Pilgrimage Festival Weekend: Nashville part 1.

Posted-onBy lineBylineEric

Pilgrimage Festival Weekend: My First Trip to Franklin, TN

I recently took a trip to Nashville and had a fantastic week of music, capped off by my first visit to the Pilgrimage Festival in Franklin, Tennessee. The event was founded by Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra) along with W. Brandt Wood and Michael Whelan to recreate a Jazz Fest-like atmosphere in Franklin. This was the festival’s eleventh year and it ran Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28.

Saturday

Turnpike Troubadours

I only saw two acts on Saturday: Turnpike Troubadours and Kings of Leon. I’d heard great things about Turnpike Troubadours, and their set didn’t disappoint. While they aren’t my usual listening fare, their performance felt heartfelt and carried that signature red-dirt grit.

Kings of Leon

Kings of Leon closed out Saturday with a powerful hometown set that mixed fan favorites like “Use Somebody” and “Sex on Fire” with newer tracks such as “Mustang.” Caleb Followill’s raw vocals and the band’s tight performance kept the crowd locked in. It was my first time seeing them live — nostalgic but fresh, and a great reminder of how strong their songs are.

Sunday

I was most excited for Sunday. After a quick lunch in Franklin (a charming little town), we arrived at the festival around 1:30pm.

Very Gently

We caught the tail end of Very Gently as we walked in — they sounded fantastic and I wish I’d caught more of their set.

Hippies & Cowboys

Hippies & Cowboys were one of my festival highlights. They channel an old-school Aerosmith / Black Crowes vibe and filled the Americana tent with soulful Southern-rock energy. Their five-piece chemistry was obvious in tight guitar interplay and harmonies. They picked covers that drew the crowd in and originals that showcased real talent.

The Heavy Heavy

I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Heavy Heavy, but they were fantastic — great harmonies, ’60s-tinged guitars, and strong crowd reaction. Their sound added a unique texture to the lineup and stood out among the Americana and rock acts.

Better Than Ezra

Better Than Ezra put on a solid set with a handful of special guests. The CEO of Gibson sat in on lead for a few songs, and Emerson Hart (Tonic) joined for an excellent version of “If You Could Only See.” Kevin Martin (Candlebox) also joined for “Far Behind” — his voice sounded a bit strained, but the band sounded great overall. Kevin Griffin shared fun stories about the band and the festival’s history, which added a nice personal touch.

Grace Potter

Grace Potter brought high energy — this set was a lot of fun. She opened with “Medicine” (from the Nocturnals) and kept the momentum going. Brittney Spencer joined for a duet on “Little Hitchhiker,” and Grace and drummer Jordan West did an entertaining jam. The band ripped through “Lion the Beast and the Beat” and closed with a heartfelt “Stars.”

Young the Giant

I only knew a few Young the Giant songs and their style isn’t really my thing, but their set hit the crowd’s marks. I could have done with a little less between-song banter from the singer, but the audience was clearly into it.

John Mayer

John Mayer closed Pilgrimage with a soulful, guitar-driven set that balanced hits, deep cuts, and fan requests. His effortless solos, candid stage banter, and a glowing encore of “Gravity” made for a polished and memorable finale. He even played “Neon” — a killer live moment I hadn’t experienced before. Mayer was the perfect close to a weekend full of great music.

The Not-So-Great

Despite the great music, a few logistical issues stood out:

  • Poor signage: The festival layout was okay overall, but signage was lacking. We paid for GA+ and there were no clear signs telling us where GA+ was; staff answers were inconsistent. It seemed to primarily mean AC bathrooms and an extra bar, but those bathrooms closed at 6pm both nights due to capacity. I heard complaints about the VIP area too.
  • Water refill access: There was only one water refilling station and it was far from most stages.
  • High prices: Everything was overpriced — not surprising for a festival, but still worth noting.
  • Parking passes: Our paid parking was two miles away. We ended up finding a nearby back lot for $20 much closer to the venue.

Final Thoughts

Despite the logistical headaches, Pilgrimage delivered where it matters most: the music. From Turnpike Troubadours’ red-dirt soul to John Mayer’s masterful closer, the festival was a weekend of memorable performances. If you can tolerate a few creature-comfort issues, Pilgrimage is worth the trip for the music alone.