Maggie Mae is the queen of funky, female-fronted folk, soul, and rock & roll. Based in Philadelphia, she’s an Award Winning, genre-blending powerhouse with deep musical roots and a sound that's entirely her own. Drawing inspiration from the music she was raised on and the ever-evolving musical world around her, Maggie fuses heartfelt lyrics with gritty guitar riffs and grooves that hit both the heart and the hips. Her songs strike a rare balance, equally capable of stirring the soul and moving your feet.
Described by WXPN’s John Vettese as “poppy, polished, talented, & promising,” Maggie Mae has graced iconic stages including World Cafe Live's Music Hall, Ardmore Music Hall, the Ladybug Music Festival, and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Her single, “Bridge of Avignon,” was WXPN’s Local Pick of the Day (12/26/2024), and her song “Falling” is now in regular rotation on the station.
Originally from Northern New Jersey, Maggie was raised in a deeply musical home. Her parents met in college and formed a bluegrass band called The Wild Oats, later performing with traditional Irish groups throughout the state. Her father instilled a love for “all things string,” while her mother encouraged her to write and sing. Their home overflowed with instruments—from a Steinway grand piano to fiddles, penny whistles, hand drums, dulcimers, harps, mandolins, banjos, and guitars—most of which Maggie taught herself to play and write with.
She grew up attending folk and bluegrass festivals, always front and center for artists like Martin Sexton, Dar Williams, Vance Gilbert, and Railroad Earth. At home, rock and blues legends like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, the Allman Brothers, and Bonnie Raitt were always spinning. While earning her Associate’s Degree in Music Performance, she developed a deep appreciation for jazz, classical, funk, world, and jam music, and studied jazz and bluegrass standards. She also fell in love with one-man-band innovators Michael Hedges and Keller Williams, sparking her passion for percussive guitar, loop pedals, and effects. All of these influences shape and inspire the unique sound she continues to evolve today.
On stage, Maggie leads an ever-evolving lineup of some of Philadelphia’s finest musicians. No matter the configuration, the band brings versatility, passion, and undeniable energy to every performance. They've shared bills with national acts including Soulive, The Heavy Pets, Box of Rain, Dawg Yawp, Lohai, The Ladles, and Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats, lighting up some of the region’s top venues.
After releasing her debut single “Hometown” in 2020, Maggie successfully crowdfunded $12,000 to bring her first full-length album to life. The result - Welcome to the Party! - is a genre-defying journey through 15 years of songwriting and musical growth. Released on May 28, 2025, the album features standout singles like “Ghost,” “Bridge of Avignon,” “CYHMN,” and “Clockwork.” Maggie has since won a Homey Award for ‘Best Pop Song’ (Ghost), and multiple Elephant Talk Indie Awards.
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