[ATTENDED: September 20, 2025] Kathleen Edwards
We wandered around a bit while Molly Tuttle was playing and then headed back to the Marina Stage for Kathleen Edwards. It was still crowded, but not as crowded and so we got a reasonable spot on the hillside. We were relatively early for Kathleen. And let’s face it she was a major reason I wanted to go to this festival. To get to see her and Richard Thompson was a wonderful day.
I had seen her at the end of last year and I had tickets to see her in October, but a set
This was the first time we were hearing these new songs live. Billionaire sounded just amazing floating around the riverfront. When the Truth Comes Out had just started getting some airplay and it was a lot of fun to hear it live for the first time.
But it wasn’t all new songs. She played one of my favorite older songs Change the Sheets–the guitar of this song and the chorus are so great.
She announced that’s she’s part of the five timers club at the festival. The only other thing she’s done five times is David Letterman. She said how much she loved Philly, because of XPN and the people who support it. “It’s fucking unbelievable. And I know this is a family show so I’m only going to swear once. Maybe.” This led to the song in which she sings how thankful she is, Glenfern, one of the songs I’ve seen her play every time. She will always be thankful (and yes she cursed in it too).
We had been hearing Save Your Soul for quite a while and it’s always great to hear a song live for the first time. (And yes she cursed while getting the song ready–corrected to I gotta get my shirt together).
Up next was kind of a deep cut off the new album, Say Goodbye, Tell No One. This one is a slightly darker song with a great melody and a killer guitar solo from Gord Tough.
She said she brought her husband with her (she held up a stuffed Gritty). They met in Manayunk and she tolerates his hockey season. She says Gritty is the finest mascot in the NHL franchise. And Gritty loves Little Red Ranger. And her drummer Peter Von Alten is a die hard Leafs fan (go easy) and the final line of the song is “the Leafs still suck at playoff time.”
She followed it up with Need a Ride, in which people get worked up about various things including a baseball hat. She then donned a New York Mets hat which elicited something of a response from the Philly crowd.
Her bass player (and backing vocalist) is Matt Sucich whom I have seen with her so many times now is from Queens and gave her the Mets hat. And I didn’t realize until almost halfway through the set that she had a keyboard player (Paul Loren) because I had such a clear view of her (fantastic) pedal steel player Aaron Goldstein.
She ended with the great Hard on Everyone, one of my favorites of hers. And she said she was so happy to be part of a headlining women’s bill. Indeed, it was all women except for Richard, but he’s too awesome to complain about his gender.
Six O’Clock News was on the setlist but she clearly didn’t have time for it.
But I’ll bet I hear it in a month or so.
You can stream her whole show here: https://xpn.org/xpn-fest/
| Xponential Festival 2025 | 2024 Roy’s Hall | |
|---|---|---|
| Billionaire $ | Glenfern ¥ [4] | |
| When the Truth Comes Out $ | Empty Threat √ [2] | |
| Change the Sheets √ [3] | Asking for Flowers ∇ [4] | |
| Glenfern ¥ [5] | Hello in There (John Prine cover) © | |
