The Hinterland music festival returns July 30 — Aug. 1, 2027 and the lineup is a who’s who of the hottest names in music. But that's not all. In addition to major names, the festival will feature an equal amount of fantastic emerging talent that could very well be future headliners.
A few of the featured artists are Remi Wolf, Malcom Todd, Zack Top The Backseat Lovers, Caroline Polachek, underscores and Mon Rovîa — and they've all been breaking bigger in the music world the last couple years. We also have Kinji — the first Iowa act playing the main stage for the first time in several years. And the headliners? We have Slayyyter, Phoebe Bridgers and Billy Strings, which continues the festival's trend of having strikingly different genres headline day to day.
If you’re looking for hyper-pop, Hinterland 2027 has it covered. If 2026 didn’t have enough country vibes for your taste, 2027 is bound to scratch that itch.
Now, let's deep dive into some of the line-up that we're most excited for here at Studio One.
Slayyyter
After a huge 2026, which started with Slayyyter playing at the Grinnell campus to then opening for Turnstile to playing an iconic set at Lollapallooza, it’s obvious that 2026 has been a whirlwind for the pop star.
She seems to just keep getting bigger too, with the release of Worst Girl in America skyrocketing her to stardom and the upcoming follow-up, Worst Man in America, sure to keep the momentum going. It seems like it’s Slayyyter’s world and we’re just living in it.
Prep for Slayyyter’s performance by listening to “DANCE…,” “BEAT UP CHANEL$” and “CRANK.” Then get ready to dance!
Phoebe Bridgers
Phoebe Bridgers is arguably one of the biggest names in music right now. This will mark Bridgers' second appearance at Hinterland. Last time she teamed up with MUNA, Kurt Vile and Lucy Dacus, so who knows what surprises lie in store this time!
Right now, Bridgers is riding high on the release of her critically acclaimed third album Lost Weekend, and is just wrapping up the first leg of her Lost Tour, which was a 100% phone free gathering. I caught the Lost Tour earlier this year and it was a tremendous show, so you'll be in for a treat when she headlines day two.
Prep for Bridgers' performance by listening to “Lost Boys,”, “Bobby” and “On Video.”
Billy Strings
Here's another Hinterland alum! Billy Strings last performed at the festival in 2022, when he teamed up with Sierra Ferrell. He’s arguably bigger now than he was then, including multiple Grammy wins and Kacey Musgraves collaborations.
Strings is usually labeled as bluegrass, but he's proven he’s incredibly versatile, having ventured into roots rock, outlaw country and even psychedelia. His presence at Hinterland 2027 is bound to be a crowd favorite.
Prep for Strings' performance by listening to “Burn The Other End,” “Everyone Wants To Be A Cowboy” and “Gild the Lily.”
Remi Wolf
This marks Remi Wolf’s second appearance at Hinterland and her second appearance in the state of Iowa in 2027 (she’s performing at the Val Air Ballroom in May)!
Wolf’s last appearance at Hinterland was super fun and full of ridiculous innuendo. Now, with the release of her third album Mud she’s grown up a little bit and has added some country vibes. Her latest album has also shown that Wolf can change up her sound and take her fanbase with her. The set is bound to be one of the highlights of the weekend.
Prep for Wolf’s performance by listening to “Bottle,” “I Won’t Cry” and “Soup.”
Zach Top
Zach Top is proving to be one of country’s hottest acts. He’s bringing back the vibe of '90s country and mixing it with George Straight-inspired songs.
Top’s being hailed as “real country” by fans and critics alike. His album Cold Beer & Country Music has garnered over a billion streams, and the follow up Ain’t In It For My Health proved Top has no intentions of slowing down.
Top’s throwback sound appeals to many, but he’s not just a nostalgia act. This is a sound that people missed, and Top is doing a phenomenal job of filling that void while also being fresh.
Prep for Top’s performance by listening to “I Never Lie,” “South of Sanity” and “Bad Luck.”
Malcom Todd
Malcom Todd is the kind of festival discovery that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a secret before everyone else catches up. I would not be surprised if by the time he plays Hinterland that he blows up even bigger. He blends breezy, sun‑lit pop with a sly funk undercurrent and an almost Tyler, The Creator delivery of his lyrics.
After going viral on TikTok in 2023, Todd has released two studio albums, teamed up with Steve Lacy and reached #5 on the Billboard chart with the release of his sophomore record Do That Again.
