Austin-based artist Barb dropped a new single this week that we already have stuck in our heads. The song is about a situationship that’s getting “so boring” with the back and forth of it all.
Barb says that the song “captures the hazy, late-night moments when their love is intoxicating, fleeting, and leaves you feeling like a temporary fix—addictive yet hollow.”
With lyrics like ‘there’s poison in your alibi’ and a hook that hits—‘it’s so boring that I can’t believe that it’s true’—Barb traces the ambiguity of a relationship full of dimly lit smiles and empty words. Punchy guitars, a yearning vocal performance, and a raw edge for the romantically exhausted.
Noah Kahan has swiftly transitioned from a humble Vermont native with a knack for heartfelt storytelling to a folk-pop sensation captivating audiences worldwide. Known for his introspective lyrics and raw, passionate vocals, Kahan’s music resonates deeply with fans who cherish his ability to turn personal experiences into universal anthems. His breakout moment came with Stick Season, an album that celebrated the beauty and bittersweetness of New England life, firmly establishing him as a voice for both his generation and his home region.
With its historic and iconic appeal, Kahan recently performed live at Fenway Park in Boston, where fans experienced Stick Season. This album serves as a landmark moment in the singer’s career. Although I didn’t experience the album live, I gathered one of the best renditions of the Spotify experience.
The crowd’s energy appeared incredible and extremely vocal as fans didn’t skip a beat regarding Kahan’s lyrics. The acoustics sounded crisp and clear, which is as close to the real deal as possible! The singer thanked the fans for listening to his “depressing music,” which included depictions of growing up in the Midwest. He also repeatedly admitted his love for Fenway Park.
As the band opened up with an intro to “Dial Drunk,” there was a clear sense of vulnerability and a moving prelude to what the night held for fans. The song had an anthem-like energy and was a definite crowd-pleaser. Kahan commonly left little to the imagination, leaving small performance gaps for fans to fill with the lyrics. Additional tracks included “Northern Attitude” and “Homesick” to name a few.
Kahan’s Live From Fenway Park is a testament to his evolution from a promising singer-songwriter to a seasoned live performer capable of captivating a massive audience. Unlike his earlier, smaller-scale performances, this album showcases his ability to connect with fans on an intimate level, even in a venue as grand as Fenway Park.
Vocally, Kahan shines throughout the recording, demonstrating a maturity and control that elevate his live renditions beyond their studio counterparts. His raw, emotive delivery on tracks like “Growing Sideways” and “The View Between Villages” captures the essence of his storytelling, amplifying the vulnerability and authenticity that define his music. He balances tender, heart-wrenching moments with spirited anthems like “Northern Attitude,” proving his versatility as an artist.
Kahan’s stage presence is another standout aspect of the performance. His witty, self-deprecating humor and heartfelt anecdotes create a warm, inviting atmosphere, making every listener feel as though they’re part of a much smaller, more intimate show. His interactions with the crowd—cheering on Boston’s sports culture or reflecting on his Vermont roots—further highlight his ability to bring his personality to the stage in a way that resonates deeply with his audience.
This performance also demonstrates Kahan’s growth as a bandleader. The chemistry between him and his supporting musicians brings a rich, layered sound to the live album, elevating songs like “She Calls Me Back” and “Homesick” with dynamic arrangements and energy that fill the stadium. His ability to lead such a cohesive performance on such a massive stage marks a new level of confidence and skill in his career.
In many ways, Live From Fenway Park feels like the culmination of years of hard work, growth, and a deep connection to his roots. It’s not just a live album—it’s a celebration of how far Kahan has come and a glimpse into the bright future ahead.
The Cascade Equinox Festival, held from September 20-22, 2024, in Redmond, Oregon, was a vibrant celebration of community, music, and art. For the second year of the festival, held at the Deschutes Fairgrounds, we spent the weekend nestled in the beautiful high desert overlooking the stunning views of the mountains.
The festival brought together an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, and attendees seeking to mark the transition of summer into fall with dance, creativity, and connection.
