As the ceaseless stream of music festival monotony continues to sweep America, it’s getting progressively harder to tell one festival apart from the next. But there’s a new wave of music experiences gaining momentum that steer far away from the sardined crowds and predictable artist lineups and place focus on the bare essentials of good vibes, good music and good people. Before you book that flight to Lollapalooza or Governor’s Ball, here are six off-the-grid events to add to you summer festival bucket list…
Further Future – Moapa, NV
Located on the Moapa River Indian Reservation about an hour away from the guido-littered Las Vegas strip, Burning Man’s Robot Heart spinoff, Further Future, is pioneering a new collective of art, music, wellness and technology in the Nevada Desert for its sophomore return. While the mind, body and soul are renewed through various activities such as a speaker series and spa retreat, this year’s DJ bookings include an impressive roster of underground heavyweights like Nicolas Jaar, Four Tet, Dixon, Derrick Carter, Crazy P and DJ Tennis. Further Future takes place April 29 to May 1 and tickets are still available.
Lightning In A Bottle – Bradley, CA
Fresh off their impeccable audiovisual production at Coachella, the Do Lab returns once again to the pristine fairytale landscape of Northern California, where rolling hills and sparkling lakes feed the sustainability-driven message of Lightning In A Bottle. Not to mention, each year’s lineup for the Memorial Day weekend affair proves to be among the most finely curated with varied acts such as Cashmere Cat, TOKiMONSTA, Grimes, Chet Faker, Jamie xx, Moderat, Guy Gerber, josh Wink, Lee Burridge and dozens more performing over the five day camping festival. Art installations, a burlesque lounge, nutrition and cooking classes and immersive experiences await soul searchers in Bradley, CA from May 25-30.
Symbiosis Gathering – Oakdale, CA
Symbiosis
Renewal and respect are top priority at the hedonistic utopia known as Symbiosis. Heralded as one of the west coast’s best transformational festivals, the four-day gathering in Santa Cruz, California is a much more intimate experience that filters out the inevitable pretentious party-goers larger uninhibited events like Burning Man sometimes attracts. Acts like Nicolas Jaar and Griz have performed in the past but the bulk of the artists on Symbiosis’ lineup are relatively unknown yet that’s where the magic rests – the focus is on the music, not the DJ. Symbiosis rounds out the summer festival season on September 22-25 at Woodward Reservoir Regional Park in Oakdale, California.
Dirtybird Campout – Silverado, CA
Unlike most of the other festivals on this list, Dirtybird Campout is certainly a shuffler’s paradise as booty-shaking house beats from Dirtybird founder Claude VonStroke and the gang maintain the pulse of this nostalgic affair. When you’re not on the dance floor, indulge your inner child and play a game of dodgeball or gather ’round a fire and make s’mores with your favorite DJs-turned-camp-counselors as they tell ghost stories. Dirtybird Campout takes place at Oak Canyon Park in Silverado, California on October 7-9.
Shambhala Music Festival – Salmo, Canada
Arguably one of the most beautiful and serene festival locations in the world, Shambhala Music Festival, located just north of Washington state in British Columbia, Canada, welcomes about 10,000 dance music lovers annually but never allows its growing demand to overshadow the good vibes. Unlike other major electronic events, Shambhala promises to never be bought out by corporate sponsors which is why nearly 1,000 workers come together to bring the quality production to life. The lineup this year consists of Questlove, Hotel Garuda, Rezz, Amine Edge & Dance, Green Velvet, SNBRN, Keys N Krates and more! Shambhala is hosted at the Salmo River Ranch from August 5-8.
What The Festival – Portland, OR
What The Festival
Portland’s What The Festival is a carefree oasis that feels more like an actual vacation than a festival. While dance lovers will enjoy hypnotic beats from the likes of Claude VonStroke, J. Phlip, Motez, Le Youth, Bonobo and Claptone on this year’s lineup, attendees can also treat themselves to a plethora of relaxing activities like wading in the water at the pool stage, getting a massage at the on site spa, observing art installations in the Illuminated Forest and having good conversation with new friends in the Casbah Hookah Lounge. Mark your calendar June 17-20 and book that flight to Oregon!