I first went to All Things Go in 2021 in DC with my brother and sister, and it immediately became one of my favorite festival memories. Music has only been something we have bonded over in the last five years, so sharing a weekend full of shows together, rain and all, felt extra special. We got to see artists like Charli xcx, and I left feeling like this festival really offered something different. Part of that is its identity: while most major festivals still average only about 25% female artists on their lineups, All Things Go is proudly known for its female-dominated bill. That makes the experience feel refreshing and inclusive. And it shows up everywhere, from the set times that hardly overlap, to the way one stage’s performances are broadcast on the other while setups happen, to the community booths from Amplify Her Voice, Lola, Women in Music, and more.
Coming back this year with Staged Haze, I was thrilled by the mix of artists: some I have seen recently, others I have been dying to see, and still more I had never heard of but happily discovered and added to my playlists by the end of the weekend. That is what I love most about All Things Go, it always feels like celebration, discovery, and connection all at once. Also, it barely rained this year!
Day One
Caroline Kingsbury
On the first day of the festival, I arrived with Caroline Kingsbury’s music in my ears, especially her brand-new EP Shock Treatment, which had just dropped that morning and instantly felt like the stuff of my ’80s pop dreams. I had also seen her Instagram post announcing her spot on the lineup, where she shared that she’d been hoping to play All Things Go since 2018, making her set feel all the more special.
With bright yellow hair and a neon outfit, she was the perfect artist to launch the weekend, radiating pure energy and stunning vocals that set the tone for the day. After her set, at the main Pavilion Stage, she admitted with refreshing honesty, “I’ve been wanting to play this festival for 10 years, I’m not kidding. I have screenshots of me DMing them ‘Put me in your festival! I’m gay!’ And here we are. I tripped twice, but I enjoyed it. That’s rock n’ roll.” She even brought out her tour mate MARIS to perform their collaboration “Give Me a Sign,” making her long-awaited festival debut feel like both a personal milestone and an exciting start to the next leg of her tour.
Sunday (1994)
Over at the Chrysalis Stage, Sunday (1994) kept the momentum rolling with the kind of raw, magnetic energy that makes All Things Go such a discovery festival. Their set leaned on fresh material from their latest EP Devotion, unpolished but confident in all the right ways. Front woman Paige Turner looked striking in a beautiful silk dress she had just picked up in Toronto, while her bandmates, including Brit Lee Newell, sharpened the contrast in tailored suits. The mix of elegance and edge mirrored their sound, pulling the early crowd in with songs that hinted at just how much bigger they could get.
After the set, the band reflected on how warmly they felt embraced, with Lee noting, “We share a lot of the same values, they’re a very progressive music festival,” and Paige adding, “The lineup is filled with artists I look up to. We felt so honored.”
Joy Oladokun
Joy Oladokun’s set was one of those rare moments where the whole festival seemed to take a breath together. Her voice is tender but commanding, and from the first note she had the crowd completely locked in. Between songs, she showed off her sense of humor, tying a bandana around her head and calling it “grandma mode,” before laughing about how she loves to fish when she’s not writing. “That’s why I’m dressed like Forrest Gump,” she joked. It was the perfect mix of warmth, wit, and soul, and it made her set unforgettable, full of goosebumps and laughter, proof that you don’t need anything flashy when you’ve got songs this good.
The Beaches
Having seen The Beaches last year at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, I knew to expect their mix of sharp banter and high-octane fun, and they didn’t disappoint. “We love an excuse to drink and chat,” lead singer Jordan Miller joked before launching into “Beer in the Shower,” a song that had the crowd both laughing and singing along.
Their relatability carried through the whole set, especially when they asked, “Have you ever said too much before? Do we have any oversharers in the audience?” and were met with plenty of cheers. They spoke about their new album No Hard Feelings, inspired by Sex and the City and messy relationship stories, with Leandra Earl chiming in, “I feel bad for our exes.” The band closed with their unapologetic anthem “Blame Brett,” a perfect finish to a set that was equal parts chaotic and cathartic.
