Alex Savoth Free At Noon – 03.13.26

The New Pornographers took the stage at a sold-out, double-billed Free at Noon Friday in the lead up to the release of their new album, “The Former Site Of” on March 27, as well as a gig at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside on April 24.

Founding members Carl Newman and Kathryn Calder were joined on stage by multi-instrumentalist Lilah Larson, who played bass, lap steel, electric guitar, and mandolin throughout the set, along with new drummer Josh Wells. Newman joked that Larson and Wells were brought in for the show to keep the band from being mistaken for a folk act.

The New Pornographers | photo by Max Bennett for WXPN

The New Pornographers | photo by Max Bennett for WXPN

They opened with “Pure Sticker Shock” from their forthcoming 10th studio album, then moved into the album’s lead single, “Votive.” Larson swapped bass for mandolin on the song, with Newman quipping that the band is “taking back” the instrument from country and bluegrass music.

Next came “Ballad of the Last Payphone.” “We all kind of feel like the last payphone,” Newman said.

The band closed with the title track and still-unreleased “The Former Site Of,” giving the audience a preview of what’s to come on March 27.

Newman said the song was inspired by his time living in upstate New York and seeing signs marking former towns that were wiped off the map to create dams supplying fresh water to New York City.

The New Pornographers | photo by Max Bennett for WXPN

The New Pornographers | photo by Max Bennett for WXPN

Facing the same kind of potential annihilation those bygone towns did, Newman said he’d go down with the ship, though if things get too bad under the current administration, he’ll abscond north to his native Canada.

A stream of The New Pornographers’ set will be shared here soon, so come back to this page later to hear it.

Philly’s own Alex Savoth opened the show, performing three originals from his upcoming solo debut, Midnight Sun, including the first single, “All Time,” which is out now on streaming platforms. He also performed a cover of Little Feat’s “Willin.’” His take on the folk-rock staple carried a more sincere tone than the original 1970 version.

Midnight Sun is out May 8, and Savoth will celebrate the record with an album release show June 11 at Johnny Brenda’s here in Philadelphia.

Alex Savoth | photo by Max Bennett for WXPN

Alex Savoth | photo by Max Bennett for WXPN

Nation of Language: “Across That Fine Line” (Free At Noon Concert)