The Festivall

The spirit of the modern music festival has always been about the community it creates, as much as the memorable musical spectacles that take place on stage. We have come a long way over the years and though mainstream music has evolved, performance technology has advanced, and new demographics have found themselves attracted to the festival scene, the ever-burning communal spirit has carried through. The Festivall brings that community online.

[thefestivall]

Thrival: Galvanizing the Steel City

Pittsburgh is a town built by the muscle and sweat of working-class America and if one were so inclined to host a music festival there, not a more appropriate location exists than in the shadow of a towering, time-weathered blast furnace. Thrival Innovation and Music Festival took place this past weekend at the striking Carrie Furnaces, showcasing a diverse lineup card of over twenty artists spanning two days at a compact, yet pleasantly unique venue. With daily temperature finding that ideal sweet spot, the first weekend of autumn turned out to be a perfect time to gather on the bank of the Monongahela River to eat, drink, and relish in the festivities. Gates opened on Friday at 3 p.m., a time much later than a typical festival kickoff, with the melodious tunes of Pittsburgh-based band Meeting of Important People. The trio has experienced a fair amount of success across the pond, but has not yet received the extended airplay they deserve closer to home.  MOIP describes their music as, "keeping the loud parts loud, pretty parts pretty, and the people happy," and their set was both very loud and very pretty. Though the crowd was sparse, the tunes themselves were well performed. Next up was Bastard Bearded Irishmen, another Pittsburgh local group who provided a nice contrast to the subdued, low-key pop show of MOIP.  The kilt-clad musicians whirled into a cloud of activity on stage, playing an eclectic mix of traditional Celtic music with high energy rock ‘n' roll sounds and antics.  Unfortunately for the band, ear piercing feedback overshadowed the performance throughout the majority of the show, with the stage crew unable to remedy the situation until the end of the performance. Another unfortunate issue developed by the early evening in which stocks of bottled water ran low in some areas of the venue, making it difficult for many parched fans to find readily available drinking water. To compound the problem, no water stations existed inside the festival grounds, which caused some criticism from thirsty festival attendees. The rest of Friday's events went smoothly, with Daya keeping the string of Pittsburgh based artists alive and singing a spirited rendition of "Don't Let Me Down," the song she is featured on by fellow Friday performer The Chainsmokers.  Chicago based rapper Sir the Baptist gave a passionate performance in one of the most notable sets of the weekend, followed by festival regulars, Lettuce, who delivered with their well-known funky, jam band sound.   Thrival's first music day concluded with two headliners, Chvrches and The Chainsmokers.  Chvrches performed in front of a relatively large crowd, with Lauren Mayberry fist pumping and bopping her way through a fiery set.  Songs from their debut and sophomore albums were performed during the hour long performance, working the crowd up into a frenzy just in time for the top headliner of Friday, The Chainsmokers.   The DJ duo garnered what was undeniably the biggest and most raucous crowd of the day. With their recent launch into stardom fueled by a stream of Top 40 hits and big name collaborations, their harder, trap and dubstep roots can be easily forgotten. The NY boys revived this in a bass-heavy performance that kept the tightly packed crowd dancing and head banging through the final thump. Saturday performances started much earlier than the day prior with Balloon Ride Fantasy first in line. The increase in day two attendance was immediately noticeable as Pittsburghers imbibed in local brews and rested in the browned grass with the sweet sounds of live music emanating from the stages. Stand out performances included Beauty Slap, an electro groove group comprised of a DJ keyboardist and a four-piece horn section, as well as Rubblebucket and Hudson Mohawke. Our favorite set from Saturday was Austin-based indie pop group, Wild Child. Formed in 2010, they’ve become a household name among cultural connoisseurs of their home city, but, much like Shakey Graves, have yet to truly break out of the Austin scene. Lead vocalists, Alexander Beggins and Kelsey Wilson, bring a conversationalist style to their set, riffing off each other throughout each contagiously catchy track. Look for this group to enter the mainstream music collective at some point soon. Early that morning Thrival posted a tweet stating that Ty Dolla $ign had cancelled due to a death in the immediate family. The tragic news resulted in a small period of confusion, during which organizers rearranged stages and set times to accommodate the sudden change. Fans questioned one another in minor bewilderment until everything got back on track. As the event moved into the evening Metric tore through their scheduled slot. With the beautiful and lovely Emily Haines at the helm, they flawlessly delivered the elegant and fuzzy synth pop for which they've come to be known. Thievery Corporation closed out the fest with a down-tempo, rhythmic set, incorporating sounds from around the globe into complex yet accessible compositions. The small size of Thrival did not detract from the entertainment value. Overall, it was one of the more casual, laid-back festivals we’d attended and there’s something to be said in that. When considering the low price of tickets and the great artist performances to which those tickets granted you entry, Thrival is certainly worth the time and money. The little, coal-dusted western Pennsylvania city of Pittsburgh is putting itself back on the map, and Thrival's innovation and music will be some of the major factors in that. If you were out at the furnaces last weekend with us, take a moment to share your own experience by leaving an official review on Thrival's page, and visit our Facebook Page to view the full photo album from the weekend.

