Summer Festival Season
Big-name musical acts make even bigger splash on Float Fest 2019 lineup
Editor's note: On June 21, Float Fest announced this year's event will not take place. "We are extremely saddened to announce today that Float Fest 2019 is being cancelled," said organizers in a release. "This was a difficult decision to make, but due to several recent roadblocks outside of our control and in an effort to do right by our fans, the decision to cancel the event was the best option."
Days after announcing its moving to a new location, Float Fest is making another big splash with its 2019 lineup. On April 25, the festival announced Major Lazer, Portugal. The Man, Gucci Mane, and The Flaming Lips are among those slated to perform July 21-22.
Additional headlining acts include Kaskade, Zeds Dead, Ice Cube, and Big Gigantic, while Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Grouplove, Big Boi, Jungle, St. Lucia, Houndmouth, G Love & Special Sauce, Missio, The Floozies, Goldfish, Sego, and Cowboy Diplomacy round out the lineup.
“We’re excited to bring back Float Fest for its sixth year and host some of the nation’s most talented artists to produce a unique experience in Gonzales,” said Marcus Federman, founder of Float Fest, in a release. “We’re thrilled to be moving to a new city and keep the tradition of our fest going."
As mentioned, Float Fest is drifting into a new location for the music festival/camping/tubing trifecta. This year, a private ranch in Gonzales, Texas, will play host to thousands of music fans. The new location offers immediate private access to the Guadalupe River as well as larger campsites, more entry points, and more space in general.
In addition to "three times as much space," the festival is adding a handful of new features such as a VIP lounge and stage-viewing areas, showers on the campgrounds, and early load-in so fest-goers can kickstart their fun in the sun. (And if that fun in the sun gets too much, they can step into an air-conditioned tent for $20.)
Other Float Fest features include more than 30 local food vendors and an expanded general store with tubing accessories such as phone pouches and tubes. And in keeping that tubing tradition alive, the festival also works with Keep the River Clean to provide biodegradable mesh bags and post-concert river cleanup.
Single-day tickets, weekend tickets, VIP passes, and other Float Fest packages are on sale now, and run from $65-$449, depending on the deal. Shuttles from Austin are also available for $60 roundtrip, and take off from the Amtrak Station at 250 N. Lamar Blvd.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A portal opens...Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri