Unforgettable performances, and a headliner we’ll never forget!
The final night of the Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds Music Festival was nothing short of legendary! 🎶✨ From the moment the first DJ hit the stage to Benson Boone’s breathtaking finale, Day Two had everything—dance-worthy beats, heart-wrenching ballads, indie-rock anthems, and an electric crowd ready to soak it all in.
With DJ Austin Ashtin & DJ Cassandra setting the tone with absolute bangers, the energy was sky-high before diving into the soulful & raw performances from Nessa Barrett, Chelsea Cutler & Jeremy Zucker (presenting Brent), Arcy Drive, AJR, and Claire Rosinkranz. The diverse lineup kept us on our toes, blending different genres into a perfect night of pure festival magic.
As Benson Boone closed out the night, there wasn’t a single person not completely locked into the moment. This was one for the books, and we’re still buzzing from it! Let’s get into the highlights!
AUSTIN ASHTIN
Day Two started with an instant adrenaline rush, thanks to DJ Austin Ashtin, who wasted zero time getting the crowd moving. Mixing in festival anthems, unexpected remixes, and absolute bass-heavy bangers, he turned the festival grounds into a full-on dance party.
The transitions were seamless, the energy unmatched, and every drop hit harder than expected. Whether you came to dance or just soak in the vibes, Ashtin made sure you felt the music deep in your soul. The way he played with tempo, teasing buildups before launching into euphoric highs, had the entire crowd losing their minds.
When he closed with a massive remix of a festival classic, the reaction was pure chaos in the best way possible. People jumped, danced, and screamed like they had no worries in the world—exactly how a festival should feel.
NESSA BARRETT
If there’s one thing about Nessa Barrett, it’s that she knows how to turn pain into poetry. Her set was hauntingly beautiful, with her sultry vocals dripping in raw emotion. As soon as she stepped on stage, the atmosphere shifted—suddenly, it felt intimate and deeply personal.
Performing tracks like “Babydoll” and “Given Enough”, she left no emotion untouched. The crowd hung onto every lyric, fully immersed in the moody, cinematic energy she brought. Even the more upbeat moments had a dark, hypnotic pull, making her set feel like a beautifully tragic dream we never wanted to wake up from.
By the time she ended her set, the audience was both emotionally wrecked and fully obsessed. She proved why she’s one of the most captivating voices in alt-pop right now.
DJ CASSANDRA
Right when we thought we had a moment to breathe, DJ Cassandra came in and flipped the energy right back up. With a set filled with unexpected mashups, house beats, and insane bass drops, she kept the momentum going and made sure the crowd never stopped moving.
She was joined on stage by a section of metals that added a great sound and vibe to her set!
Her set was pure festival euphoria, mixing nostalgia with modern hits, creating a perfect sonic rollercoaster. Whether you were a die-hard EDM fan or just looking for a good time, Cassandra made sure everyone left her set completely hyped.
CHELSEA CUTLER & JEREMY ZUCKER Present: Brent
What happens when two masters of emotional indie-pop come together? Pure magic. Chelsea Cutler & Jeremy Zucker’s Brent performance was a masterclass in achingly beautiful harmonies and soul-stirring songwriting.
From soft piano ballads to acoustic duets that felt like personal letters to the audience, their chemistry was undeniable. Every song felt like a warm hug and a punch to the heart all at once.
The magic of Chelsea Cutler & Jeremy Zucker’s “Brent” project is that it feels like a personal confession wrapped in lush melodies and heartfelt storytelling. From the moment they stepped on stage, the festival grounds transformed into an intimate dreamscape, where every lyric felt deeply personal.
Opening with “Ashes & Rust” , their effortless harmonies washed over the crowd like a warm embrace. The duo’s chemistry was undeniable. Their bittersweet sound felt like a love letter to nostalgia, heartbreak, and everything in between.
ARCY DRIVE
If there was one band that unexpectedly stole hearts at the festival’s grand finale, it was Arcy Drive. The indie-rockers brought a gritty, electric energy that felt like a modern-day garage band revival, and the crowd ate it up.
