Featuring Reneé Rapp, Janelle Monáe, MUNA, Holly Humberstone, Ethel Cain, Julien Baker, and many more, All Things Go became New York City’s newest (and most-female-centered) music festival in 2024 — despite a last minute schedule change due to Chappell Roan.

Music festivals get a bad rap. Yes, it’s a lot of walking. Yes, it’s a lot of people. Yes, leaving after the headliner is a nightmare. I don’t care.

I saw Charli XCX front row at Primavera Sound in Barcelona. I stood next to Holly Humberstone at Outside Lands in San Francisco (police also found a corpse in a duffel bag in the same park as the music festival that weekend, but we’re glazing over that).

A friend and I attended Merriweather Post Pavilion’s All Things Go back when Lorde, Mitski, and Bleachers had top billing. It was a magical, albeit rather muddy, one-day festival experience that was even sweeter with Sufjan Stevens’ “Chicago” vibraphone announcing each upcoming set.

It felt sold out, especially near the Chrysalis Stage, but it was never overwhelming. There were plenty of snacks, drinks, and patches of grass to sprawl out on. Candidly, we bought Pavilion seating (more expensive than general admission lawn) which definitely added to our easy-going experience.

Even if we didn’t, All Things Go’s primary appeal is its younger-skewing, pop-focused lineup, which is especially true of the 2024 festival. Hozier (DC), Janelle Monáe, Renee Rapp, MUNA, and Bleachers (DC) were just a few of the artists named. Chappell Roan was scheduled to appear at both venues before dropping out a day prior. No comment.

All Things Go 2024 was particularly exciting because the festival expanded to a second location. That’s New York City’s iconic Forest Hills Stadium — popularized in the 1960s and recently renovated to accommodate concert-goers.

I saw The Strokes from the nosebleeds at Forest Hills. I saw Clairo and Boygenius from the plush premium seating. I recently snagged last minute tickets for Men I Trust and Khruangbin there. It’s a personal favorite venue, especially with so many food options inside the grounds.

Forest Hills is smaller than Merriweather Post Pavilion, too. There was only one stage and a smaller lineup. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is at your discretion.

The “no overlapping set times” policy was a huge win, because that meant attendees could shuffle out for a bathroom break. There were freebies from LaCroix and Celcius – Impossible even had “chopped cheese” samples.

Of course, whether it was her name on a poster or her t-shirts at the merch table, there was a huge elephant in the room. Drag dance party aside, Chappell Roan loomed over Day 1’s performances.

MUNA deviated from their regular set for an acoustic cover of “Good Luck Babe,” with All Things Go officially adding MUNA to their Sunday DC lineup.

MUNA at All Things Go Music Festival 2024 © RespectiveCollective

“We started as a queer band in 2014,” Katie Gavin noted. “We’ve really been given the time and the grace that we needed to be nourished as artists. We wish nothing but that times a million for her.”

Del Water Gap’s frontman mentioned he’s been “within minutes” of canceling shows.

“Luckily I haven’t had to,” Holden Jaffe said. “I know how I felt, and I’ve experienced a fraction of what Chappell has experienced over the last few months as she’s become one of the biggest artists in the world. And seemingly the voice for an entire community of people in music.”

“I think along with our disappointment,” he added, “let’s send her some compassion and some love today.”

Despite the last-minute changes, New York’s first All Things Go was exactly what it promised: a festival highlighting the best up-and-coming artists, actively promoting inclusion and acceptance. With lots of ponchos and pink cowboy hats, too.

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