USA | The Nomadic Groove

Discovering an Electric Forest

July 1, 2016May 21, 2017
by Courtney Smith

They say you find yourself at Electric Forest. I don’t know if that’s true for everyone but, it seems that most people that go find something. The forest promises festival goers with the potential to discover and stumble upon some magical things.

It is set up so that you can follow the walkways from stage to clearing to stage, or venture off the beaten path and discover a wide range of art pieces, installations, people and creatures, for completely unique and new experiences.

The early arrival pass provides festival goers with the opportunity to enter the campgrounds a day early, setting up camp and getting settled in before the crowds arrive. Although there were no shows this year (other than the Electric Forest radio station playing only music from the performing artists) or scheduled activities (other than exploring the vendor stalls at the marketplace), the extra day proved to be vital to the festival experience as attendees were able to wake up in the campgrounds Thursday, set and ready to go for the four-day weekend.

Walking into the festival grounds, it was difficult to continue past the first stage. The Tripolee stage had a stellar lineup that had beats bopping across the grounds throughout the day with heavy hitters like Bonobo, Adventure Club and Flosstradamus taking over at night – and then it played host to yoga every day at noon.

One of the most beautiful things I saw at Electric Forest wasn’t the forest lit up at night in a multitude of colours, or all the people swinging in hammocks that were set up between the trees, but the precision with which the rows of trees had symmetrically grown.

This natural beauty surrounding the forest allowed festival organizers to set up a magical atmosphere. They used the trees to their full advantage when they developed an immersive experience for attendees.

Cartoonish clouds dangling from above led festival goers to a piano that was set up in a small clearing, allowing them to take turns playing a few notes or a few songs. A silent disco was set up beneath the shade of the towering trees, where the sun peaks playfully through as it sets for the day, with a lone monarch butterfly fluttering from dancer to dancer, carrying with it the magic of the woods. A VW bus was parked in the woods with a garden flowering inside as hippies passed around doobies to share, relishing in the beauty of the surrounding grounds.

This only begins to touch on the beauty of Electric Forest.

While there were multiple stages set up in clearings, it was the few within the forest that were the most glorious for me. These stages took a bit of wandering around to find, but once discovered, they held some of the best sets of the weekend. With Gilligan Moss playing an impossible to leave, acid house set at The Observatory, and many days spent jamming under the trees at the Forest Stage as regal, French Quarter characters slowly infiltrated the grounds, it was difficult to tell reality from imagination.

The fantastical is the norm at Electric Forest. From a zebra walking on stilts following the rest of his zoo friends through the woods, to other stilt-walking performers spreading their legs wide to make an archway for attendees to walk under, every day in the forest held new surprises and new discoveries.

The Hangar, for instance, was one place where festival goers could go for a tasty margarita or delicious IPA before grabbing a seat at a table that was set up in front of the stage. Pin-up girls walked around offering candy to attendees, transporting every one back to the 1920s. And if you had the patience to wait, you could get a free massage from a girl dressed in head-to-toe purple satin, using a car buffer to buff out the knots in your back and legs. Or if you were feeling a little hairy, you could head over to the barber shop in The Hangar for a shave.

The lineup for this year’s forest was stacked, with performances by jam bands and DJs crossing a variety of electronic genres. The String Cheese Incident graced attendees with three lengthy jam sessions, finishing their performances with an epic fireworks show. The Disco Biscuits also took the stage along with a midday performance by Nahko and The Medicine People that treated listeners to beautiful lyrics accentuated by the insanely unique voice of Nahko.

Mija was scheduled three times including her B2B with Anna Lunoe, and somehow incorporated Tame Impala into her opening set for her B2B at Tripolee on Saturday night. DirtyBird legend Justin Martin was welcomed to the Forest Stage for AC Slater’s curated Night Bass event that also saw an epic surprise set by Gorgon City. And if you were lucky enough to be at the right spot at the right time you might have had the opportunity to see fan favourite and festival vet GRiZ leading a parade into the forest with his saxophone before closing out Sherwood Court on Sunday night. He also took part in the surprise set at The Observatory on Saturday night that left the whole crowd singing along to Roses by Outkast.

Other than a few mishaps, including an equipment malfunction that saw the stage right speakers at Neon Indian’s set soundless, all the artists brought their A-game to the forest. The speaker blow out during Neon Indian’s set was quite unfortunate though as the group was performing a cool set that used lived instrumentals, electronic synthesizers and a wicked light show to complement the sounds.

However, the thought process behind providing festival goers with a wonderful musical experience was apparent. The stages in Sherwood Forest were set up very close to one another yet sound bleeding between stages was not noticeable.

I’m amazed I made it to any of the shows though. It was so easy to get lost in the forest, the fantastical installations and performers easily distracting me on my walks between the stages. But that distraction always led to an adventure that became just as much a part of the Electric Forest experience as the music, and added to the beauty of the journey into self-discovery.

Festival Reviews

Favourite Artists Heard At Electric Forest

June 29, 2016May 21, 2017
by Courtney Smith

It is so easy to get lost in the forest with everything it has to offer for attendees to discover. The music from this year’s event though is not something that should be overlooked. Here are my favourite acts that I heard at Electric Forest.