Prep for Todd’s performance by listening to “Earrings,” “I Saw Your Face” and “Chest Pain (I Love).”
Caroline Polachek
Having risen to prominence with her 2023 album Desire, I Want To Turn Into You, Caroline Polachek is due for the follow up to that record and an even bigger moment. She's been staying busy, and has been featured on tracks from Charli XCX, Blood Orange and Weyes Blood, including a song featured in the cult success film I Saw The TV Glow. The moment seems perfectly set for her follow-up album to be what really elevates her to the next level.
Polachek's avant-pop sound will make for a unique break in the mix on Friday before Remi Wolf and Slayyyter hit the stage.
Prep for Polachek's performance by listening to "So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings," "Bunny Is A Rider" and "Welcome To My Island."
Kinji
Here's the first Iowa act to play the main stage at Hinterland in several years. Kinji hails from the northern part of the state and has recently been gaining virality with the tunes "windburn" and "metalmind" — each with over a million streams on Spotify. Kinji has snuck up out of nowhere, including a recent feature at NPR Music and now a spot at Hinterland.
Who is this mystery Iowan?
If you're a fan of Bon Iver, Dijon, Mk.gee, Sufjan Stevens and overall atmospheric lo-fi production give Kinji a listen.
Prep for Kinji's set by listening to "windburn," "metalmind" and "silas."
Violet Grohl
You'll recognize this musician both from Studio One and because of her last name! The daughter of Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Nirvana, Violet Grohl is shaping her own path away from her famous father.
If you’re a fan of bands like Veruca Salt, Bikini Kill or Hole, Violet Grohl might be your favorite new artist discovery. Her debut album Be Sweet to Me is a fun blast of '90s inspired alt rock with a riot grrrl twist. The guitars are loud and the drums are pummeling.
Grohl's set is sure to fill your rock itch at the festival this year.
Prep for her performance by listening to “THUM,” “595” and “Bug In The Cake.”
Mon Rovîa
Mon Rovîa is on an upward trajectory! He sold out Wooly’s earlier this year and released a hit record lead by the single “Heavy Foot."
Mon Rovîa calls his sound “Afro‑Appalachian folk,” a term that isn’t just branding, it’s a reclamation. Appalachian folk music has deep, often erased roots in West Africa, where the banjo’s predecessor originated. It's fitting for him to claim this sound as well. Mon Rovîa was born in Liberia, but moved to Appalachia as a child — that upbringing is crucial to what he brings to the table.
Mon Rovîa’s music speaks for itself, and when you listen you’ll feel every word he sings. If you want to catch an artist who will be a fest headliner in the future look no further.
Prep for Mon Rovîa’s performance by listening to “Heavy Foot,” “Field Song” and “crooked the road.”
Florence Road
The all female, all Irish rocker ensemble Florence Road will appeal to fans of The Last Dinner Party, Olivia Rodrigo and Wolf Alice. The band’s breakout song “Heavy” brought them attention, and they followed it up with “Hanging Out To Dry,” which has proven they have what it takes to be bona fide rock stars.
Once again this is an act not to miss before they are future headliners.
Prep for Florence Road’s set by listening to “Heavy,” “Hanging Out To Dry” and “Miss.”
Underscores
This is one of the more sonically interesting musicians in the hyper-pop genre. In fact, Underscores may even appeal to those that don’t love the genre. Their music is more subdued than the usual hyper-pop offerings, which allows their storytelling to shine through.
In a genre defined by maximalism, you can identify an Underscores track in two seconds. She sticks out and it’s for the better. Her latest record U might be one of the best hyper-pop albums ever made.
Prep for Underscores set by listening to “Music,” “Do It” and “Wish You Well.”
Hinterland 2027 is looking to be a great mix of genres and an amazing showcase for up and coming stars. Get your hyper-pop cowboy hats ready! We’ll see you there!
Here's the full lineup by day:
Friday, July 30
- Slayyyter
- Remi Wolf
- Ashe
- Caroline Polachek
- Tiffany Day
- Florence Road
- Violet Grohl
- judith
Saturday, July 31
- Phoebe Bridgers
- Malcom Todd
- The Backseat Lovers
- underscores
- Joshua Sloane
- Emma Ogier
- Westside Cowboy
- Kinji
Sunday, Aug. 1
- Billy Strings
- Zack Top
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
- Avery Anna
- Mon Rovîa
- Wade Forster
- Medium Build
- Special performance by Haywire in a Cornfield