| Save Your Soul $ | Chameleon/Comedian √ | |
| Say Goodbye, Tell No One $ | Options Open ¥ [3] | |
| Little Red Ranger $ [2] | Who Rescued Who ¥ (with Matt Sucich) [4] | |
| Need a Ride $ | Little Red Ranger $ (with Matt Sucich) | |
| Hard on Everyone ¥ [5] | Mercury ⊕ (with Matt Sucich) [3] | |
| Hard on Everyone ¥ [4] | ||
| Six O’Clock News ⊕ [4] | ||
| Six O’Clock News was on the playlist but was not played | It’s Christmastime (Let’s Just Survive) | |
| Crawling Back to You (Tom Petty cover) © | ||
| In State ⇐ [3] | ||
| encore | ||
| Hockey Skates ⊕ [4] | ||
| <–Mercury was a fan request–Pine on the playlist | A Soft Place to Land √ [2] | |
| 2022 SOPAC | 2022 Summer Concert, NJ | 2021 LPR, NYC |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Math ¥ [3] | Simple Math ¥ [2] | Options Open ¥ |
| Options Open ¥ [3] | Options Open ¥ [2] | In State ⇐ |
| In State ⇐ [2] | Change the Sheets √ [2] | Simple Math ¥ |
| Hockey Skates ⊕ [3] | Hockey Skates ⊕ [2] | Change the Sheets √ |
| Birds on a Feeder ¥ [2] | Who Rescued Who ¥ [2] | Six O’Clock News ⊕ |
| Glenfern ¥ [3] | Glenfern ¥ [2] | Birds on a Feeder ¥ |
| Who Rescued Who ¥ [3] | One More Song the Radio Won’t Like ⊕ (solo w/ lap steel) | Goodnight, California ∇ |
| Evangeline (Emmylous Harris cover) (with Matt Sucich) | Empty Threat √ (solo with lap steel) [2] | Empty Threat (solo acoustic) √ |
| Mercury ⊕ (with Matt Sucich) [2] | Mercury ⊕ | Who Rescued Who (solo with mandolin) ¥ |
| Hard on Everyone ¥ [3] | Fools Ride ¥ | Glenfern ¥ |
| Six O’Clock News ⊕ [3] | A Soft Place to Land √ | Copied Keys ⇐ |
| Asking for Flowers ∇ [3] | Hard on Everyone ¥ [2] | The Logical Song (Supertramp cover) |
| encore | Six O’Clock News ⊕ [2] | Hockey Skates ⊕ |
| Goodnight, California ∇ [2] | encore | Hard on Everyone ¥ |
| Moneytalks (AC/DC cover) (partial) | Asking for Flowers ∇ [2] | encore |
| Comes a Time (Neil Young cover) | Asking for Flowers ∇ | |
| Back to Me ⇐ |
$ = Billionaire (2025)
© = Covers EP (2025)
¥ = Total Freedom (2020)
√ = Voyageur (2012)
∇ = Asking for Flowers (2008)
⇐ = Back to Me (2005)
⊕= Failer (2002)
RIVER STAGE:
Soccer Mommy
Molly Tuttle
Shar van Etten and the ATtachment Theory
Soccer Mommy
Molly Tuttle
Shar van Etten and the ATtachment Theory
MARINA STAGE:
Tune-Yards
Richard Thompson
Kathleen Edwards
Tune-Yards
Richard Thompson
Kathleen Edwards
1994
Iris Dement • John Gorka • October Project • Sam Phillips • Sarah McLachlan • Shawn Colvin • Sonia Dada • Subdudes • T-Bone Burnett
1995
Ani DiFranco • Black 47 • BoDeans • David Wilcox • Freedy Johnston • Jill Sobule • John Flynn • Patsy Foster • Patty Larkin • Paula Cole • Susan Werner • The Schramms • Wanderlust
1996
Cheryl Wheeler • Francis Dunnery • Jonatha Brooke • June Rich • Martin Sexton • Nil Lara • The Iguanas
1997
Big Blue Hearts • Bruce Cockburn • Dar Williams • Grey Eye Glances • John Hiatt • Kim Fox • Kim Richey • Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans • Suzanne Vega
1998
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones • Francis Dunnery • Huffamoose • James McMurtry • Lucinda Williams • Marah • Mary Arden Collins • Moxy Fruvous • Olu Dara • Patty Griffin • Southern Culture on the Skids
1999
Brian Seymour • Duncan Sheik • Entrain • Indigenous • Kelly Willis • Old 97’s • Richard Thompson • Spooky Ghost • Steve Earle • Susan Werner
2000
