All Things Go DC is arguably one of the top festivals in the country and each year they outdo themselves with an even bigger and better experience. Each year you think the lineup is so spectacular but it just gets more amazing as the years go on. Part of what makes All Things Go one of the best festivals in the U.S is their ability to book more women, non binary, and queer artists on their festival. In a world that is overly dominated by male artists on festival lineups it is so refreshing to see such a diverse lineup. And this year’s lineup had to be their best yet. Headliners for the three day weekend included Mitski, Hayley Williams, and Brandi Carlile. But it just got better from there. Other standout acts who were featured in DC were MUNA, Slayyyter, Tinashe, Ethel Cain, Wolf Alice, Zara Larson, and so many more amazing acts. There was simply an artist for everyone’s taste and that’s what makes ATG feel so special. 

All Things Go is an experience that makes every moment feel special. It is more than just a lineup of artists performing on stage, it was a celebration of music, community, and the connections that live music creates between people. One of the first things that stands out about All Things Go DC was the overall atmosphere. There is something uniquely exciting about arriving at a music festival and seeing thousands of people gathered together, all ready to sing, dance, and enjoy performances from their favorite artists. The energy was contagious, and even before the biggest sets began, there was a sense of anticipation throughout the crowd. Whether people were meeting up with friends, discovering new artists, trading friendship bracelets, taking pictures, or finding the perfect spot to watch a performance, everyone seemed to be there to make the most of the experience.

All eyes were on the DC version of the festival, as unfortunately due to extreme weather the New York version got canceled. So while the party couldn’t go on in NYC, there was still a good time to be had in DC, and a damn good time was had for sure. Even with the rainy and cold weather for Saturday and Sunday, it didn’t put a damper on the weekend and spirits were just as high as the beautiful weather day on Friday. 

Speaking of Friday, Day One of the festival saw probably the biggest crowd of the weekend, with a stacked lineup ahead of the day, everyone was in for a treat. Day one featured a stacked lineup at both the Chrysalis stage and the main Pavilion stage. Here are some of our favorite stand out acts from day one.

Rico Nasty 
Rico got the energy going early on in the day with a spectacular set. One of the most impressive things about Rico Nasty as a performer is her ability to command a crowd. She had them dancing and screaming lyrics back from the start of her set.  What a way to start off the day. 

Underscores 
Underscores was directly after Rico’s set on the same stage so the energy was already high and fans were eager to get to hear Underscores blow their minds. She brought the electric energy and played songs like “The Peace”, “Music”, and “Hollywood Forever” to the crowd’s delight. 

Slayyyter 
One of the best sets of the weekend arguably was Slayyyter who has been on a tear recently in the industry. It was clear a lot of people came that day for her as you could see them decked out in Slayyyter inspired fits that were out of this world. She played the Chrysalis stage and had the crowd’s attention from start to finish. Quite possibly the loudest I’ve heard the crowd scream “Crank It” from her hit song “CRANK”. What an unforgettable set, she is truly such a star. 

Ethel Cain 
Ethel is no stranger to ATG as she has played the past few years of the festival. It would be hard to top Slayyyters set right after but Ethel Cain came very close. Though a very different vibe (think crying), fans were equally excited to see Ethel bring her emotional music to the ATG stage. The great migration from the second stage to the main stage was chaotic and saw some running to try and get a good spot for Ethel. It was truly an ethereal set and saw so much emotion from dedicated fans at the barricade. Ethel simply never disappoints at All Things Go. 

Magdalena Bay 
The ever so magical Magdelena Bay closed out the Chrysalis stage with their Imaginal Disk themed world. Their stage setup is one of the most unique and fun with glowing space themes. Magdalena Bay is one of the best picks for anyone who loves ambitious pop production, imaginative visuals, and music that feels like stepping into another world.

Day Two Highlights 

It was going to be hard to beat such a fantastic Day One of the festival but Day Two surely brought the heat. Though Day Two saw rain in the forecast throughout the day, it didn’t change how excited fans were to be there.

Haute & Freddy 
The powerful duo of Haute & Freddy took to the Chrysalis stage early on Saturday and put on a spectacular show. One of the most unique acts of the fest, Haute & Freddy have been making waves with their cheeky and cool clown ren faire inspired look and vibes. One of the most fun sets of the weekend for sure. 

