After this past 18 months, all of us need a break. No… we need an outlet. We need to let loose wildly, uninhibitedly in the purest form of human expression. As festivals return to planet Earth from their forced COVID-19 hiatus, it seems that an energy shift has happened. We’re attending live shows out of nostalgia, out of boredom, out of reprieve. The purity of it all has been tainted. Sure, fests will return to what they used to be, you know, with the magic and the freedom and the synergy of it all. Hopefully sooner than later and, if there is any fest to capture that essence again, it will be at the eccentric and esoteric experience of Desert Daze 2021.
From aesthetics to audio delights, Desert Daze 2021 might be what the world needs to decompress after years of stress and anguish.
What would’ve been the (official) 8th Annual in 2020 has now moved to November 12th to 14th at the serene lakefront setting of Lake Perris, California. Turns out, the actual start of Desert Daze was 10 years ago, spanning 11 days in the desert. As the fest has recently advertised it, “10 + 11 = 21… what does it all mean?” Perhaps we shall find out this November, alongside similarly open-minded individuals, expanding our consciousness simultaneously to eclectic musical offerings. For Desert Daze is no ordinary fest: its majesty lies in the heart of healing, human interaction and harmony, much unlike other mainstream festivals only pushing an inebriated, dissociated agenda. Let’s connect to nature, each other, our planet — ethos over egos! To do this, Desert Daze encourages onsite camping, wellness workshops, relaxation zones and beyond. Exact details of immersive experiences for 2021 are yet to be announced, but, if it’s anything along the lines of previous years, you can expect the best in ambience and activity.
One thing that did change from quarantine is that Desert Daze has dropped from four days back down to three. But, never fear! The 2021 lineup boasts an incredible amount of talent within a span of one weekend to be disappointed from the lack of an extra day. Headlining Friday is transformative alt rock band The War On Drugs; if you ever need a boost on a bad day, a mellow mood favorite or a soundtrack to a rainy day, this band is what you’re looking for and more. Seriously, their latest album A Deeper Understanding (and, to be honest, 2014’s Lost In The Dream) deserves to be recognized as one (or two) of the most captivating of musical arrangements. To compound on this brilliance is hip hop’s Kamasi Washington, headlining Day Two. Washington’s smooth tenor saxophone R&B sound is comparable to the likes of Anderson .Paak, Flying Lotus and Thundercat although with a more prominent jazz emphasis. To round out the weekend, is trancy techno artist Toro y Moi on Sunday night before (unfortunately) everyone has to head home Monday morning.
Other notable artists on the lineup is Tim Heidecker & Weyes Blood (performing Fear Of Death in full), Japanese Breakfast, Devendra Banhart, Ty Segall, DIIV, Moon Duo, Yves Tumor, Crumb, Andy Shauf and many more. What it all boils down to is an unforgettable cathartic release that you do not want to miss. Of course, tickets are on sale now — both weekend and single day! VIP upgrades are available starting at $427 for Tier 1 while supplies last, while General Admission weekend passes are $267 with payment plans for as little as $45 down. Do not forget to also purchase a parking pass! Want to stay the weekend? Add a camping, car camping or RV pass to at checkout to lock-in your spot. Desert Daze promises food, bars, a general store and more for camping attendees, so don’t fret if you forgot something! For more information or to commit to the lowest prices for Desert Daze 2021, visit the links below.
Desert Daze 2019 recap film:
Tune into the official Desert Daze 2021 playlist:
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