Route 1 Corridor to Host This Could Go Boom! Music Festival

A new music festival will bring thousands to the Route 1 corridor this week, culminating with an all-day festival on Saturday.

Based in Cottage City, This Could Go Boom! is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to helping women and LGBTQ musicians learn more about the industry and grow their audiences.

After hosting more than 350 artists for paid performances since 2018, the nonprofit decided to hold its first festival this year, with the help of a grant form the Maryland Heritage Areas Program.

Leading up to the festival, the group is holding events around the Route 1 corridor, starting with an open mic at Denizens Brewing Co. in Riverdale Park on Monday and ending with a spoken word event at Joe’s Movement Emporium on Friday.

Bands will play on Saturday at the main stage at Bladensburg Waterfront Park and smaller stages at Maryland Meadworks, Pizzeria Paradiso in Hyattsville, Sangfroid Distilling Co., SoHy Station and Streetcar 82 Brewing Co.

Philadelphia band Speedy Ortiz, Nashville’s Crys Matthews and North Carolina’s River Shook will headline the festival, and more than 45 artists will play overall.

This Could Go Boom! Board President Erin Frisby told the Hyattsville Wire that the event is “a love song to the music scene that surrounds the Anacostia River” that will bring residents from around the greater D.C. area to check out some Route 1 corridor hotspots.

The festival is free but This Could Go Boom! is raising money to support it. Donors will also receive special discoutns and offers at local businesses. You can donate here.