Words & Photos by Steve Cerf

September 26, 2022

WAR ON DRUGS

WAR ON DRUGS

NATHANIEL RATELIFF

PATTI SMITH

A cascade of today’s superstars and tomorrow’s rising stars gathered at WXPN’s XPoNential Music Festival presented by Subaru. Thirty performances came together for a three-day music festival at Camden NJ waterfront – Wiggins Park & Freedom Mortgage Pavilion.

The festival was the brainchild of WXPN, the non-commercial, member supported radio service out of the University of Pennsylvania. The station covers the State of New Jersey through 88.5 FM (South Jersey) & 91.9 FM (Central & North Jersey). Friday night’s headliner, The War on Drugs, gave an outstanding performance, as did Patti Smith & her band. Taj Mahal concluded the Wiggins Park set as the thousands of music fans took a short stroll to the Freedom Mortgage Pavillon to see The War on Drugs and Patti Smith and her band.

THE REVIVALISTS

TAJ MAHAL

Saturday closed out the day with Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. The Colorado based band glided through their 22 song setlist, as Rateliff’s powerful vocals carried the group through an upbeat catalogue spanning over a decade. The Revivalists got the crowd on their feet and hands in the air with their high energy front man, Davis Shaw.

Here is a rundown of al the bands:

Friday’s Line Up: The War on Drugs Patti Smith and Her Band Geese Taj mahal Samantha Fish Sarah Shook & The Disarmers Omar’s Hat Dos Santos Tamino The Tisburys

Saturday’s Line Up: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats The Revivalists Snacktime Lucinda Williams Houndmouth Valarie June Bartees Strange Felice Brothers Lo Moon Black Opry Revue Catbite Highnoon

Sunday’s Line Up: Jenny Lewis Kathleen Edwards The Dip The Suffers Neal Francis Cosmic Guilt Buffalo Nichols Chestnut Grove 

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My name is Steve Cerf and concert photography is my passion. I got into concert photography after seeing a young Freddy Mercury mesmerize his audience at the Philadelphia Civic Center back in 1977. Since then, I have photographed countless live performances of all kinds. Located in Philadelphia, my ability to experience the show and a performer’s essence and “sweat” is what I incorporate into my images.