Washington, D.C.’s Music Festival, All Things Go, is making its return to Merriweather Post Pavilion for a third year. The festival has doubled in size since its previous installment, and will unfold across 2 full days and 2 stages. The meticulously curated lineup boasts a fusion of today’s most prominent indie and pop sensations, alongside a selection of promising up-and-comers. Notably, an impressive 72% of the lineup is made up of women and nonbinary artists. The magnitude of the festival’s popularity was evident as it completely sold out in under 24 hours. Here are 5 sets you can’t miss this year.
Hemlocke Springs
When They’re Playing: Saturday at 12:00-12:20PM on the Chrysalis Stage
Recommended Tracks: “girlfriend”; “sever the blight”; “gimme all ur luv”; “heaven”
Similar Artists: MARINA, Remi Wolf, Coco & Clair Clair
Hailing from North Carolina, Hemlocke Springs is a burgeoning pop star. You may recognize the bridge of her song “girlfriend” that went viral on tiktok last year and racked up over 30 million streams on Spotify. Users on the app quickly crowned the track as an “awkward black girl anthem.” While pursuing a masters degree at Dartmouth she started creating music and posting it online as a hobby. Her songwriting and production style is comparable to that of early Marina and The Diamonds. Despite being a relative newcomer to the music scene with only a handful of singles on streaming platforms, Hemlocke Springs has managed to leave an indelible impression on listeners. We eagerly await what she will do next.
—–
Sudan Archives
When They’re Playing: Saturday at 1:20-1:50PM on the Chrysalis Stage
Recommended Tracks: “NBPQ (Topless)”; “Home Maker”; “Iceland Moss”
Similar Artists: Little Simz, Kelela, Tirzah
Brittney Parks, known as Sudan Archives, is an LA-based singer, songwriter, producer, and self-taught violinist. The moniker “Sudan” came from the nickname her mother gave her as a child, while “Archives” pays homage to ethnomusicologist, Francis Bebey. Growing up in Cincinnati, Parks learned violin by ear and her playing style grew to be inspired by Sudanese fiddlers. Melding percussive elements and genre bending melodies, her music is a violin infused blend of electronic, R&B, and hip-hop. Her 2022 album, Natural Brown Prom Queen, garnered a 9.0 rating from Pitchfork. ODESZA also recently remixed her track, “Selfish Soul.”
—–
Meet Me @ The Altar
When They’re Playing: Sunday at 1:20-1:50PM on the Chrysalis Stage
Recommended Tracks: “Say It (To My Face)”; “Kool”; “T.M.I”
Similar Artists: Paramore, Stand Atlantic, Avril Lavigne
Meet Me @ The Altar is pop punk band that channels an early 2000s sound. Comprised of Edith Victoria on vocals, Téa Campbell on guitar and bass, and Ada Juarez on drums, the trio’s journey began back in 2015. Their unique collaborative process started with crafting their music over the internet without ever having met each other in person. They actually met in person for the first time on the same day they performed their first show together. Since then, they’ve garnered recognition from esteemed figures within the genre, including like The Wonder Years’ Dan Campbell, Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus, and All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth. Paramore’s Hayley Williams recently sent them a hand written note reading, “You are making it possible for so many young people from whatever walk of life to make punk music! Thank you for carrying the torch!.” The band has also scored opening slots on tours with MUNA, 5 Seconds of Summer, JXDN, and Green Day. Check out their most recent project, Past // Present // Future, released this year via Fueled by Ramen.
—–
Ethel Cain
When They’re Playing: Sunday at 3:35-4:25PM on the Pavilion Stage
Recommended Tracks: “House In Nebraska”; “Ptolomaea”; “Thoroughfare”; “Knuckle Velvet”
Similar Artists: Nicole Dollanganger, Florence + The Machine, Weyes Blood
Hayden Anhedönia, known professionally as the artist Ethel Cain, released her debut record, Preacher’s Daughter, in May last year. Since then, she has sold out shows across the world, delved into the fashion world as the face of Givenchy’s fall-winter 2022 campaign, graced the covers of Crack, Paper, and V magazines, and gained a dedicated cult following. Preacher’s Daughter is inspired by her life growing up in a small Florida baptist community. The record tells the life story of fictional character, Ethel Cain, who is ultimately murdered and cannibalized. It explores themes of religious trauma and generational trauma through a southern gothic and slowcore-inspired sound. The record is intended to be the first of a trilogy that will continue in exploring the lives of Ethel Cain’s mother and grandmother.
—–
Suki Waterhouse
When They’re Playing: Saturday at 2:30-3:15PM on the Pavilion Stage
Recommended Tracks: “Good Looking”; “To Love”; “Coolest Place in the World”; “Nostalgia”
Similar Artists: Mazzy Star, Men I Trust, Beach House
Suki Waterhouse is a multifaceted actress, model, and singer who radiates an ethereal retro charm reminiscent of artists like Mazzy Star and Lana Del Rey. She started her modeling career at 16 and delved into acting at 20. More recently, she graced screens in the 2023 Prime Video series Daisy Jones & The Six, portraying the role of the keyboardist, Karen Sirko. In the past couple of years, she has shifted focus toward her music, unveiling her EP “Milk Teeth” and her debut album Can’t Let Go in 2022. Her single “Good Looking” may be familiar from its viral tiktok moment this past year.
Keep up with All Things Go:
Website // Instagram // X // Facebook // TikTok
