Our recap of our first day at Hinterland Music Festival was all about the music. Much like our actual experience, we didn’t get to explore much of the festival before heading straight to the main stage.
The festival’s magic, though, starts before the first note is played. Tucked into rolling Iowa farmland, the grounds open up to endless skies that glow with the morning sunrise and fade with picturesque golden hours.
While it appears a lot of people commute for the festival either by car or the festival’s shuttle busses, we chose to experience Hinterland as a camping festival. The combined campgrounds make up a city unto themselves. While not as communal as some other camping fests, we found our ‘neighborhood’ of the campgrounds to be friendly and shockingly chill. No impromptu sunrise DJ sets here. In fact, “chill” would describe the overall vibe of our festival experience.
(We’ll dig into our tips for camping at Hinterland as part of our preview when next year’s lineup is announced.)
With just one main stage during the day and the Campfire Stage late into the night, you never have to choose between acts. There are simply no conflicts. And with the main stage set up at the bottom of a large natural bowl, you can easily explore food vendors, activations, or just use the bathroom or grab a drink without missing any of the sounds.
While we weren’t at Hinterland in 2024, there are plenty of reports about the heatwave that hit the fest. Perhaps nature was making up for last year as Friday and Saturday in 2025 brought sun-warmed, but easily manageable temps in the 70s.
Ready to face the day, our lineup flowed from country roots to indie dreamscapes, eventually leading to a wild night at the Campfire Stage.
Willow Avalon
Willow Avalon brought a classic country vibe to the main stage, her lively but unforced stage presence winning over early arrivals. Songs like “The Actor” and “Gettin’ Rich, Goin’ Broke” kept the energy easygoing but engaging, while “Yodelayheewho” added a fun twist to the set. We first heard Avalon at this year’s CMA Fest in Nashville and were immediately roped in by her country charm. It was no surprise to us to see her fill Hinterland’s main stage with her fiery brand of country music.
Gigi Perez
There’s a rich authenticity in Gigi Perez’s vocals, and it came through on every song. Her hit “Sailor Song” turned into a huge singalong, with the crowd’s voices nearly overtaking hers. Between tracks like “Please Be Rude” and blog favorite, “Chemistry,” she made the set feel both intimate and communal. This is an artist with a lot to say and a way with her music to deliver it. Her emotional range kept the audience hooked from start to finish.
Role Model
Opening with “Writing’s on the Wall” and leaning into fan favorites like “Superglue” and “The Longest Goodbye,” Role Model kept the set heartfelt but polished. We would say that the mid-show cover of The 1975’s “Somebody Else” brought familiarity to the set, but by now Role Model is already a household name amongst music fans. One of the big questions leading up to his set was ‘who would be Role Model’s Sally when he plays “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out” tonight? The answer was Maria Zardoya of the The Marías, leading to large cheers from both fanbases. Role Model’s relaxed charisma made the crowd feel like they were in on something personal. His meteoric growth also makes him a heavy favorite to elevate to headliner status in the near future.
The Marías
The Marías bathed the crowd in dreamy textures, moving seamlessly between “Only in My Dreams,” “Hush,” and “Cariño.” This was a band that knows how to use an entire stage without going for over the top theatrics. The lush lighting and hypnotic rhythms made it feel like the whole field was floating. For the final song, Maria Zardoya left the stage entirely, working her way along the front rail and through the section between GA and VIP, turning the show-closer into a full-on crowd immersion.
Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves’ headlining set was so chill it felt effortless to float away on the music. “Butterflies” and “Golden Hour” were massive singalongs, while her cover of “Neon Moon” had hands raised high across the field. “High Horse” and “Deeper Well” kept the mood celebratory before the main stage wrapped for the night. While the setting was carefully crafted, her understated stage presence drew the focus entirely to the songs and their warmth.
Campfire Stage Late Night
We’re not sure Hinterland was ready for Nordista Freeze, but he came ready to make memories. An absolute wildman on stage, he turned the set into a chaotic party — even moshing until he threw up, only to jump right back in. It would go on to be one of the most talked about sets of the entire weekend.
Josh Conway’s DJ set followed, surprisingly technical and deep in craft, the kind of mixing that goes beyond just spinning records. His transitions were clean and purposeful, keeping the late-night crowd glued to the dance floor.
Kansas City’s Hembree closed the night, their atmospheric indie rock a perfect fit for the festival, carrying the crowd into the early morning hours. Listening to their pulsing beats and tight grooves made it hard to believe this was technically “the end” of Saturday.
Saturday bled into Sunday in the best way — a little tired, a little sun-warmed, and still buzzing from the music. It was hard to believe there was only one day remaining for Hinterland 2025, but we were set to make the most of it!
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What hearing protection do we use at concerts? The Loop Switch2:
