Due to a lack of profitability, an alarming number of independent music festivals, showcases, and concert series have shut down. Fortunately, central Iowa’s annual multiway outdoor extravaganza, Hinterland Music Festival, remains alive and well.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, organizers have not only expanded the campgrounds, but Hinterland Music Festival 2025’s lineup shows its commitment to local and neighboring independent artists.
Atop the bill, you’ll find headliners Tyler, The Creator (August 1), Kacey Musgraves (August 2), and Lana Del Rey (August 3). Clairo, Bleachers, and Sierra Ferrell also serve as big-name independent acts. But the gems in Hinterland Music Festival 2025’s small font can not be overlooked.
Indie acts that are guaranteed to put on a great performance include Cdisiac, Nordista Freeze, Scowl, INJI, Hembree, Glass Beams, HAFFWAY, Gordi, Orla Gartland, and Evan Honer.
Ahead of their appearance, I had the chance to chat with Cdisiac and Nordista Freeze about their upcoming sets at Hinterland Music Festival 2025. Read our chat below.
Hinterland Music Festival 2025 is scheduled to take place from August 1 through August 3, 2025. Limited general admission tickets for Hinterland Music Festival 2025 are available for purchase. To secure your entry, click here.
cdisiac (self-signed)
Across streaming services, cdisiac is practically a ghost. However, in Iowa, the DJ, producer, and cultural curator is a hometown darling. The Des Moines native has built a community of avid music listeners thanks to his live programming series, SubtleSound.wav as well as his YouTube series, Subtle Sessions.
cdisiac’s cross-diasporic blends of House, Amapiano, Baile Funk, and more have become things of local legend. When we spoke, he beamed with glee at this monumental moment.
“To be at Hinterland means everything,” he said. “It is insane.”
For cdisiac, playing Hinterland holds sentimental weight beyond just being an Iowa native. “I actually used to work at Hinterland,” he confessed. “I worked there for two years in a row. I was the first face people would see. I would give people wristbands, and then they switched to robots…a whole ‘nother system. But I used to work there, and now I’m playing the Campfire stage. That has always been a dream.”
He went on to share a hilarious story about what he thought would be his debut at the festival. “The second year I worked there, I actually brought all my DJ equipment,” he laughed. “[I guess I was] thinking they were going to call me up or something would happen. I brought it every day–even though I carpooled with friends. Bro, I thought I was going to be given that chance. So, now to be given that chance is absolutely amazing. I’m so excited.”
As for what attendees should look forward to during his set, cdisiac has one sole goal–to get bodies gyrating.
“People should expect a lot of ass shaking. A lot of dancing. We are GOING TO DANCE from 11 pm to midnight! We are going to shake that rump, we gonna sing, and we gonna dance. Point-blank period. That’s it! Expect nothing less.”
cdisiac is scheduled to perform on Friday, August 1, on the Campfire Stage beginning at 11 pm. Stay connected with cdisiac on TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter.
Source: Image courtesy of the festival
Nordista Freeze (self-signed)
Although Nordista Freeze is a Nashville, Tennessee native, over the years, Iowa music crowds have come to embrace the “Take Me” musician as their own. With splashes of alternative, indie, and psych-pop commanding his discography, Freeze is ready to get the party started.
During our conversation, Freeze kept it brief but with high energy. “I love Iowa,” he said. “This is my seventh show here.”
As for him being featured on Hinterland Music Festival’s 2025 Campfire Stage, he showed humility. “The lineup is stacked. The weather is great. I'm honored to be here,” professed Freeze.
When discussing what attendees should expect, Freeze shouted: “30 minutes of high-energy power pop. Pure showmanship. Show no. 876.”
Nordista Freeze is scheduled to perform on Saturday, August 2, on the Campfire Stage beginning at 11:15 pm. Stay connected with Nordista Freeze on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook.
Source: Image credit Violet Teegardin