The sixth annual Moon River Festival happened this last weekend at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga, TN. The two-day festival under the bridge was sold out and such a huge success, it even had people lined up on the bridge to catch a glimpse. Everyone left the weekend with huge, although exhausted, smiles. Here’s some highlights we captured at the festival:
Day One:
Rebirth Brass Band
Sunny Saturday started with a high energy performance by the Rebirth Brass Band on the main stage. Although their set was cut short due to delays, they definitely set the tone for the rest of the festival and had everyone dancing.
Allison Russell
Allison Russell wowed the crowd with her gorgeous vocals and banjo playing. It was such a great intimate performance to help get the day started. Playing songs off her new album ‘Outside Child‘, Russell had old and new fans singing along. If you weren’t a fan by the start of the set, you definitely left the crowd downloading her music.
Amythyst Kiah
One highly anticipated act was Chattanooga-local Amythyst Kiah. The festival-goers had a soft spot for those from East Tennessee, and definitely proved their support during this set. Her self-proclaimed “sad songs” and powerful voice rang throughout the park and could be heard even over the yelling of the crowd.
Overcoats
One stand out performance from day one was The Overcoats, a pop duo from New York. The duo looked like they were having the time of their life on stage, and it was extremely contagious. They played songs off their debut album ‘YOUNG‘, as well as some sneak peaks of unreleased work to look forward to.
Shovels And Rope
Husband and Wife duo, Shovels and Rope, brought a lot of fans over to the main stage. Their catchy folk sound and indie tunes were almost impossible not to dance to. You can see the passion they have in playing by the smiles on their faces the while time.
Mipso
This North Carolina native quartet brought a unique blend of modern and traditional string band sound. Mipso combines guitar, bass, violin, and drums and it is an amazing experience live. They played songs such as “Let a Little Light In” and “Your Body” and looked like they had an amazing time while playing.
Hippo Campus
Hippo Campus may have brought the biggest fanbase with them to Chattanooga. Many fans waited at the main stage all day just so that they could get a closer look of their set. The Minnesota native band opened with tunes from their new album ‘Good Dog, Bad Dream‘ as well as classics from their album ‘Bambi‘. Fans rocked the barricade as they sand along with their favorite tunes. The band promised the festival WIFI password if the crowd sang along to one song, and then proceeded to play an unreleased up-and-coming single.
The Aces
Right as the sun started to set under the bridge, The Aces played an amazing golden-hour set to fans who ran over from Hippo Campus‘ set on the main stage. This band of ladies has an impossible amount of enthusiasm and energy while on stage, and it completely enraptured the crowd. Their indie pop tunes talk about things such as their personal struggles with being queer in a small town, and it really resonated with many fans. This emotion-forward performance was really something to see.
Lake Street Dive
Classic rock and ’70s gold inspired Lake Street Dive was sight to see on the main stage. The quintet all have different musical influences and it blends together to make a retro but contemporary sound at the same time. This band is the epitome of loving what you do, as none of the members lost the smiles on their faces the whole hour they played.
Dawes
Californian folk rock band Dawes played the first performance after the sun set on day one. Their bass and keyboard heavy songs were perfect for an evening set at the festival. It was a great way to wind down at the end of the night.
Lord Huron
Day one was closed out by Michigan-native indie rock band Lord Huron. The stage design of this was gorgeous and had fans excited as they waited for the band to take the stage. It was an amazing final performance of the day. The band played hits such as “The Night We Met” and “Meet Me in the Woods” Many passerbys were crammed on the bridge to get a look at what was lighting up the dark night.
Day Two:
Seratones
Day two started with enthusiastic act The Seratones on the main stage. This performance definitely brought serotonin ( or Seratone-in?) to the whole crowd watching. Their soulful sound came straight from Louisiana to get the Chattanooga crowd excited for the last day.
American Aquarium
Another great act was American Aquarium, which brought a unique blend of country and alternative music to the stage. Many longtime fans showed up to support this set.
Molly Tuttle
When her mic was accidentally cut off, Molly Tuttle had the crowd speechless with her seemingly effortless guitar playing skills. Her singer/songwriter indie sound is completely lifted by her impressive acoustic guitar riffs. The crowd chanted until her mic came back on and she was able to woo the crowd with her voice as well.
The National Parks
A stand out act from the weekend was The National Parks, a Utah based folk pop band. All four members are extremely talented with their respective instruments, it’s hard to choose who to watch. The members have such amazing chemistry together as they played on their flower-covered stage to welcome their new album ‘Wildflower‘.
Indigo Girls
Atlanta born duo The Indigo Girls have been performing and writing music together since 1989. However, they haven’t lost a bit of their energy. Many longtime fans were among the crowd and were happy to see them playing on stages again after the pandemic.
Maddison Cunningham
Maddison Cunningham is a jack of all trades as she writes/sings her own songs as well as being the main guitarist. her folk-rock jazzy tunes were absolutely gorgeous. Cunningham played songs such as “Pin it Down” and “Song in My Head”. This was a cool set during the heat of the day.
Old Crow Medicine
If you’re looking to dance, sing, and smile until your cheeks hurt, an Old Crow Medicine is the one for you. The band came out raving about the return of live music in East Tennessee and how it felt like a dream. They went on to perform classics like their hit song “Wagon Wheel” and high kick around the stage. You could hear the crowd cheering from all the way across the park.
COIN
A fan-favorite performance was Tennessee local indie-pop band COIN. Their interaction with the crowd is unmatched, and many fans had tears streaming down their face in excitement. They mentioned how it’s been a long time since they performed, but you’d think they hadn’t missed a show. The energy from songs such as “I Don’t Wanna Dance” and ‘Crash My Car‘ resonated throughout the festival grounds.
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
One of the most anticipated acts of the festival was festival creator Drew Holcomb and his band. Many festival goers buy tickets just to see his performance. His wife,Ellie Holcomb, was also there celebrating her birthday and she came out to sing with him. The Memphis Americana band was aptly one of the best acts of the festival.
Dr. Dog
Americana rock band Dr. Dog stopped by the festival as a point in their final tour. The band recorded their first album in 2001, and have been playing together ever since. Although they weren’t on the main stage, they drew out a crowd that covered most of the park. Fans were ecstatic to hear songs such as their recently resurfaced “Where’d all the Time Go?”. Their set was a great way to start closing out the amazing weekend.
Wilco
Last but definitely not least was headlining alt-rock band Wilco. Being formed in 1994, the crowd showcased some very longtime fans. One enthusiastic fan held up a sign saying she’d waited 20 years to see them live. They didn’t disappoint, playing songs spanning their entire discography. Their bright performance lit up dark Chattanooga on the Sunday evening, and closed the very successful return of Moon River Festival.
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