Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 2, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Hinterland Music Festival is Iowa's largest music festival. Launched in 2015 as a two-day event, it now takes place annually at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa. The festival expanded to three days in 2019, but was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. It grew to a four-day event in 2022 before scaling back to three days in 2023. In its inaugural year, Hinterland attracted around 7,000 attendees per day, and by 2023, daily attendance had risen to 15,000.
This year marked Vampire Weekend's first appearance as the Saturday headliner, while Friday and Sunday were headlined by Hozier and Noah Kahan, both of whom had performed at the festival before (Hozier in 2019 and Kahan in 2023).
Other returning acts include Old Crow Medicine Show (2015 and 2019), Brandi Carlile (2015 and 2019), Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats (2018 and 2022), Hippo Campus (2019 and 2024), Maggie Rogers (2019 and 2023), Tyler Childers (2018 and 2021), Zach Bryan (2021 and 2023), Charley Crockett (2021 and 2024), and Mt. Joy (2021 and 2024). Notable artists who have also graced the Hinterland stage include Willie Nelson (2016), Shakey Graves (2017), Chvrches (2018), Kacey Musgraves (2019), Phoebe Bridgers (2022), Glass Animals (2022), Bon Iver (2023), and Chappell Roan (2024).
This small, rural festival has garnered significant appeal for several reasons. First, the cost: three-day passes start at just $250 before fees, making it more affordable than other festivals like Austin City Limits ($380 for three days), Governors Ball ($359 for three days), or Lollapalooza ($409 for four days).
Additionally, Hinterland consistently features an impressive lineup of popular indie, folk, country, and pop artists, with several performers from this year's lineup ranking among Spotify's top 100 artists, including Hozier (#39), Chappell Roan (#103), and Noah Kahan (#134). Lastly, festival-goers appreciate the unique experience of traveling through endless cornfields to find an indie music oasis tucked away in the heart of Iowa.
However, some attendees criticized the overcrowded and under-prepared atmosphere on the first day, compounded by a heatwave with temperatures reaching 97 degrees on Sunday. Eager fans faced long lines, with some waiting up to two hours just to enter. Hippo Campus had to pause their set multiple times to provide medical assistance to fans suffering from heat exhaustion. Lines for food, water, restrooms, and merchandise were reported to be excessively long. With only two exits and limited shuttles, leaving the festival was a time-consuming process, with shuttle lines stretching over a mile.
Despite these challenges, conditions improved over the next two days. Shade tents were added, attendees were allowed to bring in their own water to prevent dehydration, and the entry and exit processes were streamlined, significantly reducing wait times.
Fan reviews:
The best music festival ever!
This is an annual pilgrimage of amazing music for me. It’s a well run festival and I look forward to it every year.
Great music, great energy! Fantastic time!
Been going to Hinterland since first year, love all the mixture of bands each year. Many I've never heard of but become instant fans.
Hinterland year in and year out is by far the best festival I have been to. I go to festivals all over the US and this one always gives me goosebumps. Was it a little more packed this year then in past.
Love the music and the camping at Hinterland, the campfire stage is great after the main acts keeps the party going . Such a good time I’ll be back again and again.
Hinterland is a highlight of summer in Iowa! Stellar music, solid vibes and good feels all around. The acts are top notch and the food is delish. Camping makes it extra special and strangers become friends over corn dogs and campfires. One of those weekends where moments are captured and memories are made.
We had the best time! Sure lines were long, and we had to walk about 1/2 mile to the entrance, but isn’t that how all concerts and music festivals are? The lineup was great, and we were able to find some great spots to sit and enjoy the show! The food was so good. Drinks were pricey, but that’s to be expected! Hoping to come back next year!
Amazing venue, even better lineup. Will be back next year!
Excellent event! If you are one who only be happy in a situation where everything is perfectly executed and convenient then maybe the experience isn’t for you. If you are a laid back person who appreciates the opportunity to hear a lot of great artists around a lot of other laid back people, you will love Hinterland!
Hozier
Hozier performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 2, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Hozier finds harmony and melody within the chaos. The GRAMMY® Award-nominated and Diamond-certified Irish singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist channels the raw spirit of blues, the unrestrained energy of rock, the depth of soul, and the eloquence of folk in his music. At just 22, he delivered a generational anthem with “Take Me To Church.” The song achieved 13x-Platinum status, earned a rare Diamond certification from the RIAA, climbed to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, became one of the Top 30 “Most-Streamed Songs on Spotify,” and received a GRAMMY® nomination for “Song of the Year.” This success set the stage for his 2014 self-titled debut album, Hozier, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and went double-Platinum. His 2019 follow-up, Wasteland, Baby!, which is Gold-certified, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and featured the Platinum single “Almost (Sweet Music).”
