FRIDAY, JUNE 13TH
XFEST'25 Program
The Skirts
The Skirts is a band that just won't go away, having rebuilt from scratch more times than any dare admit. Songwriter/guitarist Violet Kavee's powerful voice and clever lyricism are always at the core of the project, supported by the thump of her wife Lo Kavee's homemade banjo-bass and by the electrifying violin lines of Ivy Soto. In three-part harmony, The Skirts ask you one simple question: do you wanna hang around?
Primordial Soup
Primordial Soup will be filling in for MJ Bones, who unfortunately will not be able to join us for XFest 25. Primordial Soup is the solo project of Rhys MacArthur, who also plays in a band called Persistent Resistors. Rhys will be joined today by their band's bassist, the one and only Jimmy Gasper! They'll be bringing us a set of politically charged and deeply personal folk and folk punk songs.
Jaynie Crash and The Tall Men are a high-octane duo out of Sodus, NY with one foot planted in the roots of Americana storytelling and the other stomping through the high-octane energy of punk and rock . At the heart of their sound are powerhouse vocals and driving guitar. Their stripped-down, full-volume live sets bring a wall of sound with just two people and a whole lot of sweat.
Jaynie Crash &
the Tall Men
SATURDAY, JUNE 14TH
PME Drumline
Our sole focus is to encourage and inspire young people and adults so they may find a safe haven through drumming, while simultaneously spreading a positive community message, showing leadership, and raising awareness to decrease gun violence in Philadelphia.
Ratwyfe
Ratwyfe — Jasper to his friends — is a dreamy folk-pop musician and a “talented musical goblin.” Think Local News Legend meets Cavetown. Since the release and warm reception of his debut album Mushroom Melancholia in 2020, he has shared the stage with artists like Everybody’s Worried About Owen, June Henry, The Last Arizona, A Day Without Love, and Sister Wife Sex Strike. Ratwyfe invites you to sing, kazoo, or frolic along to playful tunes that will touch your soul.
Molly O'Leary
Molly O'Leary (they/them) is a queer non-binary singer-songwriter from New Bedford, Massachusetts. They sing sad songs and make people cry so enjoy.
Blackcowboy
While new to the Philly folk scene, blackcowboy is a lifelong Philly native who uses his unique blend of guitar playing, vulnerable lyrics and humorous anecdotes to bridge gaps and win hearts with audiences.
Proper PunKtuat!on
Born and raised at Camp Proper, this unhinged trio emerged from the smoke of a campfire jam, fueled by half-burnt marshmallows and bad decisions. They haul their instruments in a grease-stained pizza box and scream camp punk sing-alongs like the forest owes them money.
X Dirty Fingers
X Dirty Fingers is a band consisting of Taryn Kody (aka "Transgender Phil Ochs") and friends. Punk values, folk sounds.
Dog in a Boy Suit
Not a boy… not a dog…. but a secret third thing.
Black Guy Fawkes
Black Guy Fawkes is a Folk Singer-Songwriter born and raised in Baltimore, MD. He currently resides in Cumberland MD. Growing up in the DIY music scene, he is now taking his music on the road for all to experience. Drawing influence from artists such as: Against Me!, Frank Turner, Green Day and Bob Dylan; Black Guy Fawkes creates a sound that is heartfelt folk yet energetic and punk driven.
Cricket!
Turtle Ridge
Turtle Ridge is a folk/Americana band based in the Roxborough-Manayunk section of Philadelphia, PA who bring a spirited, modern interpretation to a traditional genre of music. Originally a duo of folk heroes Colin J. O’Gorman (vocals) and Dave Shields (guitar/vocals), the band expanded to include local legend “Shoeless” Doug Myers (banjo/vocals) and the incredibly talented Molly Hebert-Wilson (bass/vocals). Turtle Ridge currently wanders the foothills of Philadelphia, playing regularly at local venues and was featured in the 60th and 61st Philadelphia Folk Fest in 2022 and 2024.
Chicago's premier folk punk bug, Cricket! If you want to scream real loud, kick stuff, cry a little, and attempt to find solace through energetic hyperspeed nerdy folk punk tunes then you've found the right guy 🦗
EMCEES
Liz Keough
Queer Icon, beloved Folk Music Emcee, and general troublemaker Liz Keough is a co-founder of the XFS: Xtreme Folk Scene, a Philadelphia music club. A bold innovator in the punkgrass movement, a gifted storyteller, and an outrageous show ma'am, she's delighted to bring her world-class attitude problem to the XFS stage for the 25th year in a row.
Rhys MacArthur
Rhys (They/Them) serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Xtreme Folk Scence (because the organization had no other options). They grew up at this festival. As a teenager, they stole the microphone from Liz at XFest. They have been MCing at XFS events ever since (sometimes against their will) and recently that trend has started to spread throughout the Philly music scene. They still aren't sure why people ask them to do this, but have learned to have fun getting it done!
Thank You...
To our gracious host, Clark, to our friends at Country Creek Winery who hosted us for years, to our volunteers, to our artists, to the long time supporters, to the new comers, to our donors, to those who paved the way, and, of course, to our audience and community.
About the land...
This festival is taking place on the occupied territory of the the Lenapehoking (Lenni-Lenape). Presently, this land is also a functioning farm. We ask that all guests show respect to the land by leaving no trash behind (except in the dumpster), using the provided cigarette butt cans, and burning only wood from this farm in the fire pit. Please do not throw cigarette butts on the ground or in the fire. No color changing powder in the fire.