Hayden James

Of course an Aussie producer signed to the Future Classic label is going to throw down a groovy set. Hayden James performed on the Tripolee stage early in the afternoon on the final day of the festival. He played one dance worthy tune after another, including some of his own hits like “Something About You,” before closing out his set with “Praise You” by Fatboy Slim, a classic dance song that got the crowd jumping and dancing around.

Gilligan Moss

Gilligan Moss played a very nifty set for the crowd at The Observatory. With bubbles floating above through the trees and forest creatures dancing amongst the crowd, the acid house sounds of the duo fit perfectly with the atmosphere in the forest. With a huge grin on their faces, the pair appeared to be having a blast as they played original tunes from their Ceremonial EP, before mixing into their trippy remix of “Gooey” by Glass Animals and closing out with an extended version of their hit single “Choreograph.”

Whilk & Misky

It’s hard to describe the sound of Whilk & Misky but it is definitely something unique and beautiful. The two Brits sound better live than they do on their recordings, with Misky’s raspy voice giving a folk layer to the house music being put down in the background by Whilk. Whilk & Misky displayed their unique sound and talents with Whilk keeping the beat moving that carried Misky’s voice, slowing it down for “Love Lost” before picking the energy back up again to perform “Babe I’m Yours.”

Gorgon City

Gorgon City Live showcased the talents of Matt and Kye, with the DJ duo mixing live for the crowd as some of the singers for their various tunes belted out the lyrics for the songs that were being played. The British duo revealed at the end of their live performance that they were scheduled to play the surprise set for that evening at the Forest Stage, which turned out to be one of the most fun shows of the weekend. The Gorgon City DJ set proved to be an awesome dance party that had the singers from earlier in the evening come out to jam with the crowd while Matt and Kye spun some wicked house music.

Kry Wolf

I was fully expecting to see Chris Lorenzo when I hit up the Forest Stage for the end of the Night Bass curated event Saturday night, but the schedule had changed and lo and behold Kry Wolf was closing out the night. Lewis Darvill of the British duo kept a steady beat through the background of the set, overlaying different house music with the underlying bass beat that carried the crowd’s dance moves and kept everyone’s feet moving during the entire late night set. Although I was looking forward to see Chris Lorenzo that evening, I was happy to have discovered a new underground house artist.

Soul Clap

What a treat to see Bamboozle and Lonely C throw down one of their infamous funky sets at the Forest Stage. The talented duo of Soul Clap played groovy tune after groovy tune, expertly keeping the funk flowing over the dancing crowd. Closing out the Forest Stage for the night after a day of curated music, attendees were treated to a full day of fun, dance-worthy sets before the duo took the stage to finish the night with their characteristic funky sound.

Mija

When Mija plays, she gives 110%, throwing down a filthy set every time and keeping the energy levels of the crowd running high as everyone tries to keep up with her. Friday at The Jubilee tent, Mija kept the crowd bouncing and grinding from one genre to the next as she played a set that moved from hip hop to trap to techno to deep house to rock. The energy levels were high that day, the sweat was dripping, and the music was filthy.

DJ Jazzy Jeff

DJ Jazzy Jeff in the house! What a treat to see a 90s legend like Jazz in the flesh in his element. Curating a wicked hip hop set for the forest fam, DJ Jazzy Jeff expertly wove classics with new, leading the crowd on a hip hop journey that kept people singing along.

Festival Reviews

Five Favourite Moments From Electric Forest

June 29, 2016May 21, 2017
by Courtney Smith

I still haven’t fully washed off the mud that has caked on to my feet from Electric Forest, so to ease those muddy feet back into the real world I have put together a list of my five favourite moments from this year’s festivities.

1. Discovering all the forest has to offer

Two of the most beautiful things about Electric Forest were the unique venue in which it regularly takes place, and the ability to get lost on the festival grounds, exploring the activities and decorations that light up the forest itself. The photos of the festival don’t give you a true sense of the experience.

From the light-up clouds deep in the woods that led me from tree to tree, to the golden Hybycozo art pieces that dangled from high above welcoming festival-goers into the forest, the festival had so much to offer – if you were willing to let yourself go and explore. I don’t want to give everything away for future attendees, as discovering the forest is just as much part of the experience.

I will say though that anyone who attends Electric Forest can look forward to stumbling across a soothing garden with miniature Buddhas. Or finding a small temple with heart-shaped archways where festival-goers can write messages to lost loved ones. The forest held so many beautiful creatures, some on stilts, some in shoes, but all in costume and character, who wandered through the forest, interacting with festival-goers and bringing so much joy as they infiltrated the woods.

2. The Colorado Kaleidoscope

The Observatory held so much more for festival-goers than just music. Although this was also a stage that held some of the best nighttime surprise sets, The Observatory was set up in a way where festival-goers could climb up to a second level and watch the performance on the stage below from a comfortable vantage point.

The second floor of this viewing area was built on top of a mini marketplace where vendors were set up selling their products. One of the vendors in this particular marketplace was Leifers Look. Established in Colorado, the kaleidoscope stand had set up a large, wooden kaleidoscope for attendees to peer into and test out their product. Upon peering into the kaleidoscope and having someone turn the wheel for you, you would see all these different geometric shapes and colours melt into one before reshaping themselves.

