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My Bloody Valentine at Desert Daze 2018
My Bloody Valentine Setlist
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The palm trees were a blowin’ and the wind was dusty and warm on Friday as music lovers loaded into the Lake Perris campgrounds for Desert Daze’s seventh psychedelic wonderland of American music festivals. Founder Phil Pirrone (Leader of band JJUUJJUU) has gone above and beyond to make this entity, in whatever category you want to put it under, entirely separate from your standard music festival. Year after year, he manages to succeed and surpass expectations, galvanizing us with the joy and euphoria that this celestial event brings. It’s more than just a weekend. It’s an experience of a lifetime.
Set up this year in Lake Perris, California, on the grounds of beautiful beaches with breathtaking mountain backdrops, it was less of a desert mirage than in its past Joshua Tree days…which seemed to suit festival goers just fine. There was a rather stark contrast of ear-piercing rock music amidst this stunning scenery, but in a way, it just made sense that people were swimming on unicorn floaties while listening to the tunes of Cut Worms or Julia Holter. The installations scattered around-from teepees with hanging seashells formed into jellyfish to a space-ship treehouse on stilts-gave everyone something to marvel at in between sets or even all day, if one felt so inclined.
The last day of the long music festival, was for relaxing...
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14
On Sunday, God rested. So naturally we all took it pretty chill too. It was time to check out the Kentucky Ayahuasca documentary, the famous Mystic Bazaar for yoga or healing sessions, or cacao ceremonies in a circle surrounded by the sweet, sweet scent of burning sage. Many took advantage of the warm weather and parked it on the beach all day, with acts like Bedouine and Gladys Lazer in the background.
Headliner My Bloody Valentine graced the Moon stage at 9:30, and while I honored the no photos rule for them and quite enjoyed just listening without a device in my hand, I can testify that the set was about as loud as it gets for a rock concert. Starting with “I Only Said” all the way to “You Made Me Realize”, it was blaring and aggressive…so much so that I had to move back several times for fear of vomiting or going deaf. The set was also unusually long, and some people couldn’t tough it out and left early.
Desert Daze never seems to be anything less than its sparkling reputation of raw, unapologetic goodness. Even with the disastrous and unpredictable California rain, this year was no exception. It provides a sanctuary of a spiritual escape while painting a landscape for musicians and music-lovers alike.
And don’t ever think the magic will fade. Once you’re a Dazer, you’re a Dazer for life.
[ NOTE: Per My Bloody Valentine’s request, no photos were allowed ]
Set up this year in Lake Perris, California, on the grounds of beautiful beaches with breathtaking mountain backdrops, it was less of a desert mirage than in its past Joshua Tree days…which seemed to suit festival goers just fine. There was a rather stark contrast of ear-piercing rock music amidst this stunning scenery, but in a way, it just made sense that people were swimming on unicorn floaties while listening to the tunes of Cut Worms or Julia Holter. The installations scattered around-from teepees with hanging seashells formed into jellyfish to a space-ship treehouse on stilts-gave everyone something to marvel at in between sets or even all day, if one felt so inclined.
The last day of the long music festival, was for relaxing...
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14
On Sunday, God rested. So naturally we all took it pretty chill too. It was time to check out the Kentucky Ayahuasca documentary, the famous Mystic Bazaar for yoga or healing sessions, or cacao ceremonies in a circle surrounded by the sweet, sweet scent of burning sage. Many took advantage of the warm weather and parked it on the beach all day, with acts like Bedouine and Gladys Lazer in the background.
Headliner My Bloody Valentine graced the Moon stage at 9:30, and while I honored the no photos rule for them and quite enjoyed just listening without a device in my hand, I can testify that the set was about as loud as it gets for a rock concert. Starting with “I Only Said” all the way to “You Made Me Realize”, it was blaring and aggressive…so much so that I had to move back several times for fear of vomiting or going deaf. The set was also unusually long, and some people couldn’t tough it out and left early.
Desert Daze never seems to be anything less than its sparkling reputation of raw, unapologetic goodness. Even with the disastrous and unpredictable California rain, this year was no exception. It provides a sanctuary of a spiritual escape while painting a landscape for musicians and music-lovers alike.
And don’t ever think the magic will fade. Once you’re a Dazer, you’re a Dazer for life.
[ NOTE: Per My Bloody Valentine’s request, no photos were allowed ]
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