[thefestivall]

Thrival Returns to Pittsburgh

This week marks the start of Thrival, an annual Pittsburgh event that brings curious minds and music fans together for multiple days of innovation focused activities capped by a two day outdoor music festival. The incubator and accelerator for early stage entrepreneurs, Thrill Mill Inc., is behind it all with the core objective of showcasing the former rustbelt city’s “resurgence as a dynamic tech and creative hub”. Starting Sept. 20-22 will be Thrival Innovation, three days of interdisciplinary, interactive programming focusing on cutting-edge technology, education, city policy, music, art, and food. The Steel City is no stranger to forward thinking. In recent, years, the hype surrounding Pittsburgh’s 21st century tech renaissance has garnered interest from industry juggernauts like Apple, Google, Facebook, and Uber. Just a week ago, Uber announced that their self-driving cars are now actively serving customers, transporting them to and fro with supervision of a front seat human safety moderator. The opening of its streets is a suitable representation of how Pittsburgh is opening its doors to companies and entrepreneurs looking to break ground in their respective fields. This festival is an expediter of that movement. Thrival executive producer, Dan Law, explained in a press statement, “Recently, Pittsburgh finds itself on a number of ‘top’ lists, but so much of our city remains undiscovered to a broader audience. The festival offers that unique opportunity to witness why Pittsburgh is a modern comeback story.” Following Innovation, Friday and Saturday will switch gears warping Thrival into an extensive music festival at the historic Carrie Furnaces in Swissvale. Here attendees will be treated to live performances from a diverse roster of talented artists. Headlining the production are The Chainsmokers, CHVRCHES, and Thievery Corporation. Other artists on the bill include Lettuce, Metric, Ty Dolla $ign, and Hudson Mowhawke along with many more must sees. 2-Day General Admission Tickets are still available, but very limited, at the cool price of $79. The low dollar figure is a stark contrast to the astronomical amounts demanded by most festival counterparts, and it exists without a compromise to lineup quality. After hours shows hosted at four official locations around the city, designated by Thrival coordinators, will go down each night to ensure the party bumps around the clock. According to an official statement released by Thrive these venues are “A blend of historic sites, new developments, and established venues.” The vision and spirit are both at Thrival, looking deep into the future and burning bright. You’ll want to be a part of it.

[thefestivall]

KAABOO Festival Preview

We're midway through Sept. and the second installment of Kaaboo, San Diego’s grand “art and entertainment mix-perience”, is rapidly approaching. With Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds once again playing host venue, this premiere SoCal lifestyle event will be providing lucky San Diegans with live performances by some of the biggest classic and contemporary artists along with much much more. Filling the void left behind by the dissolution of the sorely missed San Diego Street Scene, Kaaboo Del Mar will be giving Southern California what it needs and then some. Kaaboo masterminds, Bryan Gordon and Chris Brown, want you to set aside every notion you hold regarding what a traditional music festival should be. Complementing a stacked lineup of musical and comedic artists will be offerings and amenities rarely provided at a typical fest. An upscale culinary environment cheekily named “Palate”, for example, will serve attendees a myriad of local and regional delicacies prepared by celebrity chefs with the opportunity to wash it all down with small batch spirits, fine wine, and a wide selection of craft beers. “Bask”, a sandy beach and pool area with an unobstructed line of site to the Grandview Stage, will grant attendees some time to soak up the San Diego sun and sip on fresh margaritas. These represent a mere fraction of what to expect. San Diego is no stranger to quality music, with a special focus historically on alternative and indie rock. Kaaboo’s stellar lineup is an encapsulation of this phenomenon. Across seven stages and three days will be live sets from Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band, Hall & Oates, Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, Jack Johnson and, among many others, the Avett Brothers. Others names set to perform include, but are not nearly limited to, Grouplove, Fall Out Boy, Goo Goo Dolls, The Chainsmokers, Third Eye Blind, Cypress Hill, and the list goes on. I feel inclined to tell you that Sugar motherfuckin’ Ray is gonna be there too with Mark McGrath making a glorious return to his region of musical origin. Live outdoor performances come to a close each night at 10 pm (9 on Sunday), but that’s just when the party begins. An 18 and older late-night dance-a-thon held at an indoor venue will keep the festivities in full swing. The music you’ll move to will be provided by Steve Aoki, DJ Snoopadelic, Ludacris, Andrew Luce, Matoma, and Rac. Our bags are packed for San Diego and I can already taste the tequila. Gates open at 11:30 am each day. Don’t miss out on this.

[thefestivall]

Taste of Country Music Festival Preview

Starting today, Hunter Mountain, NY, will play host to the fourth annual Taste of Country Music Festival.  Standing alone as the only multi-day camping country fest in the Northeast, ToC has seen a year-over-year increase in size and scale.  Attendance has more than doubled since its inaugural event in 2013. 2016 promises to continue on that positive trajectory with headliners like Kid Rock, Jake Owen, and Kenny Chesney and to prove that you don’t need to go south for an authentic slice of Americana.

Bud Light and Stoli will be on the ready to keep the 50,000 fans quenched and loose for the weekend’s festivities while a diverse selection of food truck grub will keep them fueled.  Keeping in line with the laid back country vibe, ToC will also allow filled plastic bottles and lawn chairs to enter, which should be much to the delight of thriftier attendees.  Don’t forget to bring a bib to keep clean while scarfing down the life changing BBQ that’s sure to be on offer.

Venue-wise, it doesn’t really get more gorgeous.  Two large stages accompanied by additional attractions, like the sky ride chair lift, will be under the close watch of the surrounding mountain scenery.  Hemming the main grounds are acres of tent and RV dedicated areas where the party will stay alive after the stage lights go dark.

That brings us to the music at ToC, and the quality and abundance of it.  Any good festival should have serious depth to their lineup card rather than frontloading the fest with a few huge names only to let the fans down for the meat of the event.  Though Kid Rock, Jake Owen, and Kenny Chesney sit atop the roster, the good stuff doesn’t end there.  The fairly new and very popular act, Old Dominion, the beautiful and brilliant Jana Kramer, Big & Rich, and Eric Paslay are among the many talented performers contributing to the stacked lineup.

Be sure to bring your flag and rep the stars and stripes as events like this are what America is all about. Country music has always been an engine for the American way and we as fans are the fuel for it.  Bask in the warm sun, ride out the good tunes, and immerse yourself in the quintessential country experience.

