July 26, 2016

50 photos from the XPoNential Music Festival

Scenes from the 2016 installment of WXPN's annual summer festival

By Thom Carroll
PhillyVoice Contributor

Carroll - XPoNential Music Festival Old Crow Medicine Show

Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

Old Crow Medicine Show performed Sunday night at the BB&T Pavilion.

The 2016 XPoNential Music Festival Presented by Subaru did not go off without a hitch. A few unexpected occurrences changed the course of WXPN's annual throwdown across the river that left some scratching their heads — and most wringing out their clothes.

The festival was held over three days, July 22-24, at Wiggins Park and at the BB&T Pavilion on the Camden Waterfront. An early warning sign, disguised as the sounding of the RiverLink Ferry horn, marked a turning point on Friday evening with an extremely short performance (and impromptu lecture) by Father John Misty. Misty spent a good portion of his stage time on a political rant about the Battleship New Jersey, drones and the current state of the corporate music industry. He ended his set early, walking off stage after only a few songs amidst a ton of misdirected emotion. In addition, a brief power outage and a couple extremely intense thunderstorms put a stop to the performances Saturday afternoon at Wiggins Park.

None of that could ruin the weekend, of course. More than 30 artists performed on three stages in two venues, and no one seemed to miss a beat. The crowds were energetic, and the mood was positive. These 50 photos from throughout the weekend prove that whatever hiccups occurred, the show most certainly went on.

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The 2016 XPoNential Music Festival, presented by Subaru, was held from Friday, July 22, through Sunday, July 24, at Wiggins Park and the BB&T Pavilion on the Delaware Riverfront in Camden, New Jersey.

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White Denim performs at the 2016 XPoNential Music Festival.

Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

White Denim performs at the 2016 XPoNential Music Festival.

Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

Ice cream at the Marina Stage at Wiggins Park on the Camden waterfront.

Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

The RiverLink Ferry, which runs between Camden, New Jersey, and the Philadelphia waterfront, was a convenient mode of transportation to and from the festival.

Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

Father John Misty performs Friday, July 22, 2016, at the XPoNential Music Festival in Camden, New Jersey, moments before walking off stage and cutting his performance short.

Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

A crowd watches The Suffers on the Marina Stage at Wiggins Park on the Camden waterfront.

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American-soul band from Houston The Suffers performs on the Marina Stage, at Wiggins Park, Friday, July 22, 2016.

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Joseph Sanz and Jessica Zielinski watch as the sun sets behind the Philadelphia skyline on Friday, July 22, 2016.

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Festival-goers on the lawn of the BB&T Pavilion during a set by Gary Clark Jr., Saturday, July 23, 2016.

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Kurt Vile & The Violators perform at the BB&T Pavilion on Friday, July 22, 2016.

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Kurt Vile & The Violators perform at the BB&T Pavilion on Friday, July 22, 2016.

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The lawn of the BB&T Pavilion, Friday, July 22, 2016.

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The lawn of the BB&T Pavilion, Friday, July 22, 2016.

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The Felice Brothers perform on the River Stage at Wiggins Park, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

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A spectator reacts during a performance by The Felice Brothers, Saturday, July 23, 2016, at Wiggins Park.

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The Felice Brothers perform on the River Stage at Wiggins Park, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

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The crowd during a set by The Felice Brothers, Saturday, July 23, 2016, at the XPoNential Music Festival.

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The Felice Brothers perform on the River Stage at Wiggins Park, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

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During a temporary power outage, The Felice Brothers took their performance into the crowd at Wiggins Park, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

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Nicole Eyster hoops during a set by The Record Company at Wiggins Park, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

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Temperatures were in the high-90s all three days of the 2016 XPoNential Music Festival.

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The Record Company performs on the Marina Stage at Wiggins Park, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

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Audrey Heinze listens to a set by The Record Company at Wiggins Park, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

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The Preservation Hall Jazz Band began its set on the River Stage at Wiggins Park but was quickly cut short by intense thunderstorms, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

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Festival-goers dance as rain begins to fall during a performance by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

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Intense thunderstorms quickly put a stop to performances on Saturday at Wiggins Park.

Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

Intense thunderstorms quickly put a stop to performances on Saturday at Wiggins Park.

Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

The festival continued at the BB&T Pavilion as Chicano Batman opened the evening.

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The Preservation Hall Jazz Band finished its set at the BB&T Pavilion after the set at Wiggins Park was cut short by intense thunderstorms, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band finished its set at the BB&T Pavilion after the set at Wiggins Park was cut short by intense thunderstorms, Saturday, July 23, 2016.

Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band finished its set at the BB&T Pavilion after the set at Wiggins Park was cut short by intense thunderstorms, Saturday, July 23, 2016.