Words by Brian Mecinas
The Midwest’s favorite summer festival is back and officially underway! This weekend, Hinterland Music Festival is bringing a curated combination of live music and outdoor adventure to the rolling plains of St. Charles, Iowa. For those in my boat, arriving after opening day, there is still plenty left to experience.
Lorde takes over the main stage on Friday night while Mumford & Sons and Kali Uchis deliver headline performances on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Beyond the headliners, Hinterland’s weekend lineup is packed with rising stars, beloved indie staples and a genre-diverse slate of late-night performances at the signature Campfire Stage. It’s all the best parts of other festivals, without the flashy commotion and urban noise. Where else can you experience live performances from some of the biggest names in music, go on a mile-long hike in nature, then frolic in a sunflower field, all in the span of a single hour?
There is plenty of music worth getting familiar with before even arriving on the festival grounds, and whether you’re coming in via red-eye flight or as the last stop on your epic summer road trip, you’ll need a soundtrack to put you in the Hinterland state of mind. Luckily, NYOTA has you covered. From windows-down pop to indie folk anthems, these eight songs will help set the tone for a lively weekend in Iowa.
1. “Green Light” – Lorde
Few songs are better suited for a weekend on the road than “Green Light,” an iconic anthem that moves from restrained heartbreak into a cathartic, triumphant release. The green light in question might be more metaphorical than literal, but the point stands. By the time the chorus arrives, the song practically demands to be blasted through your car speakers with the windows rolled down. Trust, NYOTA will be in the crowd screaming along during this set and invite every Lorde fan, both new and old, to match our energy.
Performing Friday, July 31 at 9:30 pm
2. “Jam” – BETWEEN FRIENDS
Whether surrounded by friends or ready to make some new ones, “Jam” is the perfect choice for settling into the drive and letting the miles pass. While there’s no wrong choice to make when picking from BETWEEN FRIENDS’ discography, this song is an absolute earworm and will have everyone in the vehicle bouncing.
Performing Friday, July 31 at 11:30 pm on the Campfire Stage
3. “Stay for Something” – CMAT
CMAT turns heartbreak into something bold, upbeat, and almost theatrical on “Stay for Something,” making it a strong choice for the dramatic singalong that inevitably takes place on any proper road trip. The chorus can make even an ordinary stretch of interstate feel entertaining, though the Irish singer’s stunning vocals will be hard to match.
Performing Saturday, Aug. 1 at 3:45 pm
4. “I Will Wait” – Mumford & Sons
Those who were alive in 2012 are already deeply familiar with the massive folk-rock anthem that is “I Will Wait” by Mumford & Sons, but it would be careless to craft any kind of weekend travel playlist without it. Driven by the racing banjo, floor-stomping beats (courtesy of the kick drum on their older records) and the massive choruses that define the band’s work, this is a prime walk-off song as you step out of the car or off the plane at the end of your journey to Hinterland.
Performing Saturday, Aug. 1 at 9:45 pm
5. “Super Bowl Sunday” – The Brook & The Bluff
Built on warm harmonies and bright guitar tones, “Super Bowl Sunday” was made for cruising down the highway. Fans of laidback folk-rock will find plenty to enjoy across The Brook & The Bluff’s catalog before the band closes out Saturday night on the Campfire Stage.
Performing Saturday, Aug. 1 at 11:30 pm on the Campfire Stage
6. “Shy Girl” – Haute & Freddy
“Shy Girl” channels the kind of optimistic energy that quickly breaks up the boredom of a long flight, providing a soundtrack ideal for a carefree strut through the airport with luggage in tow. The duo’s playful chemistry, stage identity, and colorful approach to pop music will undoubtedly make their set an energizing kickoff for Hinterland’s final day.
Performing Sunday, Aug. 2 at 12:15 pm
7. “Big Wheel” – Samia
“Big Wheel” captures Samia’s ability to pair emotionally precise writing with an unhurried indie-rock sound that never feels weighed down by its subject matter. It inspires a reflective mood, perfect for watching unfamiliar towns and landscapes pass by through a car or plane window.
Performing Sunday, Aug. 2 at 1:15 pm
8. “Lisa” – Young Miko
With an addictive flow and effortless rhythm, “Lisa” embodies the confident energy needed to push through the last stretch of the journey. For those who might be fans of Latin pop artists like Kali Uchis, but aren’t familiar with Latin trap, Young Miko’s discography is a great place to start. Their back-to-back sets will absolutely be one of this year’s festival highlights.
Performing Sunday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 pm