[thefestivall]

Voodoo Festival Preview

This weekend, starting Friday, October 30th the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience makes its 17th return to The Big Easy. The ritual will be hosted at City Park and has once again summoned an eclectic mix of top-tier musicians to rain black magic upon a costumed crowd. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and behind them will not only be a diverse, powerhouse lineup, but also a bustling landscape of immersive art installations, local NOLA eats, and a kinetic carnival full of rides that tilt, twist, and spin. While the extramusical amenities serve as a guarantee that no boredom will survive the Halloween weekend, it is this year's artists that will keep the festival grounds alive. The Voodoo slogan beckons fans to "Worship the Music" and worship the music we shall. Headlining Friday is Ms. Welch's Florence + the Machine on the Altar Stage and the Skrillex and Diplo musical marriage that is Jack U on the EDM-focused Le PLUR stage. Friday also contains former My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way, Toronto-based indie rock band Metric, Swedish DJ Alesso, and Seattle alt-rock veterans Modest Mouse. When you throw Carnival stage's Joey Badass, Yelawolf, and Girl Talk into the mix the result is a musically balanced opening day that's sure to thrust the weekend in the right direction. It's only appropriate that sitting atop the Halloween day line-up is the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne. Joining Ozzy on the Altar Stage as Saturday's headliner is Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler and guitar legends Tom Morello and Slash. Festival goers will be presented with some tough choices throughout the second day as stellar artists of various musical persuasions will be performing simultaneously across the four stages. These artists include Steve Angello, Zhu, Babes in Toyland, Joywave, Django Django, and Lettuce. 75-year-old electronic music pioneer Giorgio Moroder's synth-disco meditations on the Le PLUR stage will be Saturday's true Halloween treat for any attendee with a deep fondness for EDM. Sunday's headliners include Zac Brown Band, Third Eye Blind, Slightly Stoopid, and Eric Prydz. Deadmau5 will close out the weekend with hard hitting electro house, and based off previous experiences at his shows, we can safely say he's a strong choice to put the finishing move on this three-day Halloween mega-fest. With only a few days to go, our costumes are packed and we couldn't be more excited to exorcise the demons at Voodoo this weekend. Remember to leave the bad juju at home and don't take candy from strangers.

[thefestivall]

