Meggyland

In 2025, my lovely perfect girlfriend with incredible music taste and I stumbled across the lineup for that year’s Green River Festival with the lineup including an incredible list of artists including MJ Lenderman, Waxahatchee, Julien Baker and Torres, Kevin Morby, Illuminati Hotties, Truman Sinclair etc etc! Like really goooood. It didn’t work out for us to go out there for the weekend, so we made sure that we would keep this fest on our radar and well yes we did.

Last November we went to see Wednesday on our anniversary in Brooklyn and shortly after getting back to Boston thinking how can we go see them again, I was scrolling through their tour dates and saw that the Green River lineup had come out and we knew that would be it. With Geese, Wednesday, Greg Freeman, Ratboys, and The Beths being artists all in our daily rotation it was an absolute no brainer. Sandwiched in between we saw Wednesday at Roadrunner front and center barricade in April on April Fools’ Day actually which was the perfect show to tide us over until this set. Arguably that Roadrunner show was one of my favorites of theirs that I have seen so far. If you can gather, my girlfriend Maddy and I really love Wednesday. We have plans to see them a few more times this year in Upstate New York and Asheville and could not be more excited. After the Roadrunner show and also with the recent announcement of Geese’s fall run of dates including two nights at Roadrunner also on our anniversary too this year anticipation was high for the festival weekend and for our upcoming fall plans. (I am so very lucky to work at Roadrunner, it is the best workplace literally ever and I would work there until the end of time).

This would be my first real festival camping through the weekend. In the past I have camped for concerts (ex. Phish at SPAC) but not a festival like this. Booking camping was something I was prepared for and when the time came for Barton Cove Campground reservations to open, I was too late despite having it in my calendar and setting an alarm. My plan B later became Country Aire Campground in Charlemont just about 20 minutes down route 2, the Mohawk Trail, from the festival. Reviews online for this campground were kind of a mixed bag but I had been through that kind of thing before so I wasn’t too worried. After a trip to Mass MoCA with my friends in May, we drove past the campground twice on the way there and back which settled my nerves a bit by knowing this was a real place and passed my standards from what I could see going past. I am a seasoned camper and grew up camping in RVs and Tents from when I was as little as 6 months old. I had no doubt in my comfort camping in a private campground with water and electricity.

I will say I was very type-A about planning this trip as I multiple times last year forgot key items like air pumps, sheets, pillows, and the right cords. So I knew going into this I needed to double triple check for everything. While I think I did a good job at this, we still made a few trips to the local Walmart. Maddy got an awesome pair of camo shorts out of one of those trips though so I would consider that a win. In the weeks leading up to the trip as it got closer, I was feeling crafty and wanting to make this as magical as a trip as possible, despite the wishy-washy weather forecast. I made banners, garlands, planned what would be the cutest bedding to take, and made a lace backdrop for our tent.

On Wednesday, my vacation began. With so much excitement the car was prepared to be packed, gear tucked in the living room, duffle bag not so much so. We stayed up beyond late on Wednesday night packing and waiting about two hours for an emergency delivery of pizza as it was too late to cook. We prevailed.

The next morning, bagels and Dunkin were consumed. Overpriced ice was bought from 7/11. And we were on our way. Thursday was meant for putzing around Northampton and eventually checking into the campground later in the day. There was putzing, there was yarn shopping, bike perusing at Northampton Bicycle (the nicest store and people!), a bike bell may have been purchased, stickers were bought at most places we went this day (as they should be, we are sticker people). We discovered a more than magical place that just kisses your wallet on the cheek with sweetness, Deals and Steals Clothing and Shoes. WOW. This was so incredible to come across for some last minute snack acquisitions and we scored some pantry staples to bring back home to Boston that would be unaffordable to get back there. The whole schtick of this store is that they sell items and food that are overstock or about to expire and we didn’t take any of that for granted. They had some “trendy” food items like Fishwife tinned fish for $4.99 (which we got a lot of) and a lot of basic things too like an aisle of canned goods and pasta. That store is definitely a place we will continue to come back to. After this we were floating around NoHo in our usual state of being in love with this city. We hit Cooley-Dickinson Hospice Thrift Store and of course the analog photobooth at Thorne’s (which is only 1/3 in the state of Massachusetts, fun fact!). It was joyous.

The mood took a turn with the sky. Bad weather was coming and we were not feeling great about the fact we were about to check in for our campsite in an open field for the next 5 nights. So as anyone would do, we stalled. The next and last stop for us before camp was another heavenly location. The local co-op grocery store. Any girl with ~a bit of crunch in her~’s happy place. While the sky cracked and rain poured down like it was no one’s business. I’m talking more than cats and dogs. We scanned the aisles of the grocery store looking at everything we could to pass the time. This came with the benefits of picking up some delicious treats like banana milk for Maddy and raspberry kombucha on tap for moi. We also indulged in their deli/hot foods situation which was lovely. The beyond smashburger I had was exactly what I needed. Eventually, it was getting late and we needed to hit the road regardless of the sky. We made it to camp under the sun which was a feat I did not think was possible but alas. We set up camp and had a beautiful night roasting hot dogs and smores for late dinner. The amenities were beyond my expectations and the 25 cent per six minute cost for the shower was easy on the pocket (Shoutout my queen at the Big Y customer service booth for our quarter stash).