After discovering the joy of this nifty toy, and admiring the beauty of the visuals, it was just as much fun and just as joyful to watch the expression of those individuals walking by who decided to stop in for a peek to ease their curiosity. The look of pure amazement and joy on everyone’s face as they discovered the beauty of the kaleidoscope was absolutely fantastic.

3. Kettle Corn

Speaking of pure joy… Although I personally did not try the kettle corn, the joy over the discovery of delicious free kettle corn by one of my campmates puts it in my Five Favourite Moments. During a quick journey back to camp to grab essentials for the night, one of the returning camp members became distracted by the smell of the kettle corn as we walked by the Candy Shoppe (and yes, there is a Candy Shoppe in the middle of the forest).

After turning around to find that the aforementioned campmate was no longer with the returning group, and completely baffled as to where he could have gone, he came bouncing out from behind the Candy Shoppe and loped down the hill like a baby T-Rex. “Guuyyyysssss,” he said with popcorn still in his beard and looking as though he could not believe what he had just experienced. “You have to try the kettle corn.”

4. Stumbling across Preservation Hall Jazz Band

The seven-piece jazz band brought the grooviness to the forest on three different occasions, with sets at varying stages. However, it wasn’t until spending some time wandering around the festival that I was fortunate enough to get drawn in to The Observatory by the funky tunes that the band was playing.

With tuba, saxophones, clarinet, trumpet and trombone, Preservation Hall Jazz Band treated attendees to an awesome dance party that had the intimate crowd swing dancing with one another.

5. Beach Day

Within a half hour drive of the festival location in Michigan, there are some incredible sand dunes. Electric Forest allows campers to leave the festival in their vehicles whenever they please and return to their initial camp spot.

After a few days of dancing in the hot sun and frolicking through the dusty woods, a morning group excursion to the nearby beach for a swim was gold. After our 30 minute drive and a steep and challenging climb up to the top of the dunes, it was easy to feel as though we had been transported to another planet. Or at least another part of the world. As far as I could see, smooth sand was rolling up and down, meeting the big blue sky. After a short walk across the dunes, we came across a steep, sandy hill that led down to the beach and opened up onto the cool, lake water below.

Bonus

The magical monarch that flitted from person to person in the silent disco, carrying with it the beauty of the festival on its delicate wings.

Festival Reviews

Favourite Artists Heard at Lightning in a Bottle

June 3, 2016May 31, 2017
by Courtney Smith

Lightning in a Bottle provided an experience for attendees that was about more than music. However, the musical lineup was one that can not be overlooked. An array of talented musicians played at this year’s LIB, and headliners of the event included Chet Faker, Grimes, Big Gigantic, Cashmere Cat, Jamie XX, Four Tet and Tokimonsta. The festival saw an eclectic mix of electronic music, from dubstep to techno to deep house to tribal house. There was a little bit of something for everyone.

Here are my favourite LIB acts, listed in chronological order.

Mija

Mija, Mija, Mi hija… Maybe it’s because I have been wanting to see this lady perform since I first heard her B2B sunrise set with Skrillex at Bonnaroo in 2014, but Mija did not disappoint with her set at LIB. She threw down an incredible performance, slaying her 80-minutes on the Thunder Stage and proving to us all her prowess as a DJ. She kept the crowd jumping and dancing the whole time, giving the chills to everyone who was there dropping their dirtiest dubstep dance moves. The highlight of her set came at the end though, when she crawled out into the crowd to share a cigarette with her fans. Thank you Mija, for being so good at what you do, and for sharing that moment with us all.

William Close and the Earth Harp Collective

William Close and the Earth Harp Collective was one of the most unique musical experiences of the weekend. This was my first experience with the Earth Harp which was set up stage left, midway to the back, with the shimmery strings of the harp extending to the top of the front of the stage. The best way to experience the show was to set up under the California stars, grab a seat on the ground and cross your legs to feel the reverberations of the harp through the earth. William Close used his Earth Harp to do a powerful cover of Mozart’s Summer Overture, one that literally gave me goosebumps, before closing out his set with a guest appearance by David Satori of Beats Antique.

Autograf

Autograf appeared to be teasing the crowd with a slow, sensual start to their set… Until they announced that the slow start was really just their soundcheck and it was time to get down! The trio revealed their individual talents through a 90-minute set to a crowd who refused to stop dancing despite the sun’s beating rays. Set up on stage with drums, a keyboard and a mixer to perform live covers of classic dubstep hits, classic house hits, and their own hits, their energetic set was happy and eclectic, and they definitely left their autograph on LIB.

Jamie XX

Oh my God… Did Jamie XX ever kill it! Opening with the song Crystallized by his musical group The XX (can you grace us with a new album yet? Please?) before mixing into one of the most melodic sets of the weekend, Jamie XX took us on a house journey unlike any other. Nothing but a shadow on the stage amidst a constant, mysterious cloud of smoke and lights, the talented producer did not look up once from his set, and barely even noticed when a naked man tried to charge his stage. He just continued to do his thing, keeping the crowd moving and grooving until 2:00 a.m.

HÄANA

If you don’t know who HÄANA is, you need to discover her. She was one of the most talented individuals I came across all weekend. Dressed in a black and gold dress, with a gold cage headpiece, HÄANA sings live, mixes live, and plays the violin live. Her nordic inspired tunes, combined with her ethereal voice and the twang of her violin create a uniquely magical sound. The beauty of her music is something that should not be overlooked and is something that everyone needs to experience at least once.

