Over the next three days, the musical fulcrum will largely focus on XPoNential Music Fest. A balanced assemblage of established and emerging talent from near and far settle onto the waterfront. Unfortunately, inclement weather may wash over Hurry’s set. However, Friday still has plenty on its tab – the encompassing reverberating power/ease of Angel Olsen coupled with the emotionally-exposed, energy-expelling rock of Hop Along and the stellar storytelling of Conor Oberst and Wilco. Saturday will culminate with local stalwart Amos Lee digging in with Preservation Hall Jazz Band. However, the meditative reverie of The Dove & The Wolf usher in the day, while Strand of Oaks roots itself in earnest, endearing narratives that blossom and flourish, gathering anthemic reach. On Sunday, the genre-melding hip-hop collective of Hardwork Movement and the Americana trio of No Good Sister help shape the day, reinforced by the bright Americana of Hurray For The Riff Raff and the rugged alt-country of Drive By Truckers. – Michael Colavita
More places to chill out this weekend…
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI DJ Lainedee, SAT DJ Emynd, Bo Bliz, SUN Power Animal, Telepathic, Queen Jesus
Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) FRI Dark Thoughts, SAT Jo Kusy, Illiminati Sequence
Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI Oso/Grimace Federation, Tektonic, Crouse, SAT Crazy Bull/Stateschoolgirl, Ultraviolet, SUN The Lot/Geniverse
PhilaMOCA (531 N. 12th St.) SAT On The Water, Geb the Great Cackler, SUN Boosegumps
Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill St.) SAT Violent Society
Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) SAT The Chris Paterno Band, The Last Generation On Film
Electric Factory (421 N. 7th St.) This Is Hardcore: FRI Eaten Alive, SAT Jesus Piece, Year of the Knife, SUN Activate
World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI Breakwater, SAT (Upstairs) Don McAvoy & the Great Whatever, Germany Hill/(Downstairs) The Core, Brown Sugar
The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Blasphemous, SUN Sunchoke
MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Carroll
Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3rd St.) SUN Mark Lanky (Record Release), Sad Actor, White Lighters
The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Final Showcase, SUN Resilient, Alright Junior
Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) SAT DJ Deejay, SUN Juice Wax (Album Release), Cookie Rabinowitz
Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac
Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9th St.) FRI No One You Know, Jason Jeffries and the Tall Trees, Rootsetters
Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Boulevard) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SAT DJ Jason Weiss, SUN Thomas Curtis
The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Knightlife, Andorra, The Stone Eye, Shots Called, Mike Nappi, SAT Brendan Johnson, Kate Says
Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) SAT Splintered Sunlight, Steal Your Peach
The Pharmacy (1300 S. 18th St.) FRI Man Like Machine, Something Like A Monument, Dweeb, SAT Honeytiger, Mavis The Dog
Trash House (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) SAT CMBC, Soft Idiot, Who Loves You
All Night Diner (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) FRI Abi Reimold, Tutlie, Curtis Cooper
The Sound Hole (Please contact one of the acts or venue for more info.) Sun Organ
Camden Waterfront (2 Riverside Dr.) Xponential Fest: FRI Hop Along, Hurry, Swift Technique, SAT Amos Lee, Strand of Oaks, Dave Hause & The Mermaid, The Dove & The Wolf, Cliff Hillis, SUN No Good Sister, Hardwork Movement