Ceremony Fest In The Heart Of Nashville
The highly anticipated first-ever Ceremony Fest in Nashville, TN was one for the books. Held at Cannery Hall in the historic station district on Saturday, December 14th, 2024, this multi-room venue couldn't have been more perfect to have been the host of this event. With three stages distanced apart just enough for the separation of sound and experiences, guests had the option to bounce around and check out all of the artists at their leisure. Water stations, painting stations, and merch tables lined the walls to keep guests entertained in between set changes. With the light clinking of bar glassware, ambient lighting, and smiles all around, this event could only be described as a refreshing way to collect a multitude of experiences in one night.
Three performances stood out from the rest when it came to engagement, stage presence, and overall show quality; Rivals, Point North, and Grayscale.
Rivals, hailing from Los Angeles and following Natalia Taylar on the Mainstage, were greeted by the roar of the crowd the moment they stepped on stage. Frontman Kalie Wolfe brought the energy of a headliner and owned the stage immediately with her high, powerful,l and on-beat kicks, blue-haired headbangs, and badass killer vocals. If you hadn't seen them perform before, you could tell, as jaws were on the floor in amazement throughout their killer performance. Their sound just hit, like a combination of Lorde and Maria Brink from In This Moment. They rocked all our faces off and had us begging for more. Their next performance will be highly anticipated; look out for them in an area near you, and you will not be disappointed.
Grayscale followed 2 performances later on the mainstage, with massive amounts of energy, incredible crowd engagement, and vocal notes that kept you enthralled. Frontman, Collin Walsh brought it all, from Freddie Mercury vibes to slow serenading moments, this band had it and didn't hold back. The lighting was impeccable and photographers couldn't get enough of this Pennsylvania-based rock band, lining the rail with the screaming fans to get in on the fun. If you’ve not had the honor of experiencing their show, you had better book your tickets soon.
Next up, was Point North, an American Pop punk band from Los Angeles, California. This three-piece band was ready to rock the stage, and the crowd with high energy and engagement, and didn't stop until their set was over. Personalized interaction with the photographers and the listeners was on point (pun totally intended), which made the experience that much more memorable and well-rounded. Moving through the crowd towards the end of the set, proved to be difficult in the best way, as a circle pit opened up wide and consumed all who were willing to partake. Smiles were seen from every angle as onlookers watched the pit at a safe distance and enjoyed the rest of the show. I highly recommend catching these guys at a show near you so you can see for yourselves, just how much fun they induce during their set.
As it all came to a close and house music went up, the feel from this event was one to remember. It was an upscale, elevated way to enjoy a variety of sounds, experiences, and entertainment without taking away from what is normally showcased at a rock show. The venue, historically honored, yet repurposed, was a great setting to launch this festival for those who were coming to see their favorite bands or wanted to check out what artists were making their way in the industry. All in all, I cannot wait until next time. Ceremony Fest, you crushed it.
-Jessica Coale, Photographer and Rock Music Enthusiast for Evaporated Magazine