45 items to go on the 50 by 50 journey!

We are what you might call a concert family. We love music, and we love experiencing it live. So when my daughter Sarah asked me to attend the All Things Go Music Festival with her this year, I didn’t hesitate for a second. As Eric always reminds me, they won’t want to hang out with us forever, so take every opportunity while you can! The last music festival I went to? Lilith Fair, 1997. (I know, right?)

This was Sarah’s third year attending All Things Go (ATG), but my first. Held simultaneously in NYC and at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland, the festival features artists switching venues across the weekend. ATG started in 2014 and has built a reputation for championing women-focused lineups and the LGBTQ+ community—a vibe I was all in for.

Day 1: Friday – Into the Pit!

We arrived early, at the 3pm gate opening, and made our way straight to the Pavilion Stage pit—our home base for the day. At 48, I’m no stranger to a pit, but let’s be real, it’s not as easy to stand for 8 hours straight as it used to be. But for Noah Kahan, I was ready to rally. Sarah introduced me to his music a few years ago, and I’ve been a fan ever since. I was determined to get as close as possible—and I did!

Let me just say: Noah did not disappoint. We were so close we could see the sweat dripping from his beard. We laughed, we sang, we jumped, and yes—we cried. If you’re new to Noah’s music, start with:

• Call Your Mom
• You’re Gonna Go Far
• Growing Sideways

Also, a quick PSA for fellow concert parents: please teach your kids concert etiquette. If you see a packed pit full of people who’ve been standing for hours, don’t let your kid push through to the front or talk through performances. We see you. We hear you. And you will definitely hear from my daughter.

In addition to Noah, I was introduced to 9 new artists that day—my favorite being Lucius, a powerful duo with harmonies that gave me chills.

Day 2: Saturday – Enter “Concert Mom” Mode

Saturday was intense. We got back in line by 10:30am so Sarah could secure a barricade spot for her favorite, Lucy Dacus, who wasn’t going on until 9:30pm. That’s dedication, folks.

This is when I fully stepped into my role as Concert Mom. I ran water bottles back and forth to the pit, delivered snacks, and made sure Sarah and her new pit-friends (they formed an alliance!) were taken care of. They took turns holding spots for bathroom breaks—teamwork at its finest.

Meanwhile, I made some pit-adjacent friends of my own. Since all the seating at Merriweather is general admission, it was everyone for themselves. I lucked out with two sweet girls behind me, and we had each other’s backs all day.

That day I heard 15 new artists, and these four stole my heart:

• G Flip
• Gigi Perez
• Paris Paloma
• Lucy Dacus (incredible live—I’ve now seen 2 of the 3 members of Boygenius!)

Also, a fun surprise: the lead singer of The Wallows came out and performed a song with Lucy Dacus—so fun!

Day 3: Sunday – Slowing Down (Sort Of)

After two nights up past 1am, we were running on fumes. Sunday was a bit more relaxed—Sarah decided to hang back with me and only bounce to the pit or Chrysalis Stage as the mood struck.

Even with the slower pace, we still caught 15 more artists! My standouts:

• Ashe – Such a pure voice.
• Doechii – A powerhouse rapper and incredible performer who lit up the crowd.

Then came a special moment: Governor Wes Moore came out to declare that All Things Go is officially welcome in Maryland forever. He then introduced the final headliner of the festival—Kesha.

Sadly, we only made it halfway through her set before deciding it was time to head out. Sarah had to catch an early flight back to UVM the next morning, and we were exhausted.

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🎧 Final Thoughts

In total, Sarah and I spent 32 hours at All Things Go—bonding, making new friends, and discovering some truly amazing artists. Was it exhausting? Absolutely. But would I do it again next year?

In a heartbeat.

Spending this kind of uninterrupted time with my daughter—laughing, singing, dancing, and just being present—was everything. And that’s what this whole 50 by 50 journey is about: collecting experiences that matter.

“Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.” —Elton John