After promising among the finest lineups for a competition this yr, All Issues Go 2023 didn’t disappoint. On Saturday, followers gathered on the Merriweather Publish Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland in excellent, sunny climate to take pleasure in a number of the largest musicians out proper now, together with up-and-coming TikTok-propelled hitmakers, legends like Tegan and Sara and Carly Rae Jepsen, and an brisk headline efficiency by rocker Maggie Rogers. Right here’s one of the best moments from Day 1.
Hemlocke Springs
Hemlocke Springs’ breakout hit ‘girlfriend’ might need been minted by TikTok, however that’s no motive to shrug off the uncooked expertise on this younger performer. Having simply launched her debut EP going..going..GONE!, she opened your complete competition on the Chrysalis stage at midday — a tough slot to take, however Springs reveals promise as a performer in addition to a musician. She sang upbeat distinctive alt-pop hits dripping in character (‘heavun’, ‘girlfriend’, ‘enknee1’) with an interesting vocal efficiency paying homage to predecessors like Kate Bush and MARINA. It’s arduous to get any of her songs out of my head, so it was a deal with to see her carry out stay and be so warmly welcomed by the group.
Sudan Archives
The multi-talented Brittney Parks, also called Sudan Archives, was (maybe unjustly) granted solely a 30-minute set, however she made each minute work for her. Donning a violin and a pointy voice, she largely carried out songs from her impeccable 2022 album Pure Brown Promenade Queen, opening with an odd however mesmerizing selection of ‘Milk Me’, turning up with ‘Freakalizer’, and ending with ‘Egocentric Soul’. One of the best second got here when she sang “NBPQ (Topless)”, and throughout the iconic bridge, she turned her self-empowerment anthem over to the group: “I’m not?”, she posed, “Common!” all of us answered; “You’re not?” “Common!”; “We’re not?” “Common!”
Tegan and Sara
The Canadian duo took the principle stage early on Saturday and sang a set of songs from their more-than-two-decade-long profession, together with hits like ‘Boyfriend’, ‘Again in Your Head’, and, after all, ‘Nearer’. I wasn’t too aware of the band earlier than this, however they have been nice stay, showcasing a enjoyable performing potential and nice vitality. It was a particular second for Sara, too, who admitted that as a result of they have been on so early, her 15-month-old was in a position to see her carry out. Music for the entire household!
Suki Waterhouse
I’ll be trustworthy, Suki Waterhouse’s 2022 debut album I Can’t Let Go didn’t actually transfer me, however on the stage, it took on a complete new expertise. Wanting absurdly cool in a two-piece brown go well with and sun shades, the Daisy Jones & the Six star hit songs from that album like ‘Strikes’, ‘The Satan I Know’, and lined Mazzy Star’s ‘Fade Into You’ and Taylor Swift’s “Lover.” She earned a convert!
Carly Rae Jepsen
One of the best set of the night time, arms down, belonged to Carly Rae Jepsen. The ‘Name Me Perhaps’ star after all sang her flagship hit (and everybody within the crowd knew each single phrase), but additionally carried out upbeat synthpop from her two most up-to-date albums, The Loneliest and Loveliest Times, respectively. One specific run — ‘Give up My Coronary heart’, ‘Speaking to Your self’, ‘Shy Boy’, ‘Western Wind’, ‘Kollage’, then ‘Psychedelic Change’ — confirmed her prowess of kicking it up, then taking it down with vibey, stress-free hits. Even campy songs like ‘Seaside Home’, not a lot when in an album, was terribly enjoyable stay. Jepsen is an unbelievable performer, and you’ll inform she has a blast on stage — particularly with a few of her greatest songs, like ‘Run Away With Me’, ‘Need You In My Room’, and the nearer ‘Reduce to the Feeling’ (sure, she received a sword with this one!) I’d seen her as soon as earlier than, for the Devoted tour in 2019, however it was like a wholly new expertise. She’s a must-see for a spectacular night time if she’s anyplace close to your metropolis — the pure pleasure she radiates is infectious. I left as an excellent larger fan of her music and her as an individual (if that’s even potential).
Maggie Rogers
The headliner of the night time (there was some debating, in my thoughts, if this slot ought to have belonged to Carly Rae Jepsen) closed out Day 1 with some songs from her rock-heavy newest report Give up, whose large manufacturing and angsty hits lent itself completely to the stage. ‘Anyplace With You’, ‘Need Need’, ‘Shatter’, and ‘That’s The place I Am’ have been, as predicted, excellent for a big stage just like the Merriweather Publish Pavillion, and she or he even took the time to preview two upcoming songs, ‘Sick of Dreaming’ and ‘Don’t Neglect Me’. I noticed her on the Santa Barbara Bowl in 2019, selling her folky album Heard It In A Previous Life, however touring Give up is a unique animal, one the place Rogers feels fully at dwelling.
