on stage but it's important to hear "Like A Rolling Stone" as much as possible in a live context. I've seen him twice and every time the song is played a wave of euphoria washes over the entire crowd and we all live in a world where one can be joyous about a song that's almost fifty years old and still sounds years ahead of most people writing songs.
Also very amped to see Dr Dog. Eric Slick is one of two people i know who I can safely say is God's gift to the drumset (the other is fellow Drgn King Joe Baldacci) and it's exciting to see them playing stadiums. Hopefully we can hear some new jams?
Also can't wait for Dawes. My dad loves Dawes.
Dan McGurk - Writer/Sr.Fanboy 3rd XPoNential Fest.
Band I'm most excited for: Kopecky Family Band
I first heard Kopecky Family Band via some festival downloads back in 2011. 'Howlin At the Moon' via a SXSW sampler, and 'Animal' from an Austin City Limits fest sampler. However it wasn't until their Daytrotter session in January 2012, that I knew I was hooked. Their session recordings were as strong as their album tracks. This was confirmed on their Tiny Desk Concert as well.
It turns out, I wasn't the only person enthralled by the band touring on behalf of their two EP's. They built quite a base doing the festival circuit in 2011 & 2012. Finally in 2013, they released Kids Raising Kids their widely successful debut full-lenght including singles 'Heartbeat', 'The Glow' and 'Angry Eyes'.
Terribly enough the other band, I am super geeked to see on a a festival stage is DRGN KING. It's terrible as it's the first slot on Sunday, just before I rush over to the other stage to see Kopecky Family Band. They would be my first choice, but I have been lucky enough to see DRGN KING twice already this year, first at the January Sofar Sounds:Philadelphia show and at Johnny Brenda's in late March.
DRGN KING is just a complete party. They could hold any slot on the festival and hold their own. Their debut Paragraph Nights is loaded with hits including 'Wild Night' and 'Holy Ghost'. Act now to watch this album unfold in the spotlight. Songwriter Dominic Angelella is constantly making more music and could have an entirely different set of songs the next time they play in front of the Philly fans.
Band to see: Me and all the other guys are really excited to see Phosphorescent on Sunday. I love his music because it's really honest and really well written. His style is pretty raw and kind of all over the place too. He has a bunch of slow emotional songs, but he also has some jams that can kick your ass. His new album "Muchacho" is definitely a favorite..
Another band I'd like to see is Dr. John. He's a legend and one of the best piano players out there. I also can't wait to see what he wears.
Graphics Guy/Contributor/Nerd
2nd XPoNential Fest.
Who am I excited to see at this year's XPoNential Fest?
Dr. John
This is by far who I am most excited to see at XPoNential Festival 2013. For those who aren’t familiar with him, you just need to stop what you’re doing and go on YouTube right now. I’ll wait…
Welcome back to those who actually did. That was awesome right?
Humbly, I come before the 'ol interweb and offer a passing glimpse of a giant. A man so legendary, so awesome, that even Wikipedia has a tough time with his intro. “…Malcolm John "Mac" Rebennack, Jr. (born November 21, 1940), better known by the stage name Dr. John (also Dr. John Creaux, or Dr. John the Night Tripper), is an American singer-songwriter, pianist and guitarist, whose music combines blues, pop, jazz as well as zydeco, boogie woogie and rock and roll…”
Ever since I was a kid, there has been this gravelly-voiced old guy singing cajun music in the background of the house and late into the night on WGNA in Upstate NY. His voice and music takes you somewhere far away, where you’re surrounded by bald cypress and spanish moss, dodging a hoodoo, dreaming of bayous and how to deal with that cheatin’ woman and that no-account fool that stole her. He’s been in countless movies, they made a muppet out of him (Dr. Teeth), and everyone from Hugh Laurie to The Black Keys have collaborated with him. Excited? Yes. If you’ve ever wanted to go to New Orleans and couldn’t, you can start your journey at Wiggin’s Park on Saturday at 3:10.
Who else do I want to see? That's easy....
Justin Townes Earle
Every type of music has some kind of mythos lying beneath it. Justin Townes Earle carries on the tradition of the lone troubadour singing to no one in particular about his tale of woe. “Harlem River Blues” was and exceptional study in the blues and His 2012 album, “Nothing’s gonna change the way you feel about me now”, reaches deep into the roots Memphis Soul. Now and then we all need a compatriot. We need someone who feels or felt the same way. Townes Van Zandt (for whom JTE was named) was that man for his generation, and Justin Townes Earle is heir apparent to that broken throne.
So why am I so excited to see him at XPoNential Festival?…because there is nothing like the sensation of shared catharsis. After all, that’s what soul and the blues are for: Letting someone else sing your heart out for you.
Mariel Lorenz - Contributor - 2nd XPoNential Fest
Although I have been a listener to XPN for more years than I want to admit, this is only the 2nd XPoNential Festival I’m attending. Here are some acts I’m excited to see.
Lord Huron This 5 piece released their debut Lonesome Dreams back in Fall 2012. Leader Ben Schneider not only writes lyrics and music, but is the creative force around their videos and artwork. They have a dreamy atmospheric tone making one think they are wondering through a desert or running through one. Case in point, the band’s first single ‘Time To Run’
Matt Pond is a singer-songwriter from Brooklyn by way of Philly, by way of New Hampshire. He is touring behind his early 2013 release The Lives Inside The Lines In Your Hands . He might be the more pop sounding of all the artists at XPN Fest. The songs are catchy with a lot of emotion behind the lyrics. For fans of Good Old War or Jukebox The Ghost, this is right up your alley.
Polica This would be the second time I see Polica who continues to tour behind their debut Give You The Ghost . Just go see them for the uniqueness of their set up – two drummers, a bassist, and singer Channy Leaneagh. Then you’ll be glad you did because they make great music.
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