The Last Dinner Party
The Last Dinner Party was one of the bands I had circled on my most anticipated list, and their set lived up to the hype. From the moment they stepped on stage in their striking outfits, they brought a mix of theatricality and precision that matched the buzz surrounding them. They played a brand-new song due out October 1, balancing it with fan favorites like “Nothing Matters,” which had the whole crowd locked in. In between, they used their platform to support Medical Aid for Palestinians and reminded the audience to “look after each other.” The combination of drama, activism, and community made their performance feel both urgent and celebratory, a reminder of why so many people are paying attention to this band right now.
The Marías
Back at the Pavilion Stage, The Marías transported the crowd into another world. Their stage design was breathtaking: a massive O-shaped portal with stairs leading up to it, a donut-shaped side platform where María sat during parts of the set, and dreamy blue visuals that made it feel like we were on the surface of another planet. Even bubbles floated out from behind the stage, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
María herself was completely captivating, commanding attention with both her vocals and presence. A highlight came when the band seamlessly transitioned one of their own songs into The Cardigans’ “Lovefool,” which flowed into a horn-driven take on Beyoncé, a one-two punch that had the audience floating right along with them. Watching the set really made me excited for María’s upcoming solo project Not For Radio, but I was also glad to see them perform songs from Submarine, which was an essential summer album for me.
Noah Kahan
All day long there had been a steady buzz around Noah Kahan’s headlining set, with Stick Season t-shirts spotted everywhere I looked, and by the time he took the stage the anticipation had fully boiled over. He delivered the kind of performance that felt both intimate and massive all at once. Against a beautiful backdrop and joined by strings, including cello and violin, he walked out to deafening cheers before grinning and blurting, “Holy shit, y’all. My name is Noah Kahan and I’m here to ruin your evening.”
From that moment on, he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He reminisced about playing All Things Go a few years back, promising that “tonight is gonna be just as fucking good,” before launching into a set full of songs that had thousands of voices singing so loud they nearly drowned him out. At one point he teased the audience, saying, “Gonna wipe these smiles off your faces—this song’s called ‘New Perspective,’” leaning into the mix of humor and heartbreak that defines his music. By the end, it was clear why he’s become a generational songwriter: every lyric hit like a confession, and every chorus became a communal release, closing out Day One on an emotional high.
Day Two
Carol Ades
I started off the rainy day at the Chrysalis Stage with Carol Ades, who brought playful chaos to the set. Rocking a schoolgirl outfit alongside her band and even wearing a zit sticker with pride, she mixed humor with raw emotion, leaning into her reputation for writing confessional pop-rock songs that cut straight to the bone. My favorite part was when she performed her new song “Good Swimmer”, which I am completely obsessed with. It was the perfect way to kick off Saturday, proof that she can wrap vulnerability in a burst of theatrical energy and still land every emotional punch.
Zinadelphia
From there, I stayed at the Chrysalis Stage long enough to catch the tail end of Zinadelphia’s set, and even in just a few songs she made a powerful impression. Dressed in a gorgeous gown with peacock feathers accenting the stage, she and her band looked as striking as they sounded. Before one song, she paused to talk about a period in her life when she was struggling and a close friend encouraged her not to shrink herself but to take up space unapologetically. “Shit happens and dreams come true. My life changed for the better and I get to celebrate, and I’m so grateful to be here,” she told the crowd, introducing the song she had written for that person. Her powerful vocals soared on “Make Me Proud”, turning that personal piece of advice into an anthem and leaving me wishing I had been able to catch her whole set.
hey, Nothing
hey, nothing, a band from Georgia consisting of Tyler Mabry and Harlow Phillips, burst onto the Chrysalis Stage with a mix of unruly energy and undeniable charm that immediately won the crowd over. Phillips took on most of the banter between songs, keeping things light and hilarious. “Who came to fucking party? Thank God. This song’s about being mentally ill,” they said at one point, and the audience responded with laughter and cheers. Early in the set they urged, “Say nice things to each other,” before leaning into lyrics that cut straight through, like “act like you’re not up to something, look me in the eyes.” They weren’t afraid to get political either, declaring, “Trans rights are human rights. Fuck Trump. And free Palestine, baby!” before diving into another track. Songs like “Like a Brother,”“Maine,” and “Blackbeard,” showed the full scope of their sound, a blend of catharsis and wild release that made their set one of the most memorable of the day.
