On April 20th through 22nd, Backwoods Music Festival take place in Ozark, Arkansas. After previously being located in Oklahoma, Backwoods has made the move to Mulberry Mountain, one of the most gorgeous festival sites in the country, which is nearby the Ozark National Forest. This year, the lineup includes headlining appearances from STS9, GRiZ, Snails, and The Floozies. The rest of the lineup, in alphabetical order, includes Andy Frasco and the U.N., Emancipator, Figure, Jade Cicada, Michal Menert, Modern Measure, Muzzy Bear, Papadosio, Space Jesus, Sunsquabi, The Werks, Yheti, Zoogma, and many more.
We got a moment to speak with Will Royall, the executive producer of the exciting festival, and got a chance to talk to him about the upcoming festival. You can read the interview below, during which Royall sheds light on what to look forward to at Backwoods this year and why the festival relocated and offers sage advice to newcomers to the festival. For ticketing and more information about Backwood, head to the festival’s website.
Live For Live Music: What are you most excited for about Backwoods at Mulberry?
Will Royall: Honestly, I’m most excited about our new venue and location. The Ozark National Forest provides us with a new landscape that seems more true to “Backwoods” since it’s filled with large trees and dense woods. I’m excited about the fact we are bringing a new experience to a classic and well-known venue. I’m also super excited about our new Space Station Stage, which will have a projection-mapped stage, satellite dishes, a giant disco ball for stars, plus other “outer space” art installs hanging above the crowd. There’s also going to be a black hole portal you must walk through to get there.
Of course, Globe Theater returns and makes its debut on Mulberry Mountain. We have increase the amount of art installations this year as well. There are tons of things to be excited about, I could go on forever.
L4LM: What sets Backwoods apart from other festivals?
WR: One of the things that I feel really sets Backwoods apart from other events in the area is the fact we design experiences for our stages that really encompass and surround the audience. In the past, attendees have been inside castles, reclaimed theaters, disco portals to outer space, and more.
L4LM: What inspired you to move Backwoods from Oklahoma to Mulberry.
WR: This is a more complicated answer really than can be answered in a short article about our event, but really, the festival outgrew the community in Oklahoma. We brought more people into the county than lived there during the weekend of our event, and local law enforcement didn’t have the resources to help us with such a large undertaking. The community was not the easiest to work with, and as such, we needed to find a new home after last year.
While we loved the previous ranch and all its staff, Mulberry and the surrounding community in Arkansas have welcomed us with open arms and have been amazing to work with. The local community knows from the history of Wakarusa how important an event such as ours is to them and the local economy, and they have been very accommodating. Everything seems to happen for a reason, and I think the move to Mulberry has been incredibly beneficial for both the attendees and the event’s coordinators.
L4LM: A lot of music festivals have taken place at Mulberry Mountain over the years. Does Backwoods intend to continue the legacy of those fests or is it aiming for something that is entirely its own?
WR: While we pay a lot of respect to the previous great events held there, Backwoods will definitely be bringing its own experience, art installations, and production to the Mountain.
L4LM: Are there any acts on the lineup that you’ve always wanted book and were finally able to?
WR: We’ve been watching both GRiZ and STS9 for a while now and are excited they are performing at Backwoods. They will be added to the long list of amazing performers we’ve had over the years.
L4LM: What is “The Backwoods Way”?
WR: The Backwoods Way is really a manner in which we hope people hold themselves and act while at the event. We want everyone to be kind, not be a “downer”, stay positive, offer help when one may need it, recycle, keep the grounds clean, watch out for one another, and make friends. Really, it’s a sense of community that we have created and want to keep at Backwoods.
L4LM: Do you have tips for first time Backwoods attendees?
WR: We go late into the night at Backwoods. Some sets run until 7 a.m. Biggest advice is to take breaks and get some rest! Four days when you arrive on Thursday can really tire you out if you try to do it all. The great thing about it is no matter when you sleep or when you wake up, there will always be something going on—so don’t worry and pace yourselves! Also, make sure to grab a helicopter ride for $40. Flying over top of the festival in the middle of the Ozark National Forest through the mountains is something you’ll never forget. Don’t miss out on that opportunity.
L4LM: Anything else you would like to add?
WR: Just a big thank you to all of our staff, promoters, street team members, volunteers, production crew, hospitality crew, managers, agents, artists, security, and venue staff—and anyone else I’m forgetting in the super long list of people to pull this off! The event can’t happen without all of these people, and I have the utmost respect and gratitude for them all!
Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain will go down from April 20th through 22nd at Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Arkansas. With headliners including STS9, GRiZ, Snails, and The Floozies, and a stacked down bill including Andy Frasco and the U.N., Emancipator, Michal Menert, Papadosio, The Werks, Sunsquabi, Space Jesus, and more, you’re not going to want to miss out on this one. Tickets and more information about the festival can be found on Backwoods’ website here.
