Guster’s flame-filled set brought the XPoNential Music Festival to a groovy close

For the final performance of this year’s XPoNential Music Festival, Massachusetts-rooted modern rockers Guster took the stage. The four-piece band of over thirty years includes vocalist Ryan Miller, drummer Brian Rosenworcel, guitarist Adam Gardner, and multi-instrumentalist Luke Reynolds. This year the band released Ooh La La, its ninth album and first in five years, featuring the upbeat and catchy song “When We Were Stars” and the soulful song “This Heart is Occupied”; when the record came out, Guster played a Free at Noon concert at WXPN to celebrate.

The sun set behind the River Stage at Wiggins Park as Guster began to play. They opened with “One Man Wrecking Machine,” a crowd favorite off of their 2006 album, Ganging Up on The Sun. The audience packed towards the front, jumping up and down while singing along. During the song “Amsterdam,” fans were pumping their fists in the air, and little kids were on the shoulders of their parents while they sang along. Miller commented that Reynolds debuted a guitar part that was a culmination of all of the live versions that have been performed of “Amsterdam.”

Guster brings engaging energy and big surprises to the audience

In between songs, Miller joked with fans, creating a light-hearted and humorous environment. Audience members could be seen bouncing beach balls from person to person. Guster played “When We Were Stars” off of their new album, and Miller noted that it had only been played live five times since the recent release. The final lines of the new song echoed throughout the park. Miller jumped onto the speaker and down into the photo pit, carrying his microphone in his hand. He walked through the crowd from one side to the other, as fans passed the microphone cable to one another. When he made his way back to the stage, he hopped on the speaker and began swinging the microphone around by the wire. The spontaneity of the set brought an exciting energy to the Camden park, and this wasn’t the only surprise Guster had in store.

For the encore, “Fa Fa,” Guster announced they were bringing out the University of Pennsylvania marching band. Over 50 students with horns, drums, and other instruments poured into the front of the venue, with section leaders Rachel Breon (tenor sax), Reed Kienzle (trumpet) and Jiayi Li (trombone) onstage playing alongside the band. Anya Stewart of the Penn Color Guard pulled out two wands, lit them on fire, and began flame throwing: a thrilling way to wrap up their set, and the Festival weekend.

photo by Elie Pichanick

photo by Elie Pichanick

Guster is taking no break after their incredible set at the XPoNential Music Festival, as they will immediately be on the road. Through the end of the month, the band will be making stops in Virginia and North Carolina with Mikaela Davis, before performing at Ocean’s Calling music festival. It does not stop there: Guster recently announced the continuation of their We Also Have Eras Tour that will kick off in 2025. The tour is a nod to the successful tour, fronted by Taylor Swift, including outfit changes, and a journey through the “eras” of the band. On this tour, Guster will be making a stop at The Fillmore Philadelphia in January of 2025. Check out their website for more information; make sure to get your tickets and check out more photographs of the bands’ set below.