Tucked into the scenic Buena Vista Lake, California rests one of the most premiere musical experiences available in North America. A west-coast boutique festival unlike any other in the golden state, Lightning in a Bottle for almost twenty years has consistently been on the forefront of delivering a festival that is so much more than music. In the simplest terms, LIB is a communal celebration of the human experience that lasts five days in which attendees are completely immersed in a world full of live painters, performers, and some of the best live music performers in the world, with an overall emphasis on interactivity, connection, and sustainability. 
Lightning in a Bottle lives and dies by their “6 Ways of LIB” which beautifully sums up their mission statement. They encourage all to celebrate life during five days of pure joy, bringing people together creating a microcosm of society that’s truly unique and inclusive for all. They encourage everyone to respect yourself and one another, creating an environment of accountability and love. The festival makes an effort to actively participate in their role in providing all attendees with an unforgettable experience. They welcome sustainability by motivating attendees to honor the land by leaving it better than they found it. The impact the festival leaves on you is one you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life, with the ultimate goal being to take the lessons learned at the festival out to our own communities for the betterment of society.
What’s a music festival without just that, music? Lightning in a Bottle’s four themed “Musical Environments” push the boundaries of what a stage and its production can look and feel like, each one bringing their own distinct energy which artist’s and attendees feed on like a veritable buffet. Their “Lightning” stage acts as the main stage, bringing us eclectic live performances from the likes of Griz, Kaytranada, and Purity Ring. Next, we have the “Thunder” stage, which plays host to some huge performances from an immensely diverse collection of bass music like Noisia, Minnesota, DJ Shadow, Keys n’ Krates, and Eprom. Then comes the “Woogie” stage which offers a stacked lineup of house, techno, and tech-house to dance the night away with acts like Nina Kraviz, Bob Moses, and Justin Martin. Last and most assuredly not least is “The Stacks” stage, which brings us a massive list of not only some of the most forward-thinking underground acts, but too many FUXWITHIT favorites to count like Smoakland, Fly, Adiidas, Edekit, Sfam, yojas, Runnit, and so many more. Thursday night will kick off the festival in true proper fashion with a Desert Hearts lakeside launch party, coupled with a titillating 4 hour set from Joe Kay of Soulection to really set the tone for the rest of the weekend.
If you ever want to give your ears a break check out some of their many workshops, seminars, and classes. These range from refreshing yoga classes and guided meditation, to gorgeous art walks, live painting and installations. Make sure you also stop by Frontierville which acts as a trading post for attendees, filled with delightful character actors. Whatever you’re into, LIB gives you the opportunity to craft your own festival experience, while simultaneously allowing you to learn and have new experiences in a safe, comfortable space. If you’d like to join us on May 20th-25th in beautiful Southern California for Lighting in a Bottle, make sure to get your tickets here!
Words by Alex & Victor.