Ben Arnold & the Philly All-Stars • Chris Smither • David Mead • Jimmie Dale Gilmore • John Flynn • Mary Chapin Carpenter • Patti Smith • Phil Roy • Shelby Lynne • Steve Forbert & Rough Squirrels • Terri Hendrix
2001
Amber deLaurentis • Billy Jonas • Blackthorn • Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer • Eliza Carthy • Erin McKeown • Ernie & Neal • Five for Fighting • Girls From Mars • Jeb Loy Nichols • Marc Cohn • Nanci Griffith • North Mississippi Allstars • Tim Eason
2002
4 Way Street • Beats Walkin’ • Cousteau • John Eddie • John Flynn • John Mayer • Los Lobos • Nick Lowe • Raul Malo • Solomon Burke • Sonia Dada • Suzanne Vega
2003
Alexi Murdoch • Art Garfunkel, Maia Sharp & Buddy Mondlock • Damien Rice • Eastmountainsouth • Grey Eye Glances • Indigenous • Kathleen Edwards • Nickel Creek • Rhett Miller • Richard Thompson • Robert Randolph & the Family Band • Sharon Katz & The Peace Train • They Might Be Giants • Townhall
2004
Amos Lee • Bubboon & Bubbles • Charlie Musselwhite • Fountains of Wayne • John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting • Michael McDermott • Mindy Smith • Nellie McKay • North Mississippi Allstars • Old 97’s • Philly Locals in the Round with: Jim Boggia, Lauren Hart, Mutlu • Rachael Yamagata • Sarah Harmer • Shemekia Copeland
2005
Billy Miles • Danielia Cotton • Drive-By Truckers • Erin McKeown • Indigo Girls • Jim Boggia • John Legend (Guest Appearance) • Loudon Wainwright, III • Mike Doughty’s Band • Patti Smith • Rickie Lee Jones • Rodney Crowell • Son Volt • Soulive • Townhall • Warren Haynes (Guest Appearance)
2006
Alejandro Escovedo • Allen Toussaint • Amos Lee • Antje Duvekot • BC Camplight • Ben Franklin Middle School Drummers with Attitude • Blue Sinatra • Brandi Carlile • Citizen Cope • Codename • Danielia Cotton • Darcie Miner • Dave Quicks Trio of the BurnDown All-Stars • DrugByrds • Grace Potter and the Nocturnals • Hoots & Hellmouth • IV Thieves • Jeffrey Gaines •Jim James of My Morning Jacket • Jonah Smith • Josh Ritter • Konono N°1 • Lotus • Mary Lee’s Corvette • Marah • Mutlu • New York Dolls • Seth Kallen and the Reaction • Slo-Mo featuring Mic Wrecka • Steve Wynn • The Brakes • The Fractals • The Hiders • The Lowlands • Willy Mason • Yonder Mountain String Band
2007
Adrienne Young • ALO • Andrew Lipke • Beretta 76 • Bitter Bitter Weeks • Blackthorn • Bob Mould • Brett Dennen • Cracker • David Falcone & Kenli Matus • Dr. Dog • Earl Greyhound • Eastern Conference Champions • Fionn Regan • Fountains of Wayne • Grace Potter and the Nocturnals • Hoots & Hellmouth • Illinois • James Hunter • Jesca Hoop • Jesse Malin • Julian Velard • Kim Richey • Los Lonely Boys • Marc Broussard • Martin Sexton • Robert Hazard • Ruder Than You • Ryan Shaw • Sam Roberts Band • Sharon Little & Scot Sax • Slo-Mo featuring Mic Wrecka • Suzanne Vega • Switches • The A-Sides • The Cat Empire • The Cobbs • The Fratellis • The Smithereens • The Swimmers • Tower of Power • Vienna Teng • Will Hoge
2008
Alejandro Escovedo • Amos Lee • Angel Band • Back Door Slam • Beth Orton • Blind Boys of Alabama • Cheers Elephant • Chuck Prophet • Dar Williams • Dave Barnes • Dean & Britta • Ezra Furman & the Harpoons • Fooling April • Ingrid Michaelson • Jesse Ruben • Jim Bianco • Jim Boggia • Joan Osborne • John Gorka • Kuf Knotz & The Hustle • Madi Diaz • Matt Nathanson • Michael Franti & Spearhead • Mutlu • Nicole Atkins • O’Death • Railroad Earth • Salvador Santana Band • Shelby Lynne • Susan Werner • Suzanne Vega • Teddy Thompson • The Brakes • The Budos Band • The Loved Ones • The Mint • The Redwalls • The Refugees • The Shackletons • The Spinto Band • The War On Drugs • Toby Lightman • Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer
2009
Aimee Mann • Andrew Lipke & the Prospects • Annuals • Assembly of Dust • Donna the Buffalo • East Hundred • Farewell Flight • Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams • Gillian Grassie • Good Old War • Guster • Hoots & Hellmouth • Illinois • John Forte • John Gorka • John Wesley Harding • Katie Herzig • Like A Fox • Los Straitjackets • Matt Duke • Minas • Perkasie • Pete Yorn • Peter Bjorn And John • Robert Cray • Sarah Borges & the Broken • Serena Ryder • Sharon Little • Shemekia Copeland • Singles • Steve Forbert & the Windfall Prophets • Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3 • The Bacon Brothers • The Hold Steady • The Low Anthem • The Peace Creeps • The Revelations featuring Tre’ Williams • They Might Be Giants • Tom Hamilton’s American Babies • Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby • Yeasayer
2010
Alejandro Escovedo • Amy Correia • Ben Arnold • Ben Vaughn • Big Head Todd & the Monsters • Blood Feathers • Bobby Long • Birdie Busch • Cowboy Junkies • Dawes • Diane Birch • Dr. Dog • Dutch • Earl Greyhound • Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros • Fool’s Gold • Free Energy • Grace Potter and the Nocturnals • Harper Blynn • Joshua James • Nicole Atkins • Robert Francis • Robert Randolph and the Family Band • Rosanne Cash • The Felice Brothers • The Great Unknown • The Holmes Brothers • The Walkmen • These United States • Toy Soldiers • Yo La Tengo
2011
Ben Folds • Booker T • Carbon Leaf • Citizen Cope (solo Acoustic) • Clap Your Hands Say Yeah • Dar Williams • David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocket • Deb Callahan • Emmylou Harris • Gary Clark Jr. • Givers • Hayes Carll • Hezekiah Jones and Andrew Lipke • Jeff Bradshaw and Brass Heaven • Johnny Miles and the Waywards • Joseph Arthur • Jukebox The Ghost • Keb’ Mo’ • Kingsfoil • Kuf Knotz • Matt Duke • Nicos Gun • North Mississippi All Stars Duo • Other Lives • Queen Electric • Ra Ra Riot • Shemekia Copeland • Sun Airway • Susan Werner • Ted Leo and the Pharmacists • The Smithereens
2012
City Rain • Counting Crows • Dana Alexandra • Dave Hause • Dawes • Delta Rae • Delta Spirit • Diego Garcia • Dr. Dog • Field Report • Good Old War • JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound • JD McPherson • JD Souther • John Wesley Harding’s Cabinet of Wonders with: Rhett Miller, Megan Reilly, Eugene Mirman, and Rick Moody • Kaki King • Kasey Anderson • Kathleen Edwards • Lee Ranaldo Band • Lower Dens • Matt Santry Band • Mike Doughty • Ozomatli • Patterson Hood and the Downtown Rumblers • Rhett Miller and the Serial Lady Killers • The Avett Brothers • The Bailey Hounds • The Fleeting Ends • The Hold Steady • The Lumineers • The War On Drugs • We Are Augustines • Wilco •Work Drugs
2013
