Every year there are hundreds of music festivals that happen around the world.
In 2009 I attended my first ever music festival, Electric Zoo, in Randalls Island NY. The stage was set, Kaskade had a break-through hit. I saw all these artists together that changed my taste in music forever. I saw Armin Van Buuren, I saw Deadmau5, I saw, Steve Aoki, Swedish House Mafia (before the artists became the trio) Benny Benassi was amazing to see as well, he wasn't even on the main stage. This was the gold standard for music festivals for me. The line-up matters. I had a great time and I remember the experience because it was so amazing to be there. I went the next year, in 2010, and again in 2011 I believe. I then stopped going to festivals for a couple years. I was a student, and I was working so it was a lot harder to get out of things to go and party. My sophomore year I was invited to Mysteryland. I was weary, I thought, man I haven't been to a festival in so long, will I still fit in? What if I don't have fun? All of this anxiety floated around my mind. I was broke and in college. (nothing new there) and I didn't know it then, but Mysteryland was an experience I needed in my life.
"My sophomore year I was invited to Mysteryland. I was weary, I thought, 'Man I haven't been to a festival in so long, will I still fit in? What if I don't have fun? Can I even afford this?' All of this anxiety floated around my mind. I was broke and in college. (nothing new there) and I didn't know it then, but Mysteryland was an experience I needed in my life. "
"Today is a gift, tomorrow is a Mystery."
Mysteryland is unique. it has so much to offer that I don't really see other festivals have the same aesthetic. I was pretty much on board when my best friend told me, don't worry, I'll help you get there and you'll have a ticket. Just buy a shuttle from NY to Bethel Woods. I'll start with the venue, and boy is it a beautiful one. Bethel Woods as you may or may not know is home to the historic Woodstock grounds. Mysteryland collaborated with NYC curators and artists to bring the New York art and music scene come to life among the grounds. There were thousands of people there, all liked minded beautiful people who really really loved music the same way that I do. I knew that I would be at home here when I met Sandro, my friend who forgot his ID and he was almost not able to get in, but I helped him by talking with security since he was a guest in our country. I couldn't stand for him not getting right to the gates and being denied entry there. I got him in, and he was so grateful. We made a friendship for life. I loved the bus trip over. I was pumped, listening to Tech house, and various other genres. T-Mobile (my employer at the time) had a VIP booth just for their customers. I was blown away. There was a bar just for the T-Mobile customers there. The booth had free charging and lockers for people to keep their phone. I was on my phone consistently throughout the day and it was just wonderful to meet so many great people at that VIP all day. I floated around the venue periodically because it was a nice treat to have Q-Dance at Mysteryland.
"Mysteryland collaborated with NYC curators and artists to bring the New York art and music scene come to life along the grounds. There were thousands of people there, all liked minded beautiful people who really really loved music the same way that I do."
Woodstock has a presence that other venues don't.
I don't know what it was. I really cannot explain it, but being there was a spiritual experience that really was bar none. I was blown away by how easy to talk to people were. As the day progressed I found out the T-Mobile CEO John Legere (check out his twitter, it's a real treat) was going to be there. I was just blown away, he flew in via a T-Mobile helicopter. he spent his time between the various VIP areas there, and I was able to actually talk to him briefly, and he gave me some great career advice, we briefly talked T-Mobile, and I was just so starstruck around him. He is larger than life! As time progressed and I got back to all the music that was happening, I met someone pretty special in my life, my friend Angelina. I talked to her what felt like all night! I still have the opportunity to chat with her, years after the festival passed and she gave me some great life advice, "Don't ever lose your sparkle, everyone has one, and you gotta make sure you don't let anyone take yours away." I really mean this, Bethel Woods has a soul, it has a heart that beats, it has hills that are right there with you. It's a one of a kind venue, and a one of a kind festival. What makes it? It's the people, the community, the togetherness, the love, the music, the artists.
"Don't ever lose your sparkle, everyone has one, and you gotta make sure you don't let anyone take yours away."
Between the people I met and artists I saw-- I was absolutely blown away.
So many big names at this venue, so many beautiful people that really make festivals tick. I was just head over heals that I was able to make things work and go to this festival thanks to my best friend. I will never ever forget Mysteryland. That's why I plan to go this June, and see what new experiences this year holds. I think that if you go, you'll find that it is really something special. I hope that this year you find that special something in your life that changes you and how you live and operate. I made some pretty amazing friends I wouldn't trade for anything. If I met you at Mysteryland and you're reading this, I really hope you had the same kind of experience I did. If you are reading this and I didn't meet you at MLUSA, I hope this June I will.
