Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

Born in the small town of Libertyville, Illinois, Reilly began his music career in the late '80s, securing gigs in Chicago with The Drovers, The Eisenhowers, and Community 9. His eclectic tastes were evident from the beginning of his career--from Celtic to punk rock to mixtures of blues and R&B, he had touched on a bit of everything. By the early '90s, Reilly was retired and working odd jobs, including as a doorman and a cemetery worker. In 2001, Reilly returned with a thrilling debut band album Salesman and Racists. His gritty voice and honest yet provocative lyrics helped propel the album to positive reviews.

In 2003, Reilly and his band assumed the name the Ike Reilly Assassination and released two albums in subsequent years: Sparkle in the Finish (2004) and Junkie Faithful (2005). His fourth, the politically charged "We Belong To The Staggering Evening", came out in 2007, and was followed by the like-minded collection of street poetry taken from numerous demos,"Poison The Hit Parade" in 2008. Sprinkled in between the albums are a number of strong EPs, some just digital.

Reilly's latest, "Hard Luck Stories," is full of his characteristic rough rock and honest vocals. His songs are Bohemian poetry, putting tales of hard luck into song. As PopMatters reviewed the release, "...it’s a very strong piece of work, filled with good yarns and catchy tunes."

Don't miss this free performance of Ike Reilly's this coming Friday, when he comes on stage for a Free at Noon show.

Website: http://www.ikereilly.net/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ikereilly
Recent Release: Hard Luck Stories
Release Date: November 24, 2009
Label: Rock Ridge Music
Origin: Chicago, Illinois

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

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.

Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

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!