OUTSIDE FESTIVAL'S TOP ACTS

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by daniela shella

Outside Festival featured a huge focus on sustainability, celebrating the Denver community and welcomed big names in indie rock, folk and bluegrass.

Here are some highlights from our coverage:

Khruangbin brought the funky jams, as per usual. They are experts at blending genres together, mixing psych funk with classic soul sounds that are fluid, lightly melodic and relaxing. They were the perfect act to end an incredible day of music and the crowd moved and danced along to their instrumental hits. 

Lord Huron made everyone sway and shed tears. They sounded impeccable on the mic and had the crowd in a loving trance. They were one of my favorite acts of the entire weekend. They brought out singer, Misty Boyce for her vocals truly added to the magic of their performance. They featured fan favorites like “The Night We Met” citing it to be a “good song to make out to,” per the lead singer’s recommendation. The crowd sang every word so loud you could barely hear them playing, it was truly beautiful. 

Sylvan Esso played crowd favorites that had everyone kicking, jumping, and twisting to their dance hits. They made political statements and urged the crowd to spread love to each other, because each other is all we have.

Waxahatchee hit every note in a perfect, twangy mix of emotion and folky and flirty hits. She’s got the iconic southern drawl which makes listening to her music feel like walking through a tall field of grass on a hot summer day. 

Hazlett took the stage and announced it was only his second festival ever. He captivated the audience with hits like “doing my best.” He brings a sort of melancholy approach to folk music that paired well with the stormy summer skies that afternoon. His lyrics are poetic and heartfelt, which the crowd seemed to love. 

Neal Francis had the crowd moving and grooving in his 70s inspired tunes, groovy and loose-with-it vibes. He’s so comfortable on stage, and his whole band engaged the audience so soulfully. I ran into him later for some quick portraits too! 

Overall, Outside Fest was a crowd pleasing, laid back festival that should be on your radar. Every act was incredible, and the Denver crowd really showed up for this festival. Don’t miss it next year! 

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High Water Festival | North Charleston

High Water Festival was nothing short of magical — a vibrant kickoff to the season that lit up Charleston’s Riverfront Park on April 26th and 27th. With twenty acts spread across two stages, this two day celebration brought the spirit of music alive in a way coastal South Carolina won’t soon forget.

From the moment Charleston natives Easy Honey hit the stage, the energy was infectious. Their hometown pride radiated through every smile, riff, and beat, setting the tone for a weekend of non-stop joy. Festival-goers of all ages swayed, danced, and sang their hearts out, creating a collective rhythm that pulsed from the barricades to the back of the field.

The beauty of High Water was in the flow—bouncing between stages felt like surfing a wave of pure musical bliss. No matter the genre or familiarity, each crowd threw themselves wholeheartedly into the experience. It was proof that festivals are sacred ground for music lovers: a space where knowing the lyrics is optional, but feeling the beat is required.

As I roamed the grounds, band loyalty was proudly worn like a badge of honor. Shirts, hats, and tote bags were emblazoned with names like flipturn, Mt. Joy, and Lord Huron. flipturn, in particular, had a strong presence — despite their set coming late on day two, fans were already repping them on day one, a testament to their meteoric rise from Jacksonville’s indie scene to festival fame.

Day two brought a special spark as we saw more women on stage and the vibe was electric. Goldie Boutilier set the tone early, captivating the crowd with her theatrical flair and magnetic stage presence. Later, Trampled by Turtles drew curious onlookers with their eclectic instrument lineup — banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and cello weaving together a sound both timeless and fresh.

And then came the grand finale: Arcade Fire. The band delivered a performance that was not just heard, but felt. With a show full of spectacle and heart, they left the crowd awestruck, ending the weekend on a euphoric high.

Beyond the music, it was the community that truly defined High Water. Everywhere I turned, I saw beaming faces and shared moments of pure joy. Even in the press lounge, a unique camaraderie formed among creatives, all capturing the same sets through different eyes, exchanging inspiration and stories along the way.

High Water Fest wasn’t just an event—it was a reminder of how good life can be when the soundtrack is right. For me, and for Charleston, it was a weekend to remember, and a beautiful celebration of music, connection, and coastal soul.

Words and photos by Joanna Barronton

In Between Days Festival | Quincy

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DAY ONE

Fans eagerly made their way to Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy, MA last weekend for the second ever In Between Days music festival, a weekend which promised great music, games, food, shops, and more! This year saw two stages vs last year’s one, which allowed for many more artists, including a respectable number of bands part of the local Boston music scene.

Saturday started out strong with performances from local artists Gypsy Moths, Carissa Johnson, Paper Tigers, Dutch Tulips, and Shallow Pools along with some other smaller indie artists. The two stage setup allowed for nonstop music for both days with little distance for fans to travel between sets. I was able to catch at least part of every single artists’ performance, which is typically impossible at larger festivals! Later in the day we saw Weakened Friends, The Beths, Slothrust (my personal favorite set of the day), and Sunny Day Real Estate, who performed quite appropriately during the sunset of the beautiful first day of the festival. Once it was dark, Modest Mouse came out for a 1 hour and 45 minute set to close out the night, and by then fans had packed onto the field to catch their show!

Something unique about the In Between Days festival is what goes on besides just the music. This year, fans could enjoy three packed rows of shops at the back of the field, which ranged from selling vintage clothes to beauty products to beverages. I had the chance to stop by a few of these shops, including taking a trip to the 1 Million Strong sober supportive tent, which had samples of some delicious zero-proof beverages. There was also a retro arcade which featured games from the ‘80s like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and more!

DAY TWO

On Sunday, it was time to do it all again. Once again we had a day of non-stop music started off by some small and local bands, including the phenomenal Mint Green, Dwight & Nicole, Miko Marks, and Kat Wright (who gave a fantastic performance despite feeling under the weather). The crowd seemed to fill in much earlier on the second day, with a respectable amount of people there to see Allison Ponthier’s set around halfway through the day. She was followed by Yoke Lore, the multi-talented Cautious Clay, and the bluegrass-y Trampled By Turtles. The festival was closed out by one of my personal favorite bands, Lord Huron, who played a wonderfully catchy set (Ben Schneider’s creepy skull mask included).

Overall, the In Between Days festival was a great time for fans of all ages to come out and enjoy a laid-back weekend of music, food, and more, and I’m excited to see what they will have in store in 2024!

Words and photos by Julia Finocchiaro

Treasure Island Music Festival | San Francisco

Treasure Island Music Festival featuring Soccer Mommy, Alex Cameron, Courtney Barnett, Lord Huron, and Tame Impala in San Francisco, CA on October 13 - 15, 2018. All photos taken by Manika Casterline.