Not-to-be-missed music news
XPoNential Music Fest Returns to Camden Waterfront
My Morning Jacket, Dawes, St. Vincent headline the WXPN event
WXPN 88.5’s XPoNential Music Festival returns for its 11th year July 24-26 at Wiggins Park and for a third year at the Susquehanna Bank Center, both on the Camden, N. J., waterfront.
The festival headlines My Morning Jacket and St. Vincent on Saturday, July 25, and George Ezra, Grace Potter and The Wailers on Sunday, July 26, at the Susquehanna Bank Center.
For the rest of the three-day fest, more than 20 other top artists, including Indigo Girls, Dawes, Delta Rae, First Aid Kit and JD McPherson, will also appear on three stages at Wiggins Park.
Food and craft vendors as well as kids’ activities in the Camden Children’s Garden (open 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 25 and 26) will be available.
Attendees who purchase the three-day Go Everywhere Pass also will receive two lawn tickets to the Susquehanna Bank Center performances.
For more information, visit xpnfest.org.
A Theme for the Phanatic’s Friends
Wilmington duo pens song for four new mascots
This year the Phillie Phanatic has been joined by some “best friends.” Known as the Galapagos Gang, the four new mascots are named Bessie, Sid, Calvin and Iggy.
Their high energy theme song was written by Wilmington’s self-deprecating romantic pop-rock duo RKVC (Rod Kim and Vince Cirino), in collaboration with Christopher Bruce of Bruce Productions, which is also based in Wilmington.
“Bringing RKVC in to assist in making the Galapagos Gang Theme Song a reality was a natural selection,” says Bruce. “They are a talented duo and had all the tools and skills to help make it happen.”
Now touring the U.S., RKVC have won WSTW’s Homey Award for Best Pop Song three years in a row. They recently released their fourth album, Version of Us, which is available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, Google Play and more.
For more information about RKVC, visit rkvc.net.
Cool Spring Sounds
Weekly market hosts live music
Local acts return this month to the Cool Spring Farmers’ Market in Cool Spring, Wilmington, every Thursday at 10th and North Van Buren streets.
Here’s the schedule for free live music from 6-8 p.m. in July: The First State Symphonic Band, July 2; Betty and the Bullet, July 9; The Band Sheep, July 16; Jason Ager and the COPO, July 23, and kids’ day with Nature Jams, July 30.
The community-based market, from 4-8 p.m. this month, promotes access to the best local produce, grass-fed meats, bakery goods, and more. The market and music continue through the fall.
Summer Concert Series Continues
Enjoy live music at Hercules Plaza on first Sundays
Old Brandywine Village, Inc. continues its Third Annual Sunday Summer Concert Series in the plaza behind the Hercules Building at 1313 N. Market St. on the first Sunday of each month. The series began in May and continues for three more rounds of outdoor fun: July 5 is Bruce Anthony with Gerald Chavis and Harry Spencer, and Aug. 2 is Jonathan Whitney performing on steel drums. The Sept. 6 artist is TBA.
Concerts are from 4-5:30 p.m. Parking is free around the Hercules Building and across King Street behind St. Patrick’s Church. Bring a chair, blanket, food, drinks, pets, and enjoy!
For more information, visit oldbrandywinevillage.org.
Graham Nash Coming to the Grand
Two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer will play Aug. 9
Renowned singer-songwriter Graham Nash, a Grammy winner and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer with legendary groups Crosby Stills and Nash and the Hollies, will play at the Grand in Wilmington on Sunday, Aug. 9. Nash’s strong support of peace and social and environmental justice got him appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth.
While continually building his musical legacy, Nash is also an internationally renowned photographer and visual artist.
The show starts at 7 p.m.
For more information, visit tickets.thegrandwilmington.org.
Hockessin Native Returns
Katie Jacoby brings impressive musical resume to The Queen
Katie Jacoby, originally from Hockessin, has been a New York City-based electric and acoustic violinist for the past seven years. She has performed in a variety of settings, including the White House, alongside bands ranging from Trans-Siberian Orchestra to Exodus. Most recently, she recorded with American Idol winner Phillip Phillips on his record “Behind the Light.”
Jacoby will perform with jazz group Ed Palermo Big Band on Thursday, July 16, at The Queen. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the show starts at 8, and tickets are $15.