Hemlocke Springs 
Another stellar artist taking the main Pavilion stage was Hemlocke Springs. Her artistry and songwriting is brilliant and it really showed through in her All Things Go Performance. She is currently on tour opening for MUNA and the two of them together are such an iconic duo. You’re missing out if you haven’t seen Hemlocke Springs live yet.  

The Beaches
Toronto stars The Beaches made their way back to the All Things Go stage again for the second time this year as they had played the Toronto version back in June. They always know how to put on a great show and it was even more evident here in DC. They played their classic hits like “Blame Brett”, “Edge of The Earth”, and “Can I Call You in The Morning”. Fans were loving every minute of their set despite the ongoing rain during it. 

Del Water Gap 
Del Water Gap was another standout act from a rainy Day Two. His charm and charisma on stage is what really brought him and the crowd together. He sang some classic songs from his discography like “Better Than I Know Myself”, “Glitter and Honey”, and “Ode To a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat”. For one of the last songs he even got down to the crowd and jumped into the pit with them to sing and dance together, it was such a sweet moment. 

MUNA 
The ever-so-great MUNA are also no strangers to the All Things Go stage as they have performed at both NYC and DC in the previous years. They even came up with the term “Lesbopalooza” to describe the overall gay vibes of All Things Go Festival, and them being a queer band themselves of course. They definitely brought their best show to All Things Go and there wasn’t a moment that people were not dancing or screaming the lyrics back to the band. It was so euphoric and that’s what makes MUNA such a strong choice for All Things Go each year. Simply put they are the greatest band out there. 

Hayley Williams (The Hayley Williams Show) 
Saturday’s headliner was none other than Miss Hayley Williams otherwise known as the lead singer of Paramore. But this time she was in her solo era bringing her unique solo show to All Things Go. A powerful, polished, and deeply personal performance. Hayley brought together the theatrical ambition of her solo music, the intensity of her vocals, and the political candor that makes her such a compelling live performer. The elaborate staging and planned encore gave the set a sense of occasion, while “Cinnamon” and “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” stood out as highlights.  She truly is such a stellar performer and it was the best way to close out another fantastic day at All Things Go. 

Day Three Highlights 

The final day of the festival was upon us and we didn’t want it to end. It’s been such a beautiful weekend with some of the most amazing artists you could ask for. 

Googly Eyes
To start the day off nice and early we had Googly Eyes put on an amazing show at Chrysalis stage. Her sound blends experimental electronic pop, stellar songwriting, and emotionally raw vocals. She drew attention after sending demos to Tove Lo and Flume’s artist development initiative, leading to collaborations and industry interest. Her recent single “Pandora’s Box” was released September 18, 2026, ahead of her All Things Go debut. 

CMAT 
One of Sunday’s most joyful, offbeat, and surprisingly moving performances was CMAT on the pavilion stage. Her set offered a different flavor from the weekend’s bigger dance-pop and alternative-rock performances, less about spectacle for its own sake, more about personality, storytelling, and songs that make you laugh before they hit you in the feelings. She had the crowd going wild throughout her whole set and added a cheeky touch with having her band all dressed up in fun ways. 

Wolf Alice 
If you’re wondering whether Wolf Alice are worth seeing live, the critical consensus is a strong yes. Their recent shows combine atmospheric indie rock, explosive guitar-heavy moments and increasingly ambitious stage production. Ellie Rowsell can move from delicate, dreamy singing to fierce, full throated rock vocals. She is one of the best vocalists in the industry and she came to slay at All Things Go. 

Tinashe 
Pop diva extraordinaire Tinashe put on one of her best performances at All Things Go. The performance arrived just after the release of her new album Popstar, giving the set a timely, fresh feel rather than making it purely a nostalgia trip. Though she did still play the hits like “Nasty” to the crowd’s delight. She is truly having her popstar moment, with her backup dancers accompanying her set as well as going behind the DJ booth for the second half of her set. Truly a pop diva moment we won’t soon forget. 

Lola Young 
Lola Young wanted a redemption at All Things Go as last time she was at the festival, she wasn’t in the best of places. And she sure had her redemption as she put on one of her best performances yet. She thanked the fans for being so patient with her as she took time away to work on herself.  And now she is back better than ever and truly shining at All Things Go. 

