The (very) small town of Saint Charles, Iowa — with a population of less than 700 — is, on one hand, what you might expect as the place to host an indie music festival, yet, not exactly the place you expect to catch artists who stood on the stages of Lollapalooza and Coachella this year. And yet, Hinterland Music Festival is exactly where you’ll get headliners like Hozier, Vampire Weekend and Noah Kahan, as well as Chappell Roan, The Japanese House and Blondshell.
The festival grounds have a straightforward setup, with a singular stage set in a swath of land, with tents along the perimeter for drinks or acting as lounges for VIP ticket holders. A hill meets the stage and audience area from one side, and as the festival pushes through the Iowa summer day, colorful air sofas and blankets will quickly dot the sloping field. This is where today’s biggest indie stars will play as well as potentially lesser-known artists like Debbii Dawson, who layers pop, folk and country, and Palehound, a band that combines 90s indie rock with grungy folk.
There’s technically only one stage at the Avenue of Saints Amphitheater, but, if you’re staying for the night, you can slip over to the Campfire Stage where there’ll be exclusive late-night shows for campers after the main stage performances have finished. Given the size of the town, it’s not surprising that anyone not staying on the grounds will be commuting from larger cities like West Des Moines or Des Moines. It makes camping potentially a more attractive alternative if you want to avoid traffic. The festival does have shuttles, but all tickets already include free tent camping.
The Specs
- 12,000–15,000 people attend.
- There are four tiers of 3-day tickets, with General Admission starting at $250, GA+ at $330, VIP at $550 and SAINTS at $1250. Each tier includes free tenting on particular campgrounds.
- Just 30 minutes away from the venue, check out Fifty Grande’s guides to Des Moines, IA here.
FAQs
Where is the festival located?
Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater.
What is the closest airport to the festival?
Des Moines International Airport is 30 minutes from Saint Charles.
Is the Hinterland Music Festival ADA-accessible?
Yes. There’s an ADA check-in area where you can receive assistance and a designated ADA viewing area for the main stage.
Which artists are on the Hinterland Music Festival 2024 lineup?
Hozier, Vampire Weekend, Noah Kahan, Lizzy McAlpine, Mt. Joy, Orville Peck, Hippo Campus, Charley Crockett, Ethel Cain, Chappell Roan, The Japanese House, Red Clay Strays, Flipturn, The Last Dinner Party, Sam Barber, Josiah and The Bonnevilles, Madison Cunningham, Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners, Blondshell, Katy Kirby, Odie Leigh, Palehound, Debbi Dawson, Hans Williams and Koo Koo.
Playlist
Poster
