Photo of Wet Leg’s Rhian Teasdale by Michael O’Connor
The final day of Hinterland was here with a sad reluctance, and you could tell everyone wanted the music to keep going. The afternoon opened with Haute & Freddy, their painted faces catching the sun as their theatrical movements resonated with the music. A common trend for this festival was how amazing the openers were. Haute and Freddy were no different and could easily crush their own headline tour.
Samia’s set brought everyone closer. Her voice was delicate, and people leaned into the sound. There was a hush over the crowd as they stayed in the moment and just appreciated her music. It was intimate in Samia’s unique way, her voice feeling small and large all at once.
Audrey Hobert arrived like a character from a storybook. She walked onto the mainstage in an oversized trench coat, a stool that made her seem ten feet tall, and a pair of glasses with a big nose and mustache attached. Hands were up for the entire set, and the audience reached towards her, trying to keep her story from slipping away.
Golden arrows and a heart covered in mirrors catching sunlight shimmered onto the hinterland hill. Suki Waterhouse, holding a large golden key in her hand, pretended to unlock the mirrored heart, and then broke into song. When she stepped down to the rail during “Good Looking Boy,” the intimacy felt earned, and she sang into the faces that had been waiting for her all day.
Wet Leg stepped onto the stage through an ambient fog. A beautiful haze drifted across the stage, catching the lights and adding an extra layer to the performance. Their set was bold and confident, and lead singer Rhian Teasdale has such a unique spark in her sound. The band piled on with tight, punchy guitar riffs that kept the momentum surging. By the time they walked off, the hill was buzzing, and everyone hoped they would turn around for just one more song. It was an exceptional forty-five-minute set, delivered with a fog-lit glow.
My favorite artist of the day, Young Miko, followed with an incredible crowd, one that had been counting the hours and exploded into song once she arrived. “BnB” especially became a communal shout, and every lyric returned with devotion. She raised a Puerto Rican flag in patriotism towards the end of her set and wove it into her performance. It was such a tragedy when her set was over, and we all were hoping for just one more song.
Kali Uchis closed the night in a neon velvet dream. Neon washes of pink and purple flowed with a voice that glided like silk over the crowd. The mood she conjured was sensual and cinematic. When the lights dimmed, it was difficult for everyone. An exhale that left everyone stunned by what we had all collectively experienced. Hinterland 2026 was truly something neither I nor festivalgoers alike will ever forget. To the festival, you are most definitely a magical space, and I hope to see you again next year. Thank you. | Michael O’Connor
