St. Charles, Iowa will play host to 25,000 fans for its 11th year of Hinterland. This festival has been a pillar of the music scene in Iowa, providing a diverse selection of artists just a half hour south of Des Moines. 2026 displays an impressive variety with headliners Katseye, Lorde, Mumford and Sons, and Kali Uchis amongst a barrage of phenomenal supporting acts. Now expanded to a four-day festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater, here is your can’t miss acts at Hinterland 2026.
THURSDAY
Get started early for Porch Light. A young group of musicians from Minnesota have been a prominent force and countless screens but are planting their foot down in the touring world. Playing the biggest fests in the country like Shaky Knees, Lollaplaooza, and here at Hinterland, Porch Light is a necessity to hear this weekend. Their summery sound that takes from surf rock riffs is encapsulated in their latest single “Arctic”. Porch Light kicks off Hinterland at 1:00 pm.
The soft bedroom pop sound of the early 2020’s was elevated by artists like beabadoobe. An acoustic guitar with reverb and some honesty might be our generations ‘3 chords and the truth’. From learning how to play guitar from Youtube tutorials to opening for Taylor Swift, there is little that intimidates Bea Kristi. Her upcoming record Pylon is set to drop on September 18th. beabadoobe plays at 8:00 pm.
FRIDAY
A young and prominent force in the alt and shoegaze scene, Wisp puts on as powerful of a live set as they come. A sound that washes into your ears and coursing through your veins, an early start on Friday is a must to see Wisp. You can listen to her rebut record If Not Winter and follow her instagram for updates.
The Ultrasound World Tour makes it to Iowa near in its final dates. Lorde’s first performance in the state since 2018 is one that comes with high expectations. Making waves across the globe with her fourth album Virgin, the New Zealand born artist has been at the forefront of the pop world for over a decade. While still incredibly young, 29, Lorde is a veteran having taken top billing wherever she goes. Lorde headlines at 9:30 pm.
SATURDAY
If you fail to plan, plan to fail. The boys of Amble made a plan to get free drinks, start playing music in pubs. Even if the drinks weren’t free, maybe they’d make a few tips to cover the night. Amble has made impeccable leaps and bounds in their journey in Ireland and now across the pond in the states. One of my most anticipated sets of the weekend features this trio that has opened in stadiums for the likes of Hozier, Ed Sheeren, and most recently Dermot Kennedy at Aviva. Their honest folk sound has guided them this far and I cannot wait to see where they will go in the future. Amble plays at 12:45 pm.
Another Irish artist that people need to be tuning into is CMAT. Growing up church was something to dread until Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson began singing in choir. Still, church was not the most exciting but the singing part of it caught Thompson’s attention. These clever and witty alt rock tunes have culminated in the breakout success EURO-COUNTRY. CMAT performs at 3:45
University of Iowa alumni Nate Reuss has recently brought back together an old band of his to the delight of a sold out tour. Ruess and Sam Means are the duo that created this long dormant project, The Format. After two great alternative records in 2003 and 2006, there was a pause hit from 2008 until last year. In this recent reunification, The Format has got the creative juices flowing once again, releasing their third record Boycott Heaven in January
The Prizefighter World Tour has stopped in stadiums and arenas across the globe, and now St Charles Iowa. Mumford and Sons There was a time when Mumford and Sons slowed down, but that time has ended long ago. Jumping from their 2025 comeback record RUSHMERE to 2026’s Prizefighter is ambitious to say the least after so much quiet. These records didn’t flinch in the shadow of a ‘comeback’, as both ahve been touted as not only returns to form, but an expansion upon their already dynamic and exciting sound from London. A pillar of the 2010’s folk revival, no magic has been lost. Mumford and Sons play at 9:30.
SUNDAY
A stellar act that no one should miss, Wet Leg is what you want from a rock band. There is never a dull moment in a song where Rhian Teasdale and Heather Chambers are not creating the atmosphere that keeps listeners ears close. Their sophmore record mosturizer reached #1 in the UK and was acclaimed by critics as a new path in the scene.
What a day for alt rock between Suki Waterhouse, Wet Leg, and now Geese. Yes, very different than Goose, this New York indie rock outfit has been at the forefront of conversations, rankings, and cover stories with their 2025 record Getting Killed. Frontman Cameron Winter knows success in his own right with his solo record Heavy Metal also being present in these lists and stories, and rightfully so. Winter is not your typical rockstar, but has written some incredible poetry played to the backings of an stellar band with lead guitarist Emily Green. Geese is a breathing performance, every musician locked in step by step through an improvised dance. Geese play at 6:00 pm.
Hinterland is a special festival in countless ways, but the camping portion excites me almost as much as the music. They create this warm and welcoming atmosphere at the campgrounds that feels very loved. This year includes classics like the campfire stage hosting some electric artists after the headliners turn their mics off. There is food available 24/7 throughout the weekend along with a full service bar at basecamp. Strung throughout the grounds includes a silent disco, mini disc golf, and so much more. The singularity of Hinterland is not one to be taken lightly as it prides itself on the stellar experience that can only be found in St. Charles.
More information can be found at Hinterland’s website. Limited passes are still available, you can purchase here. Student discount rates are available!
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