From the first explosive guitar riff, it was clear that Arcy Drive wasn’t here to just fill a slot—they were here to make a statement. Their sound was a blend of classic rock grit with indie charm, reminiscent of early Kings of Leon and The Strokes, yet entirely their own. Tracks like “Superbloomer” and “Roll My Stone” had the audience jumping, shouting, and fully locked into the raw energy pouring from the stage.
Their stage presence was effortlessly cool, but it was the emotional depth of their slower moments that sealed the deal. They came in as newcomers to some, but they left with a devoted army of new fans.
AJR
There’s no such thing as a low-energy AJR show, and their Sips & Sounds finale set proved exactly why they’re one of the most beloved festival bands out there. From the very first moment, their signature blend of quirky production, theatrical storytelling, and explosive beats had the entire crowd completely enthralled.
Opening with “Bummerland”, the brothers set the tone for a set that was equal parts musical carnival and emotional rollercoaster. The crowd screamed every word, jumping in sync with the band’s electrifying energy. “100 Bad Days” and “Burn the House Down” turned the festival into a massive singalong, with their intricate instrumentation and vibrant visuals making every second feel larger than life.
Beyond the party anthems, AJR knows how to hit an emotional nerve. “World’s Smallest Violin” and “Way Less Sad”brought the perfect balance of vulnerability and self-aware humor, making their set feel relatable yet euphoric. The standout moment? “Weak”—an early career hit that took fans back to the beginning, reminding everyone why they fell in love with AJR in the first place.
CLAIRE ROSINKRANZ
If there was ever an artist who could instantly uplift an entire festival crowd, it was Claire Rosinkranz. With her signature mix of breezy indie-pop, witty lyrics, and effortlessly cool energy, she turned her set into a pure feel-good experience that had everyone dancing.
From the moment she walked on stage, Claire radiated youthful confidence and charm. Tracks like “Backyard Boy” had the entire crowd singing along at full volume. Her live band gave her songs a grittier, more organic feel, making tracks like “Frankenstein” and “Lucy” hit even harder.
Beyond her infectious melodies, Claire’s interaction with the audience made her set feel personal and spontaneous. She cracked jokes, danced around the stage, and owned every moment without missing a beat. Her Sips & Sounds performance was a reminder of just how much fun live music can be.
BENSON BOONE
Benson Boone’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of meteoric, and his Sips & Sounds headlining performancecemented exactly why he’s one of pop’s most exciting new voices. With a set filled with soul-stirring vocals, massive emotional highs, and undeniable star power, he gave the perfect grand finale to an already incredible festival.
Dressed in a sleek yet effortless style, Benson took the stage like he owned it, instantly captivating the crowd with his powerful, pitch-perfect vocals. “In The Stars” sent shivers down everyone’s spine, while “Coffee Cake” had the crowd belt out every lyric with full emotion. His ability to switch from soaring ballads to high-energy pop anthemsmade the entire set feel like a journey—one filled with moments of heartbreak, triumph, and pure connection.
But what truly set Benson apart was his authenticity. Between songs, he spoke to the audience with a mix of humility, humor, and genuine gratitude, making it clear that he wasn’t just there to perform, but to connect.
He delivered hit after hit, and when he sang the last song of his performance, “Beautiful Things”, you could literally feel the goosebumps ripple through the audience. Benson Boone didn’t just close the festival—he made sure it ended on a note that no one would forget.
And just like that, Sips & Sounds 2025 came to an end—but the memories? They’ll last forever. From unforgettable performances to singalong moments that hit deep, this festival gave us everything we could’ve hoped for and more.
As the final notes echoed into the night, the crowd stood there, soaking it all in, hearts full, voices gone, and feet sore from dancing too much. This festival wasn’t just about music—it was about energy, connection, and those unrepeatable moments that make live music so special.
Until next time, Sips & Sounds—we’ll be counting down the days.
