Throwing it back to standout performances from a weekend at Firefly

by Quinn Dang Photo by Quinn Dang for WMUCAfter a year of quarantine and an additional three-month delay from its typical June date, Firefly Music Festival roared back to the Woodlands in Dover, Delaware this past September....

WMUC IT

Mar 11, 2022 • 4 min read

by Quinn Dang

grandson at Firefly

Photo by Quinn Dang for WMUC

After a year of quarantine and an additional three-month delay from its typical June date, Firefly Music Festival roared back to the Woodlands in Dover, Delaware this past September.

A sign proclaiming “We Missed You!” welcomed attendees as they entered the festival grounds for four days of music, food, and fun, running from Thursday, September 23 to Sunday, September 26.

Muddy earth from unexpected severe thunderstorms on Thursday didn’t stop thousands of fans from flocking to the seven different stages spread out across 105 acres to see their favorite artists after a long time away.

Below are some of WMUC’s favorite performances from the weekend.

grandson

Jordan Benjamin, aka grandson, brought the energy to the Wonder Stage, brimming with the live-music excitement and movement you’re looking for at a festival.

Photo by Quinn Dang for WMUC

Benjamin encouraged the audience to jump, spray water, mosh, and scream along with him.

“These security guards, they had two years off, they miss you!” Benjamin told them, arm outstretched. “I want everyone here to fucking crowdsurf, moshpit, all that shit.”

Remi Wolf

Los Angeles-based musician Remi Wolf showed up to her performance with a bright pink hat proclaiming “DEEP FUNK AND DIVINE INTERVENTION” and a bright stage presence to match.

“Dover, how are you feelin’?” she yelled into the mike to huge cheers.

Photo by Quinn Dang for WMUC

She was joined by Dominic Fike for a catchy first-ever live performance of “Photo ID.”

Photo by Quinn Dang for WMUC

SOFI TUKKER

Grammy-nominated electronic-dance duo SOFI TUKKER floated across a set adorned with flowers and ferns for their Firefly performance.

A huge leafy centerpiece boasted eight multicolored screens that doubled as a drumset for Tucker Halpern and Sophie Hawley-Weld.

“We played here about four years ago on a tiny stage,” Halpern said, teaching the crowd to flick their wrists. “We did this song, we did this dance.”

Sophie Hawley-Weld of SOFI TUKKER at Firefly

Tucker Halpern of SOFI TUKKER at Firefly

Photos by Quinn Dang for WMUC

Glass Animals

With a gorgeous neon-lit vaporwave set, Glass Animals emerged as a fan favorite from the weekend.

The infectious, beaming energy of frontman Dave Bayley bled into the crowd, who jumped in sync with him as he bounced from one side of the stage to the other.

Photo by Quinn Dang for WMUC

Perched at the end of an onstage diving board, staring out at the crowd, Bayley spoke: “Firefly, you are something special.”

Lizzo

Lizzo, the last headliner of the weekend, owned Firefly’s main stage.

“So you’re telling me I’m closing this shit?” Lizzo exclaimed.

The hot pink fringes of her suit flew around her as she sang hits like “Rumors,” “Good as Hell,” and “Cuz I Love You,” accompanied by a powerhouse team of back-up dancers.