The Stateside Music Festival brought together an eclectic mix of emerging and established artists for a day of performances that proved weather couldn’t dampen the spirit of the crowd. From the Scout Stage overlooking the Hudson River to the Main Stage setup, festivalgoers were treated to a rotating lineup that showcased everything from folk-rock to R&B-tinged Americana.
Opening Acts Set the Tone
Boston-bred singer-songwriter Bebe Stockwell kicked off the festivities on the main stage, setting an early mood of introspection and raw emotion. As the day progressed, Hudson Ingram took the Scout Stage at 1 p.m., a composed 20-year-old backed by a four-piece band who delivered reflective tunes full of big feelings and sharp storytelling. Clad in jeans, a work shirt, and sunglasses, Ingram brought boyish charm wrapped around something deeper, something that resonated with the growing crowd.
Recent Nashville Now podcast guest Michaela Anne arrived in the late afternoon, when temperatures reached their peak. “I think all my clothes are sticking to me,” she noted, but neither the heat nor her own discomfort could slow her down. Her band matched her energy, proving that entertainment doesn’t stop for a little sweat.
Golden Hour and Unexpected Weather
Calder Allen brought all of his Texas twang and charm to the Scout stage just as the day reached golden hour. Then the rains came, surprising everyone but ultimately creating a moment that nobody would forget. A 30-minute rain delay didn’t break the festival’s momentum; instead, it set up one of the day’s best moments when Devon Gilfillian took the stage and perfectly captured everyone’s sentiment: “It’s not too hot now, now we’ve cooled off. Now we can shake, now we can move, now we can get down!”
Bo Staloch emerged on the main stage with his new single “From a Different Age,” showcasing what he does best: achingly pretty folk-rock tunes that combine a delicate croon, subtly atmospheric kick, and gut-punch choruses, sort of like a more anthemic Bon Iver. His sound proved that emerging artists are pushing the boundaries of what folk-rock can be.
The Lineup’s Unexpected Turns
Derby, also known as Craig Caldwell from Houston, became a subtle curveball for the day’s lineup. His R&B-tinged Americana often tosses in pitch-shifted vocals and other Frank Ocean-style touches, creating something that felt both rooted and experimental. Meanwhile, Arcy Drive, a four-piece rock band from Long Island, drew an ever-growing crowd with their high-energy set.
Sydney Rose performed on the Main Stage, and throughout her set, the Georgia-born songwriter tapped into the celestial with her soft croon and heartfelt tracks. She offered the perfect salve for the sweltering heat, and in a moment of serendipity, she later joined Hudson Ingram on stage for a lovely version of their duet “Don’t Get Me Started.”
The Night’s Closer
Gigi Perez brought the evening toward its climax with crisp, amped-up versions of her songs from her excellent and gutting debut album At The Beach, In Every Life. Backed by an all-female band with vocals sharper than ever, her songs hit even harder live. She packed in surprises too, covering Lana del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness” and bringing out her little sister Bella for a duet of “Sugar Water.”
Festivalgoers sang along to every word of each set, proving that music festivals remain sacred spaces where strangers become a unified voice. The mix of established talent and rising stars created something rare: a day where nobody felt like they’d missed anything, weather delays included.
Source: Rolling Stone
When a festival can turn a rain delay into a highlight rather than a setback, you know the artists and the crowd have created something genuinely special.
