Pilgrimage Festival Closes with High-Energy Performances from Noah Kahan, COIN and More

 After a full day of undeniable musicianship and pouring rain, the 10th annual Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival opened its gates for a second day of live music.  

Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge kicked off the morning with soulful rock arrangements, searing guitar riffs and effortless vocals.  

Bowers’ musicianship wowed the audience members who crowded the Midnight Sun stage barricade.  

Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge rocking out on stage, Madeleine Bradford

Sierra Hull brought bluegrass to the Gold Record Road stage with a modern twist.  

She and her band performed tight, twangy arrangements that got the crowd cheering, swaying and tapping their feet to the beat. 

Hull’s energy and precise fiddle playing complemented her sweet and effortless vocal performance.  

Sierra Hull strumming along with her band on the Pilgramage stage, Madeleine Bradford

Myles Smith aims to create songs and live experiences that act as therapeutic experiences.  

Smith’s buttery vocals and hooky choruses drew a packed crowd at the Gold Record Road stage.  

Smith followed up his musical vulnerability with candid conversations about his mental health.  

Towards the middle of his set, he encouraged audience members to hold up their phone flashlights if they’ve ever felt lonely.  

He told them to look around the field at the surrounding lights and know they weren’t alone in their feelings. 

Myles Smith speaking with the crowd, Madeleine Bradford

Stephen Sanchez’s set didn’t have an ordinary opening.  

The stage, set up like a retro television show, was first taken by a faux show host personality, who introduced “crooner” Sanchez and welcomed him to Midnight Sun. 

Sanchez continued this retro flair through his entire set. Wearing a black suit, he harnessed an Elvis-esque persona and sang fan favorites like “High,” “Evangeline” and “Until I Found You.” 

Sanchez expressed his gratitude for the many people who crowded the field during his performance. 

Stephen Sanchez singing out to the crowd, Madeleine Bradford

Straight off the high of their record release “I’m Not Afraid Of Music Anymore,” it’s clear that Nashville-based band COIN isn’t afraid of live performance either.  

The band’s set began with a laidback, slow build that rose to a sonic explosion in the second half. 

Each band member maintained a contagious on-stage energy throughout their set of old and new fan favorites and got the crowd jumping despite slippery, muddy grounds.  

During the set, lead singer Chase Lawrence shouted out Belmont University, where he and his band members formed the indie pop group.  

COIN performing with their lyrics flashing behind them on stage, Madeleine Bradford

After taking the Gold Record Road stage, NEEDTOBREATHE solidified itself as a festival standout.  

From the first electric strum, NEEDTOBREATHE stood out against the old bar theme of the stage setup, decked out with a neon sign of the band’s logo.  

Frontman Bear Rinehart’s raspy and powerful lead vocals soared over an intent crowd.  

Audience members danced and sang along to each song NEEDTOBREATHE played. 

NEEDTOBREATHE performing under the spotlight, Quinn Wells

Pilgrimage headliner Noah Kahan’s emotive music has connected with audiences across the world and didn’t fail to connect when performed live on the Midnight Sun stage. 

“My name is Noah Kahan, and I’m here to make you unhappy,” said the singer/songwriter.  

Kahan’s closing Pilgrimage performance was his 225th show over the course of two years and the final show of his We’ll All Be Here Forever tour.  

Kahan later brought out Nashville-based artist Ashe for a high-energy performance of “Stick Season.” 

A packed, buzzing crowd screamed, cheered and sang along during the singer/songwriter’s entire set, ending Pilgrimage’s 10th run on an energetic note.

Noah Kahan serenading the crowd, Quinn Wells

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This article was written and photographed by Madeleine Bradford with contributory photography by Quinn Wells