This year’s event featured an impressive lineup that brought festivalgoers from all over the country. From CLOZEE throwing it down on the mainstage Friday night, to STS9 and Liquid Stranger headlining Saturday and no better way to end the weekend on Sunday night with the performance of a lifetime by JUNGLE that got the crowed moving and grooving. We also really enjoyed Marc Rebillets set, which was very interactive with the crowd, totems, and the environment.
Something we saw a huge difference in this year compared to last year was the implementation of more areas around the festival to explore with friends. From a pop up DJ cart in front of Cosmic Drip at midnight, to a roller rink inside one of the barns, to swings at the Grove – we were pleasantly surprised with how many additions there were to the festival grounds.
Cascade also brought many Immersive art installations throughout the grounds, engaging attendees with interactive and sensory experiences that merged enlightenment and creativity. Workshops and wellness sessions offered a space for personal growth and reflection, from yoga and meditation to talks on sustainability. Families were welcomed with kid-friendly zones, while food vendors provided a variety of delicious foods. We personally loved Dump City and went every day of the festival – no better way to warm up those 40 degree nights than with dumplings!
As the sun set on this year’s festival, attendees left not only with memories of a weekend full of music and art but also a renewed sense of community and connection within themselves. With how much we saw added to this year, we can only see potential for growth for this special festival in Central Oregon and can’t wait for the future.
Green Day brought their Saviors Tour to a sold out crowd in St. Louis, MO on August 15th, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Dookie and the 20th anniversary of American Idiot. It was a hot, sweaty, muggy night, but that was much preferred to any delays or cancellations as severe storms had been expected all day. But the storms politely stayed away so we could all rock out to the entirety of both of those albums!
But before Green Day took the stage, the up-and-coming band The Linda Lindas started off the evening. The young band has been taking the world by storm in the past year, and this night was no different as people could be heard talking about how excited they were to see The Linda Lindas. As the band came out, they immediately announced that it was their drummer (and youngest member) Mila de la Garza’s 14th birthday!
Rancid was up next, and they had people on their feet and rocking out as the sun set. They played several old favorites from their breakthrough album And Out Come the Wolves amongst others from their extensive discography.
And then: Green Day. The crowd erupted in cheers as the headliners took the stage against a background of brightly flashing lights, playing “The American Dream is Killing Me” off of their latest album Saviors. Everyone was in for a pyro-filled night as flames shot out of the back wall at intervals throughout the entire concert and fireworks shot off with a BANG!
Of course, in celebration of the anniversaries of the release of Dookie and American Idiot, we were primarily treated to getting to listen to both albums played straight through, along with a handful of other songs. Green Day went straight into Dookie after the opening song, and the album is of course filled with hit after hit. During “Know Your Enemy,” lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong searched the crowd for a fan to bring up on stage to sing with him. He extended a hand to help a young girl up to the mic, and after she sang a few lines to wild applause from the crowd, Armstrong told her, “You gotta do a stage dive!” The girl looked nervous and refused, but jumped and sang some more as fireworks went off behind her. Later, Armstrong addressed how she had said no to stage-diving. He said, “I fuckin’ respect you for that,” and reminded us all that we can and should say no to things we don’t want to do.
We proceeded into the American Idiot portion of the evening as lightning flashed in the skies behind the stage while a giant inflatable hand holding a heart grenade rose from the middle of the stage.
Armstrong did a fantastic job of making St. Louis feel special with lyric changes like “St. Louis to the Middle East” in “Jesus of Suburbia,” as well as “The representative from St. Louis has the floor,” during “Holiday.” He also asked if there were any Cardinals fans in the house (there were, of course) and then bitterly informed us that that he’s “not bitter” that he doesn’t have a baseball team anymore – referring to the upcoming relocation of the Oakland A’s.
And we were all reminded that punk rock has always been and still is political – with calls from Armstrong to get out and vote this year, along with another lyric change to “I’m not part of the MAGA agenda” during “American Idiot.”
It was a nonstop, high-energy night full of incredible songs and even more incredible performances, and it was fun to see all ages at the show – parents and longtime fans brought their kids who were decked out in Greed Day merch, showing all of us that the love for punk rock and Green Day will continue on.
And when I got to my car to leave as the first raindrops of the approaching storm fell from the sky, what was playing on the local alt rock station but Green Day.
