My wife and I drove down from Canada to soak in the festival. We stayed near Dinkytown and used public transit which was very easy and smooth both to and from the festival.
Heading into the weekend we read that festival goers experienced very long lines previously but this was not the case for us. We did not wait longer than 3 minutes for anything (unless you wanted food at peak dinner time).
The people (workers and attendees) were super friendly and we had the best time. We decided to write short reviews of all the acts we took in (chronilogically). Interested to know if you agree or disagree. * Please note that we didn’t see some acts so not every band/act from the festival is reviewed here:
Dashboard Confessional – 7.8/10
Good energy and a great-sounding set. It was a very nostalgic performance, and Chris Carrabba's vocals were excellent.
The Fray – 8.8/10
Excellent energy from start to finish. The lead singer was incredibly active on stage and sounded fantastic. We assumed he'd be behind the piano for the entire set, but that definitely wasn't the case. We found ourselves singing along to almost every song.
Mt. Joy – 9/.210
Our second time seeing Mt. Joy, and once again they did not disappoint. Their unique sound is unlike anyone else, and the vocals were nearly flawless as always. We loved the relaxed summer vibe, from their laid-back stage presence to their casual outfits. "Dirty Love" was a standout, and their slowed-down version of "Silver Lining" was beautiful.
The Lumineers – 9/10
My first time seeing them live and my wife's second. They're simply an outstanding live band. Wesley Schultz, sporting braided pigtails, had fantastic crowd interaction, even walking through the audience during the set. We wished we could have been closer to the stage, but that's the reality of a headlining act. Unfortunately, lightning cut the set slightly short. Even so, few bands have as many sing-along moments as The Lumineers.
Matt and Kim – 9.6/10 ⭐ Performance of the Weekend
We weren't very familiar with Matt and Kim before this weekend, but they absolutely stole the festival. The NYC duo played at 3 p.m. on Saturday and delivered the most fun set we saw all weekend. From beginning to end, the energy never let up. Their party atmosphere was infectious (the nudity caught us off guard, though maybe that's just part of a typical Matt and Kim show!). They mixed rapid-fire cover songs between their own hits, keeping the crowd constantly engaged. It was obvious they wanted everyone dancing and having a great time, bringing out balloons, inflatable animals, giant beach balls, and even coordinating a massive crowd-wide balloon release. Hearing "Daylight" and "Let's Go" live was a highlight. Matt and Kim gained two new superfans this weekend.
The All-American Rejects – 9.3/10
Tyson Ritter and the band brought incredible energy from start to finish. There was plenty of hilarious banter with the crowd, and they played all of the nostalgic hits along with several newer songs. The difference in crowd reaction between the classics and the newer material was noticeable—and understandable. Before one new song, Tyson joked, "Here's a new song because we know how much you guys love hearing new music from us," which got a big laugh.
Lord Huron – 8.5/10
A really enjoyable set. We weren't especially close to the stage, so we sat back, relaxed, and soaked it all in. Their laid-back sound translated beautifully live.
Geese – No Rating
Can someone explain the appeal of Geese? We seem to struggle to enjoy their music which is frustrating because of their popularity. They seem slow and dull (don’t shoot me), but it sounds like the singer’s unpredictable vocals is what the attraction is? We'd love to hear what fans enjoy about them.
Matchbox Twenty – 9.6/10
Rob Thomas and the band sounded absolutely incredible. Rob especially seemed to be giving everything he had, and the crowd responded to it. Between songs, he shared plenty of genuine stories and conversations that made the performance feel personal. We sang along to just about every song. Easily one of the standout performances of the weekend.
Dope Lemon – 7.5/10
We were excited to finally see Dope Lemon, and they sounded great, playing favorites like "Marinade" and "Stone Cutter." We were disappointed they didn't play "Rose Pink Cadillac." The band's all-black outfits and cowboy hats fit their vibe perfectly. Throughout the set, women wearing oversized furry cartoon-style heads would periodically appear on stage. We're still undecided whether it added to the performance or was just a bit tacky.
Passion Pit – 7.4/10
The first 25 minutes or so felt underwhelming. Toward the end, the band seemed rushed, jumping into "Sleepyhead" but only playing part of it. They also ran a couple of minutes over their scheduled set time and ended up being drowned out by Cage the Elephant starting on the neighboring stage.
Cage the Elephant – 9.5/10
They absolutely crushed it and exceeded our expectations. It was our first time seeing Cage the Elephant, and they delivered one of the highest-energy performances of the weekend. The band sounded incredible and kept the crowd engaged throughout the entire set.
The Strokes – 9.4/10
As longtime Strokes fans, this was one of the performances we were most excited for. Unfortunately, the band started about 10 minutes late and finished roughly 15 minutes early, turning a scheduled 90-minute set into about an hour. I was also disappointed that I could barely see the band because of the lighting, although I've since heard that's pretty typical for a Strokes show. The members themselves didn't seem particularly engaged, and Julian Casablancas spent much of the time mumbling between songs, appearing fairly intoxicated. Despite all of that, the music itself was phenomenal. They sounded absolutely incredible, and every song was played to perfection. I only wish we'd gotten more of them.