The mud and heavy rain did not deter festival-goers from rockin’ and rollin’. About 27,000 people braved the remnants of Hurricane Helene to see performances by Noah Kahan, Hozier, Dave Matthews Band and more on Sept. 28 and 29 in Franklin, Tenn.
Ponchos were the staple fashion item of the 10th annual Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival. Saturday had consistent rain, and Sunday had intermittent light showers. All of the moisture turned the park into a muddy Slip ‘N Slide. Attendees in rain boots and cowboy boots had an advantage over those in Birkenstocks and sandals, and long white skirts did not fare well.
When Hozier took the stage Saturday night, the Irish native said the dreary weather made him feel right at home and joked that it was kind of everyone to bring it for his performance. He then extended his arm out from under the stage cover to catch some rain in his hand, which he dreamily ran through his curly locks (the girls in the front screamed).
Even though Hozier wasn’t a headliner for the festival, he has the most monthly listeners on Spotify out of any artists at the event — 52 million.
On Sunday night, headliner Noah Kahan repeatedly thanked the audience for coming to support him at the last show of his two-year tour. He opened the performance by singing “Dial Drunk,” which starts with the lyrics, “I’m rememberin’ I promised to forget you now / But it’s rainin’, and I’m callin’ drunk.”
Dave Matthews Band headlined the festival for the second time, confirming that the 33-year-old band has maintained its popularity.
Although the times while waiting between performances felt depressing due to the gray skies and chilly mist, the crowd got riled right back up when someone new took the stage. The pulsing bass from the massive speakers breathed life back into the crowd.
The Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival was born from a blend of friendship, history and a desire to create an authentic music festival. The idea came to musician Kevin Griffin during a morning run through The Park at Harlinsdale, a historic 230-acre horse farm. Griffin thought the farm’s rolling hills would be the perfect setting for his ideal festival.
Griffin and his partners W. Brandt Wood and Michael Whelan set out to design a festival that would reflect the rich musical and cultural heritage of Middle Tennessee. Griffin sought to build a lineup each year that spans rock and roll, alt-country, bluegrass, jazz, indie and gospel. Festival-goers can see performances by up-and-coming regional artists and world-renowned headliners.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Pilgrimage has become a destination for music lovers from across the country. The festival has grown to offer not only a robust music program but also a cultural experience that showcases local businesses and restaurants, giving visitors a true taste of Tennessee. Attendees could purchase anything from felt cowboy hats to frozen old-fashioned lemonade and quesadillas. People of any age could find something to enjoy at the festival.
The Pilgrimage Foundation benefits the community directly, as a portion of ticket sales are allocated to the foundation and redistributed to local charities and Franklin park funds. The festival gives back to the community that supports it.
Music lovers from Nashville, Alaska and even Australia came together for a muddy, wet and invigorating celebration of music in Franklin. As the last chords faded and festival-goers headed back to wherever home was, it was clear that neither rain nor mud could dampen the spirit of Pilgrimage’s 10th anniversary — proving that a little weather won’t stop a great time when the music is this good.
