The Hinterland Music Festival kicked off with a scorching start, leaving festivalgoers disappointed and concerned about the unsafe conditions they experienced. Attendees hoping to enjoy performances by renowned artists such as Chappell Roan, Noah Kahan, and Vampire Weekend had to endure a heat index of around 100 degrees, overcrowding, and insufficient water supply. Many complaints were raised, prompting Hinterland to implement changes in response.

According to several festival attendees who reached out to the Register, the conditions at Hinterland were described as dangerous within the festival grounds, parking lots, and entry lines. Joy Ott, a long-time festivalgoer, expressed her anger over the worsening conditions compared to previous years. She stated, "I've attended the last 6 years, and this year is significantly worse than anything I've seen before."

The extreme heat became a major concern for festival attendees. Hannah Rublaitus, from Des Moines, shared her difficulty in coping with minimal water in the scorching heat. She said, "Being out for that long with minimal water was difficult... when you add thousands and thousands of people squished together on a 90-degree day, it feels much hotter."

The heat was so unbearable that even headliners like Hozier struggled to perform. Maggie Canero, a devoted fan of the Irish singer, had to leave halfway through the set due to the oppressive conditions. She mentioned in a social media message to the Register, "He was struggling to get through the heat as well, even at 9:30 p.m."

The soaring temperatures led to frequent interruptions during performances. A journalist from the Register, present at the festival, witnessed multiple stoppages in almost every set. "Every set that I saw had to be stopped multiple times because of people passing out and needing medical attention," Rublaitus stated.

Hinterland attempted to address the concerns by expanding water options and providing additional watering stations. However, festival attendees expressed their dissatisfaction, with some reporting waiting for at least 30 minutes to access water and feeling like they had to ration their supply.

In response to the mounting complaints, Hinterland amended their food and drink policy, allowing festival-goers to bring their own water. The festival organizers emphasized the importance of staying hydrated by refilling bottles at the available water stations throughout the grounds.

With temperatures projected to rise to 92 degrees on Saturday and 94 degrees on Sunday, festival attendees expressed their concerns about the persisting heat and overcrowding. Many voiced their frustration on Hinterland's social media accounts, calling for additional water stations and improved crowd management.

As some attendees considered the possibility of not returning to Hinterland in the future, festival officials asserted that they were continuously making adjustments to ensure a safer and more efficient experience for everyone. However, the dissatisfaction among attendees remains, with many feeling trapped in the overcrowded and uncomfortable environment.

The Hinterland Music Festival, spanning approximately 1.5 miles, boasts an impressive lineup of artists and attracts music enthusiasts from all over. However, this year's festival experiences have left some attendees questioning whether the event is worth attending in the future if the same issues with heat and overcrowding persist.

In the absence of immediate figures on the number of individuals treated or transported to local hospitals due to heat-related issues, it remains crucial for Hinterland to address the safety concerns and ensure that necessary measures are in place to guarantee the well-being of festivalgoers.