Hinterland 2026
The annual festival in St. Charles continues to hold a special place in my heart even as we both change.
Last year I wrote “A Decade of Hinterland,” reflecting on the music festival that took central Iowa by storm in 2015. As this year’s lineup was announced, I noted that the festival continues to move in a more youthful poppier direction as I soldier on in the Americana genre. With the exception of Mumford & Sons, there weren’t any mainstage artists on the bill that you’d find in one of my current playlists. After all, I’m 50 and still haven’t seen KPop Demon Hunters.
I remained intrigued, however, especially after Eugene Suarez-Thomas interviewed me for his article, “Sitting on that Hill,” that was published here by The Independent. When I heard KFMG’s Ron Sorenson announce that the station had 2-day GA passes available for a lucky caller, I picked up the phone, thinking perhaps my daughters would want to attend. Lo and behold, I won! W00t!
My eldest daughter’s work and moving-back-to-school schedule was problematic, so my youngest daughter and I made the trek to St. Charles on Thursday for a night of female-led pop music that was highly energetic. Hinterland’s footprint has expanded considerably in the last decade—it covers much more ground than in years past and its amenities are vast.
We rolled in and walked around, scoping out a spot at the top of the hill. Eugene and I stayed in touch after his article, so we met up for a quick selfie. His enthusiasm for the line-up and festival was palpable. He interviewed Porch Light earlier in the day and was stoked.
In a wonderful twist of fate, my longtime Hinterland companion and college buddy Quinton Shaw from KC was scheduled to stay with us in Des Moines on Saturday with his adorable family. They were on their way back from visiting his wife’s parents in Indiana. Quinton wouldn’t arrive until early evening, but Mumford & Sons weren’t scheduled to play until 9:45pm and St. Charles is a quick drive down I-35.
We camped out the first year and attended several Hinterlands together—kicking it with the likes of Sturgill Simpson, Margo Price, Tyler Childers and Jason Isbell. So, we bounced down to the show after dinner with our families and had a terrific evening admiring the growth of the festival, walking down memory lane and rocking out.
One of the many reasons I love live music is because it’s always a new experience. The days of camping out at a festival for a few nights are likely behind me, but walking around a show with a good friend is something I hope will always be part of my life.
“What’s Next, Chip?”
My next show is a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association. I invite you to join Terri Leedom, author of Play the Game, and me Thursday, August 6 at 5pm in the Iowa chapter’s West Des Moines headquarters. On Sunday, August 9, I’ll be in Des Moines Water Works Park’s Biergarten from 1-4pm.
To find more stories and insights across the state of Iowa, please consider following and supporting the many talented journalists and storytellers of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative of which I’m a proud member. Many of us will be at the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat this fall and we’d love to have you come join us. It’s for writers and learners at all stages in the creative process and full of wonderful people connecting in new and meaningful ways. You can learn more here.
Other Ways to Support Chip Happens?
Did you know I carry my health insurance license and help folks navigate the caregiver journey in addition to my writing and music? Please learn about my personal experience and licensed services at www.chiphappens.life. I help folks evaluate strategic alternatives to traditional long-term care based on my personal experience as a family caregiver with loved ones that endured difficult cancer and dementia diagnoses. More than 63 million Americans were caregivers in 2025 so I believe it’s an important conversation for friends and families to undertake. Please read and share my article Prepare to Care with your network to better understand the role of caregivers as the “invisible backbone” of the American health care system.
NOTE: All annual paid subscribers to the Chip Happens Substack receive a copy of my CD compilation, Twenty-Five, that includes 25 original songs and an autograph if you request it. If you are only in the market for the CD, it is available here for $25. CD art and design were completed by my amazing and talented wife, Jen Albright, who is the driving force behind our boutique strategy + creative firm, AlbrightSpark.
Well done my friend. You made me long for attending an outdoor festival concert like I’d done so many times years ago.
Hey Chip! Glad you had fun at Hinterland. I saw those same artists you "kicked with" in the 3 times I went. Also Lake St Dive, Pokey Lafarge, Nathaniel Rateliff, St Paul & the Broken Bones...and Willie Nelson! Sturgill Simpson's guitar playing that night was other-worldly. 😎