Bartees Strange
Next up was Bartees Strange, who completely lit up the Chrysalis Stage. I had seen him once before at Re: Set at Forest Hills in 2023, where he opened for Clairo and boygenius, and it was amazing to watch how much he has grown since then. He has this way of blending genres that feels effortless, sliding from rock to hip hop to funk sometimes within the same song. When he tore into his new song “Boomer” the whole vibe shifted up a notch, his delivery sharp and intense. What made his set so good was the balance: huge, almost overwhelming bursts of sound mixed with quieter moments that gave you room to breathe before the next wave hit. It didn’t feel like he was trying to fit into any category, more like he was expanding what all of them could be.
G. Flip
I ran over to the Pavilion Stage so that I could see what G Flip is about. I knew they were a drummer and that they’re married to Chrishell Stause, but that was pretty much it. I was pleasantly surprised by how dynamic and engaging their set turned out to be. At different points they were behind the drum kit, at the mic, and even jumping in with a saxophone, showing off a level of musicianship that immediately won the crowd over. Their energy was infectious, bouncing between high-octane anthems and moments that felt more intimate, and the whole thing played like both a party and a showcase of serious skill. By the end of their set, I understood exactly why people have been buzzing about them.
Paris Paloma
I admittedly had only heard Paris Paloma’s recent song “Good Boy”, but my interest was piqued enough to make sure I caught her set. I’m glad I did, because it felt like stepping into another world. Dressed in a flowing white lace gown with ethereal makeup, she gave off a vibe that was part Florence and the Machine, part something entirely her own. Her huge smile never faded as she moved across the stage, radiating both grace and power. At one point she thanked the fans who had been with her since the very beginning, calling it a privilege to be playing shows at this level. Songs like “The Fruits” and the viral “Labour” showed the full scope of her artistry, blending delicacy and force into something that felt both ancient and urgent.
Gigi Perez
After hearing from friends who went to the New York edition of the festival the previous day—where Gigi Perez had played and they raved about “the hair, the vocals, the talent!”—I knew I had to catch her set. She walked on stage with the kind of presence that made it clear her voice was going to do the heavy lifting, and it did not disappoint. Her vocals were rich and powerful, filling the Pavilion Stage with a mix of strength and soul that instantly commanded attention. When she launched into her TikTok-viral “Sailor Song,” I got goosebumps hearing the entire crowd sing every word back to her, a moment that felt both intimate and electric. There was no sense of hesitation in her delivery, only conviction, and the way she moved through her set showed both confidence and vulnerability. It was one of those performances that made you stop and listen, proof that she’s an artist worth keeping on your radar.
Hippo Campus
I only caught Hippo Campus on the screen while staying at the Pavilion Stage, but since they’re one of my brother’s favorite bands, I made sure to pay close attention. Even from a distance, their sharp riffs and playful energy translated, pulling the crowd in right away. “Baseball” was a highlight, with fans shouting every lyric back to them, the kind of moment that turned the set into a communal singalong. Their ability to balance tight musicianship with a fun, carefree presence made their performance feel effortless, a reminder of why they’ve become such a beloved festival staple.
The Backseat Lovers
Faye Webster
Faye Webster’s set was a study in contrasts. Her light, airy vocals floated over dreamy arrangements that at times gave way to harder, rock-leaning textures. I was especially happy she played “Decoder Ring”, her collaboration with Lil Yachty that I love, and it stood out as a highlight. Though she didn’t move around much on stage, her music spoke for itself, pulling the crowd in with a quiet intensity that made every song land. The balance highlighted her unique artistry, the ability to sound both vulnerable and commanding in the same breath.
