DIY Paradise Joshua Tree Music Festival Turns Otherworldly Desert Spirit into Artful Party

The 9th annual Joshua Tree Music Festival (JTMF) is happening May 13th-15th in scenic Joshua Tree, CA, merging itʼs funky desert town style with an internationally acclaimed lineup of dance music all stars. The three day festival, less than a few hours drive from downtown Los Angeles, unites the overwhelming spirit of desert freedom with powerful music from around the world to create a lighthearted oasis. Magically magnificent art installations, a kidsville at lakeside, the heavily shaded music bowl, a full spectrum of yoga classes and a global market further inspire, intrigue and invite festival goers. Discover your new favorite band and dozens of new friends in the shadows of the otherworldly Joshua Tree National Park.
This yearʼs line up of dance-inducing artists includes the soulful, electrifying desert blues of Maliʼs Vieux Farka Toure, the beloved baritone of vibemaster Chali 2NA (of Jurassic 5 fame); Brooklyn funk maestros The Pimps of Joytime; the pan-Latin madness of Miami's Loco Por Juana; the soul stirring singer songwriter Sean Hayes; Rubblebucketʼs gleeful electro-Afrobeat; Korean-Australian multi-instrumentalist Saritah; and the afro- latin-space-dub ensemble Jeremy Soleʼs Musaics (featuring member of Antibalas and Quantic Soul Orchestra). Full line-up, schedule, and festival info at http://www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com/.

About the Joshua Tree Music Festival: Founded in 2002 by music enthusiast Barnett English and run on corporate-free, community-centric power, JTMF captures the DIY funkiness of Californiaʼs desert towns, turning rusty junk into striking art, old trailers into stages, and a shaded stretch of private campground into a serious dance party. Focusing on up-and-coming artists, the Festival has a penchant for picking about-to- break names, from Deer Tick to Trombone Shorty, Edward Sharpe to Brett Dennen, the Avett Brothers to Toubab Krewe sprinkled among diverse music legends such as Robbie Krieger (Doors), Thomas Mapfumo, Bernie Worrell (P-Funk, Talking Heads) and Eric Burdon (Animals). JTMF is produced by a family of friends and funsters convinced that music is the soul of life, and that art enriches and saves lives.

The festival is constructed around one Music Bowl, flanked by two alternating stages. “Itʼs the combination of the setting, the music, and the people that leads to epiphany moments,” explains English. By design “weʼve created space so that people spend more time together, and you donʼt miss any bands.” There is no noise bleed, no white tents, and no yellow-jacketed security details. Instead, thereʼs instant community and non- stop interaction, as people congregate under billowing shade cloth, moving from stage to stage and catching delicious musical moments. This is an intimate affair splashed with “conversation stopping” golden sunsets over distant rugged mountains and all-night desert walkabouts.

The desert is freedom, music is power, and community is crucial. Tap into this magical trifecta and get your JTMF tickets now! http://www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com/tickets.htm