Backwoods Music Festival Recap

It all began with a dusty drive down a long, sleepy stretch of unpaved road. In an effort to both rebrand and expand, Backwoods Music Festival brought music, art and general awesomeness to Tatanka Ranch in Stroud, Oklahoma this previous Labor Day weekend and the The Festivall was there to capture the three day stretch of mad magic. Having taken place on over 1,000 acres of remote central Oklahoma grassland the festival name is anything but hyperbole. Once the tent is up with the first beer cracked open you get a chance to take in the seemingly endless, sparsely populated midwestern plains surrounding the festival grounds and a genuine sense of disconnection from civilized life seeps in. It truly is backwoods territory and there is no better place to connect with the primal party monster inside. When we initially entered the grounds on Friday it was quite obvious that the Backwoods organizers went all out. The medieval castle themed main stage, better known as Motherland, was equipped with state of the art audio and visual technology. From the corner of the grounds Motherland overlooked a large, centrally located lake around which were five other stages hosting various genres of music as well as a colorfully lit, ascendable fire tower and a ferris wheel. The venue is gorgeous and the deep orange Oklahoma sunset over the lake every evening was something special. From a musical standpoint the schedule was a tad lop-sided and it's clear that Backwoods leaned on some heavy hitting artists of the electronic realm to draw fans. Major headliner Infected Mushroom didn't perform until Saturday night while Porter Robinson and Odesza played back to back on Sunday night. Fortunately, all of the lesser-known acts were fantastic so quality music could be found at every turn. While the headliners drew the biggest crowds it was not abnormal to see younger fans in rave gear meandering over to the Kumbaya or Globe stages to hear smaller rock acts like The Young Vines or Brooklyn-based Meridian Lights. It's a beautiful thing when artists of different genres are all playing in one place at one time. Hopefully the future years of Backwoods will bring more fans so the smaller acts have a larger crowd to play to. The Backwoods engine had kicked into higher gear by the arrival of the second night. At Motherland were Lettuce, Papadosio, DJ-drummer duo Break Science, and the face melting sounds of Infected Mushroom. We had a chance to talk to some of the artists to get a general idea of what the musical talent thought of the event. Their initial response was always, "Fucking big", and they weren't lying. The Friday crowd was the smallest of the weekend and when spread across six different stages it made Tatanka Ranch feel that much more vast. More people came in for Saturday and by sundown, when guitar licks and high-pitch synth began mingling with the ever-present green lasers cutting through the air above, it was clear that the party had begun. Rather than feeling as if you were aimlessly wandering a psychedelic ranch in the middle of nowhere, that warm fuzzy feeling of community set in. It's a mandatory sentiment that plays into the success of any festival and it was most certainly present here. Sunday brought some of the most memorable performances of the weekend. The electronic-focused Meadow stage saw artists like Kinetik Groove and Manic Focus feed listeners soulful bass while CBDB shredded through a set complete with Zeppelin and Bob Marley covers across the lake at the Kumbaya stage. When 10 o'clock hit there occurred a mass migration from all areas to Motherland for the biggest one-two-three of the festival: Porter Robinson, Odesza, and The Floozies. Epic, airy sounds combined with anime-inspired visuals in a set that felt like the final boss showdown from a CAPCOM game and solidified Porter Robinson as our favorite act of the evening. ODESZA went through their set in full force playing their crunchy, heavy-hitting Zhu cover along with a new track that nearly blew the heads off fans in the front row. Once The Floozies finished their performance everyone gravitated to the smaller Globe stage like moths to the only light and sound left on the ranch. Andy Frasco and the U.N. were there to top off the weekend with one of the grittiest, high-energy live performances I've ever seen. It was the most appropriate ending. After three days of expensive production, major electronic acts, and high-cost attractions, Backwoods culminated to a mob of people dancing barefoot in the dirt to a bluesy cover of Rage Against the Machine. As an attempt to shift away from a primarily jam-band focused event to a multi-genre, all-encompassing festival experience Backwoods succeeded. With that said, the weekend saw issues any newer festival would encounter. The lack of crowds on the initial day is an inevitability that comes along with a new festival that has hardly any reputation and shares a weekend with mega-festivals like Burning Man and Electric Zoo. Location-wise it isn't the easiest to get to if you're not from the surrounding area, but neither is Bonnaroo. Incidents related to the organization that was hired to provide security also spread throughout the festival, but Backwoods has since released a statement that they are no longer using said organization moving forward. We can see the vision that the Backwoods team has, but it's mainly about what can be done in the next few years to achieve it. Electric Forest started as a small no-name festival in the woods of Michigan (Rothbury for those that might know) and these days many fans are complaining that it's actually too crowded. Backwoods has both a venue and team that can support large growth, but they should remain cognizant of the fine line that divides appropriately full and overly packed as they move forward. The most important feedback is always from the fans and artists. When asked, "Would you come back?" just about everyone gave a resounding, "Hell yes". Bumping down that dusty road on our way out, we could feel the potential at Tatanka Ranch. The world of music needs events like this. As Yohimbe from Meridian Lights put it, "These festivals are like biospheres of positive vibes and they add merit to all those people in the garage, in the basement, or spending $50 an hour to rehearse in some warehouse. This stuff says, 'Yeah it matters'." With so many possibilities, we'll see what the festival organizers bring to the table next year. As long as they don't lose the Backwoods spirit there is nowhere to go but up.

[thefestivall]

