The Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival (September 26–27) isn’t Bonnaroo. And co-founder Kevin Griffin, a musician himself, along with most folks in the city of Franklin, like it that way. “We aim to be the more genteel, bucolic festival,” he says. “You get here early, and when we close down at 7:30 p.m., you go back to your hotel, clean up, and go out into the city and visit the restaurants.” Griffin conceived the civilized celebration while on a jog through the rolling landscape of the Park at Harlinsdale Farm, a century-old horse farm owned by the city. With gentle hills that create natural amphitheaters, the two hundred acres seemed the perfect fit for a music festival. And thanks to an unwritten (but politely encouraged) rule that all bands perform at least a few acoustic songs, it aims for a mellower experience than most others. But that doesn’t mean it’s sleepy. The current lineup includes Willie Nelson, Wilco, and Neko Case, to name a few. And if you do like to stay up late, there are after-dark shows at venues all over historic downtown Franklin.—pilgrimagefestival.com
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