Brandi Carlile
With the last act of the entire festival we had none other than Brandi Carlile. And what a way to close out a festival. Her set was one of the most moving and emotional sets of the weekend and it still brought the electric energy to the festival. She has such stunning and elaborate production and so many beautiful moments throughout the set that really brought a tear to your eye. One of those moments being performing “The Joke” with the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. Another sweet moment was when Brandi brought out CMAT to perform a song together. Brandi sure knows how to put on such a cathartic and stellar show. We simply couldn’t have asked for a better way to end such a fantastic weekend. 

What makes All Things Go DC particularly appealing is the combination of its musical identity and the sense of community surrounding it. The festival feels like an opportunity to celebrate artists who mean something to their listeners while also creating space for new discoveries. It brings together people who might have different favorite performers but share an appreciation for music and the emotions that come with it.

There is also something special about seeing artists perform in a festival setting. A concert gives you the opportunity to focus on one artist for an entire evening, while a festival allows you to experience a much wider range of performances and musical styles in a relatively short period. You can move from one atmosphere to another, experience unexpected highlights, and find yourself enjoying a set you had not originally planned to watch.

All Things Go DC was a memorable celebration of live music, community, and the excitement of experiencing your favorite artists in person. The performances, enthusiastic crowds, variety of musical styles, and overall atmosphere combined to create a festival experience that felt special from beginning to end. All Things Go offered more than entertainment, it created a space where people could connect through music and enjoy a shared experience. We had an amazing time at All Things Go and are counting down the days until next time. 

Head to our Facebook page for the full photo galleries of Day One, Day Two, and Day Three.

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By Erin Crowley 

By the second day of Sommo Fest 2026, the overall grounds felt much more populated than they were the day before. The day’s music lineup consisted of indie folk, pop, and nostalgia before eventually arriving at Sombr, an artist whose rapid ascent has made him one of the most talked-about young names in alternative pop.

The most interesting thing about day two was that the music never seemed confined to the stages. On Friday, many spent the day camping the main stage to have a close spot for Twenty One Pilots, but those who attended the second day chose to take advantage of the full array of activities that the festival had to offer, such as a wide range of food and vendors. Groups were staking out patches of grass, drifting between performances, and I chatted with many different staff members who were in awe of Twenty One Pilots’ performance the day before, having previously known little about the band. Saturday at the fest felt more authentic to the core values of the festival, a place to celebrate local talent and local food.

At one point, I found myself at the Culinary Stage, which I didn’t have a chance to visit on Friday, watching a surprise appearance by Sofia Camara — an artist I had already seen perform on the main stage. I also had the pleasure of catching a surprise appearance by Canadian singer and rapper SonReal before that. At Sommo, food is part of the programming rather than an overthought. The festival’s Culinary Stage hosts live cooking demonstrations, conversations and tastings, while vendors throughout the grounds lean into the food culture of Prince Edward Island. Although the food was pricey (I’m looking at you, $80 pizza!), it felt like a much better use of my money to support local chefs and authentic Prince Edward Island cuisine, rather than to spend my money on a quick, greasy bite like I do at other fests.

Flower Face was the first performance of the day I caught on the Nova 7 Sandbar Stage, which felt fitting as the musician is based in Montreal (so am I!) The project, led by Ruby McKinnon, is music described as goth-folk and dreampop, and it carries darkness, tension and emotional
lyrics that felt as if they were more intimate than to be heard in an open, music festival. But the response was welcomed, and attendees passing by to check out what the grounds had to offer couldn’t help but stay for a couple songs. Although the performance itself didn’t have much spectacle, I felt it gave the audience an opportunity to feel the emotion in the words sung without distraction.

I was lucky to catch Edgehill as my second performance of the day, also at the Nova 7 Sandbar
Stage! Sommo Fest was the first stop of the American trio’s Moving Out tour, and their set was a great way to amp up the energy of day 2. Their music is described as “high-energy” with“guitar-driven anthems,” and the band was able to pull a steady crowd despite it being one of the earlier sets of the day. Their music has a strong sense of nostalgia in the sound, giving the band a “friends playing music in a garage” feel, in all the best ways! Truly one of my favourite surprise finds of the weekend!

