If you are a fan of electronic music there is no shortage of amazing events this Memorial Day Weekend. Many of you will gravitate to the I Love This City festivals in San Diego or San Francisco, and others will make the standard trip to Las Vegas for the weekend of debauchery. However, those who truly know what’s up will not have to travel very far for Orange County’s own world-class electronic music festival, Lightning in a Bottle.
Hidden away in the wilderness of Orange County, Lightning in a Bottle (LIB) takes place on a small peninsula that is surrounded by Irvine Lake and is completely secluded from the rest of the world. Gone are the towering stages, massive crowds, and general hysteria that accompany most electronic music festivals. At LIB festivalgoers are instead greeted with lush surroundings, friendly faces, and a community of like-minded enthusiasts who love to have a great time.
It is truly a testament to the Do LaB’s ability as promoters that they have managed to attract such amazing musical talent while still retaining a homegrown feel. Lightning in a Bottle, which started years ago as a private birthday party, has now evolved into one of the best music festivals of the summer.
The Do LaB’s tireless efforts attract an amazing mix of popular headliners, provocative speakers, and a variety of interesting workshops. This year’s iteration features headlining appearances by electronic music superstars the Glitch Mob and my personal all time favorite producer Bassnectar. The supporting acts include ridiculously talented musicians like Tipper, Shpongle, Big Gigantic, Eoto and Gramatik who are all not to be missed. The undercard tends to be filled with up and comers who blow up soon after the festival, so make sure you take some time to wander around and find your next favorite producer. I personally recommend Minnesota, Russ Liquid and R/D.
But music is not the only draw of Lightning in a Bottle. If you are burned out on partying there is always a yoga class or meditation session to reenergize your mind, body and soul. Feel like expanding your consciousness in a legal way? Just head over to the Lucent Temple of Consciousness where you can hear impassioned speeches about the environment, society and existentialism.
Last but certainly not least is the amazing festival atmosphere that the Do LaB goes into painstaking detail to create. Many of you that have been to Coachella will be surprised to hear that besides their namesake tent the Do Lab is responsible for many of Coachella’s best art installations. Some of this art makes its way to LIB, but this is just a drop in the bucket compared to the fantastic feats of artistic expression that the Do LaB saves exclusively for Lightning in a Bottle. Expect to see crazily themed stages, interactive art exhibits and hundreds of paintings and sculptures throughout the gorgeous festival grounds.
If you are struggling with your plans for Memorial Day Weekend, do yourself a favor and buy a ticket to LIB before it inevitably sells out. I promise you it is a decision that you won’t regret and a tradition you will keep for years to come.
Stalk Magnetic