In anticipation of this year’s Jungle Jam Festival in Costa Rica, we sat down with festival promoter Chris D. to discuss a bit more about the festivities. This year’s festival boasts an awesome lineup, with Slightly Stoopid, Thievery Corporation, Steel Pulse, Papadosio, Dopapod, and so many more. Taking place from March 19-22 in Hotel Docelunas in Jaco Beach, CR, Jungle Jam is a premiere getaway festival for any fans of live music.

Tell us a bit about Jungle Jam and how you got started/the idea for the festival?

Jungle Jam began from a benefit concert that we did at the Hotel Doce Luna for the local school system here in Costa Rica. We partnered up with Mike Gordon, Bill Kreutzmann and Scott Murawski, who had just started their own band at the time and wanted to do a gig to help support the local school system. Locally, there was no suitable venue or production team, so we offered to help, since we had promoted shows locally and had the contacts needed to make it happen.

The first event was bare-bones, with only a tiny stage and a small PA. They played 3 sets, over 4 hours to an attendance of about 700 people. It had been a while since any of the guys had played on such a small stage but the vibe was intimate and felt perfect – everybody loved it. After that, we knew we would do it again.   

Can you talk a bit about the resort/region in Costa Rica where the festival is held and the layout of the site?

Docelunas is a 4 star hotel on the outskirts of Jaco, a lively surfing town on the Central Pacific Coast, and the closest beach town to the capitol San Jose. We occupy 5 acres of jungle gardens, with a big central garden area. It’s a gradual slope from top to bottom, with beautiful rainforest trees interspersed throughout. The flambouyant tree at the base of the garden (and under which we put the stage) is huge, with sweeping branches and a canopy of several hundred feet. The lights and lasers interplay in the treetop canopy is amazing. It’s literally, a concert in the jungle.

The Jaco area is loaded with cool things to see and do. In addition to two national parks, we have world class surfing and deep sea fishing, wildlife and canopy tours, you name it.

Is there camping?

Yes, we do have camping, right next to the hotel. Tickets with camping included are very reasonable.

Who are some of the bands you’ve had perform in the past and who are some acts in 2015?

Previous acts include, Max Creek, Bill Kreutzman Trio, the Expendables, Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers, Ryan Montbleu, Otiel Burbridge, Dopapod, G. Love, Karl Denson, Zach Deputy, Viral Sound and Dumpstaphunk – who had one of the hottest sets in 2014. Some local Costa Rican acts include Un Rojo, Talawa, Ojo de Buey, and Santos y Zurdu.

This year we have an awesome line up including Slightly Stoopid, Thievery Corp, Papadosio, Dopapod, the Werks, just to name a few, with more artists to be announced.

There are a few festivals popping up in CR – what separates Jungle Jam from the others?

Most of the festivals in CR are held much further from any towns. These are usually in a park somewhere with primarily camping as your only option. While the concert venue is completely nestled in the jungle, we are also only 5 minutes from the town of Jaco.There are numerous hotels, and condo accommodations. Jaco is considered one of the best party towns in Costa Rica. There are tons of bars, restaurants, casinos, etc. We offer something for everyone.

What is the hardest thing about putting on a festival in Costa Rica?

Everything.

Is your audience mainly locals or fans from the US or elsewhere?

At first it was all folks coming from the states, and a handful of adventurous locals. Now, the locals are warming up to the idea. We have also started to include more Tico-friendly genres of music, like reggae, which has helped grow the Tico audience.

How much are local businesses involved (hotels, shuttles, vendors) in the festival? What is the response locally?

From the beginning, we have made a point to include as many local businesses as we could. We use all local transport companies as well as work with local hotels. In our handout, we recommend all of the nearby businesses to our guests. We also use many local food vendors.

Two years ago, I put in a small second stage up at the restaurant, called the Eclipse Stage. It’s primarily for local musicians to show off their chops. Paul Damon and Michael O’Brien are each coming back this year for their second time. The locals love it.

How has the event evolved and are there any new activities or ideas you guys are trying out this year?

We are constantly trying to expand to include other activities and experiences for the folks that come down to hang with us. Last year we started doing live music yoga, with several yoga classes daily. Last year, Otiel Burbridge played on a couple classes, which was a huge hit. We also offer tours with the artists that include trips to the national parks, surfing lessons (last year Ryan Montbleu led these), Canopy tours, fishing, horse-back riding. This year we’ve also added classes in fire dancing, poi, hula hooping, and all the cool things that Kiki Mason and her Flaming Gypsies use in their performances. Kiki, unfortunately, just had a kite boarding accident. While she won’t be performing her beautiful routines this year (and we hope she can still come), we will have 15 or so of the Gypsies here, keeping everyone entertained with their fire dancing skills. We’ve given them their own stage, because they rock!!!

Where can people get tickets to the event?
Guests can purchase tickets through our website. Hard tickets are also available at several locations in Jaco, including at Hotel Docelunas.

For more information on Jungle Jam 2015, visit the festival’s official website.