Lee Burridge Mixing Into Four Tet

Lee Burridge and Four Tet are musical geniuses, each in their own rights, so it was with complete joy that I saw on the schedule Lee Burridge playing the three-hour sunset slot at The Woogie Stage as a precursor to Four Tet’s set there. The legends did not play B2B, or with one another, but Lee Burridge transitioned his three-hour techno set perfectly as the sun went down (amidst cheers) and The Woogie came to light, into an introduction for Four Tet. Lee Burridge’s dynamic three-hour mix kept us dancing and shuffling the night away until, unknowingly, we were listening to Four Tet who took us on a two-hour journey through his unique, artistic beats. Sunday was a phenomenal day of techno at the Woogie Stage, with some of the best sets of the weekend.

Chet Faker

Chet Faker’s energy throughout his closing set at the Lightning Stage was infectious. He could be seen running around the stage, with his black coat flying behind him like a cape. At one point he was belting out his tunes from half way up the scaffolding. The talented musician took a completely different route from his DJ set at the Temple Stage, playing with a four-piece band to play songs old and new. He effortlessly weaved old songs like Drop the Game into new songs like The Trouble With Us, into some of his classics like Gold and his cover of No Diggity. To finish the night, Chet Faker left us with one of the most mind-blowing, stunning visuals of the weekend when he climbed up onto a slightly raised platform to play the piano with a white backdrop, creating a dynamic silhouette of a man and his piano.

Festival Reviews

The Lightning in a Bottle Community Experience

June 2, 2016May 23, 2017
by Courtney Smith

High fives when crossing bridges, spirit animal yells resonating across the grounds, stumbling upon karaoke hidden away in a ravine. These are some of the incredible memories I have from Lightning in a Bottle. But the most unique memory I have from the festival is the community that was built over the weekend, allowing for attendees to have a spiritually awakening experience.

I went into the festival with an open mind and an open heart, having educated myself on the festival beforehand and being aware that it is a festival known for the experience it provides. This allowed me to explore the various music, non-music and self-discovery components that make up Lightning in a Bottle. Every day there were new discoveries, new adventures, and new parts of the festival to explore.

Yoga sessions took place multiple times each day at the two yoga stages Yoga Om and Yoga Namaste. They did wonders to stretch out those tightened up festival muscles. I had the pleasure of attending a yoga session with Kishan Shah under the Earth Harp. Set up at the Lightning Stage, William Close played his mystical Earth Harp as Kishan Shah led a class under the big, blue afternoon sky. The reverberations of the Earth Harp gave me the strength and concentration to move and flow while fully embracing the heat of the day and the brightness of the sun.

Lightning in a Bottle provided festival goers with the opportunity to attend workshops and listen to speakers in The Village. Topics varied from exploring the history and effects of music on the world, and learning about ecological sustainability and environmentally conscious nutrition, to learning about the benefits and effects of essential oils on our bodies and minds.

The festival had a Sacred Fire in the middle of The Village that remained lit throughout the weekend so it makes sense that Fire by Friction would be one of the available workshops. Hosted by Icarus Zuare, attendees learned how to make a fire using only wood. No flint, no matches, no lighter. Just you, Zuare, and a twig. He sat patiently with duo after duo giving every one hands-on assistance and advice as they worked to start a fire using only friction. And every one successfully did it.

LIB is also known as an environmentally friendly festival, encouraging sustainability. It won the Outstanding Award from A Greener Festival Foundation multiple times in the past few years. It is a “leave a positive trace” festival. This means what you take in with you, you take out. LIB works to educate attendees on what they can do to help the environment, and how to maintain sustainability at a festival through educational workshops, talks and booths. To this end, Lightning in a Bottle provided compost bins next to the trash and recycling bins.

Every day of the festival provided a new and incredible experience. The music was phenomenal, with the main stages – Lightning Stage, Thunder Stage and The Woogie – hosting some of the most talented individuals in today’s electronic music, while the Pagoda Bar and Favela Bar kept the beats bopping and the party hopping through the night. It was fairly easy to get caught up in the music until you remembered the large size of the festival, and how much more there was to explore.

From the art structures scattered throughout the grounds, to the smaller areas that hosted more music and games like the Grand Artique, to the different games that could be stumbled upon across the festival like the renegade bowling contraption, it was easy to get caught up in the adventure that was LIB before watching the sunrise from where you were: Temple Stage, Meditation Lookout, a hammock in one of the trees, or your campsite.

Festival Reviews

Five Favourite Moments at Lightning in a Bottle

June 2, 2016May 21, 2017
by Courtney Smith

My feet have not fully touched the earth since the spiritual journey that was Lightning in a Bottle, so to help ease my float back down to reality, I’ve pieced together a list of my favourite moments from this year’s LIB Festival.

