Thing Festival Returns to Remlinger Farms
THING Festival, the brainchild of STG and Sasquatch! founder Adam Zacks, returned to Remlinger Farms for its second year, evolving into a unique three-Saturday event spanning August. This reimagining of the festival format showcases THING’s commitment to innovation in the Pacific Northwest music scene. The shift to a single stage, while departing from the multi-stage norm, offers a more focused and intimate experience, eliminating set conflicts but introducing a new dynamic reminiscent of a curated concert series.
The opening Saturday set a high bar with a diverse lineup featuring indie rock stalwarts, emerging folk artists, and country innovators. As the sun-drenched crowds spread across the pastoral setting of Remlinger Farms, the day unfolded with a seamless flow of performances, punctuated by the beats of DJ NITEGOODS during changeovers and for the afterhours beats.
Jessica Pratt and her band transformed Remlinger Farms into an enchanting folk reverie at THING Festival. Pratt, who emerged in 2012 with her self-titled debut, demonstrated why she’s become one of folk music’s most compelling voices. In a departure from her often solo performances, Pratt was backed by a full band, adding new depth and texture to her ethereal sound while maintaining the intimate atmosphere that has defined her career. Her otherworldly vibrato—often compared to 1960s folk luminaries like Vashti Bunyan and Karen Dalton, yet distinctly her own—floated above the delicate instrumentation, while her signature fingerpicked guitar work remained at the heart of each song, enhanced by strings, soft percussion, and occasional keyboard textures. The expanded arrangement allowed for a richer realization of the subtle chamber pop elements introduced in her latest album Here in the Pitch,” proving that even with a full band, Pratt‘s spellbinding presence and mystical songwriting qualities continue to captivate audiences in ever-evolving ways.
Next up was Seattle’s own Deep Sea Diver, helmed by the dynamic frontwoman and guitar virtuoso Jessica Dobson, who has established itself as one of Seattle’s most compelling rock acts since their formation in 2009. Dobson, who previously played guitar with Beck and The Shins, brings her masterful musicianship and powerful vocals to the forefront of the band’s sound, which seamlessly blends intricate indie rock with atmospheric textures.
Their newly released album Billboard Heart, marks an exciting new chapter as their debut on legendary Seattle label Sub Pop Records, showcasing their most ambitious and fully realized work to date. The album builds on their signature sound while incorporating broader sonic landscapes and some of Dobson‘s most personal songwriting yet. Deep Sea Diver‘s trajectory continues to ascend with a highly anticipated headlining show at Seattle’s historic Paramount Theater this November, marking their largest hometown venue to date and cementing their position as one of the PNW’s most essential bands.
Masked country sensation Orville Peck delivered a commanding performance that showcased why he’s become one of modern country’s most fascinating figures. The show came on the heels of his celebrated Broadway debut in “Cabaret” and marked the one-year anniversary of Stampede, his groundbreaking duets album that originated from an unexpected collaboration with Willie Nelson on “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other.”
His signature blend of dramatic showmanship and genuine country authenticity has evolved considerably since his 2019 Sub Pop debut Pony but still maintains the core elements that made him stand out: that haunting baritone, rich storytelling, and queer country swagger. The show, part of a limited run of dates following his Broadway performances, demonstrated how Peck has masterfully expanded his theatrical presence while staying true to his country roots, keeping the audience captivated throughout his set.
Father John Misty aka Josh Tillman closed out THING Festival with a performance that perfectly balanced his trademark sardonic wit with disarming vulnerability. Currently touring in support of his new album Mahashmashana, Tillman demonstrated why he remains one of indie rock’s most compelling performers, seamlessly weaving together his latest material with selections from his extensive catalog. A particularly poignant moment came during a stripped-down, solo acoustic rendition of “I Love You, Honeybear,” which silenced the usually chatty festival crowd and highlighted the raw emotional power at the core of his songwriting.
Throughout the set, Tillman‘s commanding stage presence and sharp between-song commentary provided the perfect vehicle for his sophisticated blend of social commentary and personal reflection, while his backing band brought rich, dynamic arrangements to both the new material and familiar favorites. The performance proved that nearly fifteen years into his career as Father John Misty, Tillman continues to evolve as both a songwriter and performer, finding new depths in his established persona while pushing into unexplored territory.
As the first Saturday drew to a close, it was clear that THING‘s new format has potential to redefine the festival experience in the PNW. With two more Saturdays of carefully curated lineups ahead, the festival’s bold reimagining seems poised to set a new standard for how live music can be presented and experienced. Grab your tickets and treat yourself to some great music, surrounded by a wonderful background.
Photos: Sophia Barkalakis @s.barkalakis
