Heaven on Earth
5 reasons Central Texas' homegrown camping fest is a musical utopia
When the clouds part and the sun shines down without scorching everything in its path, you know festival season has arrived. And more specifically, camping festival season.
For the uninitiated, the very phrase bubbles up visions of Woodstock-esque mud pits, 4 am impromptu jam bands, and people stumbling into your tent all night long. In fact, camping festivals are the strangely perfect blend of time in nature plus musical adventure, solving for both camping woes and big festival frustrations.
Austin is close to several camping festivals, but one in particular that seems to deliver year after year — Utopiafest. Originally located in Utopia, Texas, they’ve moved the event to Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, only an hour away from downtown. Before this homegrown fest returns for another year November 2-4, here are the five reasons why camping festivals are the best festivals.
1. The bands.
From humble beginnings, this fest has grown into its own, bringing back performers like Wild Child each year while adding Patty Griffin, STS9, and Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real to the lineup. The daily activities, too, have expanded to include yoga, MelodyDanceFit, a wine “sensory” lab, a crystal grid workshop, and more. If you’ve never been to a camping festival, this is a great one to start.
2. The community.
There’s a sense of community that naturally bubbles up along with the lower stress atmosphere. Being surrounded by big sky and the beautiful Texas Hill Country inspires a kind of folksy friendliness, and it’s surprising how much pressure is relieved from being mere steps away from your campsite. Take a nap during the day, enjoy campground activities, or hang out at the tent between bands. You can even put up a hammock and listen to the tunes from the trees, if you so desire.
3. BYO ... Everything.
Often, as is the case with Utopiafest, you can bring your own food and drink so you’re not locked into a certain kind of beverage — and the cost that comes along with it. Food is available at a little commissary or on-site food trucks.
4. The bathrooms aren't that bad.
Maybe the thing that looms largest is the bathroom issue. Of course, they’ll have portable toilets (saving you from going in the woods) and there’s usually a shower offering for a small fee. If you’re super serious about a private bathroom, spring for the RV ticket.
5. It brings out the best in everyone.
Perhaps the most fun part of a camping festival is the people watching. Attendees come from all walks of life, ranging from the REI adventurer, the face-painted ingenue, and that one guy that is always up front dancing. Because you're all headed the same direction, people often join camps, playing cards, sharing food, and forming long-term friendships.
In a time when there is a lot of division in the world, this kind of togetherness feels a little like magic.
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Tickets for UtopiaFest are on sale now, and priced at $109 for daily passes, $215 for weekend passes, and $499 for VIP weekend passes.
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
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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