Aaron Brown • Alo Brasil • Bob Dylan and His Band • Brett Dennen • Dawes • Dr. Dog • Dr. John • DRGN King • Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros • Erin McKeown • Hey Marseilles • John Butler Trio • Jose James • Justin Townes Earle • Kat Edmonson • Kopecky Family Band • Lianne LaHavas • Lord Huron • Matt Pond • Michael Kiwanuka • My Morning Jacket • Phosphorescent • Polica • Red Baraat • Ryan Bingham • The Districts • The Fleeting Ends • The Last Bison • The Lumineers • The Stray Birds • Trampled By Turtles • Wilco
2014
Band of Horses • Bear’s Den • Beck • Caitlin Rose • CJ Cheneir and the Red Hot Louisiana Band • Commonwealth Choir • Dave Hause • Dawes • Diego Garcia • Ginger Coyle • Houndmouth • Hurray For the Riff Raff • Ingrid Michaelson • J Roddy Walston and The Business • James Cotton • Jenny Lewis • Jeremy Messersmith • Lake Street Dive • Lucius • Man Man • Marah • Marian Hill • Nicole Atkins • Old 97’s • Our Griffins • Rodrigo y Gabriela • Ryan Adams • Strand of Oaks • The Districts • The Hold Steady • The Lawsuits • Trigger Hippy • Viv & The Revival
2015
Bombino • Buckwheat Zydeco • Calexico • Cheerleader • Cole Redding • Courtney Barnett • Dawes • Delta Rae • Field Report • First Aid Kit • Fly Golden Eagle • George Ezra • Gina Chavez • Grace Potter • Hop Along • Indigo Girls • Israel Nash • JD McPherson • Kopecky • Lone Bellow • Lord Huron • Lost Bayou Ramblers • Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear • Milton • My Morning Jacket • Pine Barons • Rayland Baxter • Son Little • St. Vincent • The Wailers • The Word (Robert Randolph, John Medeski, North Mississippi Allstars) • Vita and the Woolf
2016
Alabama Shakes • Ben Arnold • Billy Hector • Brandi Carlile • case/lang/veirs • Chicano Batman • Colvin & Earle • Darlingside • David Wax Museum • Diane Coffee • Eliza Hardy Jones • Esme Patterson • Father John Misty (solo) • Femi Kuti & The Positive Force • Gary Clark Jr. • Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band • Kississippi • Kurt Vile & The Violators • Low Cut Connie • Mavis Staples • Old Crow Medicine Show • Oliver John-Rodgers • Preservation Hall Jazz Band • Queen Of Jeans • Rosemary Fiki • Ryan Adams and the Shining • The Districts • The Felice Brothers • The Marcus King Band • The Record Company • The Revivalists • The Suffers • Tommy Stinson • White Denim
2017
Adia Victoria • Amos Lee feat. Preservation Hall Jazz Band • Angel Olsen • Arkells • Brownout • Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires • Chicano Batman • Cliff Hillis • Conor Oberst • Dave Hause & The Mermaid• David Bromberg Quintet • Davy Knowles • Dream Syndicate • Drive-By Truckers • Foxygen • Hardwork Movement • Hop Along • Hurray for the Riff Raff • Hurry • Joseph • No Good Sister • Offa Rex • Pinegrove • Preservation Hall Jazz Band • Rhiannon Giddens • Spoon • Strand Of Oaks • Sweet Spirit • Swift Technique • The Dove & The Wolf • The Record Company • The Suffers • Wilco • Xenia Rubinos
2018
Bermuda Triangle feat. Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes), Becca Mancari and Jesse Lafser • Blind Boys of Alabama • Cloves • Courtney Marie Andrews • David Byrne • Darlingside • Devon Gilfillian • Fantastic Negrito • Femi Kuti & The Positive Force • Greg Sover Band • Harmony Woods • Hiss Golden Messenger • Hurry • JD McPherson • Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band • Jupiter & Okwess • Katie Frank • Lo Moon • Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real • M.A.K.U. Soundsystem • Margo Price • Mondo Cozmo • Mt. Joy • Natalie Prass • Phoebe Bridgers • Preservation Hall Jazz Band • Proper Dark • Sunflower Bean • Sturgill Simpson • Swift Technique • Sylvan Esso • Tank and the Bangas • The Lone Bellow • The National Reserve • The War on Drugs • &More (Donn T & Chill Moody)
