music festival | EffortlessCool

Ah, the end of summer. It’s time to bid adieu to beach bound days, warm bonfire nights, and the ever present music festival. Or is it? This September DC’s premier music event hosts put on their first major festival. Crowds from all over came to see the line-up of bands you’ll know if you listen to Songza and any alt radio. A rainy day didn’t hold fans back from the music, or the style. While DC is known for it’s J.Crew and suit sets, these style stars brought their personality to the festival. From crop tops to utility style, they’ve got the trends down pat.

We arrived to the venue, DC’s Union Market, after a morning of rain that thankfully cleared up. There was a soft chill in the air but that didn’t stop anyone from basking in the beaming rays of sunshine beginning to poke through. I was lucky enough to be awarded a media pass so I could take some “street style” snaps of what these festival goers were wearing. The organizer for the event, Nancy, was one of the best dressed there, channeling fall style in a mustard cardigan and floppy hat. Other festival goers seemed to favor a splash of denim, fringed bags, lightweight militant jackets, and airy tanks. Floppy hats like Nancy’s and my own, were a definite trend as well, one that I can see lasting all fall and winter long.

As for the music, it was all some of my top played artists of the summer including Tove Lo, Future Islands, Haerts, and Panama Wedding. If you’re a fan of Songza’s “Blogged 50” radio station then there’s no doubt you’ve heard these musicians crooning their way into your mind with catchy tunes and dancey beats. Ah, live music. There’s nothing in the world quite like it. We spent the day sipping on Green Hat Gin’s specialty cocktails and people watching from afar, taking pictures, and meeting new people.

As the day wore on and the sun began to set the party started to pick up. Just in time for rising stars Future Islands (they just #killedit on David Letterman) took the stage to close out the night complete with a light show and some serious soul.