XPoNential Festival

I have to say that I miss when the festival was at Penns Landing- just because when it was there it didn't involve traveling to Camden and paying a $5 bridge toll, but this festival is absolutely worth the Camden adventure!

Each year WXPN hosts this wonderful and eclectic music event. Years ago, when it was still at Festival Pier I actually saw John Mayer (before he started dating Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston, and before he really made it big) and had the opportunity to meet him- which was really cool. The beauty of this event is that it hosts not only local musicians but up and comers in the industry (in addition to some well known big ticket names).

Every time I go I leave with a new favorite artist! Great shows, great people, great time! Definitely check it out!

How do you welcome the 200+ people that you helped teach the ways of Yelp to over a weekend? By writing a review for the event that you did it at of course!

For better and worse I've followed WXPN for years (shout out to my friend Robert Drake!). But for whatever strange reason I haven't been to a an XPoNential Festival until this year. But I've always made note of how the diversity of the lineup always managed to successfully reflect upon the diversity of the station. And off the bat I'll also add that although I jumped upon the opportunity to be the point man at the Yelp Table with an enthusiastic HELL YES the moment that Monica asked me; They Might Be Giants, Peter Bjorn & John, East Hundred, Illinois and many others would have had me seeing it anyway.

I do have to give it up to the dedication XPN puts into setting up the festival, Since I've walked through Wiggins Park as a bare bones park when leaving the Tweeter (whatever it's called) Center before (and will be reviewing now that I know what it's called), I can honestly attest to the fact that NO part of the stages, or any of the booths are there when the festival isn't in session. So that gives you the start of understanding how much they put into it. But when you factor in things like the entire fest being broad-casted on air, how they accommodate it's volunteers and sponsors during the fest, and then some it becomes abundantly clear. and the effort that WXPN puts into shows throughout.

In the end I was beyond thrilled with getting to see TMBG and Peter Bjorn & John for the first time ever, and I also enjoyed getting reacquainted with local favorites like East Hundred and Gillian Grassie (swoon). But I also had the chance to discover new favorites like Perkasie and The Hold Steady. I'm not going to lie and pretend that things like the burnt burger with cheese whiz, the random bouts of rain, The Bacon Brothers, and the crowd who came to see Toby Keith play the Center of Evil Ticket Bastard didn't make me want to grab a shovel and bury myself. But over all the festival made for an absolutely AMAZING weekend. And I got to spend it all alongside some pretty awesome yelpers, which made for a priceless occasion.