Benson Boone - Photo credit: John Kosiewicz

Dreamforce 2024, Keynotes, and… Folk-Pop Vibes

Dreamforce 2024 wasn’t just about keynote speakers, AI demos, and networking. The conference surprised attendees with a series of unannounced pop-up concerts across three days on Howard Street’s Dreamforest stage.

On Day 1 (September 17), The Lumineers opened the week with a stripped-down set featuring only two members of the band. Day 2 (September 18) brought powerhouse performances from Brandi Carlile and Vance Joy, while Day 3 (September 19) closed out the week with Benson Boone at the Dreamforce Closing Reception.

Digital signs teasing “Coming Soon” turned into live artist announcements moments before each show. And while the Dreamfest concert at Giants Ballpark with P!NK and Imagine Dragons grabbed headlines, these intimate performances became the talk of the conference — right in the heart of San Francisco.

Pop-Ups

Day 1: The Lumineers

The first day of the conference set the tone with a stripped-down performance from The Lumineers. Their folk-rock storytelling felt right at home under the California sun. The setlist blended classics and fan favorites, including Flowers in Your Hair, Gloria, Angela, and Cleopatra. Crowd-pleasers like Ho Hey and Ophelia brought the audience to its feet, along with the soulful Stubborn Love.

Even without the full band, their harmonies filled the open-air stage beautifully. It was a refreshing reminder that good songs don’t need big production — just heart and honesty.

Day 2: Brandi Carlile

Eleven-time Grammy winner Brandi Carlile brought unmatched emotion and craftsmanship to the Dreamforest stage. Her set featured The Things I Regret, The Story, Broken Horses, and The Joke. She even threw in Queen’s Fat Bottomed Girls, which had the crowd singing along with pure joy.

Her voice carried through the courtyard like a force of nature — commanding yet comforting. Between songs, she shared warm moments with the crowd, reminding everyone that authenticity never goes out of style.

Day 2: Vance Joy

Later that afternoon following Carlile, Vance Joy kept the good vibes going with his signature indie-folk charm. His acoustic hits — Mess Is Mine, Fire and the Flood, Saturday Sun, and Riptide — had fans swaying and smiling.

He added a soft, heartfelt cover of Baby I Love Your Way, giving the Big Mountain classic his own twist. Under the San Francisco sun, it felt like summer all over again.

Day 3: Benson Boone

The final day ended with rising pop star Benson Boone, who headlined the Dreamforce Closing Reception. His mix of emotional lyrics and soaring vocals gave the conference a memorable send-off.

Boone’s setlist included Beautiful Things, Slow It Down, There She Goes, and What Do You Want. He also performed Coffee Cake and In the Stars, both of which resonated with the crowd.

Balancing sincerity with showmanship, Boone proved why he’s quickly becoming one of pop’s most promising voices. His performance wrapped up the week on an uplifting, emotional note.

Dreamforce 2024 Conclusion

Each artist brought something unique, yet all four shared a clear connection — music grounded in emotion and storytelling. From The Lumineers’ rustic folk roots to Brandi Carlile’s Americana grit, Vance Joy’s breezy indie pop, and Benson Boone’s heartfelt modern sound, their performances added warmth to a week dominated by tech talk.

In a city known for innovation, Dreamforce reminded everyone that some of the most inspiring moments still come from a simple melody and a shared chorus.

Links

To catch these artists on tour and keep up with the latest band news, check out:

DREAMFORCE | THE LUMINEERS | BRANDI CARLILE | VANCE JOY | BENSON BOONE