Suzanne Vega, Bob Mould and Los Lonely Boys are all coming to town this summer. Well, more like across the river, to Camden’s Wiggins Park at this year’s XPoNential Music Festival. This four-day WXPN concert series runs July 19 through 22, and features two stages of music for grown-ups and a Kids Corner stage for the young ones.

Now in its 13th year, the festival—at Wiggins Park for the first time—has stretched to four action-packed days. The lineup features local and national blues, as well as singer-songwriter and rock acts. Friday night’s show will be devoted to Y-Rock on XPN, featuring alternative, modern and indie rock bands. On July 20, legendary rock musician Bob Mould (of the punk band Hüsker Dü) takes to the River Stage, along with the quirky pop band Fountains of Wayne, roots-rockers Cracker, and local indie popsters The A-Sides. Performing on the Marina Stage that night are ska and reggae artists Ruder Than You and indie rockers Bitter Bitter Weeks, among others.

Saturday’s River Stage lineup includes “Texican” rockers Los Lonely Boys, singer-songwriter Ryan Shaw and the jazz fusion band The Cat Empire. Indie-folk artist Fionn Regan, Bucks County natives Illinois and Philly’s own The Swimmers take the Marina Stage. On Sunday, singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega is joined by blues-soul artist Marc Broussard and West Philly rockers Dr. Dog (pictured) on the River Stage while Irish rockers Blackthorn and singer-songwriter Vienna Teng perform on the Marina Stage. Kids can enjoy tunes from Steve Pullara & the Cool Beans Band, John Flynn and Ernie & Neal on Saturday and Sunday. For a complete lineup, go to: www.xpn.org.

Tickets for Thursday night’s show (which includes performances by blues-funk musicians Tower of Power, soul artist James Hunter and steel guitarist Slo-Mo featuring rapper Mic Wrecka) are free for XPN members and Camden County residents who order them by July 13. Otherwise, it costs just $10 at the gate. For the remaining shows, members can pay $8 in advance ($12 at the gate), while the general public pays $15 in advance ($20 at the gate). A four-day pass is available to members for $20 ahead of time ($30 at the gate) and $30 for the public in advance ($45 at the gate). It costs $5 for kids, ages 2 to 12, for each day of the fest.
Feel free to bring low-backed chairs or blankets and food and water to the fest—but leave Fido and your beer at home. (Beer will be available for purchase at the festival). For more information, including performance times and tickets, go to www.xpn.org, or call 877-333-2400.

Originally published July 5, 2007.