Today marks the midpoint of the eighth annual Philly Music Fest, a series of independently-promoted concerts that celebrate Philadelphia-based artists and benefit the city and its music education nonprofits. "Our Genre is Philly," say founders Greg and Jenn Seltzer, who have hosted a long list of artists over the years with only a handful of acts gracing the stage at more than one annual event. ("Philly has no shortage of amazing artists," says Greg.)

One such act is Katie Crutchfield, who played a solo acoustic set on October 22nd at the second year of the festival in 2018 and returned this year to headline a night of music at the Ardmore Music Hall with her beloved and critically adored band, Waxahatchee. In the years since her first performance at PMF, Crutchfield released the career-making Saint Cloud (2022) and Tigers Blood (2024) with Waxahatchee and I Walked with You a Ways with Plains, a collaboration with Jess Williamson, and she drew from this newer material in constructing this year's set, to the delight of the hometown crowd.

The first act of the night, @, performed as an acoustic duo, a marked departure from much of their experimental recorded music, which at times is as hard to describe as the band's name is to Google. Crutchfield and her band took the stage, establishing the set's tone with opener "3 Sisters," the first song from Tigers Blood. Things began quietly, with Crutchfield's plaintive lilt supported by a lightly strummed acoustic guitar and perfect vocal harmonies from bassist Eliana Athayde, and built to the point where drummer Spencer Tweedy and the rest of the band joined and built the energy in the room. The band performed the next two tracks from Tigers Blood before moving into material from Saint Cloud ("Can't Do Much") and Plains ("Problem With It"), continuing to draw on these three albums throughout the night.

The set showcased Crutchfield's introspective songwriting and ability to draw in an audience with raw vulnerability. Her talented band enhanced the experience and maintained the energy levels in the room. Highlights included "Crowbar," which Crutchfield described as one of her favorite tunes from Tigers Blood, and "Much Ado About Nothing," her first new release since her album in March. Crutchfield's heartfelt connection with the audience was palpable, and the band's chemistry was undeniable, with each member contributing to the dynamic sonic landscape.

Crutchfield has grown as an artist and performer since she first played PMF, and her headlining the event is a testament to the power of nurturing local talent. This beautiful cycle of support and growth, where artists and audiences contribute to a vibrant musical ecosystem, is Philly Music Fest's raison d'être, as they continue to demonstrate throughout the week. Amos Lee headlines tonight's show at World Cafe Live, with other upcoming performances featuring Devon Gilfillian, Mondo Cozmo, and a supergroup of Philly jazz legends led by centenarian saxophonist Marshall Allen. Any remaining tickets are available here.