Wednesday, July 1st, 2026 – Sense of Place, Philadelphia: Kurt Vile and Encore: The War on Drugs

There aren’t many artists out there who rep their hometown like KURT VILE. His new album is literally called Philadelphia’s Been Good To Me, and it’s full of Philly-specific references – like the Schyukill (Skoo-kull) River and Lincoln Drive. On the next World Cafe, Kurt Vile stops by to perform some new songs live and talk about growing up in the Philly area and making music there for decades, for our Sense of Place: Philadelphia series.

Thursday, July 2nd, 2026 – Sense of Place, Philadelphia: The Hooters Mini Concert and Encore: Hall & Oates

Daryl Hall and John Oates are the most successful musical duo of all time, selling over 40 million albums and becoming the face of Blue-Eyed Soul in the 70’s and 80’s. For Sense of Place Philadelphia, we revisit a 2005 interview with Hall and Oates looking back on their early days in the city. Then hometown heroes The Hooters play a set of their greatest hits including “And We Danced” and “Time After Time” in a mini-concert recorded earlier this year. That’s on the next World Cafe.

Friday, July 3rd, 2026 – Sense of Place, Philadelphia: Museum of the American Revolution (Music from 250 years ago)

The year is 1776 – and YOU are a continental soldier fighting for American Independence. So… what’s your “going-into-battle pump-up soundtrack”? For our Sense of Place: Philly series, you’ll take a visit to the Museum of the American Revolution to hear WHAT the revolution sounded like – fifes, drums, and more. That’s on the next World Cafe.

Monday, July 6th, 2026 – Encore: Allison Russell

Allison Russell won her first Grammy for “Eve Was Black” A song from her sophomore solo album, The Returner. In our 2024 conversation, the Nashville singer-songwriter talks about why that record is focused on the present, what Americana means to her, and how her daughter challenged her to write some “bangers” on the record. With a new album on the way, we revisit our session with Allison Russell, on the next World Cafe.

Tuesday, July 7th, 2026 – Boy Golden

We all suffer. Sometimes in extraordinary ways, but also, in everyday, ordinary ways. On the next World Cafe, Canadian songwriter Boy Golden talks about how his study of Zen Buddhism has helped him think about suffering and the way it connects us all as human beings, and how that idea shaped music on his new, Polaris Prize long-listed album, Best of Our Possible Lives. He also performs live.

Wednesday, July 8th, 2026 – Cut Worms

When Max Clarke joined Wilco on the road back in 2024, he didn’t realize it would lead to Jeff Tweedy producing his new album, but that’s exactly what happened with Transmitter, the new album from Cut Worms. Coming up, Clarke talks about collaborating with Tweedy, what tool he refuses to use in studio, and he shares a sweet story about meeting one of his musical heroes, Paul McCartney.

Thursday, July 9th, 2026 – Brigitte Calls Me Baby Mini Concert

Since their last visit in 2024, Brigitte Calls Me Baby has opened for Muse, Fontaines D.C. and Inhaler, plus they headlined a sold-out tour of the US and UK. Their recently released sophomore album, Irreversible, produced by Yves and Lawrence Rothman, was almost totally recorded live as a result of their extensive touring. Coming up, the Chicago indie rock band joins us for a mini-concert playing songs from the new record, on the next World Cafe.

Friday, July 10th, 2026 – Tatiana Maslany Personal Records

If you were going to make a mixtape of songs that holds the key to unlocking who you are, what would be on it? That’s what we ask interesting people on our feature Personal Records. Orphan Black and Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed star Tatiana Maslany shares her personal records and talks about how music helps her get into character. Plus, she remembers the sweatiest night of her life seeing a band play…in the Arctic. That’s on the next World Cafe.