Hinterland Festival 2025 Sees Its Best Year Yet with Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator, & More
Last week, to kick off the month of August, the fields of St. Charles, Iowa hosted one of the Midwest’s most promising festivals, Hinterland, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in spectacular fashion. Becoming known as the biggest festival in Iowa, Hinterland continues to grow in scope and stature, and this year’s edition was the biggest yet, featuring a bigger venue and record-breaking ticket sales.
Headliners Tyler, the Creator, Kacey Musgraves, and Lana Del Rey lit up the weekend, joined by a genre-diverse lineup including Clairo, Royel Otis, The Marías, Role Model, Sierra Ferrell, Still Woozy, and many more. After receiving criticism in 2024 for extreme heat, limited access to water and shade, and overwhelming crowds, organizers clearly took notes and it showed. This year’s improvements included additional water stations, mist fans, a large shaded canopy, and giant fans near the barricades to keep attendees cool. Organizers even offered a heat-related refund guarantee if temperatures exceeded 90°F. While parking and exit logistics for 25,000+ guests each night still posed a challenge, efforts to address past concerns were widely appreciated, setting a solid precedent that all criticisms for this year's edition to be improved upon in 2026. But beyond the logistics, the venue itself was a highlight of lush Iowa fields that perfectly crafted the camping-festival experience.
Friday opened with a nostalgic moment as Rebecca Black performed her viral hit “Friday”. Royel Otis followed up with amazing covers of “Linger” by The Cranberries and “Murder on the Dancefloor” by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, while Remi Wolf brought high-energy for the crowd in the best way possible. Clairo captivated the crowd with her dreamy vocals and jazzy live band, even performing “Steeeaamm,” a track from her collaborative group Shelly that’s been making the rounds on TikTok. Closing out the night as fans waited in anticipation, Tyler, the Creator’s iconic Chromakopia shipping container glowed green until his crew dropped a banner revealing the new album cover, Don’t Tap The Glass which summoned roars of excitement. Kicking off this new era with performances of “Big Poe” and “Sugar On My Tongue,” Tyler closed out his Chromakopia era and kicked off the Don’t Tap The Glass Era . Mid-set, he joked, “I have no idea where I am—but I can feel the love,” acknowledging the undeniable energy in Iowa.
Day two kept the good vibes going. Gigi Perez had the crowd swooning during her performance of “Sailor Song.” Role Model jokingly introduced himself as “Charli XCX and the 1965.” Fans buzzed with speculation over who would appear as Sally during his song “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out” with guesses ranging from Gracie Abrams to Olivia Rodrigo or Kacey Musgraves. In the end, the surprise guest was María Zardoya from The Marías, who joined Role Model on stage, one of the weekend’s most delightful surprises. Still Woozy danced his way into the crowd during his set, while The Marías brought some Spanish flair to the festival that left a lasting impression. Kacey Musgraves closed out Saturday with a stunning country performance. During “Follow Your Arrow,” she paused to deliver a heartfelt message: a reminder to live authentically and love who you love words that resonated deeply, especially with her LGBTQ+ fanbase. It was one of the most touching moments of the weekend.
Sunday kicked off with Sam Austins who ventured into the audience mid-set. Sierra Ferrell celebrated her birthday on stage, and Jack Antonoff of Bleachers made a bold claim: “Glastonbury take note. Hinterland is the one to beat. That was the top.” The anticipation for Lana Del Rey could be felt all day. So high, in fact, that organizers had to announce fans were not allowed to line up before 10 a.m. Once gates opened, it was every person for themselves, as fans raced to the barricade to secure the best view. When Lana finally took the stage, it was nothing short of magical. “Iowa is the perfect place to stop and rest,” she said a sentiment shared by many artists throughout the weekend. Her set spanned her legendary catalog, including “Summertime Sadness,” “Ride,” “Ultraviolence,” and more which brought a close to the festival.
From scorching criticism in 2024 to glowing praise in 2025, Hinterland has proven that it's not going anywhere in the US festival scene. With 2026 already on the horizon, don’t be surprised if this smaller Iowa festival continues to climb the ranks of the country’s most beloved summer festivals. Here’s to a decade of Hinterland, and to even more unforgettable memories to come.
Review & Photos by: Josue Cambara
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