1. LIB Opening Ceremony

One of the most touching moments from the weekend was the LIB Opening at Sacred Fire. The opening ceremony was a way for festival goers to give thanks for the use of the land over the five-day weekend. It helped set the tone of respect for one another and for oneself, for Mother Earth and for water in a California drought, and of community that became synonymous with the LIB experience. The ceremony commenced at 7:30 p.m. on the Thursday evening in The Village with traditional native music, a speech by a member of one of the local tribes, a kiss to the earth, and then a slow, silent walk down the hill to the fire. As the sun began to slowly descend on the mountains, thanks were given and a feeling of gratefulness and appreciation appeared to wash over the crowd. Every one began to chant and then, as the sun took it’s last breath before hiding behind the mountains until the morning, the fire expert, Icarus, lit the sacred fire that remained lit all weekend. And so the festival began in one of the most enchanting ways possible.

2. The Funk Hunters Afterhours at The Grand Artique

Once again, The Funk Hunters quickly became a highlight of the weekend. These boys can do no wrong in my eyes, always throwing down one of the most energetic sets of the weekend. With some of the funkiest beats you’ll hear, from jazz to hip hop, to swing to classic rock, if you ever have an opportunity to see The Funk Hunters, put on your comfiest dancing shoes and go dance them off. The Funk Hunters were scheduled to perform on the Thunder Stage from 5:25 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. and, of course, threw down a phenomenal dance-worthy set. But it was the lesser known, late night performance (this time at the carnival themed stage of The Grand Artique) that captivated this gal. From 1:45 a.m. until 2:45 a.m. the boys took the stage at The Grand Artique putting on one of the best sets of the weekend and keeping the crowd dancing the whole time. Some swing dancing was done, lots of twirling was had, and the grooves just kept on going. While the set was phenomenal, and the smaller crowd made for a wonderfully intimate experience, it was the smile and pure joy on the duo’s face that was the most memorable. Their apparent love for the music they were playing for the crowd to jam to was infectious.

3. Late Night Bingo

Also known as LIB’ingo, this fun activity didn’t start until super late (or early in the morning), after most of the music had stopped for the evening. You could wander by the tent but, more likely than not, if you were passing by the LIB’ingo, you were going to be drawn in by the loud music being played out across the picnic tables, and the obnoxiously hilarious bingo hosts dressed in their zany outfits. You knew you were going to have a good time as soon as you walked into the tent and got a bingo card from one of the dancing disco ladies. Watch out for a tie though… A quick game of Twister was used to determine the winner. But if you stayed until the final score card? You became part of a post LIB’ingo dance party, dancing on the picnic tables with your new bingo buddies.

4. Sunset Gratitudes

The gratitude for the sun continued throughout the entire weekend. Sunset gratitudes were held nightly at 7:30 p.m. at the Sacred Fire, and again with sunrise honourings every morning at 5:45 a.m. Another area that was used to honour the sun was the Meditation Lookout. The Meditation Lookout was a big hill, with a tree on top overlooking the entirety of the festival. In the evening, festival goers climbed the hill, and sat facing west to watch the sun go to sleep for the night. The best part of watching the sunset on the Meditation Lookout was how many people you connected with as you released your spirit animal sound into the fading purple sky, then cheering the sun for being the brightest star in the sky. And if you couldn’t make it to the Meditation Lookout for the evening show, chances were you grabbed ahold of your new family and, together, howled the sun to bed. It was a nice reminder that we should all take a moment every day to enjoy the beauty of the world around us.

5. Chet Faker’s DJ Set in the Temple

Chet Faker was one of the headliners of the weekend, scheduled to close out the festival at the Lightning Stage on the Sunday night of the event. If you paid close enough attention though, you might have been one of the lucky few to realize that Chet Faker was also playing a DJ set at the Temple stage during the wee hours of the morning. The festival booklet did say that attendees could “get intimate with headlining acts during late night ‘Encounters’ series at the Temple Stage,” and the schedule for Saturday at the Temple Stage revealed a Chet Faker Afterhours DJ Set at 1:45. However, it didn’t appear that very many people were aware of this musical appearance (myself included until a bouncing Tigger informed me of the event). There were maybe 50 people in the tent watching the performance! Chet Faker on the Lightning Stage was incredible, but a Chet Faker DJ set in such an intimate environment was something unforgettable. And yes, Chet Faker slayed his 90-minute set with a huge grin peaking out from under that beautiful, burly beard.

Notable Mentions

Baseball with The Crows at The Grand Artique, lime jalapeño margaritas, hugs, hugs, hugs and more hugs!

Festival Reviews

Further Future – The Dark Side of Burning Man

May 17, 2016May 23, 2017
by Courtney Smith

It’s safe to say that Further Future founders Jason Swamy and Robert Scott have the support of Robot Heart fans and Burners alike. With the majority of attendees at this year’s sophomore event having had been to Burning Man at least once (if not five or more times), Further Future was dubbed by many of those attending as “The Dark Side of Burning Man.”

The mission of Further Future is “moving beyond the confines of a traditional music festival,” according to the festival website. “Further Future establishes a modern means of social movement and cultural change, engaging a conscious community through a unique curation of world-class musicians and art, alongside inspiring leaders in the areas of science, entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology.”

It’s an inspirational festival that allows attendees the privilege of self-discovery and soul searching. And it is the most incredible festival that I have ever had the chance to experience.

