We’ve just returned from this year’s Lightning in a Bottle, and we’ve got much to report! The festival opened in style and the atmosphere remained throughout.  The eclectically dressed volunteers were the best welcome to this years festival, we were immediately hit with the chill vibes and good times to come. One simple swipe of the wristband and that was the first and last of any authoritarian action for the whole weekend. This freedom highlights one of the best aspects LIB. The relaxed setup, the unity in the campgrounds and incredible music made it so easy to completely immerse yourself. The camping was a free-for-all, there were no restrictions in terms of the space, so we set up, made some new friends and got on track to hear some good tunes.

LIB’s most celebrated features are the interactive art installations placed around the festival. It was an adult playground – there was never a shortage of unexpected ways to spend your time. A personal favourite was the life sized rube goldberg machine-bowling alley mash up. Festival goers were encouraged to send a bowling ball down an intricate set of wooden planks, chutes and loops to hit a set of bowling pins at the bottom of the ditch. We may have spent a little more time here than we’d like to admit!

Jacob Avanzato (courtesy of The Confluence)

The sound bath really hit the spot for the WWD crew, a huge tent housing a group of auditory engineers that send you into deep relaxation using gongs, wind chimes, lemongrass-water vapour, and maracas. The yoga tents were a great way to spend a lazy morning, giving you a chance to gather your thoughts amongst the madness. All levels were welcomed and catered to. We were told to jump around, bang on the ground and scream as loud as we could – it really brought out the inner child. Most importantly it provided an escape from that deep bass.

Speaking of, lets get down to the music. Chet Faker was an obvious highlight. Being the headliner for the final night of the festival, the atmosphere was buzzing, and the enthusiasm and excitement palpable. Despite his unexpectedly short set, he put on a great show, captivating the crowd.

Jacob Avanzato (courtesy of The Confluence)

Ibeyi was another musical highpoint. With a crazy mix of percussion, piano, and vocals in both English and Yoruba (the language of their ancestors), Ibeyi’s music departed from the more up tempo beats, creating a much more chilled vibe. As the sun set and Ibeyi began to close, we were joined by some brave men and women dressed as various animals (including lions, tigers and zebras) making their way through the crowd on stilts.

And of course the classics failed to disappoint, most notably Jonas Rathsman, Cashmere Cat and Guy Gerber.

DoLab certainly kept us entertained all weekend long, there was even a tent dedicated solely to cooking. You could stop by for 10 minutes to hear about how to make your homemade ghee homeopathic or stay for hours on end learning a variety of different cooking techniques all dedicated to your physical, mental and spiritual health. An alternative venue provided a variety of sexual exploration exercises, where you could observe or if you felt brave enough participate in tantric lap dance lessons, (don’t worry, we obviously checked it out for you guys). We jumped straight in and were astonished at the open and accepting environment within the classes. LIB provides you with a host of experiences not limited to music or performers, a unique advantage point.

Jacob Avanzato (courtesy of The Confluence)

The Jive Joint was another hit, the perfect space to sit back, relax, and escape that California sunshine for a quick moment. Super Tall Paul introduced the show with his music performance, using loops of various instruments such as ukuleles, saxophones and vocals to create his entire sound. Not that we need a break from Grimes and Jamie XX (both giving stellar performances), but LIB provided so many chill havens, we often found ourselves simply sprawled out across the grass in one of their many relaxation tents.

Lightning in a Bottle exceeded our expectations above and beyond and certainly plays a leading role among the next generation of festival experiences. We don’t have to even think twice about grabbing a ticket for next year’s installment. And if you missed the festivities last weekend don’t fret, because DoLab have you covered. Up next for the group is LIB’s summer sibling Woogie Weekend held at Oak Canyon Park in Silverado, CA this July 8-10. Check out the impressive lineup (including Benoit & Sergio, BLOND:ISH, Claptone, Damian Lazarus, Eli & Fur, Kidnap Kid, + Mathew Jonson).

Words by Ellie Williams