Imagine 2015 Festival Recap

Atlanta's Fourth Ward Park was on fire last weekend. The grounds were metaphorically set ablaze by IRIS Presents, the masterminds behind the two-day electronic dance music celebration that is Imagine Music Festival. Hopes were high this year since Imagine's first lap in 2014 left tens of thousands of satisfied festival goers in its wake. The Festivall decided to take a trip to the ATL to conduct an evaluation on whether Imagine met the tall expectations set for 2015. The festival gates opened Saturday morning to a transformed Fourth Ward Park and once that first deep thump reverberated throughout the surrounding neighborhood the energy was on high until late Sunday night. After entering the grounds, the festival layout was quickly apparent. Opposite the entrance across a large grassy expanse was Oceania, the “main” stage. Main is a description that should not be taken too heavily. As Oceania was physically the largest stage, the dusty dance field ancillary to the central area, Amazonia, hosted some of biggest acts of the weekend. Tucked away at the end of a winding path that bordered a lit pond was the small-but-mighty Imaginarium stage. It was here where the lesser known and local DJs got to showcase their sonic talents. Circulating the core area were costumed models and circus performers to add that little bit of magic on top. All in all the total effect was very successful. The place looked and felt downright awesome. But what’s an aesthetically pleasing venue without good music? Imagine’s lineup was kick-ass for those who consider themselves fans of electronic music. Saturday’s first highlight was the ill.Gates with Sawka set which evolved into a DJ battle that upped the musical ante for all subsequent performances. Sexy sax and impossibly funky beats consumed the crowd as GRiZ coolly bounced through a performance that ended with an Arcade Fire "Wake Up" remix and one of the most epic moments of the weekend. Night fell and mermaid-costumed models tossed glow batons into the crowd to signal the commencement of Morgan Page’s high-energy house that, paired with synchronized visuals, felt like a fantastical laser tag game on meth. Glitch Mob then shredded through crowd pleasers and new material to cap off the Oceania activities. This was all occurring while Tipper dropped heat on the Amazonia stage until the gates shut and the after party began. Sunday was a continuation of Day 1, feeding off of the momentum built Saturday night. In the early afternoon Atlanta natives, Ying-Yang Twins, moved through their dirty hits on Oceania while festival goers either wiggled with the duo or ate at one of the many local food vendors that encircled the stage area. Shortly after, 12th Planet showed off his abilities as a twisted maestro to the Oceania crowd, using musical force to get everyone to bob in unison. It also needs to be noted that a remix of the Fresh Prince theme song was performed (This alone made up for Lil Jon canceling). To cap off the weekend at Oceania there was a Chromeo DJ set followed by Dada Life. Chromeo’s kinetic energy was magnified when confetti fluttered down into a bumping and grinding sea of dance. The two finale performances were the toughest of the weekend to choose between: Dada Life at Oceania or Datsik at Amazonia. We tried a taste of each and the contrast between Datsik’s kick-in-the-nuts dubstep sound and Dada Life’s hyped-up, champagne drenched antics served as an appropriate way to tie off the festival. The high production value of the performances was undeniable, the lineup substantially covered the spectrum of the EDM genre, every artist was at their very best, the grounds were clean and safe, and most imperative of all, the crowd of around 26,000 was phenomenal. When rib-crushing bass and deafening synth pumps through a mass group of people there is always potential for things to get out of hand, but the attitude in Imagine’s dance pits was a perfect balance of the party-your-fucking-face-off and the respect-thy-fellow-fan mentalities. With that point considered, huge props to the IRIS Presents team, the artists, and the crowd for keeping a vibes at a safe yet high-octane level. From our point of view, the high expectations were exceeded. One of the only concerns for next year is that the IRIS Presents folks may have to scout a new venue. There were times when the Amazonia area could have used more space. Other than that, Imagine Music Festival seems like it can be a long term presence in the EDM scene. There was a moment when I was backstage helping some mermaids blow up a giant, inflatable Dada Life banana and I peered around the fence at the crowd and decided this was definitely something I’d come to Atlanta for next year.

[thefestivall]