Further Future truly is so much more than a music festival. It allows for the exploration of technology, gastronomy, music, arts and wellness through an incredible lineup of speakers and activities. It is a festival where one can go and learn: about the future of the world we live in and the future that others see for our world. It is also a festival where one can go and learn about oneself with the help of like-minded individuals who are willing to go adventuring with you to the various enlightening talks of the Visionary Speakers Series, morning and afternoon yoga and mediation, and musical performances that carry on all through the night until sunrise.

The festival gives off insanely cool vibes, instantly upon arrival. Further Future is an extremely remote festival, in the middle of the desert, with the stages and tents being set up far away from any sort of civilization, surrounded by the canyons of Nevada under the big, blue desert sky. The location, while being at the mercy of Mother Nature, allows for attendees to explore themselves, discover one another, and connect in a way that is not possible unless you are in such a remote and awe-inspiring setting.

The energy and good vibes that I felt at Further Future are unlike any I have ever felt. Every Futurist that I met appeared to be on a spiritual journey and most helped to guide me on mine. Everyone affected me on my journey and, as a group, we were given the opportunity to explore, discover, and connect in a remote, Mars-like, breathtaking setting.

It is this energy and these vibes that shaped my experience at this festival. It was the people that I met along the way that made Further Future so special and such an incredible experience.

While the festival struggled a bit with organization and a lot with rain, the overall experience at Further Future was phenomenal. Especially for a festival only in its second year.

With craft Oaxaca-made and Damiana-distilled Mescal tequila, and Richie Hawtin’s own ENTER.Sake being the liquor of choice at the festival; sit-down dinners available for purchase with Frank Gorriceta of Nobu; technology talks with Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc. CEO Eric Schmidt; and headlining musical sets taking you on colourful journeys through the night and into the early hours of the morning with Lee Burridge, Caribou, Nicolas Jaar and Four Tet, it is easy to achieve a mind-blowing, life-altering experience at Further Future.

Further Future turned out to be a primo experience: it was luxurious and mature but maintained the laid-back and loving Burner mentality, with the remoteness of the festival being as humbling as the joy of dancing on the Robot Heart Bus.

The Ethos of Further Future is “to be kind and generous; to be passionate. To be innovative and not afraid to believe. To welcome a range of amazing and inspiring people to share our journey, past the future and beyond the horizon.”

I was lucky enough to experience this ethos at the festival. I came across kindness and generosity from so many people; I was able to pursue some of my own passions at the festival that brought me unabashed joy; I learned how to believe in myself and the possibilities that the future holds for me through explorations at some of the Visionary Speakers. I learned so much about myself, my values, my hopes and dreams.

And at the end of the weekend, Further Future helped me realize the possibilities that the future holds for us: the visionaries, the believers, the changers. Because it is the people and our connection with another that will change the world.

Music Festivals

Further Future Travel Guide

May 16, 2016January 16, 2021
by Courtney Smith

Further Future takes place in the Valley of Fire, about an hour’s drive north of Las Vegas. Stages are popped down in the middle of the desert, with the festival being the only thing visible for as far as the eye can see, surrounded by the rocky Nevada canyons.

Getting There

Vegas Bound
If you are flying, the most convenient airport to fly into is the McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Nevada, which is about an hour south of the festival. Alternatively, the festival is about a five hour drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX).

Beyond Vegas
Further Future takes place 50 miles north east of Las Vegas at the Moapa Indian River Reservation. The festival provides a shuttle bus option for festival-goers from McCarran Airport, the MGM Grand and the Oasis Gold Spike for $40.

If you are driving, Further Future provides driving directions from McCarran Airport. Remember to purchase a parking pass, available for $50, as all cars are required to have one to enter the grounds. Multiple entry and exit is allowed.

Where to Stay

If camping isn’t your thing, it will be easiest for you to stay at one of the Further Future partner hotels. Shuttle services run between the MGM Grand, the Oasis at Gold Spike, and the festival for $40. Festival-goers can make unlimited use of the shuttles. Shuttles run every 45 minutes starting at 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. when the shuttle service slows down to every 90 minutes.

Camping

I strongly recommend you experience Further Future in its entirety and camp on site. If this is your first time at an event like this, just follow my lead.

Tent Camping: Passes can be purchased for $95, which gives Futurists access to a 10′ by 12′ campsite, bathrooms, and free showers. Cars are not permitted into the camp grounds. You will need to purchase a parking pass for $50 if you choose to drive to the festival and camp in your own tent.

RV Camping: RV passes are available starting at $250 and allow festival-goers to bring an RV, trailer, or campervan into designated areas for the entirety of the festival. I recommend renting a JUCY RV for the weekend as this was a comfortable and convenient option available for Further Future. Passes with electrical hookups are also available.

Shiftpods: Further Future recommends purchasing a Shiftpod, which uses space-age technology fabric that reflects 95% of UVA and UVB light from the sun to keep you cool during the day and retain warmth at night. Dust-proof, water-proof, and wind-proof, Shiftpods are perfect to protect you from the harsh desert elements.Alpha Pods: Set up with reflective shade netting, flooring, two single air mattresses, two Further Future branded sleeping bags (yours to keep) and a solar light, these 9′ by 9′ Fest Pods will keep you safe and warm… And look super cool. Starting at $750, your Future home is already set up for you when you arrive.

