XPNFest Recap: Strand of Oaks plays an emotional set at the River Stage

Strand of Oaks | Photo by Noah Silvestry | silvestography.comHeading into this year’s XPoNential Music Festival, Philadelphia’s Strand of Oaks was one of the most anticipated performers, and the band more than delivered during their Saturday afternoon set. Fronted by singer and songwriter Tim Showalter, the band worked through an emotional set drawing from its critically acclaimed 2014 release HEAL.

Drummer Mike Sneerenger kept a propulsive rhythm driving the set onward, while keyboardist / vocalist Eliza Hardy-Jones added graceful harmonies and bassist Deven Craige contributed a driving, rumbling energy. The song selection was an emotional rollercoaster: the bittersweet sentimentality of “Plymouth” leading into the driving aggression of “For Me” and a haunting, spare rendition of “Diamond Drill” from 2012’s Dark Shores. The single “Goshen ’97” had the audience pumping their fists and singing along, while the epic “JM” brought the performance to a stunning close. Check out a photo gallery and read the setlist below.

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Setlist
Plymouth
Shut In
For Me
Heal
Diamond Drill
Goshen ’97
Wait For Love
JM