Over Memorial day weekend, twenty thousand people gathered together in Bradley, California at San Antonio Recreation Area for Lightning in a Bottle, a weekend encompassed of world famous performers, yoga, mediation, interactive art, health conscious workshops and elaborate stage decor. Over 4 nights, festival goers set up camp around the festival grounds to connect with each other in way that’s unlike any other festival. The energy and vibes were undeniably some of the best we’ve ever felt. Lightning in a Bottle was truly a unique and beautiful experience.
The production crew, Do LaB, created three amazing stages using their signature style of design and fixtures. The main Lightning stage held performances by SBTRKT, Odesza, Flume, Tycho, AlunaGeorge, and the Lucent Dossier Experience. Their famed Woogie stage held performances by Ame, Thomas Jack, Lee Curtiss, John Digweed, and Shiba San. Their newly created Thunder stage held Griz, Koan Sound, RL Grime, Stwo, Lindsey Lowend, and many more. Music was played throughout all hours of the day and night, whether is was at the main stages, silent discos, or personal campsites.
Let me describe to you a day in the life of our Lightning in a Bottle experience. We would wake up to the beautiful sunrise as the sound of minimal deep house beats pulsated through the air. We would cook breakfast at our campsite and freshen up at the conveniently placed showers just up the hill from out site. Walking into the festival early was always on our agenda so we could explore every single area. Pop up shops were set up in lines creating a marketplace that sold beautifully hand-crafted clothing, art, light up toys, and much more. The food of the festival was absolutely amazing and included everything from fresh fruit smoothies, burritos, pizza, shwarma, and even sushi. LiB even provided free water stations conveniently placed all around the festival grounds.
Interactive art structures were placed all throughout the festival. There were giant teapots you could actually climb into, giant woven bulls, interactive paintings, and the MOVA Gallery dome. There’s no doubt that these were some of the coolest art installations we have ever seen at a festival.
Throughout the day we’d explore all areas of the festival. The Grand Artique was a stage that held live music, live entertainers and even a barter shop. Meditation and yoga tents were placed throughout the festival, which held classes all hours of the day. These tents really provided us an area for spiritual healing and recuperation. At any time you could walk into these tents and lay down to relax. We’ve never felt so in touch with healing our body, mind, and soul, than we have at Lightning in a Bottle. The experience was genuine and real, and definitely something we will never forget.
As the sun went down, bright lights and banging beatz filled the night. Everyone flocked to the main stages to see the headliners perform till 2am each night. The production of the main stages was incredible and perfectly fit the vibe. Art installations activated displaying absolutely stunning light displays. The nights were filled with immersive environments and infectious beatz. After the music on the main stages ended, the night didn’t stop there. Festival goers continued to dance and blast music at their campsites or attend the silent discos. Each day was a continuously filled with activities, workshops, art, meditation, music, and not much sleep.
Lightning in a Bottle will go down as one of the best festival experiences we’ve ever been to. It’s not your typical rage fest. It’s a spiritual and musical awakening. The people of the festival were some of the coolest people we’ve ever met. From creating campsite friends to dancing with strangers, we’ve definitely created connections that will last a lifetime. Lightning in a Bottle embodies everything a true music and art festival is all about. We’d like to thank Do LaB for creating something so special and we’ll definitely be see you again next year!
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Next up, Do LaB brings you Woogie Weekend, a new festival dedicated to one of Lightning in a Bottle favorite stages. The new festival will take place at LIB’s old home at Oak Canyon Park in Silverado, CA on July 17th-19th. For more info and tickets head to http://www.woogiewknd.com
Photos by Juliana Bernstein