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Headstash's LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE Preview Guide

: By Andy Magnes and Shelly Siegel; Published on May 17, 2012

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May 24-28 – Silverado, CA

12th year – Camping: Yes
Full Weekend Pass: $215.00, Two-Day Pass: $165.00, One-Day Pass: $85.00,

2012 Lineup: Bassnectar, The Glitch Mob, Shpongle, Tipper, Lucent Dossier Experience, Apparat (Live), EOTO, Big Gigantic, Star Slinger, Gramatik, Lee Burridge, Opiuo, Nick Warren, Bluetech, NiT GriT, Gaudi, Random Rab, Alexi Delano, Minnesota, Robot Koch, An-Ten-Nae, Justin Martin, Sidecar Tommy, R/D, Jesse Rose, Michal Menert, Lynx, Jeremy Sole, Dirtwire feat. David Satori, Tim Xavier, Govinda, Russ Liquid, Derek VanScoten, Janover, Sugarpill, J. Philip, DJ Laura, Pumpkin, Mikael Stavöstrand, Derek Marin, Salva, El Papa Chango, Adham Shaikh, Android Cartel, Kalya Scintilla, Marley Carroll, Akara Project, Cello Joe, Fabian Alsultany, Shawna, Jupit3r, Hopscotch, Goldrush, Gravity, Malarky, Lafa Taylor, Sammy Bliss, Idiot Savant, SaQi Ensemble, Lila Rose, Fanna-Fi-Allah, Octopus Nebula, Imagika, Thriftworks, Sorne, Shovelman, HYJYNX, Gruvhaus, Quade, Rafe Pearlman and Mahadev, Anton Tumas, The Human Experience, Rafael Araujo, Sweet Anomaly, Zach Moore, Mikey Lion, The Fungineers, Justin Levi and Grant Kaye, Mortar and Pestle, Red Sonya, Tim Herrlein, Mystic Pete

2011 Coverage: Review and photo gallery

Festival Website: http://lightninginabottle.org/

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History

The Do LaB has held Lightning in a Bottle since the year 2000. Starting off as a family affair that never topped more than 200 people, LiB is now a festival all its own and takes place this year on a lakeside peninsula in the picturesque mountains of Silverado, California.

But let’s be clear: this is not your average music festival. The Do LaB, known for the art installations they have built for more mainstream festivals like Coachella, create a magical atmosphere that is as focused on art and spiritual well-being as it is on music.

In addition to the world-class musical talent that this year includes Bassnectar, The Glitch Mob, Shpongle, EOTO, Big Gigantic and many more, there are numerous workshops, speakers and yoga classes that take place throughout the weekend. The interactive nature of their art installations and tight-knit community make it an experience unlike any other.

Best Things

The size. If you want to escape the blown-out commercialized festivals that seem to be all the rage today, this is where you want to be. It’s a tight-knit community of fans that have been doing it for years. Good people, good vibes, good times.

The security. Though the festival is incredibly safe, the security is lax and won’t be heavy-handed with you at all. They let you have a good time, bring food and beverages into the stage area and don’t breathe down your neck, while also making sure the event runs smoothly.

The location. LiB takes place on a scenic peninsula surrounded by the gorgeous Irving Lake. The festival grounds are an absolutely spectacular oasis from the rest of society and allow you to completely immerse yourself in the world they have created. Whether you choose the lively partying of lower camp or the quieter serenity of upper camp, you are surrounded by trees, mountains and a beautiful lake (that is unfortunately off-limits to swimmers).

Worst Things

Parking passes. Most attendees won’t be lucky enough to have a pass that allows them to park next to their campsite. Instead, you can hitch a ride with your gear about half a mile from where you park. It’s a slight pain in the ass for those of us who like having a giant lockbox on wheels (with AC!) next to their tents, but considering the family vibe here, most people aren’t too worried about getting their stuff jacked.

Cold nights. A word to the wise: pack warm! While the days reach the perfect mid-80s that we all hope for at a festival, the desert nights will leave you shivering unless you bring something warm and snuggly.

Do’s

Get there early. Festivities begin on Friday so if you can take off work, do it. Also, having such amazing grounds to yourself makes going early an experience all its own.

Make sure you have enough supplies. LiB is tucked away, and once you’re there, you won’t want to leave. Since it’s a smaller festival, the general store isn’t as expansive as your local supermarket, so make sure you pack the essentials and then some.

Check out something new. There are a wide variety of speakers, workshops, collective art experiences, yoga classes and seminars about green living. LiB is all about participation so try to expand your horizons and go outside your normal festival routine.

Don’ts

Don’t leave a mess. LiB is as green of a festival as you will come across. Everyone cleans up after themselves. So don’t be “that guy” (or girl) – leave your campsite the way you found them.

Don’t swim in the lake. We know – it looks so refreshing (especially in the warm California sun). But it doesn’t matter if you’re a lifeguard or even if you remembered to pack your water wings, festival swimming is a huge liability and is not allowed.

Don’t party too hard. You can do pretty much whatever you want, but don’t infringe on another’s good time. This goes for anything but remember: it’s family affair. There aren’t many “don’ts” here, so be respectful and try to contribute to the positive atmosphere.

Atmosphere

In contrast to the candy-kid teenagers that populate the nearby Coachella, this weekend is all about The Do LaB family and the vibe they have created. The crowd is decidedly older and more experienced.

The community is very helpful and nurturing, so there is no need to worry about people fighting or being disrespectful. This is a safe place to enjoy yourself and let loose. Everyone cleans up after themselves, too.

This is a place where you can strike up a conversation with nearly anybody. It’s a place where everybody is looking to share their art, their passions or their beliefs. And it’s a place where you need to be – especially if this is what you feel is missing from today’s festivals.

Who To Check Out

Bassnectar – Lorin Ashton, the hippie king of dubstep, is slated for a headlining set that should not be missed. LiB embodies many of the same principles that he promotes through the Bassnectar project, so his highly-anticipated appearance is a match made in heaven.

Lucent Dossier Experience at Lightning in a Bottle 2011 - Photo Credit: Shelly Siegel

Expect a crazy set of bass-heavy beats and symphonic melodies from the Santa Cruz native that will leave your ears buzzing the whole ride home.

Lucent Dossier Experience – If you’ve never checked out the Lucent Dossier Experience, this is the place to do it. As reported on Headstash in the past, LDE is like Cirque Du Soleil for adults and way more psychedelic. A live, bass-heavy band accompanies acrobats, singers and other performers to tell the stories dreams are made of.

EOTO – String Cheese Incident’s Michael Travis and Jason Hann have taken their side-project deep into the realm of experimental dubstep. Compared to SCI, this project may be light on strings, but it also brings a heavy and addictive beat.

Their live performances are filled with energy, creativity and uncharted musical exploration, combining live drums, guitars, keys and vocals with the latest production technology in order to create a sound that’s all their own.

Big Gigantic – Since 2008, saxophonist/producer Dominic Lalli and drummer Jeremy Salken have been making a name for themselves in the worlds of electronic, dance and hip-hop. With thunderously innovative music, Big Gigantic has emerged as a force to be reckoned with.

In the last few years, they have joined the summer festival circuit in full-force and have added Wakarusa, Bonnaroo, Governor’s Ball, Electric Forest, High Sierra, Camp Bisco, All Good, Lollapalooza and Outside Lands to their tour schedule, making them one of the busiest acts in the scene today.