Intern pick: Interns guide to Free Fest

September 3, 2026

As the team at Lightning 100 gears up for the 17th annual Musicians Corner Free Fest, this weekend, we interns have had a front row seat to all the excitement. From the indie pop sounds of Arlo Parks and Eva Cassel to the Americana harmonies of verygently and Nikki Lane, we’re excited for all this weekend has to offer! Here’s each intern’s pick of who they’re most excited to see, along with a playlist including every artist on this weekend’s bill, to get you ready for Free Fest!

Addie’s Pick: Arlo Parks

This weekend I am most excited to see Arlo Parks! I was first introduced to her music through her song “Softly”, an early release from her music catalogue that helped launch her into the indie-pop scene, back in 2022. Later that same year, I had the chance to catch her Coachella set, and ever since then I’ve been hooked!

On her most recent album, “Ambiguous Desire,” Parks challenges her old soft pop sound, taking her music to the dancefloor. In tracks “2SIDED” and “Nightswimming” Parks implements light synths and quick drum beats to bring the songs to life. As she dances through her emotions, Parks keeps conversation light and straight to the point, asking the question: What does it mean to evolve? And how do I know when it’s happening? Throughout the album she chases that question and finds her answer in New York City nightclubs. Letting the city’s nightlife envelope her, Parks comes to her resolution in the final track “Floette” closing out the album with the mantra “we’re blossoming” repeating it over and over again, reminding not only the listeners but also herself, that we are all constantly evolving, even when you don’t feel it.

I am so excited to see how this album translates live, especially in contrast to the other artists on this lineup who tend to lean Americana-folk. While I am going to make sure I catch every set, this one is definitely top of my list.

Rich’s Pick:

This weekend, I am most excited to see venrygently! The first time I heard verygently was when they came to the station to perform. I’d never heard of them before, but their harmonies blew me away. On top of that, I love their double guitars that add even more power.

The group, which formed in early 2024, consists of the three already well established Nashville artists Drew Erwin, Joey Hendricks, and Trishan Bushman. Since forming, the band has become increasingly popular, and was the station’s Local Artist of the Week back in May. Two of the main genres that are prevalent in their songs are folk and alternative rock.

Their debut album, SORRY, SARAH, will be released on October 9th. Two singles for this album have been released thus far: “HOW IT’S ALWAYS BEEN (feat. Ruston Kelly),” and “STRONGER THAN THAT.” Both songs explore a similar theme, but from different viewpoints: “HOW IT’S ALWAYS BEEN” is about accepting the same wild events in relationships, because “it’s how it’s always been and I don’t see it changing soon.” On the other side of the coin, “STRONGER THAN THAT” highlights leaving a messy relationship behind, and resisting the urge to go back into it, because you and other other people are stronger than going back: “…I keep calling, she keeps not calling me back, she’s stronger than that.”

Only being familiar with their live acoustic sound, I am excited to see them in full swing at FreeFest. Also, I am looking forward to more of those harmonies, because harmonies in songs always end up being my favorite part.