Sara Landry made her long-awaited return to Tennessee with a night of unforgettable performances. The initial announcement was made on July 11th and received immediate attention. The show took place at the amphitheater, but a big talking point of the announcement was the afterparty. It was held in the cave and limited to 1,200 tickets.
The Caverns
The Caverns is one of the most unique venues in the country, as it’s located inside a natural cave system as well as a fully operational live music venue dubbed “The Greatest Show Under Earth.” Just around 90 minutes from downtown Nashville, the spot has become a popular day-trip destination for Tennesseeans to hike, see a show, or take a tour of the cave system.
The Caverns cave system and amphitheatre have become a hotspot for dance music events. Most notably, John Summit had his first 2-day “cave rave” at the venue in 2023. Summit experienced exponential growth after his first Caverns appearance and returned in 2024 with a bigger lineup and plans to return in 2026. Other major appearances were Mau P’s show in 2024 and Eli Brown earlier this year.
Landry’s first show in the Caverns was in 2022. It was filmed for PBS’s The Caverns Sessions, an iconic series featuring performances by well-established artists. She performed at the venue again in 2024.
The Amphitheater Show
Landry’s most recent appearance at the Caverns gave fans the chance to spend the whole day in Pelham. Performances began at 4:00 with Jenna Shaw, hhunter, and vtss. Special guest SUB FOCUS began around 8:00 and gave the crowd a taste of what to expect for the rest of the night. SUB FOCUS delivered a quintessential techno performance– exactly what the fans needed to prepare for what was coming.
Sara Landry’s set at the amphitheater was a masterclass in techno. Her dynamic and intricate setlist made an often-difficult feat in the world of hard techno. And of course, it reinforced her title as the Queen of the Underground. When talking to fans about what makes Sara Landry so special, a common consensus was: every time she plays, she becomes one with the music.
A favorite moment of the show was Landry’s last track, “Rave Mozart” that went viral on TikTok after her performance at Club Space. Viewers can see in her movement and her connection to the audience that this is something she is deeply passionate about.
One fan said, “right now we are living in a time where everyone wants to do what she is doing, but not everyone is capable of her mentality. She puts in the work unlike anyone else I have ever seen in the scene.” A profound statement on Landry’s impact on her fanbase and the world of dance music.
The Afters
Some people could not get enough of Landry after her amphitheater performance. The DEF Afterparty was the place to be, an intimate event limited to 1,200 tickets. MADGRRL and GODTRIPPER each honored the underground with their dark, gritty and powerful sets. The layout of the cave was another interesting feature. It invited all fans to come behind the booth and gather on each side, creating a 360° experience for everyone.
Sara Landry’s set in the cave was a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience for many fans. Before beginning, Landry spoke on how her setlist in the cave was going to be different than anything she would play at a festival or headlining show. The tracks she played were “reserved for things like villa parties and afters.” Landry went on to play nearly 3 hours of melodic, psy-trance techno- a change from the striking style that she has become known for.
Sara Landry’s return to the Caverns was nothing short of amazing. With an already solidified reputation of “Queen of the Underground,” there was no doubt that Landry would amaze, inspire and rejuvenate dance music fans all over the world.
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