Live Concert Broadcast and Webcast Fridays At Noon

From NPR Music and WXPN, hear a live mix of roots rock, folk, country and more.

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Already a superstar in Ireland, folk-rock singer-songwriter and Idaho native Josh Ritter is finally getting the recognition in America that he deserves. Ritter will return to headline a concert from WXPN and World Cafe Live in Philadelphia for the weekly Free At Noon performance.

Influenced by classic songwriters such as Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, Ritter began writing songs while attending Oberlin College, where he changed his major from Neuroscience to Folk Music. After relocating to Boston, Ritter started getting his name out through a self-released eponymous debut album and near-constant gigging.

Opening slots on tour with both Bob Dylan and The Frames netted Ritter a good deal of attention, and even led to his own sold-out headlining tour of Ireland. His growth as a songwriter and a musician have continued unabated with a decade of critically acclaimed releases that show his many musical faces. Named one of the 100 Greatest Living Songwriters by Paste Magazine, he established a strong fan base in the Americana section and shared stages with names like the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Ray Lamontagne, and the Swell Season.

Ritter's sixth album, "So Runs The World Away", is due out this spring, and critics are already calling it 'ambitious', 'literary', and a 'triumph' all around. Join the rest of Philly in welcoming this proven folk star to the XPN Free At Noon stage at World Cafe Live on Friday, March 26, 2010. With any luck, he'll play from this new highly anticipated release.

Josh Ritter is playing a special sold out show in Asbury Park, before heading out on his Spring Tour to Ireland. He'll be back in Philly on May 7, 2010 at the TLA. Tour Dates and more at JoshRitter.com.

Website: http://www.joshritter.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/joshritter
Recent Release: So Runs the World Away
Release Date: May 4, 2010
Label: Pytheas Recordings
Origin: Moscow, Idaho

Free At Noon Setlist
1. Rattling Locks
2. Rumors
3. Southern Pacific
4. The Curse
5. Folk Bloodbath
6. Right Moves
7. Another New World
8. Empty Hearts
Visit NPR Music to hear the concert.

PARKING NOTICE

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live./p>

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!