Edited By Salma Aouissi
This past weekend, Forest Hills Stadium hosted the All Things Go Music Festival. While this annual event originated in Washington, D.C., it made its debut in 2024 in the city that never sleeps, making this the second year of its expansion. All Things Go is an indie music lover’s paradise, headlined by Clairo, The Marías, Remi Wolf, Lucy Dacus, and DJO, as well as American rapper Doechii. In addition to this, there were numerous opening and supporting acts from indie artists, including Gigi Perez, Lola Young, and The Last Dinner Party. While Forest Hills Stadium was initially used for the US Open, it hosted concerts in the 1950s for a few decades, but it was closed and later reopened in 2013, specifically as a concert venue. Since the stadium is in a residential area, the venue, owned by the West Side Tennis Club, has been in a legal battle with a neighboring group of homeowners known as the Forest Hills Garden Corporation. Residents in the area have given complaints of noise, trespassing, traffic, and public urination, claiming the stadium’s concerts are impacting their quality of life. To minimize complaints such as this, the Forest Hills Stadium implemented a strict 10 PM curfew, which impacted the performances at All Things Go. Diving deeper into the events of this festival, here are some notable moments from the three days.
Friday
Headliners: Lucy Dacus, DJO
DJO had a strong performance blending 70s and 80s synth-pop with psychedelic rock, giving a vibrant energy that engaged the crowd in his music. Bringing varying songs such as “Delete Ya,” “Roddy,” and “Half Life,” he brought differing feelings of serenity and sharpness throughout his performance. DJO closed with his hit song “End of Beginning,” capturing the audience in a warm embrace with such a nostalgic track, preparing for the final performer of the night.
Lucy Dacus’s unique voice and soft music enraptured the audience with songs such as “Ankles” and “Talk,” as well as a wonderful cover of the Sufjan Stevens song “Chicago.” For a small duration of the set, she brought on a few special guests, including actress and model Havana Rose Liu. Most notably, she brought Zohran Mamdani on stage, a New York state representative who’s running for mayor. He used the stage as a platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a more affordable city, then reminded the audience that the festival provided a way for people to vote for mayor as they walked out of the venue. As Lucy Dacus closed with the song “Night Shift,” she left a remarkable impression on the first night of All Things Go.
Saturday
Headliners: Doechii, Remi Wolf
Lola Young passed out on stage mid-song, sparking concerns from her fans for the English singer’s health. Before she began, Lola told the crowd she’d had a “tricky couple of days” and that she’d decided to come and perform anyway. Shortly after, during her song “Conceited,” she appeared to tell a band member she felt faint before collapsing to the ground. She was then carried off stage, and Remi Wolf told the crowd, “That was really scary. My friend Lola is backstage, and she is okay.” Lola later posted on her Instagram story that she’s doing okay now as well. However, she cancelled on All Things Go in Washington, D.C., which was scheduled on Sunday, along with future concerts, stating, “I love this job and never take my commitments and audience for granted so I’m sorry to those who will be disappointed by this. I hope you’ll all give me a chance in the future. Thank you to all those who listen and care. To all the people that love to be mean online, pls give me a day off.” Fans wonder if she has underlying health issues and hope she recovers soon.
The following performer, Remi Wolf, had an incredible voice and stage presence. With songs such as “Cinderella,” “Disco Man,” and her breakout song “Photo ID,” she brought a special vibe to the festival that allowed her to stand out as an artist and performer. Her dedication to headlining at this stadium was evident in her US Open-themed outfit and the way she could get a crowd to dance, chant, and make long-lasting memories.
The closing set came from Doechii, who one can describe as nothing short of a powerhouse artist, especially live. The energy she brings to a crowd is contagious, giving it her all playing songs such as “Catfish,” “Alter Ego,” and “Nissan Altima.” Even when it began to rain, she pushed through and created a resonating experience for those who attended on Saturday. Doechii’s crowd control is admirable, and it’s easy to say she is one of the greatest performers of the year.
Sunday
Headliners: Clairo, The Marías
I personally attended Sunday’s festival, and it was a night filled with exhilaration I’ll never forget. The doors opened at 12 PM and I arrived slightly before and found an extremely long line of excited groups all down the block. Fortunately, the check-in went fast, and before I knew it, I was in the food court. They had a wide range of options for food and drink, such as Korean fried chicken, Mediterranean food, and empanadas. Although the food was expensive, it was standard for a concert. Entering the stadium at around 12:30 PM, it was easy to find a good seat, and in my opinion, every seat in this stadium allows for a pretty good view of the stage and large screens. Likely due to the extreme heat, numerous people in the audience fainted or required medical attention, but the medics were quick to help and provide water to parched fans waiting at the barricade for hours. Under the setting sun, openers and supporting groups went on as it got more crowded, but that was just the beginning of a lively night.
The Marías’s performance was nothing short of alluring, from the vocals to the instrumentals to the lighting. Despite starting a little later than expected at 7 PM, the songs were radiating with energy and emotion. The band opened with their song “Hamptons,” in which the crowd jumped with her at a certain point. This set the performance’s high energy the moment it started. I admired the sense of community that could be felt between the audience and the Puerto Rican lead singer, María Zardoya, as she called out to her Hispanic fans. As every next song played and hues of blue and red radiated, fans cheered in pure excitement and awe. The band ended with their song “Cariño,” with the lead singer letting a couple of members of the audience sing the chorus as well. My favorite part was “Heavy,” since that song is one I hold dear to my heart and have fond memories with. The Marías left a lasting impact on the crowd and even showed love to the following artist, Clairo.
When interviewed, a friend of mine who attended the concert shared her perspective: “My favorite performance was DEFINITELY The Marías because they were amazing!! I might be biased because I went for them, but their visuals and sound were unmatched, and the audience really came to life during their performance. A moment during the concert that really stood out to me was “No One Noticed” by The Marías. There was so much energy during that song from the audience.” She later shares her critiques about the festival: “I think there are a few ways All Things Go could’ve been improved. First, I think there should be more management of the pit, because of the heat, so many people were passing out. Additionally, I think the headliners should be pushed up to make sure that the curfew doesn’t limit them. I think if they had just started earlier in the day, she (Clairo) could have finished with no rush.”
Clairo’s performances always feel beautiful and warm, like a fuzzy feeling of nostalgia. With elements of indie pop, indie rock, and jazz, her songs set a soft and vibrant tone that lingers in the hearts of her fans. She began with her song “Second Nature,” fans chanting the charming lyrics in harmony. Clairo truly inspires congregation and connection for music, and you could feel it as the crowd waved their hands and phone flashlights in unison. Her popular song “Flaming Hot Cheetos” brought attention to a fan dressed in a bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos, which Clairo noticed after the member’s section flashed their lights after the song played. During her performance, the audience noticed The Marías watching her after they had just played. Some expressed their disappointment after fans kept calling out to them instead of enjoying Clairo’s set. Regardless, it was nice seeing the band enjoy the end of the night after their last performance on the tour for their album Submarine. My favorite part was “Amoeba.” It’s one of my favorite Clairo songs, and I loved screaming the lyrics and jumping with my friend. The final song she played was “Juna” when her mic was cut off at exactly 10 PM due to the strict curfew. After fans sang the end of the song for her, she was left confused why her mic wasn’t on until a staff member explained the situation. Although the crowd was booing and chanting “One more song!”, the festival was forced to end, leaving the fans wanting more.
My main critique of the festival’s organizers is their lack of communication with performing artists, seeing as a headliner was unaware of the curfew. Despite the night having to end earlier than expected, it was amazing while it lasted, and I would absolutely return to Forest Hills Stadium and All Things Go.