Heads up PNW folks! If you’re stoked for Cascade Equinox 2024, check out a few of their local initiatives in the PNW surrounding areas to get ready for the festival this fall!
Since this is only the second year of the festival, we’re seeing huge strides in innovation and upgrades to bring back the same crew and attract new fans to the event! We’re personally super excited for the Feast-to-Festival event and think it’s a great way to connect with others in the community and enjoy some local high quality eats. 🙂
Another huge plus of these pre-festival events, is some of them are offering fee-free festival tickets, which can save you and your festival group some $$ ahead of time!
Melty Migration
In a show of unity with its local community, Cascade Equinox is teaming up with the Pacific Northwest’s renowned Summer Meltdown Festival, in an exciting grassroots collaboration known as the ‘Melty Migration.’ It will feature two Meltdown stage takeovers – one for the Thursday night Pre-Funk Party and another on the Harvest stage, showcasing some of Summer Meltdown’s most cherished acts (IG post here).
Feast-to-Festival charity event
Join the festival for its first ‘Feast-to-Festival‘ charity event, featuring a farm-to-table dinner by Feast Restaurant on September 19th from 4:00-9:00 pm. Enjoy a five-course meal with locally-sourced ingredients, expertly paired wines from Division Winery, and bespoke cocktails from Kraft Bar Lounge. Experience live music throughout the evening and explore the festival grounds before they open to the public. All proceeds support the Waldorf School of Bend (IG post here).
‘Summer Jams’ pre-party series
The second annual ‘Summer Jams‘ concert series, in collaboration with 4 Peaks Music Festival, Kraft Bar, and LOGE Camps, returns to Bend, Oregon. This event features live performances by talented local and regional musicians, a variety of local food vendors and artisans, and hand-crafted cocktails, brews, wines, and ciders. Attendees can also secure fee-free tickets for Cascade Equinox at each concert (IG post here).
The North Warehouse takeover
We are thrilled to announce a collaboration with The North Warehouse, the beloved Portland music venue that was unfortunately closed by the fire department late last year. They will be taking over the Tilt Stage on Saturday night, featuring performances from Liquid Stranger, Barclay Crenshaw, The Floozies, Ravenscoon, Late Night Radio, and parkbreezy. Stay tuned for more surprises coming soon.
The Farewell Festival 2024 proved to be a memorable celebration of music, community, and (mostly) nice weather. From the fantastic lineup to the improved traffic situation, this year’s event was a testament to the festival’s growth and dedication to creating a top-notch experience for festival-goers. Here’s a recap of the highlights from each day.
Day One: A Stellar Start
The festival kicked off under perfect weather conditions, making it easy for attendees to soak in the sun and enjoy the music. One of the biggest improvements from last year was the traffic as well as easy navigation and attentive security. Gone were the long waits and frustrating lines; this year’s logistics were smooth and efficient.
The vibes on day one were electric. Security was on point, not just in terms of safety but also in their customer service—handing out free water to those eagerly waiting for their favorite acts. This thoughtful gesture kept everyone refreshed and ready for their favorite artists.
The festival featured a diverse range of vendors, offering everything from unique art pieces and stylish merch to delicious food and refreshing drinks. Billy Strings, the headliner for the day, delivered a performance that was nothing short of spectacular. His virtuosity on the guitar and engaging stage presence had the crowd completely mesmerized. They ended up playing a little past their set times and had to be cut short, but that didn’t change how great the performance was.
A special shoutout goes to Colter Wall, whose set was a standout of day one. His performance was a highlight and showcased why he’s such a beloved artist in the country and folk scene, and was known with how big of a crowd showed up for him.
Day Two: Music Amidst the Smoke
Day two brought a different kind of magic. Shakey Graves took the stage with his signature blend of blues, rock, and folk, delivering an unforgettable show that had everyone dancing and singing along. His performance set the tone for what was to come later in the day.
Although the smoke from the wildfires in surrounding areas created a hazy atmosphere, it lent an ethereal quality to the sunset that accompanied LeAnn Rimes’ set. The stunning view of the sun dipping below the horizon added an extra layer of beauty to an already stellar performance. As the headliner, Caamp closed out the evening with an impressive set that was a fitting culmination of the day’s events. This was one of their first shows back after a break in 2023.
