River Beat Music Fest
River beat Fest 2025 Ends on a High Note: Khruangbin, Benson Boone, and Anderson .Paak Deliver an Unforgettable Finale
By Jordon Coleman – Writer/Photographer
The final day of Riverbeat Fest wasn’t just another festival closeout—it was a showcase of sonic texture, raw emotion, and pure performance power. With a genre-defying lineup that included Khruangbin, Benson Boone, and Anderson .Paak, the last chapter of the weekend hit all the right notes—and from the photo pit, the view was nothing short of cinematic.
Khruangbin: A Dream Set at Golden Hour
As the sun began its slow descent, Khruangbin stepped onstage and transformed the crowd into a sea of sway. The Houston-born trio, known for their minimalist psychedelia, played like a band fully in control of their space and silence. Bassist Laura Lee strutted across the stage with quiet confidence, while guitarist Mark Speer wove riffs that floated above the groove. Their set wasn’t loud—it was hypnotic.
From a visual standpoint, their use of color, symmetry, and mood lighting created a photographer’s dream. Every shot felt like a postcard from another era.
Benson Boone: The Voice That Cut Through
Fresh off chart success, Benson Boone brought a youthful intensity that connected instantly. His vocals—fragile one moment, soaring the next—carried weight, especially during his performance of “Beautiful Things.” The crowd didn’t just watch—they sang with him, phones glowing against the deep blue sky.
Despite being one of the newer artists on the bill, Boone commanded the stage with natural presence. Behind the lens, I found myself capturing more than performance—I was capturing someone having a moment.
Anderson .Paak: The Ultimate Showman
There’s live music—and then there’s Anderson .Paak. From the second he stepped out with his band, the Free Nationals, the energy flipped. .Paak switched between vocals, drums, and crowd control with ease, keeping the audience locked in with every beat.
Highlights included explosive renditions of “Come Down” and “Tints,” with festival-goers dancing like it was night one. Photographing .Paak is like trying to catch lightning—every second he’s in motion, and every expression tells a story.
Through the Lens: A Visual Finale
Covering the final day of Riverbeat was more than shooting a show—it was documenting a fusion of sound, sweat, and spirit. Each artist offered something completely different, yet together they gave the crowd a perfectly balanced sendoff.
For photographers and fans alike, this last day reminded us why we keep coming back: for the connection, the unexpected moments, and the music that lives longer than a setlist.