The next day, Friday was about sleeping in and chilling. We did just as so. Until breakfast came around and we had hit another road bump. The propane connector for our camp stove did not make it with us. Wherever it was, it didn’t matter. We were starving and eager to get into our stash of breakfast burritos that Chef Maddy had prepared. I took to my Bear Grylls-instincts and immediately hit the camp store for some tinfoil and wood. We wrapped our breakfast, threw it on the flames and despite absolutely flaming the tinfoil. That shit was cold! But we persist. Next order of business was figuring out how the hell we were going to fix our stove situation. Then came a trip to Walmart. We ended up leaving with a new camp stove that was on sale so it wasn’t much of a loss along with a pair of camo shorts and an orange bottle of Mountain Dew that I had never seen before. It was delicious but not something I will ever drink regularly. After the trip to Walmart in town, we set our sights high. Up the trail of Sachem Head that is. We struggled to find the trail actually but maneuvered up the side of what felt like a cliff but was actually just a steep hill via rope and were back on track. We got to listen to Green River Festival in the distance from our hike and enjoyed the beautiful views. Following the unsteady climb down after making it to the top, we went to Shelburne Falls. The Bridge of Flowers that overlooks the Deerfield River is so beautiful, I highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area. Ice cream was eaten, penny candy was bought, and a big bench was sat on while we pondered if this was a place we could live one day. We talked about that in every town we drove through in The Berkshires that week, some got vetoed by both of us but there was a satisfactory amount of yeses. As many lesbians predict, a future for our family in The Berkshires will be likely when the time comes. The evening was beautiful and we fell asleep eager and giddy for what the next day would hold.

Okay so here is what I am sure whoever is reading this wants to see. The Festival. Saturday rolls around we roll out of bed. Preparing breakfast burritos and skillfully fitting snacks from our haul from Deals and Steals into our Baggu Crescent bags. Shaking ass to Greg Freeman’s Burnover and getting ready, I put my boots on and Maddy and I set out for the car. The drive to Greenfield from camp is pretty manageable which I am thankful for as I have the jitters of excitement so bad it is leading to anxiety and stomach pain. Maddy and I stroll around the farmer’s market in the downtown square while I try not to throw up. Thank god I didn’t, it passed.

We boarded the schoolbus to the festival across from the big parking garage in town. We luckily were able to park in this on Saturday but did not have the same fortune on Sunday. The bus was fast and reliable. The festival was incredible upon arrival. There was a Makers Market, food vendors out the wazoo, a craft tent (we made crowns and a beautiful, cunty butterfly on a stick), and so much to see and do. We went right up to the main stage in time for Greg Freeman to play as the first artist of the day. We love Greg Freeman. He is an incredible musician and also has such a kind spirit. He graciously put us on the list for his Boston show in January after we couldn’t get tickets, he rocks! We were hoping to see some of our favorites live, but were more than pleased to be treated to a set of completely new music. I am really looking forward to this coming out (drop the first single soon or else).

After we had some time to dick around the festival grounds and get our footing. This included getting some lunch, I had a basket of chicken tenders and beautiful thin fries from a truck called Twin Beaks, which was delicious and a hard ginger beer which I loved. Next we hit the Makers Market and picked up some beautiful pottery pieces from a local pottery studio with proceeds going to a soup kitchen in the area which was a no brainer to support. With some wandering under our belts, we parked ourselves at the Main Stage for Kurt Vile and The Violators, my most anticipated act for that day. After about four or five songs and after hearing one of his most popular hits, Pretty Pimpin, I felt satisfied enough to go catch some time in the shade with Maddy until it was time for The Beths. During this we were lucky enough to have a good spot to see the festival’s parade featuring Anne Cubberly’s Giant Puppets, which I got to see again after adoring them at Goosemas last December. For The Beth’s we were able to crawl up through the crowd and get a great spot to enjoy the show. This was definitely the set that was my sneaky favorite of the day. My favorite song I got to hear was Metal. Towards the end we moseyed out of the crowd and over to the wood chip haven that was the Back Porch stage for Ratboys. They were electric and put on such a great set that had me bouncing around and swaying to the max. The stage was in such an interesting setting it was unforgettable especially with the sun setting in the distance to the left of the crowd. After they ended, we hit the road to head on back to camp. Ending the day especially eager to fall asleep so we could wake up early for everything we had in store the next day.

Before this trip, a birthday activity request from Maddy (who turned 23 on the 23rd!), was to ride horses together. Extensive research on places in the area and coordinating traveling there and scheduling we landed on a little stable ranch over the Massachusetts-New York border called Cinch Em’ Up Stables. This was perfect. Our horses, Cash and Cisco were just darling boys and so responsive to us. The trail ride took us up the side of a pretty tall hill and lasted about an hour with an incredible stretch in the middle through an open field that was so high we could see The Catskills in the distance.

