Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 4, 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!
Noah Kahan
Noah Kahan performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 4, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Vermont native Noah Kahan has transformed personal growth into chart-topping music. With raw honesty and infectious energy, his songs chronicle a journey from small-town life to global stardom. From humble beginnings, he's amassed billions of streams, sold out arenas, and earned critical acclaim. His latest album, Stick Season, became a massive success, spawning the viral hit of the same name. With its expanded edition, Stick Season (We'll All Be Here Forever), Kahan solidified his status as a leading voice in contemporary music.
Mt. Joy
Mt. Joy performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 4, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Hailing from Philadelphia, Mt. Joy is a five-piece indie rock band named after a quiet Pennsylvania town. Formed in 2016, the group gained widespread recognition with their 2018 self-titled debut album, featuring the hit single "Silver Lining." Their melodic sound and uplifting lyrics have earned them over half a billion streams and critical acclaim from outlets like NPR, Billboard, and Rolling Stone. Mt. Joy has graced stages at major festivals, toured with renowned acts, and made frequent television appearances, solidifying their status as a rising star in the music industry.
Ethel Cain
Ethel Cain performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 4, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Ethel Cain is the haunting alter ego of Hayden Anhedönia, a woman trapped in the suffocating grip of her preacher father’s legacy. Her music is a raw, visceral exploration of escape and entrapment. Crafted in the solitary confines of an Indiana church basement, Ethel Cain’s debut EP, Inbred, was released in 2021 to critical acclaim, capturing the attention of music industry heavyweights with its haunting beauty and unflinching honesty.
Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 4, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Chappell Roan is a rising pop star known for her infectious hooks, candid lyrics, and dazzling stage presence. Blending fantastical storytelling with raw vulnerability, the LA-based artist has captured the attention of critics and fans alike. After two sold-out tours in 2022 and rave reviews from top publications, Roan is set to release her highly anticipated debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, on September 22, 2023.
The Japanese House
The Japanese House performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 4, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)The Japanese House is the ethereal dream pop project of London-based singer-songwriter Amber Bain. Her music is a captivating blend of lush soundscapes and introspective lyrics. Rising to prominence in the late 2010s with a string of EPs and singles, Bain solidified her status with the critically acclaimed album Good at Falling. Her sophomore effort, In the End It Always Does, further cemented her position as a leading figure in contemporary indie music. The name "Japanese House" is a curious choice, inspired by a childhood experience where Bain pretended to be a boy to win the affection of a young girl. The moniker is a nod to the cottage owned by actress Kate Winslet, where the incident occurred. This personal connection infuses Bain's music with an air of mystery and intrigue.
Koo Koo
Koo Koo performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 4, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Koo Koo is a dynamic duo that turns every event into an unforgettable dance party. For 15 years, best friends Bryan and Neil have been captivating audiences worldwide with their upbeat music, contagious energy, and interactive performances. Their hilarious dance tracks have also become a hit on YouTube, making Koo Koo a favorite among kids, parents, and teachers alike.
flipturn
flipturn performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 4, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)flipturn crafts indie anthems that capture the essence of endless summers and introspective nights. Their cinematic sound is deeply rooted in their Florida upbringing and amplified by electrifying live performances. From their humble beginnings in a Fernandina Beach garage, the band—comprised of Dillon Basse, Tristan Duncan, Madeline Jarman, Mitch Fountain, and Devon VonBalson—has blossomed into a force to be reckoned with. Their debut album, Shadowglow, is a coming-of-age masterpiece that balances youthful energy with mature songwriting, creating music that resonates on both intellectual and emotional levels.
Katy Kirby
Katy Kirby performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 4, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Hailing from Spicewood, Texas, Kirby began crafting the songs for Blue Raspberry while living in Nashville. The album's title track was the first to take shape, and it holds a special significance. “I started writing ‘Blue Raspberry’ before realizing I was queer,” Kirby explains. Inspired by the yearning expressed in traditional male country love songs, she began to imagine a similar longing from a female perspective. Fascinated by the idea of loving someone unattainable, she focused on the details of everyday life, particularly the personal choices that define an individual. The term "blue raspberry" became a metaphor for appreciating someone for their unique, often overlooked qualities, challenging the negative connotations associated with artificiality.
Odie Leigh
Odie Leigh performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 4, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Odie Leigh’s musical journey began as a casual bet, but it’s the unexpected twists and turns that have defined her career. Rooted in the eclectic soundscape of suburban South Louisiana, where hip-hop and country coexist, Leigh’s musical upbringing was as diverse as her hometown. Early experiences in school choirs and church bands laid the groundwork, but it wasn’t until the solitude of 2020 that she truly discovered her own unique voice, unfiltered by the vibrant but influential New Orleans music scene.
Natalie Prauser
Natalie Prauser performing at the Hinterland Music Festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa on August 4, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)With a voice that echoes the vulnerability of Laurel Canyon and the defiance of outlaw country, Natalie Prauser crafts songs that are both introspective and exhilarating. Her lyrics, laced with wit and wisdom, explore the complexities of love, heartbreak, and the road less traveled.
Hinterland Music Festival
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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