Horizon Class: Air conditioned bell tents equipped with either two single beds or one queen bed to snuggle with your festy besty, these tents are pure comfort. Don’t worry about portable phone chargers, as the Horizon Class comes with power outlets and storage boxes… So go ahead and bring those hair straighteners and curling irons! Horizon Class starts at $1,650.

Voyager Trailer: A classic 28′ Airstream trailer, four adults can fit comfortably in three different available sleeping arrangements. Curated and serviced by a world-class boutique hospitality provider and including a 24-hour concierge, this boutique camping option will cost you a cool $5,000.

Lunar Palace: If you’re looking for pure, unabashed luxury, the Lunar Palace is for you. This 200 square foot, 9’ high, air conditioned, custom-made luxury dome is fully enclosed with wooden flooring and sleeps up to four people. Furnished with real beds, actual mattresses, nightstands, power outlets and a lockbox, the $7,500 ticket price ensures you live like royalty for the weekend. The best part? The Lunar Palace includes a clothing rack and full-length mirror so you will always look on point.

Habitas: If the above still isn’t enough, Further Future provides Habitas accommodation to give festival-goers the comforts of home and then some. This option starts at $1,800 per person and includes full-service hospitality, linen and towel service, in-suite amenities, one or two double beds, light, furniture, full body mirrors, hot showers, and a culinary experience 24/7 complemented with a beverage bar and tented tea lounge.

Camping Do’s and Dont’s

– You are permitted one 30-can case of beer and one five-litre box of wine OR one litre of liquor into the campground.
– You may sleep in your vehicle if you choose not to purchase a camping pass, but cannot set up any structures or items outside your vehicle. Remember, vehicles can get dangerously hot in the heat of the day.
– Do not bring glass bottles.
– Follow Further Future’s leave no trace policy.
– Free water refill stations are available.
– Charging lockers are available for $45
– Leave your drone at home.

The Moapa Band Of Paiute Indians

Further Future is hosted by the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, taking place on their Moapa River Reservation. The Paiute people believe that everything in the universe has a life force and practice meditation and perform special rituals to harness this force. It is believed that health, wartime victory, weather and fertility were attainable through it. As guests of the Paiute people, festival-goers are expected to respect their land and culture and uphold certain standards of conduct:- Treat their land as you would your own (use the provided bathroom facilities!)
– If you come across interesting artefacts like bones or arrowheads, leave them be.
– Sorry guys, no nudity allowed so come equipped with pasties.
– Don’t forget to thank your hosts as you leave.
– Keep the deep cultural significance of traditional Indian dress in mind when creating your outfits for the festival.
– Out of respect for your hosts, leave all Native American inspired headdresses and costumes at home. If you think it might be controversial, it probably is.

Food

The gastronomy of the festival is of such high caliber and deliciousness that it has it’s own lineup… And what a lineup to feast on. The food and beverage program for Further Future’s return to the Moapa River Indian Reservation featured some of gastronomy’s biggest names, including Frank Gorriceta of Nobu, Jason Neroni of The Rose, and Sam Marvin of Echo & Rig, who hosted pop-up dinners throughout the weekend. Festival attendees are also able to indulge in food offerings such as lobster pho, omakase sushi, locally-sourced produce, artisanal gelato, and numerous vegetarian and vegan options at the various food trucks in the festival grounds throughout the weekend.

Beverages

Complimenting this year’s food offerings, the festival also hosted rare Japanese whiskey tastings from Bar Gyu+, Oaxaca-made and Damiana-distilled Mescal selections, and Richie Hawtin’s own ENTER.Sake. Bartender takeovers also took place throughout the weekend with revered Las Vegas establishments Herbs & Rye and Velveteen Rabbit. Definitely get your hands on some of that surprisingly smokey tequila though.

My Advice

Link up your RFID to your credit card before going to the festival. Further Future is a cashless festival and does not accept cash anywhere on the grounds. It is also a cashless festival that doesn’t require you to constantly be topping up your wristband with funds… Your wristband essentially becomes your credit card for the weekend. So link that up!

Consider renting a JUCY RV for the weekend. The rental van comes fully equipped with everything you could possibly need to enjoy the festival comfortably: Two double beds (one in the cozy, top-bunk penthouse, and one that can be set up inside the van) to sleep four people; a sink with tap and drain, water tank and waste water tank; stove, fridge and cutting board; blinds and plenty of storage space. The company also provides renters with the option to purchase a bedding kit and camping chairs, so if you are flying into San Francisco, Los Angeles or Las Vegas for the festival this is definitely a convenient and comfortable option.

Don’t be afraid to take mid-day naps. There is constantly something going on at Further Future… Be it a Visionary Speaker, a yoga class, a nature walk, a sit-down dinner, a sunrise set or a sunset jam session. The festival has been curated to include some of the best of the best in the fields of technology, music, wellness and gastronomy, and trying to see and do everything can be exhausting…

But come to terms with not sleeping very much.

Take joy in knowing that everyone attending the festival is on some sort of spiritual journey, and that you are now a part of that journey. The grand majority of attendees are Burners and this make for a very unique and happy crowd.

Dress up! There are so many beautiful and whimsical outfits at Further Future, people choosing to express what they imagine for the future through their outfits. From moon boots to fur vests to glitter capes to astronauts, Further Future plays host to a very unique, judgment-free crowd so don’t be afraid to let your freak flag fly a little.