Day Three: Beat the Heat
By day three, the temperatures were soaring. However, the festival organizers were well-prepared, with misters and fans scattered throughout the grounds and plenty of shaded areas to cool off, and security was continuing to distribute water and ensuring that everyone stayed hydrated in the heat.
The standout performances of the day came from The Red Clay Strays and Sumbuck. Despite the weather, both bands drew a sizable crowd and delivered electrifying sets that had the audience fully engaged. Their energy and talent were undeniable, making their performances one of the day’s highlights. Kacey Musgraves was the headliner, and the crowd was stoked for performance.
Overall Impressions
The Farewell Festival 2024 was a massive success. The improvements made since the festival’s inception were clear and appreciated. It was evident that the organizers are committed to providing an outstanding experience.
The vibes throughout the festival were on point, and the dedication of both the artists and the festival staff contributed to an unforgettable weekend. As we reflect on this year’s event, we can’t help but look forward to what next year will bring. Central Oregon has become a vibrant backdrop for this festival, and we’re excited to see which incredible artists will grace the stage in 2025.
Are you ready to immerse yourselves in a melodic oasis nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Central Oregon? Grab your festival gear and get ready to groove, because Cascade Equinox just dropped their 2024 lineup! This is the second year of the festival, and it’s only getting bigger and better. Although the first year will be hard to beat, with amazing acts like Pretty Lights and Goose, you can tell that they are putting even more work and time investing into the festival and over all experiences for years to come.
We’re so stoked on the variety of music this year. Prepare to be enchanted by the ethereal sounds of CloZee, with her mesmerizing melodies and cosmic vibes, CloZee will lead you on a sonic pilgrimage through the beauty of Central Oregon.
And then, of course, we have the magic of Liquid Stranger! With his bass-heavy beats and otherworldly sounds, Liquid Stranger will take us on a journey through the depths of our imagination, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur and the music becomes our guide.
Another fun addition to the lineup, joining us are the sonic pioneers, Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9) with their genre-defying soundscapes and mesmerizing performances.
Cascade Equinox isn’t just about the music – there are endless opportunities to create connections with like minded friends and creating memories that will last a lifetime. From late-night jam sessions to a variety of workshops with the Cascade Mountain range as our back drop, there’s an abundance of experiences waiting to be discovered. They also are having all new experiences this year like a roller skating rink, a cold plunge and sauna, and even more food and drink options within the festival grounds.
There is so much variety at this festival that truly anyone can find someone on the lineup they are excited for- so grab your tribe and let’s dance beneath the stars in this magical space of music and community.
Last weekend (July 21-23, 2023) we hung out at Fairwell Festival at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, Oregon. They brought out a ton of amazing headliners like the Turnpike Troubadours, Zach Bryan, and Willie Nelson, as well as a ton of other acts like Sheryl Crow, Trampled by Turtles, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Mt. Joy, and more.
The fairgrounds, while it is mid-summer and pretty hot, was a perfect location for the festival. There were areas with shade, plenty of room to dance, and the three stages were close enough to catch the next set you’d like to see. There was also a Ferris Wheel overlooking the main stage for those interested in a different viewing experience to see their favorite sets.
There were plenty of food and drink options, including a festival favorite, Island Noodles. If you wanted to cool down, all the drinks were ice cold and there was also Dip N Dots Ice Cream. For those who love shopping locally for unique items, there was also a craft vendor line up including Bend Permanent Jewelry, Raw Crystals Collective, and Culture – Cross.
We had so much fun with Pepper and Stick Figure at Hayden Homes Amphitheater in Bend, Oregon on Tuesday, July 18th! The show was sold out, with beautiful weather and amazing music. Check out our gallery below!
On July 7th on a hot, sunny summer day, Hayden Homes Amphitheater was booming with music from a sold-out show. The line up started with The Movement, followed by Atmosphere, then Sublime with Rome, and finishing out with Slightly Stoopid. If you get a chance to see any of these artists, we highly recommend them. They all brought amazing energy to the town of Bend, with a mixture of songs we all know and love, and some new ones too!
crowdsurfermag.com 