The First Ever Coconino Campout Was a Success
I was lucky enough to attend the first ever Coconino Campout in Flagstaff, Arizona and let me just say, it was nothing but fun and good vibes the whole weekend. Going in to it, I was slightly skeptical because it was a completely new festival so I really had no idea what to expect, but I’m so happy I went into it with an open mind and just ready to explore a new fest and have a good time!
We drove up to Coconino in Flagstaff on Friday morning, as arrivals were restricted to that time. I was slightly nervous about having to set up camp while also making sure we had enough time to get ready and go in to the venue, but everything went surprisingly smooth—much easier than I had anticipated! Instead of being assigned designated spots with a limited amount of space to set up, we actually had the freedom to choose our campsite anywhere on the grounds. This was quite a departure from other camping festivals I’ve attended, but given the smaller scale of this festival, it was a refreshing change. I genuinely enjoyed having the flexibility and freedom to pick where we wanted to be and to have extra space around us! We were able to set up our camp closest to the exit and therefore closer to the venue entrance so I was excited about that! After we set up and got ready, it was time to go into the venue and get wonky.
LSDREAM was the highlight of my Coconino experience and definitely one of my favorite sets of the whole fest! He brought good vibes and set positive intentions for the weekend and had everyone riding the same wavelength of infectious energy. Being a smaller festival, there was plenty of space to move around and access the areas we wanted. Plus, there was a grassy hill that offered ample room for dancing and flowing. Whenever we needed a break from being at the front of the stage, we would just go chill on the grass and watch people flow! I also met some amazing people Friday night that we ended up seeing and spending time with the whole weekend, which made this festival even more special to me. We all ended up hanging out together and having an absolute blast. I was teaching some new friends how to flow with the light whip and an orbit spinner when suddenly a thunderstorm rolled in. We kept the fun going and danced in the rain until we decided it was time to head back to our tent. On our walk back, it started hailing on us!! We dashed under the canopy of other festival-goers who were still awake, and they turned out to be incredibly friendly and fun! We all sang to songs like “Take It Off” by Fisher, and despite the hail, the energy was at an all-time high—everyone was buzzing with positive vibes! I definitely wasn’t prepared for it to be that cold so I froze a bit, but it was all worth it!
Going into Saturday at Coconino, the energy was still soaring from the excitement of day one. After making breakfast and getting ready for the day, we spent the afternoon at LSDREAM’s Lightcode set. It was such a beautiful experience, surrounded by nature and enveloped in soothing meditation sounds. I left feeling deeply grounded and grateful for this incredible life I get to live. We then headed to the quad which is the main area outside the venue filled with clothing and food vendors, and fun activities like hair braiding, kandi making, yoga, and more! I snagged some yummy buffalo chicken with fries and ranch, so you already know after that I was fueled and ready to go! My highlights of Saturday night included finally catching a full set from Zingara for the first time, and then getting to see CloZee end the night with a stunning set full of lucid sounds and dreamy vibes.
As Sunday rolled around, I was sad to see the weekend coming to an end, but excited for what the last day had in store for us! Our camping neighbors treated us to some delicious curry, which was the perfect way to kick off the day while vibing with awesome people! Another new friend I made convinced her mom and aunt to join us for the final day, so I got to meet them and we all ended up having such an amazing time together. The people truly made this festival unforgettable, and I feel so fortunate to have formed lifelong friendships through the magic of music!
Sunday’s lineup was absolutely stacked and I had a blast seeing Tape B into Daily Bread into Liquid Stranger. Every time I see Tape B perform, he absolutely kills it, and this time was no different. It was also my first time seeing Daily Bread and Liquid Stranger, and they both exceeded my expectations! Daily Bread brought his unique blend of electro-soul sounds that made everyone want to move and groove. Then Liquid Stranger took the stage with his wonky wubs and psychedelic dubstep, sending the crowd into a frenzy and closing out the festival with an unforgettable (head) BANG!
I’m incredibly grateful to have experienced the first-ever Coconino Campout. Although it was a smaller festival with just one stage, the intimate setting provided a refreshing change from the larger festivals I’ve attended. A huge thank you to all the amazing new friends I made who contributed to such a beautiful and fun weekend, as well as to the talented artists who brought us unforgettable sets and magical music. Being immersed in the stunning beauty of this place is truly something special, and I can’t wait to return—just with warmer clothes next time…