For the last third of a century, WXPN 88.5 has used its wide-reaching stage to showcase big music acts as well as promote up-and-coming local artists.
Over time, those two categories often merge like an onramp to I-95 at midnight, launching into the next flurry of life at incredibly high speeds. The member-funded radio station was at it again for the 33rd time as it hosted the annual XPoNential Music Festival presented by Subaru at Wiggins Park on the Camden Waterfront for three days, Sept. 18-20, bringing diverse lineups that reflect the eclectic spirit of its beloved airwaves. Headliners of this year’s festival included Portugal. The Man, Dawes, Little Feat and other well-known acts St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Cyril Neville Plays The Dead, Madison Cunningham and Ratboys, bringing styles from the west coast and Southern states to the Delaware River.
But some of the early magic happens earlier in the day as local acts are given the chance to perform on the big stage as large crowds begin to gather.
“It was really exciting and it was oddly comfortable,” said artist Mackenzie Johnson, who hails from Newtown. “I’ve been doing this for a very long time and I just feel like this is a different stage level now. The vibes were warm and welcoming and I felt very embraced.”
Johnson earned those vibes by wowing the Saturday afternoon crowd on what turned out to be a picturesque day on the waterfront. Her five-piece band rolled out a toe-tapping folk theme that perfectly backed Johnson’s gorgeous voice as she strummed her acoustic guitar as gold stars appropriately dangled from her earlobes.
Her journey from Bucks County wasn’t far, but Wiggins Park held special meaning to her.
“I’m a suburban gal. But my first and favorite concerts happened here and all my first shows that I’ve played were in this area,” Johnson said after her set. “It feels very fitting to be here. It was wonderful.”
For Johnson, it was her first time playing at a large festival. She earned the opportunity as a repeated finalist in WXPN’s 24-hour challenge, which asks artists to compose and record an original song after a secret prompt.
Her 2024 entry “Sunburn” captured listeners’ attention. This year’s submission “Feather” gave her staying power and a spot on stage with full support from the radio station.
“As a song-writer, this is my bread and butter,” said Johnson, who now has more than 600,000 YouTube subscribers. “When XPN and the folks there recognized the song itself, that was the biggest compliment I could get. After that, there was just this domino effect of playing my songs on air and bringing me out here and having me as a finalist in their contest. It’s great that they recognize that and really walk the walk by supporting all of us at every single level, which is great.”
Another Philly band, the Flying Vees, had the honor of opening the Saturday slate on the River Stage. The three-part harmony group with members hailing from Philly, Chambersburg (Pa.) and Collingswood didn’t hold back any nerves as they made a statement among the early-arriving crowds.
The four women won this year’s 24 Hour Challenge with their a cappella hit “Workman’s Song #1” and warmed up concertgoers with a string of bluesy folk tunes.
“You know, it’s hard for me to feel like I belong here,” said vocalist Shannon Vasile of the Flying Vees after the set. “But after that reception from the crowd, it felt like, hey, we do belong here. This is the right place for us to be today and I believe in the quality of our songs.”
Some early birds came specifically to see the Flying Vees. Others who were maybe claiming a good spot on the lawn for future acts became fans on the spot. The Vees burst out an aggressive and emotional original tune aimed at those associated with Jeffrey Epstein and human trafficking in their song “Monsters,” which received an enormous pop from the audience.
“I just got done reading Virginia Giuffre’s autobiography and after that, it just kind of all came together,” Vasile said. “It didn’t take long to write, I think because I was just so angry. We haven’t been playing it long but it always gets people’s attention.”
Local talent swarmed this year’s festival including Fat Mezz and Te Vista, both of South Jersey, Langhorne Slim of Bucks County, Zoe Lemon of Chester County and Grace Gardner who is originally from Texas but now calls Philadelphia home.
“There’s been a certain magic to the XPoNential Music Festival – the way artists and fans have come together on the Camden waterfront for more than two decades,” said Roger LaMay, WXPN General Manager. “It’s become a true annual gathering for our community, and this lineup really captures that mix of connection and discovery.”
In the past, XPoNential Music Festival has welcomed acts like Bob Dylan, David Byrne of the Talking Heads, Wilco, Elvis Costello and the Lumineers.
Some Philly artists that reached stardom after performing at the festival include The War on Drugs, Kurt Vile, Julia Pratt and Emily Drinker.
“It’s so important that (WXPN) does this and how welcome they make all the musicians feel in the community,” said Flying Vees’ vocalist Brechyn Chase. “We just feel so grateful for the experience that they gave us through the contest and how everyone has been so kind to us through the whole thing. Even just the staff and the volunteers here have been amazing. We’ve had the best time.” ••
