Sunset: The Festival Debuts with Standout Performances and First-Year Challenges

The inaugural Sunset: The Festival debuted at The Espee last weekend, interweaving national headliners with homegrown talent against the golden backdrop of the historic St. Paul Square. Spoon, Santigold, Band of Horses, and Aly & AJ led the bill, while local acts, including Los Juanos and Buttercup, set the tone with sharp 30-minute sets on a smaller stage before the main acts took over.

The festival had its share of growing pains. Nicky Diamonds canceled his appearance after car trouble left him temporarily stranded in the desert, and overlapping main-stage soundchecks overpowered the artists playing the smaller stage. Still, Los Juanos delivered one of the standout performances of the weekend, debuting their latest song, Otra Lata. Lilyisthatyou commandeered the audience with her fierce stage presence and unapologetic lyrics, while Santigold transformed her set into an interactive spectacle, inviting fans onstage to join the choreography of Unstoppable.

Beyond the music, the festival had room for improvement. With only one food vendor on-site, options were slim for hungry attendees. And then there was the weather. Friday felt like a test of heat endurance, while Saturday night had some festivalgoers bundling up in blankets.

Despite the challenges, Sunset: The Festival showed promise as a fresh addition to San Antonio’s music scene.

See photos from the two-day festival below: