Remember what your first camping and music festival felt like – the memories, the people, the vibe? From Bonnaroo to Burning Man, one’s first festival experience is about much more than the music. And if there’s an event that epitomizes the homegrown nature of a festival and its surrounding community, it’s Art Outside. It’s a place for all ages, all shapes and sizes, and all musical backgrounds. It’s a place to dress up in costumes, let go and learn something new.
Despite this year’s biggest lineup and attendance yet, the festival felt just right – not too big, not too small. Lines were virtually non-existent, except the one for the showers. About 4,000 festival goers came to the tiny town of Rockdale, many of them with their own art – glass, apparel, jewelry – in tow. The Apache Pass festival grounds, former host of Insomniac’s Nocturnal 2-day festival, is also home to Flipside, a longstanding Burning Man-like event put on by the large Burner population residing in and around Austin.
The site transforms into a mystical playground for grown-ups and kids alike (yes, there is a ‘kid’s corner’ with crafts and activities), allowing attendees to immerse themselves in paintings, sculptures, LED installations and of course, music. Pedi-cabs became bald eagles and butterflies; teepees housed acro silks and bean bag chairs; and .
Night one featured the Polish Ambassador, Saqi and Wildlight, the performance dance-infused Quixotic and Colorado’s original funk band The Motet on the main stage. Electronic live band TAUK kicked off the fest, while local Gravitas label head Brede rocked a glitchy, bass-heavy set in the dome, an enclosed stage that amplifies the most perfect sound. Little People was one of my favorite DJ sets of the weekend; Pumpkin and Random Rab threw down as well, albeit much later than expected due to flight delays. Mountain Standard Time and Marco Benevento stood out too, with MST playing songs off their newly released record.
With so much art everywhere – hanging from the trees, lining the border of the main stage, draping the walls of the indoor gallery – there’s no choice but to appreciate it, as well as the abundance of talent that thrives within the community. “Face Forward” and “Fledgling” were two of the installations on site, the former being my favorite. Individuals are encouraged to climb into a bird-like structure that is “Fledgling,” and by pedaling bicycle gears one is able to make the wings expand. With “Face Forward,” joystick-like controls are used to manipulate the eyes, eyebrows and lips of a large metal face. The result is creepy, funny and communal, with different people maneuvering the joysticks to create endless facial expressions.
I also made it a point to attend workshops and educational seminars, which I always intend to do at festivals but never do. One was a tea workshop, which educated individuals about using wild herbs and flowers holistically. Like a day spa, Art Outside offers an experience that focuses on being and maintaining your best self.
The second night of the festival was primarily focused around the music: Conspirator followed Nahko and Medicine for the People on the main stage, and Nahko performed with great energy and endurance. Conspirator didn’t perform any Disco Biscuits songs, but played a solid set nonetheless with contagious energy that kept the crowd continuously moving.
With Phutureprimitive, Psymbionic and D.V.S* offering ethereal beats and delicious bass well into the night before a Desert Dwellers sunrise set, Sunday was a bit of a tired and sore day. The breezy, sunny weather provided an afternoon perfect for camping out with a blanket near the main stage and a schedule of live bands. The Nth Power, Orgone and Mingo Fishtrap put some funk into the afternoon. Austin-based Mingo Fishtrap, a funk/soul band with the most incredible male vocalist, blew my mind. From strong lyrics and original, melodic riffs to a sneaky cover of Curtis Mayfield’s “Pusherman,” I feel late to the party that is Mingo Fishtrap, and I can’t wait to see them live again. LA’s Orgone also includes a retro female vocalist, offering a nod to traditional soul, brass and big band. The Nth Power also brought the funk; supposedly, the drummer has previously performed with Beyonce, meaning she knows a thing or two about playing the drums. Be sure to catch these artists at Bear Creek Music Festival next month in Florida, as all three are scheduled to play the event in Suwanee.
The near-perfect daytime lineup was an ideal segue to the chilled out vibe on the main stage that evening, featuring Blue Sky Black Death, Emancipator and Papadosio. Although many attendees stayed at the festival until Monday, a large percentage packed up camp that afternoon.
As we drove home into the Texas sunset, our exhausted, tired bodies covering up full hearts and rejuvenated minds, we reflected on the memories and began brainstorming how we could improve our camp next year. Our campsite neighbor described Art Outside as “a vacation for the soul,” and looking back on my own experience, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
[Photos by Linda Romero]
