FRIDAY:
>>> GO OUTSIDE, and stay there. With that in mind, we’re gonna lead off each day this weekend with our must-see picks for the Xponential Music Festival in Wiggins Park, just a quick ferry ride over the mighty Della. Sure, there’s a lot of dreck to sift through, but hidden treasures do abound. Tonight: The War On Drugs, hot off a great P-Fork review and whose new album we’ll be delving into next week (7:50-8:20pm, Marina Stage); Chuck Prophet, who, for a singer-songwriter, strangely does not make us want to vom and may even be cool (7:10-7:50pm, River Stage); and Beth Orton, whom we cannot justify still liking but do anyway (9:30-10:30pm, River Stage).
>>> Mark my words: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons are about to become the new like Os Mutantes-type band to say you like, and it only has a little bit to do with the new Pilooski Re-Edit of “Beggin’.” It’s just in the air, baby, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. They’re at the Mann tonight. Take your mom.
>>> The Fuck Yeah Traveling Festival with Circle Jerks, Dillinger Four, Paint It Black, Matt & Kim, Monotronix, Team Robespierre and some “punk” comedians at the Starlight Ballroom is the last word in sweaty greasy kidstuff that even old people (you) can get into.
>>> And [click.] is at Barbary has Manchester’s The Whip, who are really not-half bad, and also from Manchester. In this office, that means something.

SATURDAY:
>>> Xponential Music Festival Picks: Do it right local, early in the day, and see Cheers Elephant (12:30-1pm, Marina Stage) and The Spinto Band (1:50-2:20pm, River Stage). Other than perhaps Dean & Britta (8:20-8:55pm, River Stage), this the best you will do all day. Friday’s looking like the best day.
>>> Let’s do a grab bag of Strange: Set yourself up with some hot anonymous sex with goths in their late 30s at the Libertine Ball at Shampoo; or, go to Vox Populi/Copy Gallery for the Philadelphia Inc Benefit with more stuff going on than you can shake a silkscreen squeegee at (full lineup in listings); or, scroll downstairs for the Bastille Day at ESP.

SUNDAY:
>>> Xponential Music Festival Picks: The Budos Band (3:30-4pm, River Stage) will justify this entire day, but remember, contrary to the XPN slogan, the Fest is really not all about the music: It’s about good vibes, burgers in the sunshine and hanging out. And like we said before, if you want this thing to be better, donate. Still though. This is a fine time. Don’t be such a snob.
>>> Elf Power at Johnny Brenda’s. You know, to complete your weekend ’90s nostalgia cycle brought on by The Wackness (see below).

Want more? Check out our nightlife listings, our art listings, or our movie times.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 11th, 2008 at 2:19 pm.