Desert Daze: October 11-13, 2019
It is said that autumn is a time of rebirth, reflection and revitalization the soul. It’s a time of coziness, togetherness and ease as the cooler weather blankets our everyday lives. For some this means pumpkin spice lattes and dinners with friends by a fire and for some, it means an expansive weekend long music festival filled with a wonderland of modern-day rock legends. It means a perfectly curated playground of psychedelic art and communion with the promise of an all-around good freakin’ time. For some, the allurement of this season is the sprinkling of rock tunes on your tongue and a whole new version of Woodstock. Rock, my friends, is not dead.
It is said that autumn is a time of rebirth, reflection and revitalization the soul. It’s a time of coziness, togetherness and ease as the cooler weather blankets our everyday lives. For some this means pumpkin spice lattes and dinners with friends by a fire and for some, it means an expansive weekend long music festival filled with a wonderland of modern-day rock legends. It means a perfectly curated playground of psychedelic art and communion with the promise of an all-around good freakin’ time. For some, the allurement of this season is the sprinkling of rock tunes on your tongue and a whole new version of Woodstock. Rock, my friends, is not dead.
This festival has undoubtably earned the title of a SoCal staple as each year gets seemingly better and better. Last year was challenging with the rain and the parking situation of a new venue, but the location is in the same stunning setting of Moreno Beach (situated beautifully between the San Jacinto and San Bernardino Mountains), so this year they’ve worked out the kinks. You can float peacefully on the lake while hearing your favorite bands christen the sky in the background. You can head on over to The Mystic Bazaar, a safe haven for those needing a breather from the enormity of the crowd energy. Here in this village holds all the yoga, tea ceremonies and sound baths your little heart can desire. The amenities and curated adornments here are endless, and there is always some amazement around every corner.
Now for the bands!
The gentleness of Friday starts out with Triptides, Wave, Frankie and the Witch Fingers and DIIV. Brooklyn’s DIIV released their third album, Deceiver, yesterday on the label Captured Tracks. The album is grungier than they’ve been in the past with a kind of Silverchair resemblance to it, so with this drop it is sure to be a highly anticipated performance. Singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt will be performing recent LP Quiet Signs at the Block at 4pm. Fred Armisen will do a comedy set in the mid-afternoon, followed by Atlas Sound and Crumb.
Saturday kicks off with Blackwater Holylight, the super heavy psych all-girl band from Portland. This group has all the elements to make you squirm and drool with delight, from folk-rock to grunge melodies to whispers of gothic intensity…and they’re mesmerizing onstage. Following acts are Klaus Johann Grobe, Altin Gün, Anika, Surfbort, Big Business and the true legends themselves- JJUUJJUU. Going into sunset time is DEVO, Cruel Diagnonals and Lumerians. Ween, Nick Hakim, and Pussy Riot. Temples highlight the evening.
The most massive act on the list is surely Wu-Tang Clan, performing their 36 Chambers LP on Sunday. The crew of DD this year (started by Phil Pirrone’s of JJUUJJUU, who always performs at least one killer set) were smart, because they saved a ton of the most exciting acts for the wee hours into Sunday evening. Also performing Sunday are Dead Meadow, Moses Sumney, The Black Angels, White Fence and Shintaro Sakamoto, to name a few.
Weather permitting (Tame Impala got rained out last year halfway through their set) this upcoming weekend will surely be one of mystery, wonderment and delight. The scintillating adventure of time travel or a portal to a new universe is always optional…but never enforced.
Details and lineup:
Friday, October 11
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Saturday, October 12
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Sunday, October 13
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