Imagine Music Festival Preview

The first Imagine Music Festival made quite a splash in 2014, boasting an aquatic circus-style ambience along with a lineup to be reckoned with. Thanks to the success and subsequent praise of last year's event, hopes for the 2015 version are set high for Imagine's organizers, IRIS Presents. With that in mind, there is every reason to believe that this year's event will surpass even the loftiest of expectations. IRIS Presents is already a fixture in the Atlanta music scene and they have a proven track record of putting on shows that have high production value and showcase the hottest EDM artists. For Imagine Music Festival they have spared no expense in crafting a unique, sense seducing experience to satiate anyone who appreciates good electronic music. This Saturday at 10 a.m. the doors open to kick off the extravagant two day electric romp around Downtown Atlanta. The Historic Fourth Ward Park and Masquerade Music Park will undergo an Atlanta-to-Atlantis transformation with a surrealistic fantasy twist. The sheer energy is sure to be a treat in itself as deep bass bounces around the surrounding cityscape. If the fairytale allure of the festival doesn't draw you in, the lineup should sway anyone in doubt. DADA Life, DATSIK, The Glitch Mob, and Tipper sit atop the list as the main headliners but the term, "headliner," is up for interpretation when acts such as Chromeo, GRIZ, Lil Jon, and Morgan Page are all in the mix as well. Ultimately, the result is a musically balanced group of main acts that are guaranteed to please dance-hungry patrons. Festival goers are traveling from far and wide in anticipation of what will likely be one of the best festivals of the year. Both General Admission and VIP passes are still available as of right now but are quickly nearing the inevitable status of, "Sold Out". The decibel level will be high and the fun will be uninhibited no matter the weather. We're excited to see what Imagine can bring its second time around

[thefestivall]

Backwoods Music Festival Preview

There is something gloriously weird happening off of Route 66 in Stroud, Oklahoma. As we gently float through these unassuming August days, basking in the afterglow of recent festival experiences, the final touches are being put on an artistic candyland aimed to satisfy even the most demanding sweet tooth. The three day, four night electronic music and art camp-a-thon, aptly named Backwoods Music Festival, is flashing on our radar as a leading option for Labor Day Weekend. When considering the powerhouse lineup, the six extravagant venues, the various art installations, and the not-so-typical festival activities, there is no question that all the stops are being pulled by the Backwoods organizers to provide festival goers exactly what was promised from the beginning, “a magical journey”. For Backwoods 2015 the festival has managed to bring on some heavy hitters in the electronic music scene. The announcement of the three preformances gracing the top of the lineup card certainly eased all anxiety associated with what is too commonly news lacking in musical diversity. The euphoric synth of Porter Robinson, the deep and dreamy arrangements of ODESZA, and the hypnotic melodies of Infected Mushroom’s psychedelic trance will provide the soundtrack to a journey through a neon forest with countless other acts, both local and imported. If you fall within the demographic that seeks something beyond the appreciation of badass electronic beats then fret not. Backwoods has employed the talents of artists such as Jenkstar to provide festival goers with installation art and surreal visual stimulation as they walk the six ornately designed venues. As it seems words would not do them justice, not much can be said about these venues until they are experienced first-hand. However, it can be noted that one is called Motherland and another contains a treehouse DJ booth! As the proverbial cherry on top, there will be clowns, stilt walkers, and circus performers wandering the grounds to keep vibes just the right kind of strange. While all the flare and extra festival fun serve as a delicious bonus, the simple allure of feeling rhythmic bass thumps in the setting of a remote Oklahoma forest is enough to pique our interest. So to reiterate, there is definitely something weird happening off of Route 66 in Stroud, Oklahoma and it’s gotten us extremely excited.

[thefestivall]

Welcome to The Festivall!

The spirit of the modern music festival has always been as much about the community it creates as it is the memorable musical spectacles that take place on stage. We have come a long way from Hendrix's era-defining flaming ax at the first Monterey Pop Festival to the epic cultural phenomenon that Coachella is today. Though mainstream music has evolved, performance technology has advanced, and new demographics have found themselves attracted to the festival scene, the ever-burning communal spirit has carried through. The goal of The Festivall is to effectively bring that community online. While the internet can never replicate the magic of the music festival experience, it can facilitate a smooth information exchange between festival organizers and festival fans. We invite festivals of all genres, big and small, to help provide fans a one-stop shop for all of their festival information needs. If you happen to be a festival, signing up is as easy as clicking the "Claim" button on your festival page. And for the fans or any other non-festival entities, sharing an experience is as easy as logging in through your Facebook account. Let's create The Festivall community together.