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Brigitte Calls Me Baby | photo courtesy of the artist Today on World Cafe, we welcome back Chicago’s Brigitte Calls Me Baby. Since their last visit in 2024, the indie rock-meets-new wave band has been on a solid run, opening for Muse, Fontaines D.C. and Inhaler amid sold-out headlining shows in both the U.S. and the U.K. Their sophomore album, Irreversible, was produced by Yves Rothman and Lawrence Rothman. It’s a more immediate and vulnerable affair.

Twelve established and emerging Philadelphia musicians wrote original songs exploring liberty, equality, justice and the pursuit of happiness We recently celebrated the Semiquincentennial with a Philly-centric World Cafe Sense of Place series, the Sound of History music project, a Free At Noon with Zeek Burse and Laurin Talese, and Philly 250, our July 4th list of pivotal songs and moments from, by and about Philadelphia. But wait, there’s more.

American Football | Photo By Ellen Miller The summer weekend kicked off with a sold-out Free at Noon doubleheader featuring the melodic vocals of Greg Mendez and the Midwest Emo riffs of American Football. Mendez, a Philadelphia singer-songwriter, opened the show. Armed with just his soft voice and an acoustic guitar, he played old favorites alongside a few new songs. Mendez released his latest album, Beauty Land, earlier this summer and plays First Unitarian Church tonight.

We’ve got two iconic acts performing separate double headers in Camden and in Glenside, a living legend playing in West Philly, a local music festival, college rock, and more on the docket over the coming days. Owen Stewart Band | photo by Megan Matuzak for WXPN Friday and Saturday — Dave Matthews Band at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion Dave is back in town for a two-night stint at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion after releasing the band’s latest live album, Take Me Back: Live at the Gorge.

On Cut Worms’ new album, Transmitter, Max Clarke teamed up with Jeff Tweedy at Wilco‘s legendary Loft studio in Chicago. Clarke opened for the venerable indie rock outfit in 2024, and a jam session opened the door to a collaboration. While Clarke typically likes to maintain creative control of his projects, he allowed himself to take his hands off the wheel and let Tweedy take the reins. The result reflects both artists’ tastes and sensibilities.

James Sturner is the man behind Philadelphia’s Sturner Guitars. The Council Rock North art teacher and alumni of Temple’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture blends his love of guitars and art in his striking designs, focusing the body shapes and finishes on composition and rhythm. We asked him what he’s been listening to for this week’s Ears We Trust.

One of these five finalists in our 24-Hour Song Challenge – Philly Anthems Edition will win our biggest prize yet. But regardless of who wins, these local artists should be celebrated for their maintaining their voices and creativity under an intense time crunch. We here at WXPN are nearly ready to select a winner for this year’s 24 Hour Song Challenge – Philly Anthems Edition. But before that, we want to introduce you to the five finalists in the running for our biggest prize yet.

Philly DJ, producer, and party curator human plushie is the creator of the underground party series KINSHIP, which celebrates trans artistry and the trans community. Avery Jade Neustadter, the artist behind human plushie, chatted discussed with WXPN misconceptions of dance culture, juggling her various roles, the scene’s future, and more. human plushie | Photo by Noah McGregor human plushie exists at the center of a rapidly evolving corner of Philadelphia’s underground dance scene.

Riley Lauren isn’t wasting time. The math major-turned-stylist-turned-singer-songwriter grew up in the Philly area, and in just three years has built a music career that’s taking her to Nashville this month. “I’ve just always been the type of person where I’m not going to be complacent in something that isn’t serving me. I feel like life is too short to not do what you feel like you’re meant to be doing,” Lauren said.

What was the soundtrack of the American Revolution? The year is 1776. Imagine you are a Continental soldier fighting for American independence. What’s your going-into-battle pump-up soundtrack? For our Sense of Place: Philadelphia series, World Cafe took a trip to the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia’s historic Old City to hear what the revolution sounded like from experts, like museum director Matthew Skic — who was just 11 when he first started playing the fife.