Taking place in mid-October in a loading dock behind DC’s Union Market, the All Things Go Fall Classic featured sets from POWERS, Penguin Prison, The Knocks, and a closing performance from EDM’s tropical house wunderkind, Kygo. The event—a one-day music festival advertised as bringing together not only a diverse group of artists but also concertgoers—lived up to its promise, drawing in a crowd consisting of classic DC yopros (flannel on flannel on flannel) to ravers prepared with gloves and hula hoops. Instead of boring you with my thoughts on each and every set, here are a few of my thoughts on and observations from the ATG Fall Classic:

First off, POWERS deserved a later set time

Festivalgoers that showed up early in the day were rewarded with an energetic set from electropop duo POWERS. Despite a minor technical malfunction during the beginning of their set, the duo comprising of Mike Del Rio and Crista Ru powered through a strong set (puns happen) and the crowd was particularly pumped after the band performed “Classic”, their collaboration with The Knocks. Oddly enough, despite their ability to get the crowd incredibly riled up and ready to party, POWERS was scheduled for the early afternoon. They could have done just as well—if not better—later in the lineup, but I can see why they would be further removed from The Knocks seeing as they share a song.

Next, bros love Nikyee Heaton

People turned out in droves for musician/Instagram starlet Niykee Heaton’s early evening set. Performing to just an audio track, Heaton bumped around the stage performing a short set that had the crowd going. Although not my favorite performance of the day, Heaton got the crowd going and won some hearts when she brought her sister (maybe?) onstage and led the crowd in a sing-along of “Happy Birthday”.

The Knocks should tour all the time

The highlight of the day in my books, was a dynamic and electrifying performance from NYC-based electropop/electrofunk duo The Knocks. Ben Ruttner and James Patterson—or “B-Roc” and “JPatt” as Wikipedia wants me to believe—played a lively set that included mainstays like “Dancing With the DJ” and “Modern Hearts”. While everyone was moving throughout the entire set (SO MUCH HIP-SHAKING), the crowd especially lost it when played their new single with Matthew Koma, “I Wish (My Taylor Swift)” live for the first time, and when they brought out POWERS for a live version of “Classic”. The lighting director also made GREAT use of the setup available and had a great light show that meshed really well with the vibes The Knocks were putting out. I said The Knocks should tour all the time, and they actually are come January 2016 so make sure to check if them out if they're hitting a city near you.

Kygo is great (and needs a new visuals producer)

Kygo closed out the night with a set that featured all of the remixes that helped him get to where he is today (read: “Sexual Healing” and “I See Fire”) interspersed with his newer original content, including a new song that follows in the footsteps of recent releases “Here for You” and “Nothing Left”. Worth mentioning is that Kygo did play his AMAZING remix of Seinabo Sey’s “Younger” which set the crowd OFF.

As for the overall set, Kygo is a great producer and puts out great music, but his actual show, particularly the graphic component, still has a ways to go. In a space that puts so much emphasis on the concert experience—not just the music but also the visuals—Kygo’s set seems to fall a little flat when compared to other electronic sets. This is my third time seeing Kygo in the past year, each time at a different type of venue, and also the third time I have walked away happy with the musical experience, but jonesing for something more visually dynamic.

Last but not least, All Things Go’s Fall Classic is a must if you live near DC

ATG’s Fall Classic, only its second to-date, was nothing less than a triumph. They pulled together a diverse—not to mention fantastic—lineup at a great venue on one of the more beautiful days DC has seen this year. The crowd was energized, the food was amazing, the venue was used amazingly, and the bar to festivalgoer ratio was on-point).

Make sure to follow All Things Go to gets updates on upcoming events in DC and look out for the ATG Fall Classic next year; it’s one you event you won’t want to miss.

Photos by: Doug Van Sant / Garrett Hoppin