Credit: Noah Kahan, Chappell Roan and Ethel Cain via @hinterlandiowa on Instagram
Day Three of Hinterland in Saint Charles, Iowa, brought forth outstanding performances from the time gates opened til the second they closed. Here’s a quick recap:
Setting the Scene for Hinterland Day Three
Sunday was slated to be the grand finale of Hinterland, and the lineup complemented this fact. So much so, the venue had an incredible line of thousands of fans since the sun began to rise. Once gates were officially opened, it was a spectacle to witness just how quickly the hills filled up. Guests were eager to secure their spot for the rest of the day—on the barricade or under the shade of a nearby tree. It only took an hour before the venue was filled to the same capacity as it had been for the evening acts the days prior.
With the large influx of guests came a great tide of fashion. Fans took Chappell Roan’s “midwest princess” vibes to a whole new level, adorned in cowboy boots and gemstone-covered hats. For fans of The Last Dinner Party, lace was a crowd favorite, especially in the form of a few veils (a nod to lead singer Abigail Morris.) And lastly came the white skirt invasion courtesy of Noah Kahan—and every other indie artist in this generation.
Closing the Door on Hinterland 2024
Sunday started off to a rocky start due to Palehound’s no-showing due to flight cancellations. However, Katy Kirby and The Last Dinner Party remedied this with energizing sets. The latter even sang an unreleased song hidden between hits like “Sinner” and “Nothing Matters.” Flipturn made an appearance that had the pit buzzing with excitement. It felt extra special singing “August” with the band during this summer month. And this was all before 4pm even rolled around.
As a whole, Sunday’s lineup contained zero flaws. I’d never been so grateful that there was only one stage for this fest because I don’t know what I’d done if I had to choose between any of these amazing acts. Chappell Roan‘s 5pm timeslot, albeit controversial, ramped up the crowd to an unprecedented level. From swinging pink cowboy hats in the air to doing the iconic “Hot To Go” dance, she was definitely the highlight of the day. She’d already broken Lollapalooza’s attendance record a few days prior. And she did it yet again a few states over in Iowa.
My biggest grievance may come as my most controversial take yet—but maybe Ethel Cain isn’t meant to grace a festival lineup. It almost felt like whiplash, going from the Pink Pony Club to the hard-hitting themes discussed in Ethel’s Preacher’s Daughter. This isn’t to say that Ethel isn’t incredibly talented—but her music is less suited for a festival and is best appreciated in the confines of your car or bedroom. Not so much to ramp up a crowd that’s still riding off of Chappell’s high—and feeding into Mt. Joy and Noah Kahan.
Final Festival Thoughts
I could write entire essays on the stellar performances put on by Mt. Joy and Noah Kahan. Both included great stage presence and crowd interaction, especially with Noah. The night could have ended with either artist and still been considered a successful finale. Where Mt. Joy had a wide and beloved discography, Noah had excellent storytelling and humor. Either way, there just isn’t enough praise in the world to give to both of these class acts.
All in all, Hinterland 2024 was definitely a standout. While numerous improvements could have been made to enhance the festival experience, there is no argument that this lineup was a job well done. I only wonder how they could possibly outdo themselves in the future. To the organizers of Hinterland: I leave you with the words of Chappell Roan: “Good Luck, Babe!”
As always, keep an eye out on Music Daily for future festival news. And be sure to comment below which act you’d like to see at Hinterland 2025!
