Joshua Tree Music Festival: The Happiest Place on Earth?

The happiest place on Earth? For this girl, it was the 17th Annual Fall Joshua Tree Music Festival held October 6-9 at Joshua Tree Lake and RV Campground.

Joshua Tree’s amazing Spencer Kaizer and Friends kicked off the 4-day lovefest, performing music outside the “New in 2022” Artists Gallery and reception, followed by the guitar rocking sounds from Cytrus, making their debut at JTMF.

The next three days were filled with non-stop music to excite everyone. Inspirational workshops, yoga, a vibrant healing oasis, and an action-packed Kidsville once again brought hearts and souls together in jubilance and love.

Friday’s schedule included stellar local talent. Q. Varo gave us a spellbinding set at the Boogaloo Lounge. Then, Mikey Reyes and the Feeling graced the main stage… could I say the vibrancy of this set possibly eclipsed their epic Spring JTMF performance (whaaat??). Ghost-Note ended the night on a high funk electro wave. A DJ set kept festivalgoers moving throughout the night.

Saturday, Brass Against covered songs by Rage Against the Machine, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Tool with a stunning, brass-infused onslaught of sound. The soulful Symone French Troupe performed a moving set on the Boogaloo stage and then, on the main stage, vibrant Ibibio Sound Machine from London closed out the scene with thick, soulful sounds and rhythms.

Rolling into Sunday, we heard the rich vocals of Feminia followed by the blues sounds of the beloved Giselle Woo and the Night Owls.
On the main stage, the amazing Smoked Out Soul had us all dancing as they accompanied the sunset. To end the evening, The Boogaloo Lounge was the perfect backdrop for a mesmerizing set by House of Hamsa.
What a weekend!

Join us in 2023:
May 18-21, 2023
October 5-8, 2023
May Moeller is a Joshua Tree resident who has attended more than 15 Joshua Tree Music Festivals.

Photos by: Sandra Goodin