Sofia Camara was one of the day’s most memorable artists, precisely because I got to see her twice, once on the Colliding Tides main stage and the other a bit later in the day on the Culinary Stage. On the main stage, Camara proved exactly why she was one of the weekend’s highlights. Her pop songwriting has an emotional directness that felt so natural in a festival setting, and she performed with the confidence of an artist who knows both her talent and the audience she’s performing to. Her 2026 single “The Last Encounter,” for example, focuses on the realization that a relationship has reached its end, framing heartbreak through acceptance rather than usual sadness, a unique perspective you don’t hear often in breakup songs. Later in the day as I was heading out to capture some photos of the festival grounds, I happened to walk past the Culinary Stage and, to my surprise, Sofia Camara was there as a surprise guest. Suddenly there was no giant stage separating the artist from the audience, and it was a truly unique experience to see the more human side of performers that many don’t get to see. Sommo Fest describes the stage as a space for chefs and personalities to cook, talk and share food with festivalgoers, and I thought it was a very smart touch to have surprise artist guests throughout the weekend to gather more interest and let attendees experience a truly unique space of the fest.

After, I headed back over to the Nova 7 Sandbar Stage to catch Canadian singer-songwriter, Jade LeMac. I was fortunate enough to catch two of her performances in the last 2 years in Montreal, but it was my first time getting to see her perform at a festival! Although LeMac has an easy stage-presence and never has an issue commanding an audience, it was a special experience to see her capture an audience in real time, with many viewers coming in after a song or two to “check it out” and choosing to stay for the whole show, rather than buying a ticket because they already knew who she was. Performing hits like her most popular song “Constellations,”, Jade LeMac danced and spun on every inch of the stage with a smile on her face the whole time. She was into the performance, and so was the audience and both energies fed into each other, leading to one of the highlight performances of the weekend.

By the time Wild Rivers took the main stage late Saturday afternoon, the crowd was already beginning to gather in anticipation of the day’s headliner, Sombr. Rather than simply filling time before the evening’s biggest set, however, the Toronto indie-folk group gave festivalgoers plenty of reason to stay engaged, delivering a warm, danceable performance that felt perfectly suited to the ocean atmosphere.

Wild Rivers, made up of Devan Glover, Khalid Yassein and Andrew Oliver, have built their sound around a blend of indie folk, pop and rock. The band has steadily expanded that sound since forming in Toronto, eventually earning a Juno nomination for Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2023, and Adult Alternative Album of the Year in 2025, and touring alongside artists including The Chicks and Noah Kahan.

That connection to Kahan was particularly relevant at Sommo Fest, as he performed at the festival during its second edition in 2024. Many festival attendees of that year, or fans of Noah Kahan in general found themselves particularly enjoying Wild Rivers set, as they have a similar feel to their music.

The group’s breakout song, “Thinking ’Bout Love,” was an obvious highlight to the set. Originally released in 2019 and later reimagined with Wrabel, the song became a breakthrough moment for the band, helping introduce their harmonies and bittersweet songwriting to a much wider audience. Their more recent material demonstrated how much the band’s sound has continued to develop. Their 2024 releases Never Better and Better Now explore different shades of the group’s identity, with Better Now described by the band as a moodier companion to Never Better. Those songs gave the performance a broader emotional range, balancing reflective songwriting with the dance-worthy energy that kept people moving. It’s hard not to dance when the artists themselves are having such a good time on stage!

Wild Rivers may not have been the day’s headliner, but their Sommo appearance demonstrated the value of a festival’s supporting stages and earlier sets. For returning Sommo Fest attendees and Noah Kahan fans, the performance offered a welcome connection to an artist they’d encountered before. For those discovering the band for the first time, it was an easy invitation into their world.

With Sombr still to come, Wild Rivers left the Sommo Fest crowd in exactly the right mood: energized, familiar with the music, and ready for what the rest of the night had in store! One of the best parts of music festivals is hearing a song you have not heard in years and suddenly remembering exactly where you were when you first heard it. That sense of nostalgia was impossible to miss during Natasha Bedingfield’s performance at Sommo Fest, where a visibly excited crowd came ready to revisit the songs that helped define their years of growing up.

From the opening moments of her sub-headlining set, Bedingfield quickly proved that the appeal of those familiar hits has not faded. Her vocals were strong, confident and powerful, bringing a sense of energy to the stage that set the tone for the rest of the evening. The roar of cheers during the first chorus of “Pocketful of Sunshine” was deafening, with fans recognizing lyrics and screaming them out instantly. Bedingfield’s performance was exactly the type to be made for a festival stage.

