Technical difficulties didn’t keep Ruston Kelly from playing a fantastic set on Sunday of the Hinterland Music Festival. After a brief delay to the start of the show, Ruston quickly turned the mood around and got the crowd moving with his energetic brand of Americana.
Keep up with Ruston Kelly here.
It had been seven years since we last witnessed Santigold, absolutely captivating the crowd at Stephest Colbchella 2012. At Outside Lands 2019, she didn’t cease to amaze. Her style, her perfectly coiffed (and straight faced ) dancers, and that incredible voice. Saturday afternoon on the polo field was epic.
Keep up with Santigold here.
Maggie Rogers seemed to electrify the energy of the sunset during the final day of Hinterland Music Festival in Iowa. As the glow of the fading sky danced across her face, her vocals rang out across the field in the most enchanting way. Highlights below!
Keep up with Maggie Rogers here.
With two sold-out shows in the New York City area at both Brooklyn Steel and Webster Hall, Snail Mail, fronted by Lindsey Jordan, is blowing up. At just 20 years old, Jordan already has two records under her belt: 2018’s Lush and 2016’s Habit EP. With Habit’s irresistibly infectious opening track, “Thinning,” Jordan began to catch the larger industry’s eye.
Signing to seminal indie label, Matador, Lush was an immediate success, gaining Jordan a devoted fanbase. She set to work playing show after show, no matter how big the venue. Between smaller shows at Brooklyn’s Warsaw and then larger shows, such as her performance at the legendary Madison Square Garden, opening for Interpol, Jordan knows how to work a crowd. And frankly, the reason why she resonates so much with others is that she is simply and unapologeticly herself. Nowhere is this more evident than in her lyrics. With sparse, straightforward lines, Jordan is able to effectively and powerfully communicate day-to-day emotions in an understated way. In “Pristine,” Lush’s opening track, Jordan sings about never loving anyone ever again, a statement that, at first glance, seems hyperbolic. However, when one is in the throes of love lost, it’s this emotion that seems to grab us and take hold, as unrealistic as it is. That feeling in and of itself is worth exploring, and listening to Jordan express sentiments that many prefer hide is cathartic. The act of saying something out loud, no matter how seemingly silly or embarrassing, is important. It holds up a mirror to ourselves and our experiences, and compels us towards reexamination.
Further, Jordan’s fans are of all different ages. At Webster Hall, the crowd, many of whom lined up hours early in order to obtain first-row spots, ranged from teens to those in their mid-forties. This speaks directly to the shared human experience and the way music can bring people of various generations together.
Jordan’s set, consisting of both records, was mostly sung with the audience in tow. Almost every track, especially that of “Pristine,” was a group effort. And “Pristine” itself had the added effect of the venue’s disco ball, with lights streaming around the room as squeals from the crowd heralded their addition. Ending with “Iris,” a Goo Goo Dolls cover, Jordan’s dynamic performance came to a close.
Jordan’s career is just beginning, and she’s already accomplished so much. Snail Mail is taking over the world.
Snail Mail Setlist
1) Intro
2) Heat Wave
3) Dirt
4) Slug
5) Golden Dream
6) Thinning
7) Deep Sea
8) Full Control
9) Let’s Find An Out
10) Pristine
11) Speaking Terms
12) Stick
13) Iris (Goo Goo Dolls cover)
The Nude Party began in the dorms of Appalachian State University, when a group of friends decided to form a band…and play naked. Their reputation as “the naked party band” evolved, and was eventually adopted as the band’s name. Unfortunately, the group was required to wear clothes for their set at Hinterland Music Festival. Despite that, The Nude Party still brought their unique brand of Psych Rock and party-like atmosphere that they are now known for.
Keep up with The Nude Party here.
The Dead South wrapped up their US tour with an appearance at Hinterland Music Festival, playing a raucous set in front of an enthusiastic afternoon crowd. The folk-bluegrass band from Saskatchewan put their exceptional musicianship and infectious energy on display. The set included songs spanning the band’s entire catalog, including the newly released “Diamond Rings” from their upcoming album “Sugar and Joy” to be released October 11.
Keep up with The Dead South here.
During a mid-afternoon set at the Hinterland Music Festival, which leans heavily towards the folk genre, Ron Gallo injected a heavy dose of high-energy garage rock. The carefree attitude of the band is fun to watch. In between playing crowd favorites, including “Kill The Medicine Man” and “Young Lady, You’re Scaring Me,” the guys take turns throwing light-hearted jabs at each other. At times, the concert felt more like an intimate house show than one taking place at a music festival.
Keep up with Ron Gallo here.
When you wander into a small venue and see someone that was a little rough around the edges at a previous job – and you happen to be in attendance with a former coworker from that previous job – things can get a little weird. But we are here to tell you that the experience was not diminished in any way. The incredible talent from duo Seasaw is palpable from first listen, and their performance legitimately lights up any room they happen to be entertaining in. We melted into their lyrical journey, and fell deeper in love with the music with each slight lyrical explanation, each moment their earrings were swinging. Highlights from the show below!
Keep up with Seasaw here.
Last weekend was absolutely gorgeous. We know a thing or two, because members of our team spent an entire three days outside, basking under the sun and the stars with other fabulous humans at Hinterland Music Festival in Iowa. Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Chicago, this fest actually boasted a slew of great acts on the Lolla ’19 lineup, in a much more tranquil and relaxed setting. Take a deep dive over the next few days into galleries from some of our favorite sets, including these photos of The Maytags!
Keep up with Maytag here.
