Homegrown Live Returns to WXPN with Te Vista, Polaroid Fade, and Fat Mezz

WXPN’s Homegrown Live returned to World Cafe Live on Wednesday, with Te Vista, Polaroid Fade, and Fat Mezz each taking the stage for a night of Philadelphia music.

Te Vista opened the night with a set that leaned heavily on new material, kicking things off with two unreleased tracks. Twangy guitar lines carried their performance, with fresh songs mixed with songs from their debut album House. There are elements of jangle-pop, post-punk, and country woven into their music, topped with a ’60s and ’70s haze. However you want to describe it, it rocks, and Te Vista’s music worked to loosen the crowd up. Between songs, the band shouted out their commitment to physical media and their desire to step away from streaming, a choice that felt fitting in a room full of radio and live-music lovers.

The energy shifted with Polaroid Fade, whose music leaned more into melody with an indie, dream-pop sound. Their Cure cover, “Just Like Heaven,” was a hit, drawing smiles and recognition from the room, but it was their own material that stood out most. “Bliss,” a song off their 2024 album Chaos Into Poetry, and one that many in the audience likely recognized from XPN’s rotation, sounded even sharper live, with jangly guitars and clean vocals that filled the room. Polaroid Fade closed out their set with “Any Other Way” and “Dreaming,” and true to their name, they pulled out a Polaroid camera during the final song, snapping photos of the crowd.

Last, but certainly not least, were Fat Mezz, who closed the night with a set that showed off both their range and their personality. Their sound leans into classic rock, with touches of ’80s soul and a loose, psychedelic jam-band spirit. One element that surprised me was that every member sang at least one of their songs. The shifting vocals gave an added energy to their set, highlighting each band member.
Another highlight came during “Live On The Moon,” when bassist and vocalist Dom Levy sat down to play the piano at the corner of the stage. It was the first time he’d played piano during their set, he admitted, but it offered a gentle break, with many drawing closer to see him play. Fat Mezz closed the night with “Just Call My Name,” their heaviest track, sending the room off buzzing as the final notes rang out.

The night was a great reminder of why Philly’s music scene continues to thrive, especially when it’s given a room, a stage, and a community that shows up. If you missed the show on Wednesday, you’ll have a chance to hear the performances during the WXPN Local Show (Tuesdays, 8–10 p.m.): Fat Mezz on 3/10, Polaroid Fade on 3/24, and Te Vista on 3/31.