2019
Ali Awan • Amy Ray Band (Indigo Girls) • Bettye LaVette • Blondie • Caroline Rose • Christone “Kingfish” Ingram • Dave Hause & The Mermaid • Dawes • Elvis Costello & The Imposters • Foxtrot & The Get Down • Gregory Alan Isakov • Guster • Hozier • J.S. Ondara • Japanese Breakfast • Kathleen Edwards • Killiam Shakespeare • Low Cut Connie • Lucy Dacus • Nilüfer Yanya • Rayland Baxter • RFA • Ruston Kelly • Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds • Sean Ardoin • St. Paul & The Broken Bones • The McCrary Sisters • The Vaughns • The War and Treaty • The Wood Brothers • Y La Bamba • Zeek Burse
2020
VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES BY:
Devon Gilfillian • Great Time • Illiterate Light • Liz Phair • Michaela Anne • Nicole Atkins • The Districts
2021
Ani DiFranco • Adia Victoria • Anna Shoemaker • Arthur Thomas and the Funkitorium • Christone “Kingfish” Ingram • Cimafunk • Cory Henry • Dawes • Devon Gilfillian • Great Time • Hoochi Coochi • Jade Bird • Lakou Mizik • Los Lobos • Michaela Anne • Nicole Atkins • Paul Beaubrun • Pigeons Playing Ping Pong • Shovels & Rope • Sierra Ferrell • Sofia Valdés • Stella Ruze • Strand of Oaks • Tedeschi Trucks: Fireside Live • The Record Company • Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers
2022
Bartees Strange • Black Opry Revue • Buffalo Nichols • Catbite • Chestnut Grove • Cosmic Guilt • Dos Santos • The Felice Brothers • Geese • Highnoon • Houndmouth • Jenny Lewis • Kathleen Edwards • Lo Moon • Lucinda Williams • Nathaniel Rateliff • Neal Francis • Omar’s Hat • Patti Smith and Her Band • Samantha Fish • Sarah Shook & The Disarmers • SNACKTIME • Taj Mahal • Tamino • The Dip • The Revivalists • The Suffers • The Tisburys • The War on Drugs • Valerie June
2023
Allison Russell • Bailen • Bobby Rush • Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers • Celisse • Christine Havrilla & Gypsy Fuzz • Don McCloskey • Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band • Julia Pratt • Leyla McCalla • Low Cut Connie • Margo Price • Mobbluz • Moustapha Noumbissi • Nik Greeley & the Operators • Old Crow Medicine Show • Sammy Rae & The Friends • Say She She • Sunny War • Tegan & Sara • The Hold Steady • Velvet Rogue • Wednesday • Wilder Woods
2024
The Walkmen • Pete Yorn • George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners • Cedric Burnside • Velvet Rouge • Carla Gamble • Rosanne Cash • Greensky Bluegrass • Phosphorescent • Blondshell • Brigitte Calls Me Baby • Lizzie No • Florry • Moustapha Noumbissi • Guster • Trampled by Turtles • Jade Bird • Bully • The Heavy Heavy • Julia Pratt • Grace Bowers • Brittany Ann Tranbaugh
2025
Courtney Barnett • Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory • WAR • Greensky Bluegrass • Preservation Hall Jazz Band • Molly Tuttle • Soccer Mommy • Spin Doctors • Richard Thompson • Tune-Yards • Kathleen Edwards • Craig Finn • Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country • Michigander • SNACKTIME • Southern Avenue • Zinadelphia • Owen Stewart • Emily Drinker • Black Buttafly • Maxwell Stern & The Good Light Band • Fawziyya Heart
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