There’s no place like Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival. Eleven years in, it’s stronger than ever, leaving a lasting imprint on all of the fans, artists, vendors, and partners who passed through the gates on Saturday (9/27) and Sunday (9/28). Once again, the inimitable two-day experience effectively transformed The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, TN, into a mecca of music, culture, dining, and community for an entire weekend.

Of course, the festival dutifully lived up to its reputation of delivering a diverse and dynamic bill. The 2025 lineup was one for the books, to say the least. This time around, headliners John Mayer (joined by his full band), Kings of Leon, Turnpike Troubadours, and Young the Giant brought the sonic fireworks with hits galore, unstoppable energy, and the elite best-in-class showmanship that the festival just happens to elicit from its lineup.                  

Of course, the artists also upheld a longstanding tradition of surprise collaborations. On Saturday, Avery Anna elicited overwhelming cheers from the crowd when she rolled out to accompany Sam Barber for a showstopping and stunning duet on “Indigo.” Plus, Maggie Rose welcomed Grace Potter to join her for a smoldering and spirited take on their collaboration “Poison In My Well.” It wasn’t the only surprise heat from Potter though. She and Brittney Spencer left the stage in flames with an incendiary performance of “Little Hitchhiker,” and she also ignited the staple “My Body” alongside Young the Giant.

 

PHOTO CREDIT: ALIVE COVERAGE

PHOTO CREDIT: ALIVE COVERAGE

PHOTO CREDIT: JOHN SHEARER / GETTY IMAGES

Emerson Hart of Tonic and Kevin Martin of Candlebox took the stage to a roar of applause during Better Than Ezra’s electrifying Sunday set. Hart lent his emotionally charged vocals to a downright massive rendition of his band’s classic “If You Could Only See.” The moment brought together some of Alternative Rock’s most important voices on the same stage. Better Than Ezra frontman and Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival Co-Founder Kevin Griffin made the most of another annual fan favorite moment when he personally gifted 2025’s official Pilgrimage Festival Gibson Guitar to a very lucky attendee in the crowd.

The grounds simply came to life, buzzing with conversation, laughter, and engagement as attendees enjoyed a seemingly endless array of food and beverage options while listening to the lineup over the course of each day. Watch the festival recap here.

Rounding up press raves, Rolling Stone applauded that the Tennessee festival “…has pulled off the tricky task of being both a hip, taste-making festival and appealing to everyday fans and even families” as “Kings of Leon proved they’re still rock royalty, while Sam Barber emerged as a superstar in the making.” The Tennessean also chronicled the action as it happened throughout the weekend with a photo gallery from Day One and Day Two, and highlighted how “Thousands will flock to Franklin to watch some of the biggest names in music.” American Songwriter hailed, “John Mayer Closes Out Pilgrimage 2025 With Epic Headlining Set.”

This year welcomed a diverse collective of sponsors for the 2025 festival, including Gibson, White Claw, Corona, George Dickel, Splash Refresher™, Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, Lucchese, Republic Bank & Trust Company, Desnuda Organic Tequila, Pickers Vodka, Whataburger^®, Blue Hound Brew, Fever-Tree, National Seating & Mobility, Crescent 9 THC Seltzer, ASCAP, HART Jewelry, and Tennessee Brew Works.

Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival is produced by Griffin, Michael Whelan, and W. Brandt Wood. It has become a tradition for an ardent community of annual attendees, while it continues to captivate newcomers as well.

With a truly magic 2025 fest in the rearview, audiences can excitedly prepare for 2026.

 

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