WXPN music director Dan Reed has been booking Free at Noon concerts for more than 20 years. Reflecting on the live music series ahead of its 1,000th show, Reed said the best acts have been when a rising young artist came to play at World Cafe Live in University City .

In January 2009, the radio station hosted an up-and-coming British songwriter named Adele who was promoting her debut album "19." Less than a month after that show, the 20-year-old took home a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. MORE: Hannah Einbinder says 'Go Birds' and gets political in Emmys acceptance speech

"My favorite ones are the bands that are on their way up that we get right at the right time," Reed said. "Like Adele ... people like that who we were able to snag as they ascend. That's really c

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