Preview: Tennessee’s Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

pilgrimage festival 2015

Franklin, Tennessee will host the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival this Saturday and Sunday. Located 20 miles south of Nashville, the festival’s lineup ranges from country greats like Willie Nelson to the much-buzzed Chris Stapleton, plus phenoms like Wilco and Weezer (full lineup here.) Here are a few must-sees on the country-leaning side:

Steven Tyler – Sunday at 4:35 – 5:05 

This marks one of Steven Tyler’s first festival appearances since announcing his leap into country music. Despite the transition, the former Aerosmith frontman is is sure channel his rock days with a high energy performance.  In recent shows, he’s performed a mix of the rock group’s classics as well as his latest single, “Love Is Your Name.”

 

Chris Stapleton – Sunday 1:25 – 2:25

If you want to know what to expect from a live Chris Stapleton performance, just pop his latest album, Traveller, on and be prepared for an experience that’s even more magical than the one you have while listening to the album (yes, it’s possible). With the help of the high decibel speakers, his richly textured vocals steep into your soul and make you feel as if you’re engrossed in an intellectually enriching novel. His set alone is practically worth the price of admission.

 

Will Hoge – Saturday 2:45 – 3:45

If you only know Hoge as the writer of Eli Young Band’s “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” you’re missing out on a wealth of strong songwriting and vocal ability. Both on records and live, Hoge aims for an honest and real presentation, for an engaging performance that connects strongly with listeners.

 

John & Jacob  – Sunday 1:05 – 1:50

They say that siblings naturally have the best harmonies (something to do with vocal chords), and John & Jacob prove this and then some with their incredible vocals. Live, the duo, who recently toured with Kacey Musgraves and soon hit the road for the UK with Striking Matches, bring a captivating energy

 

Neko CaseSaturday 2:00 – 3:00

The only person to ever have been banned for life from the Opry stage (long story), Neko Case is a force, from tightly-written and quick-witted up-tempos to echo-y, breathtaking ballads. Case, whose other projects have included band The New Pornographers, is a captivating must-see live.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *