On a normal Saturday in Franklin, Tennessee, you will see people checking out local produce at the Farmers Market. The Factory in Franklin will have a small crowd of people walking around and picking up unique gifts and maybe even making one at Third Coast Clay. This is not your normal Saturday in Franklin, that’s for sure.
An estimated 25,000 people from all over have swarmed in on this quiet town to attend The Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival. The now widely-known festival all started as a simple idea from festival co-creator and front man of the pop/rock band Better Than Ezra, Kevin Griffin. Griffin who is also a Franklin resident was on a jog just a few years ago when he passed by The Park at Harlinsdale, a century-old horse farm that sits on 230 acres of land. He envisioned not just a music festival, but an experience that would highlight the diverse musical artists, food, beer, wine, and art that is rooted in Middle Tennessee.
Going into the festival’s third year, they knew they had to make it bigger and that is exactly what happened when co-producer and newly-transplanted icon, Justin Timberlake, asked if he could perform. In what is one of Timberlake’s only musical appearances of 2017, he doubled the attendance of the previous year and he showed up ready to play for his new hometown!
Closing out the first night of the two-day festival which featured incredible performances I caught by The Avett Brothers, The Shadowboxers, Ruby Amanfu with Steelism, and many more, Timberlake walked out to 25,000 people on their feet and applauding before he sang his first note. Proving that he is a class act, Timberlake forewent a big show opener and instead covered Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”, a prayer of sorts for the state that our country is currently in. With a bow of his head, Timberlake changed gears and ripped through hit after hit. From “Drink You Away” and “Suit & Tie” to his closing numbers, the monster hits “Can’t Stop This Feeling!”, “Sexy Back”, and “Mirrors”, Timberlake had even the coolest East Nashville hipsters singing every word; making it a point to tell the crowd several times how much he loves his home state of Tennessee and that his new hometown is Franklin. It was clear, however, that no matter how much he loves Tennessee, Tennessee loves him even more!
The evening was highlighted when he reunited with Chris and Morgan Stapleton for the first time since their CMA Awards show duet. Exchanging verses and taking turns doing each other’s background vocals on three of Stapleton’s songs. The trio’s harmonies were so flawless that Timberlake’s band, “The Tennessee Kids”, couldn’t stop shaking their heads and neither could the audience.
As the night drew to a close and Timberlake took his final bow, it was clear that The Pilgrimage Festival delivered exactly what they said they would, a unique family-friendly experience that was for everyone! As the crowd filtered out onto Franklin Pike, you could already hear people making plans to come back next year.
“…Pilgrimage Music Festival, held just south of Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee, established itself as a festival to watch.” – Rolling Stone
“Pilgrimage Music Festival comes out on top.” – American Songwriter
“…if this inaugural edition was any indication, this could be a great festival for years to come.”
– Consequence of Sound
“Pilgrimage had the vision to get it right the first time… It is a perfect representation of the modern South- from the food to the music and everything in between.” – CMT
“Once again, Pilgrimage organizers went the diverse route in putting together this year’s lineup. Beck, Kacey Musgraves, Violent Femmes, The Arcs, CAKE and City & Colour are among the acts set to play Pilgrimage ’16.” – JamBase
“Needless to say, we’re overjoyed that not only is Pilgrimage back for another year, but also back with bang!” – No Country for New Nashville
The countdown is on for the sophomore year of Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival and the festival released the complete schedule with set times today, PRESS HERE more info + complete schedule below. A new festival app has also been created that allows festival goers to keep up with the latest info on all their favorite artists, set times, customized schedule and of course time sensitive notifications. PRESS HERE to download the app. The festival boasts a stellar lineup with heavy hitters such as Beck, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Jason Isbel, Kacey Musgraves, Violent Femmes and Grace Potter who will #MakeThePilgrimage to Franklin along with indie favorites including Kaleo, The Strumbellas, Shakey Graves and more on September 24 and 25, 2016 at The Park at Harlinsdale in Franklin, TN, PRESS HERE for more info. Continue Reading →
#MakeThePilgrimage To Franklin, TN
SEPTEMBER 24 & 25, 2016
Featuring:
SATURDAY, SEPT 24
Beck * Grace Potter * Violent Femmes * CAKE * Shakey Graves * Kaleo * The Struts * Wild Belle * The Strumbellas * LunchMoney Lewis * Jonny P * Electric Western Dance Party
(More Artists To Be Announced)
SUNDAY, SEPT 25
Daryl Hall and John Oates * Jason Isbell *
Kacey Musgraves * The Arcs * City and Colour *
Better Than Ezra * Preservation Hall Jazz Band * Margo Price * Anderson East * The Suffers * Blind Pilot * Brothers Osborne * Son Little * Langhorne Slim & The Law * JD & The Straight Shot * Big Sam’s Funky Nation * The Settles Connection *
Little Pilgrim’s Family Stage feat (both days):
Ralph’s World*Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers * The Happy Racers * Mr. Steve * Casey Campbell *
Jazzy Ash & The Leaping Lizards
Local Pickin’ Parlor Artists Announced:
The Blackfoot Gypsies *Daphne & The Mystery Machines *Anthony Adams & The Nite Owls * Colin Elmore * Emma Hern * Grace Askew * The Roosevelts
PRAISE FOR INAUGURAL YEAR
“With an A-list lineup (arguably the best curated of the year) and all the charm of a county fair, the inaugural Pilgrimage Music Festival, held just south of Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee, established itself as a festival to watch.” – Rolling Stone
“Pilgrimage Music Festival comes out on top.” – American Songwriter
“…if this inaugural edition was any indication, this could be a great festival for years to come.”
– Consequence of Sound
“Pilgrimage had the vision to get it right the first time… It is a perfect representation of the modern South- from the food to the music and everything in between.” – CMT
Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, who unveiled their impressive sophomore year lineup earlier this year, is pleased to announce the lineup by day as well as offering single day tickets, PRESS HERE for more info. The festival will return to The Park at Harlinsdale in Franklin, TN on September 24 and 25, 2016. The lineup by day is below with more artists to be announced:
SATURDAY, SEPT 24
Beck
Grace Potter
Violent Femmes
CAKE
Shakey Graves
Kaleo
The Struts
Wild Belle
The Strumbellas
LunchMoney Lewis
Jonny P
Electric Western Dance Party
(More Artists To Come)
SUNDAY, SEPT 25
Daryl Hall and John Oates
Jason Isbell
Kacey Musgraves
The Arcs
City and Colour
Better Than Ezra
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Margo Price
Anderson East
The Suffers
Blind Pilot
Brothers Osborne
Son Little
Langhorne Slim & The Law
JD & The Straight Shot
Big Sam’s Funky Nation
The Settles Connection
The family friendly festival also announced that the Little Pilgrim’s Family Stage will feature performances by Ralph’s World, The Happy Racers, Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers, Mr. Steve, Jazzy Ash & The Leaping Lizards, Casey Campbell and more. The Little Pilgrim’s area will not only feature performances by these top children musical acts but will also have interactive activities that will include: a painting wall; drum circles; a hip hop rhyming workshop; breakdancing demonstrations and workshop; a musical petting zoo featuring musicians from the bands demonstrating their instruments and special cameos by main stage acts! Remember: Kids under 10 get in FREE when accompanied by an adult GA Ticket.
Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival is a two-day event transforming The Park At Harlinsdale Farm into an oasis of music, food, and culture set against the natural amphitheaters and vistas of this former walking horse farm located in Franklin, TN. Renowned musical acts, many performing acoustically, will be presented on wood-clad stages reflecting the area’s historic aesthetic including The Frye Company Harpeth River Stage. In addition to artists performing their own sets, Pilgrimage will feature Pilgri-mashupswhere one-of-a-kind pairings of musicians collaborate with one another on stage as well as the Kimbro’s Pickin’ Parlor stage featuring local artists. The region’s best food and drink will be on display as well as numerous local artists and artisans creating an all-encompassing festival experience.
The festival debuted last year with a star studded lineup featuring artists such as Willie Nelson, Wilco, Weezer, Sheryl Crow, Cage the Elephant, Band of Horses, Steven Tyler and more with 10,000 fans descending upon the Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin each day. To watch the highlights from last year’s festival, PRESS HERE.
Not only will the festival drive tourism dollars to Williamson County but a portion of each ticket sale will benefit the City of Franklin and Franklin Parks. In addition, a portion of ticket sales will also benefit MusiCares®, a nonprofit organization that was established by The Recording Academy® to provide a wide range of emergency financial assistance and addiction recovery resources to members of the music community.
About The Pilgrimage Foundation
The Pilgrimage Foundation was established to develop, in conjunction with the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, a non-profit program whereby organizations that support the arts, artists, historic preservation and education may benefit from the growth of the festival. Each year several organizations will be chosen to participate and benefit from the festival in ways that include publicity, events, and donations.
About Friends of Franklin Parks
The not-for-profit organization Friends of Franklin Parks was formed in 2011 to mobilize community resources to continually enhance the City of Franklin’s park system. In 2015, Friends embarked on a $1.3 million effort to construct a multi-purpose equestrian arena at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm. The new Tractor Supply Co. Arena is slated to open in April 2016, and will host numerous public events ranging from polo matches to concerts.
For more information, please visit www.friendsoffranklinparks.org.
About MusiCares
Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy, MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares’ services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. For more information, please visit www.musicares.org. For breaking news and exclusive content, please like “MusiCares” on Facebook, follow MusiCares on Twitter (@MusiCares), and join us on Instagram.
For More information on MusiCares, please contact:
Hannah Berryman/MusiCares Foundation/310.581.8724/hannah.berryman@grammy.com
Christina Cassidy/MusiCares Foundation/310.581.8670/christina.cassidy@grammy.com
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On a normal Saturday in Franklin, Tennessee, you will see people checking out local produce at the Farmers Market. The Factory in Franklin will have a small crowd of people walking around and picking up unique gifts and maybe even making one at Third Coast Clay. This is not your normal Saturday in Franklin, that’s for sure.