Clairo
The amount of Clairo shirts I spotted on Saturday could have convinced me she was the headliner, and in fact she did headline the New York edition of the festival on Sunday. Her set at All Things Go wasn’t a surprise, I see clips from the “Charm” tour all the time on my FYP, but it was still lovely and the crowd was eating it up. Keeping with her tradition, she shared a glass of wine with her band while “After Laughter” by Wendy Rene played, before easing into songs that blended soft nostalgia with understated emotion. Her voice, gentle and almost whispered at times, carried across the crowd and turned the Pavilion into a space that felt calm and communal. She wore a really cute pantsuit that was half black and half white, and of course had her headphones on. It was a perfect way to wind down a chiller second day.
Wallows
Well, not quite. First I had to run over to the Chrysalis Stage and watch Dylan Minette, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston rock out and look cute doing it. By then a drizzle had started to fall, but it only added to the atmosphere. Fans didn’t care one bit, singing and dancing through a set stacked with favorites. The highlight for me was hearing my favorite song by them, “OK,” live, which sounded even better with thousands of voices shouting along. They closed with “Only Friend,” sending everyone off on a euphoric note that proved a little rain couldn’t dampen the fun.
Lucy Dacus
Having seen Lucy Dacus on her “Forever Is a Feeling” tour, I was excited to catch the festival version of her show, which carried the same emotional weight but with a bigger sense of occasion. One of the most unique things she has been doing on this run is officiating weddings on stage, and that night she married sixteen couples in a single ceremony, turning her set into a true celebration of love and community. She also surprised the crowd by bringing out Dylan Minette of Wallows to sing Hozier’s part on “Bullseye,” a crossover moment that tied the day together in such a joyful way. Her soaring vocals and deeply personal lyrics anchored the night, but it was those moments of spontaneity and connection that made the performance unforgettable.
Day Three
I knew that the last day of All Things Go was going to be super high energy, and Molly Grace was the perfect performer to kick it off. She just released her debut album Blush, and her pink-focused aesthetic and wardrobe is reminiscent of Sabrina Carpenter. Molly’s vocals are off the charts, and with her band she was accompanied by two background vocalists, who she called out as her best friends, who were donning hot pink sheer baby doll tops and bloomers.
She started off by saying “I’m going to take you to church!” and the Nashville-based pop star in the making did not disappoint. Everyone was loving her and her choreography, and looking at Tik Tok reviews of the festival, she got herself a lot of new fans. Talking to her later, her energy is so bubbly and joyful. All her tour looks were custom made by someone who reached out to her on the internet, which I think is truly a testament to how relatable and friendly she is. I feel so lucky to be getting in on the ground floor as a fan.
Peach PRC
I immediately ran over to the Chrysalis Stage to see Peach PRC. She had performed in NYC the day before, and seeing videos of her pole dancing, I knew I had to catch her set. She played her new song “Sweet & Low” which she called “a little cheeky, a little fun.” Before the section where she pole danced (a bit the crowd was loving) she played a song on her Omnichord. I didn’t realize how multi-talented the Australian singer-songwriter was, and she’s got a new fan in me!
Alemeda
Following Molly at the Pavilion stage, I caught a bit of Alameda’s set. Alameda is a Sudanese-Ethiopian singer-songwriter. She introduced one song by saying “This song is straight from the heart, with all the love I have. It’s called ‘Hate Your Face.’” Then when she introduced “1-800-Fuck You” she called out “Do we have some haters in the building? Are y’all hateful for real like me? I want you to have someone you hate in their head and think of them during this next song.” She had one of the most relatable sets of the whole weekend, talking about friendship breakups, relationships, and the rare times she feels like writing a love song.
