Palomino Festival 2022
at Brookside at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA
photos and words by Nicole Ditt

For the first time ever, the Palomino Festival was brought to Pasadena, CA adjacent to the Rose Bowl at Brookside Park! Created by Goldenvoice, which is responsible for the iconic Stagecoach music festival, Pasadena’s Palomino Festival gave those in attendance a little taste of Indio much closer to home. Attendees were graced with a full day of music from country, folk, pop, bluegrass, and just about every genre in between.

Artists who performed earlier in the day such as Amythyst Kiah, Low Cut Connie, Paul Cauthen, Valerie June, and Sierra Hull were met with smaller crowds, resulting in more intimate performances. Langhorne Slim performed, sang, and danced within the crowd.

Two stages within 200 feet of one another with alternating performances allowed fans to easily come and go between sets as needed. The audience was filled with people of all ages and both longtime country lovers and newbies were able to enjoy the show. Everyone came together with the common interest of country music, which gave strangers the opportunity to connect with new friends. Even with each passing hour and 90 degree weather conditions unwavering, the crowd continued to grow with each set. Complete with booths curated by Palomino’s own Nikki Lane, there were plenty of food, beverage, and activity options for everyone in attendance.
With an eclectic lineup featuring Orville Peck, Willie Nelson, Jason Isabell and the 400 Unit, and Kacey Musgraves, the bill was nowhere short of raw, natural talent. Many boundary-pushing artists and often overlooked representation were present on the bill, creating a well-rounded, enjoyable country music experience for 11 straight hours.