Coming from the studios of WXPN in Philadelphia, World Cafe has for more than 30 years been the place where public radio audiences get their first “before they were famous” look at emerging musicians and connect deeply with legendary performers.

A celebrated music tastemaker, World Cafe spans an array of genres including singer-songwriter, classic rock, indie rock, Americana, alt-country, blues, world music, R&B and soul. Along with a carefully curated music mix, the central element of each daily show is a conversation with an artist focusing on his or her craft, songwriting, and inspirations, and combined with an exclusive musical performance.

Thursday, October 8th, 2026 – Brian Jackson

Friday, October 9th, 2026 – Alabama Shakes

Monday, October 12th, 2026 – 35th Anniversary Encore: David Gray Backtracking

World Cafe is celebrating 35 years on the air. All month long, we’re looking back at memorable moments and milestones, just like we ask songwriters to do in our Backtracking sessions, where artists pick out tracks from their entire discography, and tell us the stories behind them. David Gray digs into his catalog next time, on an Encore World Cafe.

Tuesday, October 13th, 2026 – The Army, The Navy

There’s something special about the bond between Maia Ciamberello [Chahm-bree-ELL-oh] and Sasha Goldberg, who perform together as The Army, The Navy. Friends, bandmates, roommates: their closeness is at the heart of their debut album, Fake Brave Life, where the duo take the intimacy of their earlier work and expand it into something bigger, inspired by movies with huge soundtracks. On the next World Cafe, The Army, The Navy talk about what goes into faking – and then finding – confidence.

Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 – Remi Wolf for World Cafe’s 35th Anniversary

Remi Wolf’s new album is called Mud, which is in some ways, a metaphor for the process of making the record. On the next World Cafe, Remi Wolf talks about how creating this music felt cleansing for her, and digs into her origin story, which includes an appearance on American Idol. Plus, we celebrate World Cafe’s 35th anniversary!

Thursday, October 15th, 2026 – Fruit Bats

For Eric D. Johnson, who performs as Fruit Bats, being from the Midwest is “almost more of a state of mind.” On the next World Cafe, Johnson talks about how the flat expanse of where he grew up influenced his latest album, The Landfill, plus he revisits his time teaching at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk and what it taught him about performance.

Friday, October 16th, 2026 – Jen Agg Personal Records

If you were making a mixtape of songs that holds the key to who you are, what would be on it? Restaurateur and star of the new Food Network program Restaurant Impossible: Last Call Jen Agg talks about how music can unlock the vibe of a space, and she shares her own Personal Records mixtape, which includes Liz Phair, Pixies and Peggy Lee. That’s on the next World Cafe.

Monday, October 19th, 2026 – 35th Anniversary Encore: Lucinda Williams Backtracking

Tuesday, October 20th, 2026 – Metric

Wednesday, October 21st, 2026 – Yard Act

Thursday, October 22nd, 2026 – John Morrison on Funkadelic’s Maggot Brain

Friday, October 23rd, 2026 – Social Distortion

World Cafe is hosted by Raina Douris along with contributing host Stephen Kallao and can be heard Weeknights at 10.