Folks wanted more music, and that's just what is coming, on four stages.

MARXMAN M.DOT RIVERA
MARXMAN M.DOT RIVERA (MARXMAN M.DOT RIVERA)
Posted: August 04, 2012

'We got a lot of feedback last year about the music programming" for the 2nd Street Festival, says Levi Landis, executive director of the Philadelphia Folksong Society. "And one thing we heard over and over from people was that they wanted more music. So this year, we've staggered the start times from stage to stage so that no matter where you are during the festival, there's going to be someone performing live music very close by."

There are a lot of great acts to catch. Here are five:

Man Man (5 p.m., Piazza Stage). The chaotic, experimental rock ensemble Man Man puts on a show that's not to be missed. "One of the most exciting live acts in the country," says Landis, all guttural howls and punch-drunk sea chanteys.

Lushlife (3:30 p.m., Piazza Stage). Philly's own Lushlife (producer/rapper Raj Haldar) put out one of the most creative hip-hop albums of the year with Plateau Visions. On it, he packs references within references at breakneck speed over lush arrangements.

John Francis (1:30 p.m., Poplar Stage). Call it a homecoming performance: Francis is back in Philadelphia after time spent in Nashville. His music draws on rock-and-roll, folk, and gospel, and over the years he has shared a stage with Ray Lamontagne, Jeff Tweedy, Andrew Bird, Rufus Wainwright, and many others. "We're lucky to have him back in Philly," says Landis.

Kuf Knotz (6:45 p.m., Poplar Stage). You can hear Philadelphia - from Gamble & Huff to DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - stamped all over the get-down sound of rapper Kuf Knotz. Last year's BoomBox Logic of Drexel University's student-run MAD Dragon Records harkened back to classic hip-hop and funk, and the sophomore effort he's working on, Eclectic Rhetoric, will, knowing Knotz, live up to its title.

Spinning Leaves (9 p.m., Germantown Stage). Acoustic duo Barbara Gettes and Michael Baker have "proven to be an unmistakable part of the new folk phenomenon in Philadelphia and beyond," says Landis. Their latest 7-inch record, "Head Aglow," crackles with ethereal vibes and sparkles with passion. - Brian McManus

Full Music Schedule

Piazza Stage

3:30-4 Lushlife

4:15-4:45 The Great Unknown

5-6 Man Man

Germantown Stage

DJ Matt Beck featured between sets

12-12:30 Mikey Jr.

1-1:30 Auctioneer

1:45-2:15 Orion Freeman

2:45-3:15 Variable Elements

3:30-5:15 DJs

5:15-5:45 Flamenco Band

6-6:30 KC Jones

7-7:30 Kalob Griffin Band

8-8:30 Chris Kasper

9-9:30 Spinning Leaves

Poplar Stage

DJ Holly Sue featured between sets

12-12:30 The Doublewides

12:45-1:15 Norman Taylor

1:30-2 John Francis

2:30-3 Brooke Shive and the 45s

3:45-5:45 DJ DNA

6-6:30 Secret Mountains

6:45-7:15 Kuf Knotz

7:45-8:15 Purples

8:45-9:15 Blayer Pointdujour & the Rockers Galore

Fairmount Stage

12-12:30 The Webbs

1-2:30 Jam with John Fuhr

2:45-3:30 Philly School of Rock

6-7 Philareyto

7:15-8 Fuego Nuevo

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