Sylvan Esso, the acclaimed electro-pop duo, is set to grace downtown Durham with a two-day music extravaganza unlike any other. Making its debut on May 31, Good Moon, the eagerly anticipated music festival, will showcase six sensational musical acts over the course of two days.
Expressing their excitement for this long-awaited event, bandmates Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn shared their delight in an email with the INDY, emphasizing their years-long dream of curating a two-day music spectacle in Durham. With their independent recording company, Psychic Hotline, and recording studio, Betty, serving as a creative hub, Meath and Sanborn have consistently championed the Triangle’s vibrant music scene, even amid their skyrocketing national acclaim.
In 2022, Sylvan Esso made headlines with a three-night headline run at the Historic Durham Athletic Park (DAP), featuring local favorites like Little Brother and Indigo De Souza. The event, organized by Psychic Hotline, reportedly drew an impressive crowd of 12,000 music enthusiasts to the park.
A festival spearheaded by Sylvan Esso holds promise for downtown businesses, filling a void since the absence of a recurring music festival in Durham. While Raleigh boasts events like Hopscotch and Dreamville, Durham has been craving its own musical showcase. In the interim, block-party-style gatherings, such as ballpark shows and Little Brother’s block party, have enlivened the city streets, fostering a sense of community spirit.
Reflecting on the communal essence of downtown Durham events, Nick Sanborn remarked in 2022 that such gatherings are more than just about music; they embody a collective celebration, bringing together diverse segments of the city.
Although “The Greatest Show on Dirt” was initially conceived as a one-time affair for a genuine hometown experience, Meath and Sanborn envision Good Moon as a recurring musical tradition for the Triangle community.
This year, they’re elevating the community celebration to a grander scale, hosting it at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The festival lineup boasts a captivating blend of local talent and national acts, featuring performances by Truth Club, Reyna Tropical, Dehd, Hippo Campus, Fleet Foxes, and, of course, Sylvan Esso.
Good Moon, crafted in collaboration with Psychic Hotline, promises not just phenomenal music but also onsite pop-ups and other engaging activations. Afterparties at PS37, featuring DJs Made of Oak and Suzi Analogue, are set to keep the energy alive well into the night. Weekend passes are already available, with individual day passes soon to follow.
As Meath and Sanborn anticipate the evolution of Good Moon, they express their commitment to its enduring presence and the values it embodies, asserting that no matter how it evolves, it will always emanate from their passion and be known simply as GOOD MOON.