With festival season in full swing, I thought that I’d share some insight over my time spent exploring festivals. My first introduction into electronic music scene was at the age of 15 when I attended a Dubstep concert at a little place known as the Motor in Seattle’s Sodo District. I found within this underground night life a culture that emitted a powerful message of love, a sense of family, and a common passion for music. Since that fateful night, my life has been an accumulation of positive memories I discovered through the EDM culture along with too many beautiful memories to possibly recount.
Fast forward a few years, I set out on my spiritual journey of self-discovery through music by attending festivals across the country. Along the way I gained a family and unit of individuals I will have for life. Most of all, I learned about the music first hand. I was fully immersed in the world of music and how it truly has the ability to change your life in a more positive way.
Now in present day, I have experienced my fair share of electronic festivals and while the memories are irreplaceable, I have reached a point in my life where I can no longer attend overly-crowded, overly-expensive, and lackluster production of some of these events.
If you are growing older and the “festival scene” that you once knew is changing into something you’d rather not associate with (fist-pumping, molly raging bros), then this list is for you.
Festivals still exist around the country that will leave you with a new unit of family, a feeling of betterment to yourself and your soul, and above all, an experience incomparable to the heavily pushed festivals we have all been inevitably force fed in the past five years. Oh, and none of them have Avicii or anything of that sort. (yay!)
Wanee Music Festival April 14-17
Around for a little over a decade, Wanee is a true escape from reality for a few days. The festival takes place in Live Oak, FL in the Spirit of Suwanee Music Park. The event was originally hosted by the Allman Brothers Band until 2014. What you can expect to find here is a gathering of like minded people coming together to enjoy some of the world’s best jam bands and artists in a nature setting where being yourself is totally welcomed. Something is magical about this Florida oasis.
Summer Camp May 27-29
Truly summer camp for adults. This midwest festival takes place on memorial day weekend every year. It started with just 1,000 attendees in 2001 but now draws in a crowd of 20,000 making it a larger scaled festival in this list, but still very small in comparison to others. Summer Camp boasts a lineup mixed with electronic and jam bands and allows for camping and escape from reality for a few days in Chillicothe, Illinois. The festival also advocates for “making a difference” with their many workshops, speakers and information on sustainability, hopefully influencing everyone to recycle and be respectful to the Earth.
Sonic Bloom June 16-19
Sonic Bloom will be held during the Summer Solstice, at the new festival site, in Spanish Peaks Country, CO: Hummingbird Ranch. The beautiful landscape includes shady trees, a cold water creek and breathtaking views.
What The Festival June 17-20
Created by some of the minds behind Burning Man, WTF is the place to be in Oregon over the summer. Insane art installations, massive wading pool, yoga, dance, and the best artists, make What The Festival the perfect escape from reality in the middle of nowhere Oregon, what more could an adult-kid want?
Rainbow Gathering July
This is the gathering of all gatherings. Rainbow Gathering is the most pure and true representation of what a festival should be. With Rainbow Families and clans spanning nation wide, the movement has progressed since its start in the 80’s. Every year the location of the gathering is announced and “family” members attend the event. This is how one person describes the gathering-
“Some say we're the largest non-organization of non-members in the world. We have no leaders, and no organization. To be honest, the Rainbow Family means different things to different people. I think it's safe to say we're into intentional community building, non-violence, and alternative lifestyles. We also believe that Peace and Love are a great thing, and there isn't enough of that in this world. Many of our traditions are based on Native American traditions, and we have a strong orientation to take care of the the Earth. We gather in the National Forests yearly to pray for peace on this planet.” - welcomehome.org
Events include:
July 3rd, Cyberspace Circle
At Info on the 3rd at "Rainbow Noon" here is a circle to discuss cyberspace issues, and how to use this resource in a Rainbow appropriate way.
July 4th, Circle for Peace
Join us for a silent circling of people to pray for world peace. The circle for peace starts at sunrise at main circle, and ends around Rainbow noon after a period of OHMing, and the Kiddie Village Parade!
Talent Show at Granola Funk
For many years there has been a talent show at the Granola Funk Theater.
Although Rainbow Gathering’s online presence is vague, the event itself is the most powerful and inspiring of its kind. You can come here and leave a new person full of love, peace and a new sense of family.
Arise Festival
August 5-7
Easily one of Colorado’s best festivals, ARISE Music Festival is a true musical wonderland. Welcoming to all ages, ARISE is the type of festival you go and learn your neighbor’s name, help a friend, heal yourself, and listen to some amazing music. Featuring 7 stages of live music, yoga, workshops, theme camps, art gallery & installations, children’s village, speakers, films and camping on 100 beautiful mountain valley acres.
Summer Meltdown
August 11-14
If I could, Summer Meltdown would be at the top of this list. Truly one of the most amazing festivals I’ve ever experienced. The fest itself takes place in August the little known town of Washington State called Darrington. The weather during this time is absolutely perfect, staying between 70 and 80 degrees. At the White Horse Amphitheater the acoustics are insane, the main stage sitting amongst the San Andreas Vault and some of the world’s most beautiful mountains. While the music never disappoints, it is the people who attend that make it truly magical. I equate my experience at Summer Meltdown similar to if I was to be in “Alice in Wonderland” in real life. The campground full of century old trees has not one piece of trash. Campgrounds are transformed into homes with little naked children running around playing in nature. One of my neighbors was a man who made a massive 2,000 + sq ft tent, and inside would host tea parties twice a day. Everyone came with something to contribute to the meltdown community which truly made the experience even more magical. Saturday is always costume day, where you can be anyone you want to be. One group from Bellingham, WA even served bacon and unlimited mimosas to people who went down to the river during the day. Beautiful during the day, at night is when the transformation happens. The forest turns into a lit up escape, one man even making his festival duty to make sure the entire valley is illuminated in laser lights of all colors at all times. No words can adequately describe the experiences I have had at Summer Meltdown but living in a community of about 2,000 other beautiful people in a world where there is no crime or greed and just music and positive vibes is something you should definitely do at least on