Orville Peck
Orville Peck performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 2, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Orville Peck is a country artist and songwriter renowned for his deep baritone voice, exceptional musicianship, and storytelling that is both sincere and bold. Known for his enigmatic persona, Orville, who is openly gay and has led a nomadic life, never reveals his true identity, always appearing in his signature fringed mask. After releasing his self-produced debut album Pony in 2019, he signed with Columbia Records and released the critically acclaimed Show Pony EP in 2020. The EP features a duet with global icon Shania Twain and showcases Orville’s masterful songwriting and intentional craftsmanship. Recognized for his distinctive personal style, Orville has collaborated with various fashion brands, including Beyoncé’s Ivy Park, Dior, Michael Kors, and Pamela Love. Beyond music, Orville is dedicated to activism and supports causes close to his heart when he's not performing or touring.
Hippo Campus
Hippo Campus performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 2, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)The storytelling on Hippo Campus' new EP, Wasteland, unfolds against a dystopian, almost painterly backdrop, where fragments of humanity linger at the brink of the end. On the horizon, a tornado-like force looms ominously, yet instead of retreating, we move forward, diving headfirst into the storm of the unknown, and somehow, amid it all, clinging to hope.
Sam Barber
Sam Barber performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 2, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Sam Barber grew up on a farm in a small town in Southeast Missouri, surrounded by a supportive family and a close-knit community of friends. His childhood was largely focused on athletics, where he learned valuable lessons about teamwork, practice, discipline, respect, and hard work. Music was not always Sam's passion—he never participated in music classes or performances as a child. His musical journey has been entirely unplanned, and his ongoing success continues to surprise him. At 16, Sam picked up his great-grandfather's Gibson guitar, out of tune and missing a string, and fell in love with playing. He soon discovered a natural talent for singing as well. Sam's vision is to grow as a vocalist and songwriter, delivering songs that resonate deeply with listeners. Above all, he is committed to staying true to his faith, his authentic self, and the music he wants to create, without boundaries or conformity.
The Last Dinner Party
The Last Dinner Party performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 2, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)The Dinner Party has swiftly risen from serenading the dimly-lit corners of East London pubs to capturing the attention of major record labels, agents, promoters, and publishers within just a few months. Emerging gloriously into the guitar music renaissance, the band was conceived during a wine-soaked evening in Brixton. Their name reflects a musical and aesthetic ethos steeped in decadence, mystery, spectacle, and charm. Drawing inspiration from the intersection of beauty, the sublime, and the grotesque, The Dinner Party is guided by the influence of their favorite Romantic poets and Gothic novelists.
Josiah and the Bonnevilles
Josiah and the Bonnevilles performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 2, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Josiah and the Bonnevilles is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Josiah Leming, who hails from Morristown, Tennessee. From a young age, Josiah's passion for music was evident as he took up the piano and guitar, captivating his family and friends with his talent. As a teenager, he began performing and quickly caught the attention of music industry professionals. In 2010, Josiah formed Josiah and the Bonnevilles, blending Folk, Americana, and Country in a way that reflects his Appalachian roots. His music is marked by honesty and a deep connection to life's realities, which he skillfully weaves into his songwriting.
Debbii Dawson
Debbii Dawson performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 2, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Debbii Dawson has captured audiences with her humble demeanor and gentle voice, creating a platform for her remarkable vocal talent and boundary-pushing musicality. As a first-generation American raised in the rural Midwest, Debbii carved out a distinct niche in a music scene often dominated by stereotypes. She bridges divides, blending pop, folk, and country sounds with influences from iconic artists of the past, while infusing elements of her heritage. This fusion creates a rich, unconventional musical tapestry. Embarking on her artistic journey, Debbii aims to craft music that fosters healing, unity, and connection, serving as a voice for herself and others. Her debut EP, "Learning," has resonated deeply with listeners.
Valencia Grace
Valencia Grace performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 2, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Valencia Grace isn't your typical singer. At 20, the singer-songwriter channels her honest and raw emotions into music, using it as a creative outlet. While Grace has been singing most of her life, she recently gained widespread attention by sharing snippets of her original music on social media. With 2.6 million TikTok followers, her online presence continues to expand. "I started uploading videos of me pouring my heart out, and people resonated with it," she shares in an exclusive interview with Her Campus. "I just naturally found my groove with that."
Hinterland Music Festival
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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