Recently we ventured far from the lights of the city and traded in the flashing lights for Bradley, CA and some different flashing lights at Lightning in a Bottle, this was our first year covering the event and it did not disappoint – Now in full bloom in its 11th year, the Golden State’s premiere camping, arts, music and yoga festival, Lightning in a Bottle, returned to central California. acts like Grimes, Tokimonsta, Justin Jay, Jaimie XX (who had a fan jump on stage and literally try to ruin his set, very odd), and more the world-class musical gathering exuded the playfully aware ethos cultivated by festival founders Do LaB. Fans and festival attendees of LIB feasted their hungry eyes on some of 2016’s most progressive up-and-coming artists alongside an acclaimed curation of powerhouse acts, forming the most dynamic lineup Do LaB has unveiled to date. The music wasn’t the full encompassing moment of the fest, with a meditation mountain, dozens of monolithic art installations, endless stores featuring one of a kind art and accessories like hand made jewelry, as well as food that could make you melt – all around LIB is one of the most amazing festivals to encounter if you are a fan of the desert life or Burning Man, where one can come and enjoy the music but also envelope themselves in like minded living, culture and nature for 5 days. The only downside we saw was that the temperature and sun can be extreme during the day causing inescapable heat and brutal 40 degree cold at night, the two extremes make camping somewhat difficult unless you are prepared so next year get there early and get a spot close to the grounds and with a tree for shade, it’ll be the best decision you make all weekend. Good vibes, good music and good people, the way a festival should be, see you out there next year!
Check out the gallery of photos shot by Charis Kirchheimer and Dustin Hollywood during this years festival and be sure to check out all our crazy film from behind the scenes we shot in ISSUE V out in July!
Musical headliners topping LIB’s 2016 bill included Australia’s electronic neo-soul singer-songwriter Chet Faker; Canadian producer and savant songstress Grimes; prolific producer behind London-based band The xx, Jamie xx; Modeselektor and Apparat join forces to become Berlin’s electronica trio Moderat; English post-rock electronic artist Four Tet; a return for the amazing Norwegian producer and remix-master Cashmere Cat; the sultry horn play of Boulder, Colorado’s Big Gigantic; plus one of LIB’s favorite residents often described as the World’s Funkiest Diplomat, The Polish Ambassador who will return to his home state for another captivating performance this year! Enjoy the gallery!
