Carla Gamble opened up the XPNFest River Stage off in style with a grooving set

Singer, songwriter, poet, and facilitator of good times, Carla Gamble’s performance at XPN Fest was nothing short of funktastic. From the minute she walked on stage, she radiated charm and energy, dancing across the stage and connecting with an energized crowd.

She invited the crowd to groove with her early on, but truly, they didn’t need much encouragement. “Get To The Money” was a funky start to her set, followed by “Get Right,” from her 2022 debut album She Is. “Can you feel it?” asked her next song, “HOT,” and I can vouch that the crowd was indeed feeling it.

She played two versions of her song “Pretty Girl Magic,” starting with a soulful Go Go version before transitioning into a funky, rock version that had the crowd showing off their dance moves and singing along. Gamble then transitioned into her newer discography, playing songs from Soulsthetic, her EP released earlier this year.

Throughout her set, Gamble was repeatedly propelled by her band – you know it’s a good time when the musicians are full-out dancing on stage too! Joining her were Cam “Joe” Cephas on drums, The Jusman on bass, Raquan Washington on keys, and Germaine Israel Gordon on saxophone.

As the sun started to set over the Philly skyline behind the River stage, Gamble dived into “Ode To Philly.” A love letter to the city she grew up in, “Ode To Philly” finds the beauty in a city that at times may seem harsh on the exterior. The song is fittingly inspired by the music Gamble grew up listening to – 2000s hip-hop and neo-soul. With the sun peeking through the River stage, Carla’s set closed on a warm note, a welcome start to the XPoNential Festival.