The Art and Magic of Joshua Tree Festival
The trip to Joshua Tree wasn’t too long of a drive. Mile upon miles of desert and mountains with the occasional small town to stop in. That is until a number of larger art structures and pieces started popping up on different sides of the road. That’s when I knew that I nearing my destination. As I arrived at Joshua Tree, the art continued to reveal itself. I was guided to the festival grounds by a series of murals, sculptures, and even some interactive pieces that took up the entirety of yards. Art was everywhere I looked. I would soon find out that this was something that JTMF took to heart.
Camp/Festival grounds
Getting into the festival was a breeze. The gatekeepers were extremely friendly, greeting everyone with smiles and a warm welcome. Before I knew it, I was being directed to the campgrounds to find my home for the weekend. Navigating the campgrounds was simple. It made getting in and out of the festival effortless.
Who you camp around is almost as important as who you are camping with. I can confidently say that any of the people I met walking through the campgrounds would have been amazing neighbors, but I lucked out with the ones I got. They were kind, hospitable, and competitive with board games, and there was hardly a moment where laughter wasn’t pouring out of their camp. They shared with me some “must-sees” and their personal J-Tree stories. When I asked them what brought them back, they told me it was the vibe and the community. A sentiment shared by most of the people I talked with throughout the weekend.
Between the camp and festival grounds, there is plenty to explore. Surrounding the Lovely Little Lake were the Queer Salon, Kidsville, Positive Vibration station, and more. There you could find workshops or just a space for some peace and quiet.
The campgrounds and the festival were M.O.O.P. (matter out of place) free and the portajohns relatively clean. This is thanks to the staff and patrons for respecting the area. I can think of a number of festivals where those statements were far from true.
Art
Before I had even heard any music, I was hooked. I was immediately captivated by the sheer amount of art I could see as soon as I walked in. I couldn’t help but stop every couple of steps to look at the different signs and sculptures. Just beyond the entrance was a little lake. The lights from the different art installations and structures that surrounded the lake danced in the reflection of the water
The sheer amount of art alone had me hooked. From the moment I walked into the festival there was art as far as the eye could see. There were sculptures, hand-painted signs, various sizes of art installations, and live paintings of different styles throughout the festival. Some of my favorite artists were none other than Jeff Lee (@lineswithlee), Lani Kai (@Lanikai__art), Lady Egg (@theladyegg), CJ Troxell (@cjtroxellart), and Emily Higgins (@labellemort_gallery). I was especially blown away by the Flowbox Cirus and the craftsmanship of Rare Bird Stereos, who repurposes “found objects” and turns them into functional Bluetooth speakers.
Community/Inclusion
A huge win for this festival is the community they’ve built. The folks at Joshua Tree Music Festival do exceptionally well at cultivating a truly inclusive space. Regardless of age, gender, sexuality, style, ethnicity, or music preferences, there was the freedom to be who you are, and how you are. Creating such a space encourages the growth of authentic relationships with oneself and those around you.
Something that surprised me was the spaces that gave a “VIP” feeling. The lounges, “private” bars, and elevated views that would typically be exclusive perks for VIP ticketholders, were something that all patrons were able to experience here. It feels like a small detail, but it speaks loudly about how committed JTMF is to bringing people together.
Music
Before Joshua Tree Music Festival, I knew none of the musicians on the lineup. I had to do a little digging to get a taste of what was in store for me. None of that came close to preparing me for the experience of listening to some of these bands live. Hats off to whoever curated this year’s lineup. The lineup was as diverse as the people attending the festival. There was bluegrass, house, hip-hop, world music, funk, a variety of EDM, and more. This festival had something for everyone.
Some of the top acts this weekend were The Philharmonik, House of Hamsa Honeywild, Tanfis II, Siren & Seer, and Mak Nova & The Homies. All of their performances were amazing, however there are two who created completely different experiences. They are none other than Tanfis II and Mak Nova & The Homies.
Tanfis II is an audio/visual experience comprised of 17 artists (a mix of DJs, story tellers, and musicians) from the Palestinian, Syrian, Lebanese, and Iraqi diaspora. They brought the sounds of Levantine culture with a message of unity and a reminder of our shared human experiences. They sang, informed, read poetry shared stories, and did it with pride. By the end of their set, we were all dancing around the Cafe Stage. Art transcends all.
Mak Nova & The Homies was, dare I say, one of my favorite performances that I’ve experienced all year. The Boogaloo stage was packed. She brought us this groovy, afro-funk / hip hop fusion that had everyone, including the band, moving and grooving throughout the set. They were electrifying and sensual. Their chemistry amplified the magic in the music. “The Homies” are a number of incredibly talented musicians from the Bay and Santa Cruz area. To my surprise, JTMF was only their third time performing together. For a group that had only recently started performing together, they played like a band who have been performing as a unit for years. I look forward to the rise of Mak Nova + The Homies.
Conclusion
When I first started planning my trip to Joshua Tree Music Festival, I only knew the name. The artists, the venue, and the entire experience of being in Joshua Tree were all new to me. Sometimes walking into the new and unknown can be intimidating. However, the exposure to the fun and unique experience that Joshua Tree Music Festival provides makes it all worth it. There were copious amounts of art, a variety of sounds, amazing people, and a strong sense of community. It is easy to see why this festival has been going on for over 20 years. It is safe to say that this is an event that will be on my calendar for years to come. Here are my photos from the event!