It’s been a while friends. Too long, truly, but being a fourth year college student and working and finding time for hobbies is tough!
I’m back with a very, very exciting post though. The last weekend in September, I got the incredible opportunity to attend Pilgrimage Festival in Franklin, TN with Experience Tennessee. It was nothing short of incredible! This was my first experience at this festival and after such a wonderful first year, I’ll most definitely be back.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Saturday was Day 1, and we had a full day ahead of us. Luckily, the weather was absolutely perfect for a day out in the Tennessee sun. It was pleasantly warm but not quite as hot as it had been.
Haley and I were on the road by 11:00, after a quick fuel up at McDonald’s. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, there is no better way to begin a concert trip than a Mickey d’s stop. Just trust me.
I adore the drive to Franklin. That stretch of Tennessee interstate is glorious, especially at this time of year with the beginnings of leaves changing and falling. We arrived at our exit soon enough and began the search for parking. We passed several lots ranging from $20 to $40 for a spot, both private and publicly owned. We made a wide circle trying to decide where we wanted to leave the car for the day. Lucky for us, we happened upon a street in the Downtown area with several open parallel spots and swiped one very quickly. It was free, and only a mile walk to the festival! That started the day with a win in our books.
A mile-long walk from our parked car to the festival entrance might seem a little daunting, but it was made altogether pleasant by the beautiful setting we found ourselves in. The sun was shining, and the little trees were beginning to turn shades of red and orange. I really felt like I was walking through an episode of Gilmore Girls as we made our way through Downtown Franklin, especially when we passed the local booksellers and quaint cafes. I somehow forget about Franklin sometimes, but I can already tell I’ll be back this fall and winter for the idyllic setting and upcoming holiday events.
As we passed the Factory at Franklin that lies directly across from Harlinsdale Park where the festival takes place, we were greeted by some of the employees distributing little smiley-face-shaped fans to those on their way inside.
The first item on our agenda was a show with the Hippies and Cowboys band at the Americana Music Triangle Tent. Hippies and Cowboys are based out of Leiper’s Fork, a town not far from Franklin, TN, so we were stoked to get to support a local act at the festival. The Americana Music Triangle, for those not familiar, is the trail of cities in this area of the South that are the home to major contributions to American music culture. Cities in this triangle include Muscle Shoals, AL, Memphis, TN, and Tupelo, MS, along with several more. The contributions from this area span genres, from blues to rock and roll to country, but all are home grown and historical. The tent, named after this historical trail, was the perfect place to kick off the weekend and celebrate music. Booths representing the major musical cities framed rows of church pews facing a vintage stylized stage. The shade and homey atmosphere made for a warm and welcoming environment for our first stop on our pilgrimage.
The Hippies and Cowboys band was an incredible way to christen our first Pilgrimage weekend. Loaded with 70s-style rock and roll charm, the band was reminiscent of giants like Skynyrd and ZZ Top. They won over the crowd with a healthy mix of original music and classic covers. They paid homage to Elvis Presley and Albert King and ended the set by bringing the entire tent together to sing and sway along to “Hey Jude” by The Beatles. I was a big fan of their set, and I’m really loving their new album that just came out October 7th! You can find links to their music and more here.
After that first show, we had to take a spin around the booths in the tent to “visit” these famous cities. We even got to say hi to one of my dad’s friends at the Huntsville tent!
After our exploration of some of the vendor tents, we made our way over to the Gold Record Road stage for James Bay’s set. James Bay has been a favorite of mine since I used to listen to his first album religiously in 2014. His set was electric, and Haley and I both enjoyed dancing and singing along to our favorites. His voice is just incredible, and the energy of the crowd was so warm and cheerful.
After dancing through that whole set, we sought out a shady spot to sprawl out. It’s been awhile since Bonnaroo, so we were rusty at this and already needed one of our signature festival naps. We wandered over by the Midnight Sun stage, found a perfect grassy patch with plenty of shade, and spread out our sun-patterned picnic blanket. We were able to catch bits and pieces of Better Than Ezra‘s set, which was chockfull of some wonderfully nostalgic songs and unexpected covers. We dozed on and off for awhile, soaking up the blue, blue sky and people watching quietly. It was a beautiful way to pass the time.
Of course we had to find some food pretty soon. After a quick lap to weigh our options (as there were about a million that looked delicious) Haley settled on pizza and I chose NashBowls for an acai bowl. While in line for my acai bowl, the person in front of me introduced themselves and then interviewed me for a piece they were writing on festival fashion for WKRN.com. I thought that was the coolest thing EVER, and you can read that article and witness some very stylish individuals here.
We reunited, snacks in hand, and found the best little spot to sit, right beside the main barn on the farm property. Haley ate her pizza and I enjoyed my smoothie bowl, and we soaked up the sights and listened to the sounds of The Head and The Heart taking the stage. We also took the time to take plenty of obligatory outfit pictures, and the gorgeous white and green building made a perfect background.
We were able to soak up a few minutes of The Black Crowes‘ set against a pretty little Tennessee sunset, before we made our way back to the Midnight Sun Stage to reserve ourselves a decent spot for the grand finale of the evening: The Lumineers.
I am so so SO glad we walked over there at the right time to get the spot we did. Not only were we not very far from the stage, considering the crowd size, but we also ended up only feet away from the catwalk and tiny stage that they set up in the crowd. That was INCREDIBLE.
I can’t even describe the emotions when they opened the show with “Cleopatra” right there on that tiny stage. It’s a favorite of Haley’s and mine, and we immediately grabbed each other and jumped as we sang along.
This was the second time I’ve seen the Lumineers live, and the energy is just always electric. They put on an absolutely incredible performance. They played a song I hadn’t heard them do live before: “Long Way From Home.” It’s an incredible song about love, loss, and grief and I cried all the way through. I always love the Lumineers, but this show especially reignited my obsession. Also, what a show to see on the first day of Autumn! It was perfect.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Sunday morning was spent recuperating, resting, and getting ready for the exciting night that lay ahead. Zach Bryan day was bound to be quite a wild ride. We waited to head in a little later on that day, due to plenty of homework and a need for rest in order to make the most of our night. We headed out a little after 4, eager to get on the Interstate and make our way to the farm grounds.
We were maybe 30 minutes into our trip when Haley looks over at me and goes “… Sophia, do you have your wristband?”
I, of course, had slipped the wristband off to take a shower that morning, and left it sitting right there on a bedside table like it wasn’t the single thing that would allow me entrance into the festival grounds. I very quickly texted my wonderful sweetheart of a mother and asked if she would please, please, PLEASE, meet us at a nearby exit with my wristband. She was on her way almost immediately, thank goodness, and we had the wristband securely on my wrist in about 30 minutes. Sometimes, it’s a wonder I remember to do anything on a day-to-day basis.
After that little minor emergency, we were back on the road for a smooth drive the rest of the way. We arrived in beautiful downtown Franklin once again, this time scoring a perfect parking spot right on the square.
The sun was just beginning to set as we walked through town to the grounds. It made for the most gorgeous views, and a perfect background for pictures, of course. The sky was fully of fluffy blue and pink clouds, and the sprawling grass was gorgeous and green. I’m grateful to live somewhere that beautiful.
Once officially in the grounds, we bee-lined for the pizza vendor so we could fuel up quickly. While we scarfed down our slices and split a sweet tea, we admired the way the grounds glowed at night and the sounds of Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats in the near distance. It was already a beautiful night, and it was only bound to improve.
We knew the Zach Bryan crowd was going to be absolutely insane, so we headed over about an hour early so we could get a somewhat decent spot to see. We couldn’t really get super close, but we still had a great view of the stage and screens. Plus, it’s really all about hearing the music anyway.
I have seen Zach Bryan three times now. Every time, I’m reminded that he really is a fantastic performer, not to mention a brilliant songwriter. I resisted him at first, only because I’m not a huge country music fan, but I’m fully on board now. He reads a lot more folky to me than pure country, and I really think he deserves all the hype he gets.
Haley and I completely and totally wore ourselves out dancing from the very first song. He opened the show with “Open the Gate” and the energy was already at a high. My shoes were killing my feet (my fault) but it didn’t stop me from jumping around like crazy.
That show was chock full of surprises, and the setlist was absolutely incredible. I heard all the songs I love, and a few I learned I should pay more attention to. During a fan favorite, “Heading South,” Zach pulled someone out of the crowd to sing and play guitar, and everyone absolutely loved it. Shout out to Johnny, you were great!
Then, he brought out The War and Treaty, the husband-wife duo that he just released the song “Hey Driver” with. That song is one of my favorites, and it was even better live. I don’t think the crowd ever stopped singing the words to all the songs he played, and it was really heartwarming to see that much love and community in one place.
The next surprise really was just that. I wish I could relay the look on Haley and I’s faces and the sounds that came out of our mouths when it happened. First, Zach introduced a song of his that he had just released the week before. Next thing we knew, “Sarah’s Place” was playing, and Noah Kahan ran in from offstage. We did not expect that in the slightest and couldn’t help but freak out. We LOVE Noah Kahan.
Finally, the last surprise was at least a little more expected, but still so cool we couldn’t actually believe it was happening. The Lumineers came out to sing “Spotless” off of Zach Bryan’s latest album, and it was beautiful. The Lumineers, Noah Kahan, and Zach Bryan make up three of my most-listened-to artists, so it absolutely made my year to see all of them share a stage that night.
After the long trek back to our car (only long because I chose the wrong shoes for that night), we were completely exhausted but also completely stoked about everything we had just experienced. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. (Don’t ask how many times I’ve streamed “Spotless” and “Sarah’s Place” since that weekend.)
We got to spend a weekend outside in gorgeous weather on a stunning Tennessee farm, listening to our favorite artists play music. There could have been no better way to welcome in fall.
I am eternally grateful to Experience TN and Pilgrimage Festival for such an incredible opportunity and an unforgettable weekend.
Until next time, Sophia ❤
Small Town Sophia 