“Unwritten” naturally became one of the evening’s defining moments, and was a personal highlight of mine as well. Hearing thousands of festivalgoers respond to it together gave the performance an even stronger sense of community. I took the moment to video call my friends who were unable to attend the festival so that we could experience the song together, and to me, that is what festivals are truly about; sharing a love of music with those closest to you.

What made the set particularly enjoyable, though, was Bedingfield herself. She appeared genuinely happy to be onstage, embracing the energy of the festival and seeming to savour each moment, and all it did was unite the crowd further into the performance. There was no sense that she was simply moving through the setlist; instead, she approached the material with the energy of an artist still excited to perform it.

Ultimately, Bedingfield’s Sommo Fest performance succeeded because it brought together two things festival audiences often crave: the comfort of songs they already know and the excitement of experiencing them live.

Finally, it was time for the festival’s closing performance. For an artist still establishing himself, Sombr has already grown a successfully dedicated fanbase, with many who spent the day camped out at the main stage for a close spot. That connection was impossible to miss during his performance at Sommo Fest, where handmade artwork, posters and enthusiastic fans filled the crowd.

His performance was loud and theatrical in all the best ways, with his intro being him driving to the stage in a car, and throwing in a quick push-up workout before his 14-song set. Sombr’s performance demonstrated just how quickly his music has resonated with listeners. Perhaps the most memorable example of that connection came when Sombr turned his attention toward a group of fans who might not immediately fit the stereotypical image of a young pop audience.

Spotting a group of older women wearing “Gen X Sombaddie” (“Sombodies” being the name given to the Sombr fanbase) shirts, Sombr took the moment to appreciate them and their dedication. It was a small gesture, but one that captured something significant about his appeal. His music may be new, but its themes of relationships, heartbreak and growing up are hardly new topics, let alone topics confined to one generation. Seeing fans from an older generation proudly embrace the “Sombaddie” identity was a reminder that relating and finding comfort in music doesn’t have an age limit.

One trait of Sombr’s performances that I find particularly endearing is his ability to make each show feel special. During “back to friends,” Sombr took a flag and wrote “Prince Edward Island” across it. He then ran along the barricades with the flag, stopping to hug and high-five fans along the way. In a festival environment where the physical distance between performer and audience usually breaks that feeling of intimacy and connection, Sombr ensures his
performance does the opposite. On a small note, I appreciated how he took the time to write out the full province name, rather than a quick “PEI”, its common abbreviation. His newest song “My Body Isn’t Ready” was performed emotionally and vulnerably, and left many fans in tears who could connect to its themes of insecurity, particularly in a relationship.

There is something exciting about watching an artist at the beginning of their career, particularly one who had a sudden rise to fame. The songs are already reaching people, but the relationship between the artist and his audience still feels personal rather than distant. At Sommo Fest, he embraced that intimacy, making time for the fans dedicated enough to wait at the stage all day for him. Although I was fortunate enough to catch Sombr’s Osheaga performance as well, I find it lacked a certain intimacy due to the festival’s size that was felt much more strongly during Sommo Fest, a theme I felt myself experiencing often throughout the weekend!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my first year at Sommo Fest. From getting to see my favourite band, Twenty One Pilots, to taking the plane for the first time on my own to a place I haven’t been before, every experience felt new to me. It was wonderful to see a festival stay so true to its values, with every attraction such as local vendors and cuisine having an important role rather than being placed there as a cash grab. One thing I appreciated most when visiting the merch stand was seeing discounted merch from previous years. The designs are truly adorable and well thought-out, and it was nice to see a festival promote sustainability and try to limit waste as much as possible. It was enjoyable as well to experience a festival that felt more slow-paced than I was used to. Everyone I met was open to chatting, and it was easy to navigate without ever experiencing huge crowds that barely moved or lines that took hours to get through.

Of course, a main highlight as well was the display of varied talent on the lineup. It felt cohesive, but unique in a way that a fan of any genre could find a new favourite artist. I also appreciated the majority of the lineup being Canadian. Osheaga and FEQ do have their fair share of Canadian artists, but it felt special to see so much unrecognized talent featured on such a big stage.

I’m already looking forward to the 2027 lineup, and I hope to see you there!

Check out some of our favourite photos of Day 2 or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

All Photo Credit: Ashley Bellam