Third Iron Blossom Festival shines light on local artists

Cora Perkins, Assistant Spectrum Editor 

The Iron Blossom Music festival has been an annual kaleidoscope of energy that brings flower crowned, flowey skirted and cowboy booted fans to Richmond. 

The festival returned to the river city last weekend for its third year in a row. With a lineup full of folk and indie-rock musicians, the festival describes itself as “a boutique music festival, offering a sonic delight for every listener.” 

This year’s lineup overflowed with local musicians, with at least two artists from the Richmond area performing each day.  

One of these artists is Catie Lausten, a singer-songwriter who graduated from VCU. Lausten said performing at the event did not feel real at first.

“I think it felt a little bit like it was hard for me to conceptualize it was actually happening until like this week,” Lausten said. 

The festival is a great opportunity for local artists and fans because they have a bigger music festival to attend right in the city, Lausten said. 

“I think it’s great that we in Richmond finally have a bigger music festival for people to go to,” Lausten said. “I could think of so many Richmond bands who would be an amazing addition to next year or years down the line.”

A handful of Lausten’s friends and family were able to see her perform at the festival.

“It feels like a big accomplishment for me, for them to be there and witness and also express to me a lot how proud they are of me,” Lausten said. “My mom and dad are coming, a lot of my college friends are coming tomorrow and so yeah, it feels full circle.”

Shaylee Farmer and Rachel Green, friends from college who attended Iron Blossom together, were most excited to see local band Palmyra. 

Iron Blossom promotes local artists, which allows people who have never heard of certain bands or musicians to listen and give them a chance, Green said. 

“You know, a lot of people come to see the big name bands that everybody knows, and so it’s really cool to get a chance to get more outreach for the local bands,” Green said.  

The festival is a major thing for Richmond, according to local musician Jack Stepanian.

“Such an amazing experience to be a part of that festival,” Stepanian said. “It’s also such a great thing being from Richmond, you know, in front of a hometown crowd. It was really cool being able to be a part of that with so many local acts that I really look up to.”

The organizers behind Iron Blossom are aware of Richmond’s strong music community, which allows them to incorporate local acts into the festival well, Stepanian said. He believes the festival will only benefit the city’s music scene, as it brings true music fans to town. 

“It’s just a great way for the scene to grow in an already strong music town, but we’ll just continue to do it too,” Stepanian said. 

Iron Blossom has become an event to look forward to in Richmond’s musical calendar with its emphasis on homegrown musicians and the city’s culture. Fans and musicians alike hope for its return next year.