LadyLand Festival 2022 - Brooklyn, NY
June 17th 2022: LadyLand Festival @ The Brooklyn Mirage
Photos courtesy of: Em Grey
Ladyland is a yearly queer music festival hosted by Ladyfag - boasting heaps of queer talent on its lineup and held at the outdoors Brooklyn Mirage. For one night only during pride month, partygoers can dance all their worries away from 8 pm to the hours of the next morning. This is my third year attending this festival - and it's an amazing time with beautiful energy every time. This year they sprung for an impressive giant LED screen wrapping all around the stage, showing gorgeous visuals during all the sets that kept the entire experience immersive and packed with good vibes (and even a confetti condom cannon.)
Previously boasting alternative talent the likes of King Princess, Kim Petras, Pablo Vittar, Caroline Polachek, and SOPHIE - this year’s lineup was no different in its star power. Headlined by pop icon Tinashe and DJ Honey Dijon, Ladyland has an impressive main stage, but also equally exciting lineups in two smaller areas of the venue - King's Hall and the Village. When I arrived around 9 pm - Stiletto was kicking the night off with a banging DJ set. Shortly after - Brooke Candy strolled onto the stage with two backup dancers in tow, absolutely serving us the performance that we needed.
Despite the schedule running a little bit late, that did not dampen a single person's spirits. Vanessa Vanjie took the stage next armed with a bottle of tequila, filling up the cups of many at the barricade as well as pouring it directly into fan'’ mouths. Shygirl captivated the audience next with her hypnotizing vocals and hyper-pop sound. The anticipation had been building all night - by this time the place was getting pretty packed and the energy was buzzing in the air. Sevdaliza, despite being able to have her full band with her due to visa issues, put on an energetic performance with beautiful cinematic visuals on the giant screen behind her. By the time Tinashe took the stage - the crowd was completely ready to absolutely go all out. Tinashe brought a slew of backup dancers and choreographed dances, keeping the energy up at insane levels for the rest of the night. As an ally, I love being able to celebrate members of the LGBTQIA+ community like this - it's always lots of love and joy and immensely welcoming in a way that other festivals can't quite live up to.
Made in America - Philadelphia, PA
Photos courtesy of Bridget Craig | September 3rd & 4th 2021
Dugg
A$AP Ferg
Baby Keep
Bobby Shmurda
Coi Leray
Freddie Gibbs
Griselda
Justin Bieber
Kehlani
Latto
Lil Baby
Megan Thee Stallion
Moneybagg
Morray
Roddy Ricch
Tinashe
Young Thug
104.5 Winter Jam // Philadelphia, PA
Grouplove, Phantogram, Judah & The Lion, Capital Cities, LP, Civil Youth, Run River North, Andorra -- XFinity Live | Philadelphia, PA | 15 January 2017
Photos Courtesy of: Alexandra Healey
Grouplove:
Phantogram:
Judah & The Lion:
Capital Cities:
LP:
Civil Youth:
Run River North:
Andorra:
94/7 Birthday Bash // Portland, OR
To celebrate 21 years as Portland’s go-to alternative radio station, 94/7 threw its second annual “Birthday Bash,” this time extending the party over two days. As per 94/7 style, each lineup was stacked with both well-established bands, such as Young the Giant and AWOLNATION, and up-and-comers, like Chef’Special and Coleman Hell. Not only did the radio station produce a killer lineup, but they made drastic improvements on last year’s 20th birthday bash. A misting tent was set up as a sanctuary from the 90+ degree weather, as well as a water-refill station, a large area to lay blankets down, and two jumbo screens on either side of the stage so everyone could see. Highlights of the fest included the long awaited return to Portland of Young the Giant, Coleman Hell’s incredibly energetic start to day 2 despite the blazing heat, Robert Delong’s dazzling one-man show, and AWOLNATION’s strong finish to the unforgettable weekend. If this is what 94/7 did for their 21st birthday, I can’t wait to see what happens next year when they’re feelin’ 22.
Photos Courtesy of: Sydnie Kobza
SATURDAY:
SUNDAY:
Warped Tour 2016 // Columbia, MD
VANS Warped Tour in Columbia, MD on 7/16/16 at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Against the Current | Emarosa | Every Time I Die | Less Than Jake | New Found Glory | Real Friends | ROAM | Set It Off | The Maine | Tonight Alive | Yellowcard
Photos courtesy of: Krystina Brown
Governors Ball Music Festival 2015 // NYC
Music Festivals in NYC have historically been a flop, sometimes even cancelled before they have a chance to flop. Poor weather conditions, low ticket sales, lack of wide open spaces to handle the crowds are all contributing factors.
Fortunately Governors Ball Music Festival on NYC’s Randall’s Island is one festival that seems to have survived, and thrived against all odds (we will not soon forget Mud Ball 2013). Not only has it thrived, but it was even voted “Festival of Year” by Consequence of Sound in 2014.
I spent three great days on Randall Island to cover Governors Ball for Impose Magazine this year, and here are some of the best things I saw at Gov Ball 2015!
Photos + Words by Ester Segretto Photography 2015