On the way to the festival for the third day I blasted MICHELLE’S new EP Kiss/Kill. The new bops along with the videos I saw of them performing at All Things Go NYC (the choreo! The matching outfits) I was not going to miss their set at the Chrysalis Stage. The sun was fully out during their set, but the sweating was cathartic. I was absolutely mesmerized by front women and dancers Sofia D’Angelo, Jamee Lockhard and Emma Lee. I’m sad they’re going on hiatus.
The Aces
Another must see for me was the Aces. After getting to preview and review their new album Gold Star Baby, I knew their set was going to be a dance party. After playing a few songs from the album, the peak moment was probably their performance of “Girls Make Me Wanna Die”. Everyone in the pit was shouting! They have such a fun energy and natural chemistry with each other. I was so happy when they finished their set with my favorite song by them “Daydream”.
Later they told me “DC is one of our favorite places to play on tour.” Lead singer Cristal Ramirez mentioned that this was only the second time playing a bunch of songs from the record and “It was a different energy. It was so much fun.” The Utah-born band, consisting of Cristal and her sister Alisa, along with Katie Henderson on drums and McKenna Petty on bass, have such a fun energy and natural chemistry with each other. “We’re always talking to each other on stage. If you see one of us go and grab a mic there’s a 50/50 chance we’re saying something insane to one another or trying to make each other laugh.”
Griff
Ashe
Rachel Chinouriri
Rachel was on the top of my list since she dropped out of opening for Remi Wolf when I saw her last year at King’s Theatre. She performed the previous day at All Things Go NYC and I saw a clip of her boyfriend Isaac coming out on stage during her song “Can We Talk About Isaac?” He didn’t make an appearance in DC but her set was amazing nonetheless. She was dressed really cool, in shorts, boots and a ripped top, and I laughed when she said “I like to dance through my traumas.” My favorite moment was probably when she played the song “Dumb Bitch Juice” and of course being a part of the crowd to sing “All I Ever Asked” with her felt so special.
Role Model
Due to Lola Young dropping out of the festival, Role Model got moved to the Pavilion Stage in her slot, which was a good move because of how many people were there to see him. The Tik Toks don’t lie, he really is very cute and charming on stage. He introduced himself as “Ed Sheeran” and jokingly called out “Pitbull” to join him on stage. His between-song banter was fun and his songs have such a great energy. Obviously the best moment was when he brought out Griff for “Sally When the Wine Runs Out.”
DJO
Doechii
I mean, anything I write in here will not totally encapsulate how amazing Doechii’s set was. It was definitely the highest energy I have felt from the crowd all weekend. She also was supposed to be at the smaller stage but the demand was so high. She is really having a moment right now, she even started the set with “Nosebleeds” her release following her Grammy win.
It was just her on a moss covered set, but she slowly took off layers to her outfit, and was playing off of her DJ, DJ Miss Milan. Shouting the lyrics to “Boiled Peanuts” and “Nissan Altima” was so awesome, and after her set finished with “Denial is a River” she didn’t seem to want to leave the stage and we got a taste of her song with Tyler the Creator “Balloon”. I felt so honored to get to be in the pit for Doechii, she is only going to get bigger.
Kesha
Kesha closed out the weekend with a bang! I was beyond impressed with her set, which had the elements of a true headline performance. She came on stage with a fake Kesha head, played on guitar, and had amazing back up dancers. The energy was electric and felt like a real end to a wonderful weekend. I was so happy to hear a slightly altered version of “Backstabber,” hits from all of Kesha’s albums, including the staple song “TikTok,” “Blow,” “Die Young,” “Your Love Is My Drug,” and so many others, as well as songs from her new album “.” including “BOY CRAZY,” “DELUSIONAL,” AND “CATHEDRAL.” She did not stop moving the entire performance and was very impressive to me. Kesha’s legacy is undeniable on contemporary pop music as a whole, so I’m super glad she got to have this moment.
Photos by Javi Zamorano for Staged Haze – check out all of our previous festival coverage HERE.
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