British singer-songwriter Bobby Long has been writing his keenly-crafted songs since taking up the guitar at age 16. After relocating from his native Wessex, he became a fixture at open-mic nights around London while attending university there. Among his companions on the circuit were fellow musicians Marcus Foster and Robert Pattinson, the former with whom he co-wrote a song that the latter would sing in the film tweenage phenomenon “Twilight.” Long’s intensely personal songs resonate with audiences (not surprisingly, he credits Bob Dylan, Elliott Smith and Leonard Cohen as key influences), expanding his fan base exponentially during the massive six-month 2009 Dangerous Summer tour that comprised some 100 shows in cities across the U.S. and Canada.

His 10-song Dirty Pond Songs CD was recorded in his London bedroom to make available at his shows. The CD’s debut single, “Left to Lie,” topped the site’s Unsigned chart and climbed to No. 8 on the Folk chart. Other popular tracks are the ballad “Who Have You Been Loving” and the atmospheric story-song “The Bounty of Mary Jane.” Bobby Long returns to the U.S. to tour in March, 2010, which will include his debut at SxSW in Austin. He plans to release his first studio album in early summer, but before that, he's stopping by World Cafe to play some of his acoustic folk. Here's hoping there isn't too much swooning, if that's possible.

Free At Noon Setlist
1. A Happy Winter
2. The Bounty of Mary Jane
3. In the Frost
4. A Stranger Song
5. Who Have You Been Loving?
6. Penance Fire Blues
7. Dead and Done
8. Two Years Old
Visit NPR Music to hear the concert.

Website: http://www.bobby-long.co.uk/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/musicbobbylong
Recent Release: Dirty Pond Songs
Release Date: August 2009
Label: Self-Released
Origin: Calne, England

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. WXPN has made arrangements with the University of Pennsylvania to open UPENN Lot #26 on Walnut Street between the hours of 10:30am and 2pm every Friday. If you must drive, you can park there (Cost is $5.00). Entrance to the Lot 26 is on Walnut Street, just east of 32nd street. Here's a link to Penn's Parking map.

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!