After getting off the horses and adjusting back to walking after an hour of being jolted on their backs, we set out to head back to Massachusetts. With a short drive to cross the border, we spent our whole stretch on the Mohawk Trail. I definitely did not go as slow as I should have on the hairpin turn (but we survived).

Panic started to set in when the massive parking garage in the center of town was full and it became a cutthroat challenge to find a spot in town. After some laps around the town square and its side streets, I nabbed a decent spot. Still we were planning to grab the shuttle bus despite the long line as I was feeling far too jittery to walk the whole way. After hopping off and flashing our festival wristbands through the gate, we hit the bathroom, and beelined for the main stage.

With there being a decently large crowd sat and watching Hurray for The Riff Raff, we weaseled up the open gaps on the right side of the stage to find a comfortable space a few rows away from the barricade that I knew would allow us to mosey right up to the barricade once this set was over. While the families with wagons and people around us shifted out we went right up to the barricade on the right side. My backpack went down and I sighed with relief. Painting black lipstick on my lips, I was preparing for what was to come. First before Wednesday took the stage we watched Lucius with special guest Dawes. While impressive and interesting, I was not as amused as some of the festivalgoers around me. I didn’t yuck their yum. Maddy pointed out someone in the crowd during their set that looked like “they were having a spiritual experience” and she made the point she was about to experience the same thing during Wednesday and I agreed. Towards the end of their set my face beamed as we began to see members of Wednesday start to gather backstage and were walking around. Maddy and I were excitedly whispering to each other when we saw Karly from behind the stage and when Xandy and Ethan emerged stage right in the tent. Alan and Spyder lurking somewhere in the distance as well. They tinkered with gear and watched the remainder of Lucius’ set. As the band and crew started to set up for their set, Karly came out and tossed some scrapped setlists into the crowd before the show. I was lucky enough to get one thrown right to me by her. While I debate if this is greed as Maddy and I were surprised with a setlist at our last Wednesday show that our friend had gotten for us, I still felt like this was such a special treat. If you aren’t familiar with Wednesday’s live shows, they have an array of toys and trinkets and dolls that adorn the stage all over and it was such a joy to see our little friends again. Their set fucking rocked.

Reality TV Argument Bleeds

Got Shocked

Fate Is…

Wound Up Here (By Holdin On)

Hot Rotten Grass Smell

Candy Breath,

June 2 (NEW SONG!!!),

Twin Plagues (literally was dying bc Maddy and I were talking the day before about how we wished they would play more songs from this album live)

Far Away (Martha Wainwright Cover),

Phish Pepsi (one of my favorites, it’s so fun live)

Pick Up That Knife

Bath County

Elderberry Wine

Bitter Everyday

Townies

Bull Believer

Wasp (Screamed my lungs out, I love this song)

Almost immediately after their set a huge push forward came from the crowd behind us as they were in anticipation of Geese. We looked at each other and our friend Peter and debated whether we remain in place for the next hour and a half crushed and with lost personal space or hangout in the back. We chose to be as comfortable as possible which I think was the best choice. We held onto Peter’s backpack and made our way along the side barricade to about 15 rows back. I held down the fort and Maddy went to acquire some treats and came back with a delightful blueberry cobbler. We waited and I sat down for as long as I could until we were swarmed from all sides by what could only be described as packs of rabid teens and young adults or chill ass older people or stomp-clap hipster millennials. All of the families and kids we had been around before had been long gone to the back of the field.

A few minutes late to the stage were Geese. A band I have seen once before and will see a few more times before the end of the year. As a heavy listener to their catalogue and an enjoyer of frontman Cameron Winter’s solo album Heavy Metal, I would consider myself a fan. When I saw them take the stage at a sold-out Paradise Rock Club, I would consider the environment a lot more tame than it was this time around. For that show I was even in the center of the madness as I had giddily bought the VIP early entry and merch package. But these fans were something different. I personally have been there way back in the day and exhibited similar behavior, so I can’t judge. If you know my lore you know what I mean.

While most of the fans around us were tame and seemed to be in their late-twenties, early thirties, and over the barricade on my right side in the VIP section was J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. observing the stage carefully and quietly, people were liking what they saw. Geese put on a set that I expected from them. With basically nonstop touring for nearly the past year and many months more of dates to follow, they were tired. I don’t blame them. They have been the center of the indie music zeitgeist of the past year and have exploded due to social media. All “psyop” public relations scandals aside, they make good music. I don’t care about all the noise coming from the internet. That can’t dictate me to look down upon something that I like. Coming to a close of their set after performing 17 songs, I was feeling blissful. During Au Pays du Cocaine, we went towards the back of the crowd and I had myself a moment. I was spinning around in circles prancing around on the grass and letting loose for the last 10 minutes of the festival, dancing that I could not have been capable of in our old spot and certainly not up on the barricade. This mixed with the sun setting and fresh breezes of air while standing next to my favorite person with her in my arms was exactly the way I wanted to end our time at the festival and we did. Next year I hope it will find us ending the same way.