www.desmoinesregister.com
by: Matthew Leimkuehler
ST. CHARLES, Ia. — Tucked away in the hills of rural, southern Iowa, Hinterland Music Festival returned for a weekend jam-packed with country, roots and rock ‘n’ roll music.
The festival more than doubled in attendance from its inaugural year — which included a last-minute re-location form Water Works Park in Des Moines to its location at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater — bringing an estimated 18,500 to Madison County throughout the two-day event.
At the forefront of the Saturday festivities? Country-western legend Willie Nelson. Nelson closed the two-day festival with a set featuring iconic hits of his own and tribute numbers to those who have since passed. Tracks like the timeless track “On The Road Again” and 1971 number “Me and Paul” from Nelson’s discography made it into the set, as did covers the likes of Ray Charles’ “Georgia On My Mind” and Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya (On The Bayou).”
His deep and unreplicable voice rolled through the hills of the Hinterland landscape and his soft smile lit up the otherwise dark Iowa night. He weaved through the set with his soft, swinging delivery and the crowd responded to each track with jovial cheers and sing-alongs.