Take advantage of the IV drip. Available at the Ablyss Spa (and sometimes at the Robot Heart Stage) the IV can be a game changer to your festival experience.

Embrace your journey into the future. Reality will not be kind once you return from Further Future so embrace the experiences you are being graced with and appreciate the individuals who are going beyond Vegas with you into the future.

Festival Reviews

Five Best Things Seen at Further Future

May 6, 2016May 22, 2017
by Courtney Smith

I’ve barely washed off the body paint from my journey beyond Vegas at last weekend’s sophomore year of Further Future, and the reality of being back in the city is almost too much for me to handle. To help cope with this though, I’m reminiscing about the festival with a list of the five best things I saw at Further Future.

1. The Brit and the Yank

You know it’s going to be a good festival when the first two people you meet are your camp neighbours who met at the airport on their way to the festival, and, upon knowing each other for t-minus five minutes, decided to camp with one another. Enter the Brit and the Yankee. The Yank recalls seeing the Brit walking through the airport with nothing but a rucksack, looking a little lost. Upon seeing him, he knew he was heading to Further Future as well and, together, they went on a mission to find the somewhat challenging-to-find shuttle bus to the festival. Along the way, they became fast friends and decided to camp with one another, the Yank referring to the Brit as his brother by the end of the weekend. It was this kind of friendly, welcoming energy that could be felt throughout the entire weekend across the festival grounds. With the grand majority of festival attendees having attended Burning Man at least once (if not five or more times), the same sort of Burner mentality and principles could be seen at Further Future. And for someone who has never experienced energy of this sort in such a colossal way, this is enough reason to head back to the festival next year.

2. Sunrise sets with Lee Burridge

Lee Burridge is a techno king. He is known for his amazing sunrise sets on the Robot Heart bus at Burning Man, as well as for his All Day I Dream parties, and for being a pioneer in the underground club scene. He also is known for playing some of the most incredible, lengthy sets, with his sunrise set at Further Future spanning four hours, from 4:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. It seemed that, as the sun rose over the desert, casting the large, cage-like heart above the bus in a majestic golden glow, the energy of the crowd picked up and Lee Burridge dove deeper into the sounds of the underground. More people seemed to appear, fervently dancing in front of the bus, while women in sky-high moon boots continued to dance atop the bus. And the best part of it all wasn’t Lee Burridge’s unique sounds resonating across the Valley of Fire, but the huge grin that remained plastered upon the artist’s face throughout his entire set. Discover Lee Burridge, but definitely discover him while he is performing because the man appears to be at home, in his happy spot, and his joy while he is performing is just as infectious as his beats that will make you dance until the sun has long since risen.

3. Apocalyptic rain storms

Normally, an attendee’s experience at a music festival is very dependant on the weather during that festival. Unfortunately the weather – extreme heat, extreme cold, crazy rain – is completely out of organizers’ hands. The Valley of Fire gets an annual average rainfall of four inches – so not much. Leading into the festival, there were four days of rain. During the festival, there was rain Friday night, and once again Saturday night. While Friday night wasn’t too damaging to the experience, Saturday’s intense rainstorm, filled with thunder and lightning, rivers and lakes in the campgrounds, and washed out roads, had the potential to ruin the weekend for festival-goers and organizers. Instead, the intense weather, that caused evacuations and attendees to take cover wherever they could, encouraged a sort of bonding between attendees. It was a storm one only really witnesses in the desert and it was a storm that was survived together, in the desert. Batten down the tents, take refuge under neighbours canopies or in their cars, and then, celebrate with fireworks. Mother Nature won that day, but she couldn’t put out the fire that burns brightly inside Further Future attendees.

4. Girl power with Amanda Kahlow

Further Future proved that a festival can explore so much more than just music and art. With an astounding Visionary Speakers lineup that saw the likes of Eric Schmidt of Alphabet Inc. and Bob Pittman of iHeartMedia Inc. giving intelligent talks to attendees, Further Future allowed festival-goers to expand their minds by diving into talks about the future of technology, education, food, cannabis, and so much more. Amanda Kahlow of 6sense delivered one of the most empowering talks of the weekend. Exploring the challenges of running her own business, while also being unapologetic of having to be what people sometimes consider a “bitch,” Kahlow reminded us that girl power can be the best power, to never give up on your hopes and dreams, and yes, women can be just as successful as men.

5. Sunset sets with Easy Star All-Stars

Closing the festival was reggae cover band Easy Star All-Stars, followed by HVOB. Seemed like an odd addition to a lineup that was stacked with electronic and techno artists but it worked. And it was fantastic! From trombones and saxophones, to drums and guitars, the band jammed the night away, covering old songs and new songs and demonstrating the fluidity and joy of music. With the barefoot lead singer, Kirsty Rock, who kept dancing and feeling the music throughout the entire set, Easy Star All-Stars helped close down the official festival with a fun, energetic set that embodied the good vibes of the festival and kept the crowd grooving all the way through long past the final sunset.

Music Festivals

Coachella Travel Guide

April 30, 2016January 16, 2021
by Courtney Smith

Coachella takes place every year on the Polo Fields in Indio, CA surrounded by mountains and palm trees. Music and art can be discovered while wandering around the desert plains under the hot, California sky or the setting pink sun.