HOW DESERT DAZE MUSIC FESTIVAL WILL HAVE US IN A TRANCE UNTIL THE NEXT
When previewing the festival for our first year of attendance, we listed this festival as a unique event unlike any other. “A music festival you don’t attend but one where your human spirit has the opportunity to transcend.” A speculation that most easily transformed into a reality and won us over as believers after the 3-day weekend in Moreno beach.
Desert Daze Music Festival continued its legacy this year, claiming its title as the most out of this world festival experience. Its new location at Lake Perris, CA proved the most scenic locations yet, incorporating its trademark desert views while including a picturesque waterfront where attendees enjoyed soaking in the sun throughout the weekend. While most surprises throughout the weekend were surely planned, like performances of full albums or collaborative and experimental sets; a dangerous thunderstorm hailed down and evacuated the grounds on Day 1. While surely an unforeseen circumstance, it still provided a memorable festival experience. And for those who were seeking to attend on just the one day; provided access to the festival all weekend long, including free parking; which was a remarkable gesture by the festival organizers.
It was one of the first festivals where attendees are witnessed to be in no rush, while not missing out on any experience. The layout and schedule made perfect for striding from one stage to a sound bath to be followed with an ice cream shop visit. With enough time to tread through all aspects of the weekends adventures, limited reception and incredible scenery; the event blends into a unique experience where the festival truly does transcend you into a different space and place from the daily routine life filled with mundane trials and tribulations of busy life wherever it may be located.
It is undeniable the lineup was one of the reigning features and attractions. One of the contenders for best of the year, their legacy of bringing together the best in experimental and fusion genres from all over the world for a weekend in the desert in Southern California shone bright this weekend. Check out a day-to-day recap of the otherworldly lineup below:
Friday’s lineup includes: Tropa Magica launched the festival start as one of the opening acts of the weekend / GUM grooved away as Jay Watson played his first of three sets of the day / HINDS entranced the audience with their Spanish rock n’roll charm / POND entranced through an anticipated and eclectic set / LA Witch jammed out The Theater / Jarvis Cocker proved there’s life after PULP pesenting JARV IS / Warpaint exuded girl power on the Main Moon Stage / Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats played mysteriously through a blacked out, backlit stage / Tame Impala played a energy fused 3 song-set that was cut short due additional lighting being provided by an approaching Thunderstorm
Saturday: Boogarins brought the Brazilian wave to California / Kevin Morby showed that folk rock can in fact rock / JJUUUJJUU had one of the most attended sets to show appreciation for one of the fests creators Phil Pirrone / Cheslea Wolfe brought all the goth vibes to the grounds / Cosmonauts made way for some dance moves to their indie tunes / Kikagaku Moyo was easily one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend bringing their Japanese Pysch Rock stateside / Slowdive mellowed out the day with their iconic shoegaze sound / Wooden Shjips reminded fans of psych’s early rock n roll sounds / King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard created one of the rowdiest sets with fans waiting for their chance to crowd surf during their 90-minute straight set / Shannon & the Clams doo-wooped the audience into pure adoration with their signature vintage sound / Prettiest Eyes played into the late late night bringing the indie sounds that are made south of the border
Sunday: The Mad Walls kicked off with an energy boosting set for Day 3 / Sextile amped up the crowds with their LA post punk vibe / Earth‘s instrumental set-list showed music is a language of its own / Goon performed the intersection of psych gone grunge / Death Grips riled up the night with their experimental hip hop tracks / Earthless injected a bit of blues infused rock into the lineup / My Bloody Valentine entertained the crowds through their pioneer dream-noise-pop / King Khan & The Shrine stunned with an eclectic (and politically charged) set that rounded out the festival with feelings of hope and great music
If you have ever daydreamed about trekking out to a camp site adventure with your closest friends set to the soundtrack of some of the best local and worldly sounds collected in one place; this festival has colored to life your wildest fantasies. Be sure to follow their socials and not miss your chance to attend next year. For all those seeking to return; see you in outer space next year daze-ers.
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