text by Brendan Casey
If music festivals were a meal, Desert Daze would be the fully stacked order saddled up with every side you didn’t know your quivering gut craved, covered with fixins and then capped off with a special mimosa to boot. Now entering it’s 8th rotation around the sun, Desert Daze began as an alternative mutation from the much larger Coachella music festival in 2012 before reaching its current status as one of the most lauded festivals in the world today. The first edition, spearheaded by Phil Pirrone, was an eleven day slapdash event that stretched across the duration of both weekends of the Coachella fest and featured 122 bands. Like many of the best festivals, humble beginnings led to gargantuan outcomes. Now, Desert Daze boasts genre-defining headliners, up-and-comers and a smorgasbord of activities perfect for anyone under the influence of…uh…vast desert surroundings.
Though the music skews towards the psychedelic generally, the overarching quality is without a doubt the excellence of the acts. Whereas many festivals tout the same line-ups of whatever anodyne Top 40 act had a hit or two that decade (and whatever holograms had a hit of yesterdecade), the Desert Daze line-up is rife with gems, both hidden and world renowned. A true music lover’s music festival. This year will feature The Wu-Tang Clan, The Flaming Lips and Ween all performing one of their classic albums front to back. Another of the announcements that elicited the biggest hype was Stereolab, famed for their krautrock dronings, in their first US tour in over a decade. Animal Collective will be bringing their freak-folk electronic psychedelia, Wand will be banging out the heavy riffage, Parquet Courts will ring out sharp lyrics and sharper guitar chimes and the Locust will be a torrential fury of cacophony.
There’s also a plethora of noteworthy acts coming in from overseas. Putin’s least favorite punk band, Pussy Riot, will be playing and no doubt extolling more fierce political aggressions. Famed Swedish psychedelic band Dungen will be playing their 2004 masterpiece, Ta Det Lugnt. One of the acts I’m most excited for is W.I.T.C.H., one of the most revered Zambian bands from the ‘70s, playing their funky political Zamrock tunes. In addition to all of the music, Fred Armisen will have a comedy slot (aptly titled “Comedy for Musicians but Everyone is Welcome”) sure to delight. D.C. punk icon Ian Svenonious, will be the opening master of ceremonies. Of course if you need a further break from the music, there will be various art installations, meditation sessions, health workshops, spirit guides, shamans, sound baths and anything else your fried mind could desire as you explore the campgrounds. Founder Phil Pirrone had once said of Desert Daze, “We are the family restaurant of music festivals.” There’s something for everyone, it all hits the right spot and is pretty affordable. Hey, pass the mimosas.
THE DETAILS
WHAT: DESERT DAZE 2019
WHEN: October 10-13
WHERE: Moreno Beach in Lake Perris, CA.
WEB: desertdaze.org