WXPN-FM (Philadelphia, PA)

Mikaela Davis – 7.17.26 Harpists are typically seen only in classical music settings. But Rochester native Mikaela Davis is doing things with her harp that buck that trend, and to an incredible degree. Davis and her band came through WXPN Friday for a Free At Noon performance ahead of their show at Johnny Brenda’s.

We’ve got some ska, some slowcore, some heartland rock, some classic rock, and more happening at venues in and around Philly in the coming days. Scope the upcoming show selections here. Catbite at Sing Us Home Fest | photo by Ellen C Miller Friday: Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards at Scottish Rite Auditorium The two folk icons are hosting a joint show across the river in Camden to kick off the weekend. Each released new albums last year: Griffin’s Crown of Roses and Edwards’ Billionaire.

Save the date for Thursday, Aug. 12, because we’re hosting another free Homegrown Live show at The Lounge at World Stage with Dylan Zangwill, Max Davey, and Birdie Busch. Register now to ensure you can catch the performances! Another night of free music from WXPN? That’s right. We’ve got another Homegrown Live show on the calendar, and you’re invited to catch three local acts without paying a cent. On Aug. 12, the Lounge at World Stage will host Max Davey, Dylan Zangwill, and Birdie Busch.

Philly’s indie pop rock outfit Hurry is celebrating the release of their seventh studio album, Zoned Out on Lame-O Records. The band just threw a show marking its drop at Johnny Brenda’s last week, with Sad13 (Sadie Dupuis’ project that dropped a new mixtape, 1331, the same day) and stand-up comedian Dina Hashem (who joined Hurry on drums for a Pixies cover at the gig) also on the bill.

Sadie Dupuis a favorite here at WXPN, and she just added to her discography with the release of 1331, a new DIY mixtape under her Sad13 project. The release features 13 “1 minute long-ish songs” that helped her through “mini nervous breakdown” and a bike accident that nearly ended her guitar playing. When we asked Dupuis to participate on this week’s Ears We Trust, she shared what inspired her to drop such a unique release.

The four-piece group will perform at XPoNential Festival and Philly Music Fest on top of winning studio time, $5,000, inclusion on our Philly Anthems vinyl album, and more. The Flying Vees | photo by Paige Walter Our 24 Hour Song Challenge – Philly Anthems Edition has come to a conclusion, and we’re here to tell you The Flying Vees have been named this year’s grand prize winners.

It’s hot as hell and summer is in full swing. Marked by a seemingly non-stop barrage of big concerts, small intimate shows and music-related programming, June was one for the history books. From King Britt’s Blacktronika festival to James Blake at Franklin Music Hall and a ton of local gigs and parties, I feel like I’ve spent the entire month bopping around town and experiencing the gift of live music. Here are a few highlights that have made this month in Philly’s music scene truly memorable.

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.