07/20/2026
For the first time in Levitate Music Festival history all women headlined the main stage on Saturday of the two day festival. I grabbed a 12 year old Sony camera to bring with me because my pro stuff wouldn’t be let in.
Ok, fine. I’ve been doing this for 20 years. I can navigate. I’m a woman after all.
So, with my wife by my side, my hair soaked from the rains, but never stopping my dancing, I timed standing where I needed to be, especially for these two sets: Larkin Poe and Alanis Morrisette.
The largest dragonfly I’ve ever seen landed on my left forearm during The Movement’s set at the style stage as I danced. The people around me pounded my fist. One guy smiled said, “ok, I see you. A chosen one.” Another woman I had just met, said, “someone came to visit you.” I’d been noticing and photographing dragonflies from the comfort of my front porch back home. I felt lucky. It felt like a good omen for the weekend.
Back to the main stage where Jess and I got to see three women just simply nail it, creating absolutely exquisite rock and roll that just moves through you like lightning and love and rage and joy and light.
I love that we got to witness Larkin Poe, who we saw 3 years earlier and loved and couldn’t think these sisters could get any better, but did.
And of course, Alanis, whose Jagged Little Pill record came out when i was 12, and somehow her music over the years has stayed on rotation in my life.
The experience of watching her move all over the stage, spin in a million circles and hit every note perfectly, while i danced covered in rain and smoking a clove.
Lucky. Thats it.
Jessica Paine
Larkin Poe
Alanis Morissette
Levitate Music Festival