WXPN’s Free At Noon concert series, a cornerstone of music discovery and community for two decades, will celebrate its 20th anniversary with two special events on February 7 and 14 at World Cafe Live. Featuring nationally touring artists beloved by WXPN listeners, the performances will also be live-streamed, making them accessible to audiences everywhere.
In addition to the live performances, WXPN will premiere Free At Noon Flashback videos from February 3-6 at noon on XPN.org/free-at-noon. These curated and hosted videos will feature highlights from 20 unforgettable performances—five artists each day—showcasing the series’ rich history of music discovery and connection.
As per tradition, the artists performing on February 7 and 14 will be announced one week before their performances—on January 31 and February 7—but fans can expect iconic talent that reflects the heart and history of Free At Noon.
A Legacy of Legendary Performances
The first Free At Noon concert, held on February 11, 2005, featured Donavon Frankenreiter, marking the start of a tradition that has since showcased nearly 1,000 performances. That first year alone brought artists such as Old Crow Medicine Show, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Ben Folds, Richard Thompson, Hanson, Buddy Guy, and G. Love to the stage. Over the years, the series has introduced audiences to rising stars like Adele, Brandi Carlile, Michael Kiwanuka, and Amos Lee, while celebrating legends like Willie Nelson, Carly Simon, Joe Jackson, The Pretenders, and Brian Wilson.
Since its inception, Free At Noon has welcomed over 295,000 attendees to its intimate live shows, with broadcasts listened to over 5.2 million times by fans worldwide. These concerts embody the power of live music to bring people together and inspire connection.
“Free At Noon started as a way to connect our listeners with the artists they love,” says Dan Reed, WXPN Music Director, on-air personality, and Free At Noon talent booker. “It’s grown into a cornerstone of the WXPN community, introducing fans to incredible music and kicking off their weekends with something special.”
Celebrating 20 Years of Music Discovery
Free At Noon’s unique midday format and free admission have made it a staple of Philadelphia’s music scene and a launchpad for countless artists. With the support of WXPN members and business partners like Xfinity and Rafferty Subaru, the series continues to thrive, bridging generations and musical tastes.
“When we moved into this facility 20 years ago, we challenged ourselves to create new ways to give back to our community,” says Roger LaMay, WXPN General Manager. “Free At Noon is one of the programs that grew from that challenge, and it remains a shining example of what’s possible when music and community come together.”
Event Details
Who: WXPN’s Free At Noon Concert Series
What: Two Special Anniversary Concerts Featuring Nationally Touring Artists
Where: World Cafe Live – 3025 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
When: Friday, February 7 & 14 at noon
Plus: Free At Noon Flashback Videos featuring 20 artists, premiering February 3-6 at noon on XPN.org/FreeAtNoon.
Admission to live events is free with an RSVP, and WXPN members receive early access to announcements and tickets. For more information and to RSVP, visit XPN.org/free-at-noon.
WXPN Free At Noon Fact Sheet
WXPN, the nationally recognized leader in Triple A radio and the premier guide for discovering new and significant artists in rock, blues, roots, and folk, is the non-commercial, member-supported, public radio service of the University of Pennsylvania. WXPN produces World Cafe, public radio’s most popular program of popular music that is distributed by NPR to 297 U.S. radio stations, and the Peabody Award-winning Kids Corner, which now offers a 24-hour family music streaming service. WXPN produces XPoNential Radio on XPN2 as its secondary radio channel in HD, also available online. www.xpn.org.
WXPN serves music lovers in these areas:
- Philadelphia at 88.5 FM
- Lehigh Valley at 104.9 FM
- Lancaster/York at 88.7 FM
- Harrisburg at 99.7 FM
- Worton/Baltimore at 90.5 FM
- North Jersey/Poconos at 91.9 FM
- Worldwide via streaming at xpn.org and the XPN app
