Joshua Tree Music Festival 10.10 - 10.13.24

Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground

Joshua Tree, CA

Word by Ryleigh Hutson

Photos by Alexander Fornes

Joshua Tree Music Festival is a one-of-a-kind experience, with its eclectic range of genres, artistry, and beautiful focus on community and connection. JTMF held an energy like no other, there was a feeling in which everyone surrounding you intended to be there to be present with joy and love. There was a sense of community, far and wide, close and intimate, all coming together for good music and to dance to something they likely had never heard before. Set just a few miles from the Joshua Tree National Park and founded in 2003, the festival celebrated its 21st bi-annual event.

Joshua Tree Music Festival is a culmination of unique creativity expressed through visual art, workshops, and worldly music all nestled within the beauty of the Mojave Desert. Barnett English and his team do a fantastic job at searching for musical artists on the rise. They emphasize bringing in musical talent that are less known and more likely to surprise the festival attendees. Barnett himself has said one of his biggest thrills is “to see the creatives react to these ‘unknown’ artists, and have their minds completely blown away!” There is a certain whimsical nature in regards to JTMF, a level of mystery that insights a childlike curiosity.

The first night of the festival started off with an opening ceremony and a DJ set from DJ Alkimmy. The night ended with a set from DJ Ding Dong at the Boogaloo Stage that lit the crowd on fire with energetic beats, pop culture references, and a layer of unfamiliar humor. The following morning, we got to start the day with a fresh cup of Java and a beautiful set from Corinne West. The first full day was a chill exploration of music, art installations, and getting more comfortable with the lay of the land. One of our favorite sets that we stumbled upon was Mah Ze Tar. This band of three had a fascinatingly original mix of electronic dance music fused with traditional eastern styles. On Saturday morning we were lucky enough to experience local Joshua Tree singer/songwriter, Rose Pullman. Tears were brought to the surface of the crowd in this intimate acoustic set. Later in the night, the party was at a peak with House Of Hamsa and Honeywild joining forces, creating a funky collaboration of voices and instruments that made you feel as if you stepped into a dancing jungle in another dimension.

Sunday brought the influence of more intimate scenes as there were only nine sets throughout the day with a shifted focus on workshops. Brilliantly curated workshops included Presence with Percussion, Partner Yoga, Qigong, and Deep Space Breathwork among many others. Following the funky festivities of Saturday night, Honeywild joined together on Sunday morning to bring the community another intimate morning set… but this morning was different. In the middle of their set on stage, the trio shifted to an unmic’d collaboration, sitting on the floor with the rest of the crowd. This act was significant on its own, but it meant so much more than many were even aware of. This intimate Sunday morning set was a ritual in the purest form. We grieved that morning, as a community, with song and tears. In the early morning hours of Sunday, the JTMF community lost one of their own, Julia Wynne. “Julia lived a life of love, adventure, joy, passion, kindness, and fun, leaving a lasting mark on the countless people she met through her vibrant 33 years.” Julia had many passions in her life, but her greatest joy came from being a mother to her 2.5 year old son, Franklin. If you are inspired, donations can be made to a trust fund for Franklin set up by Julia’s family. All payments will go directly to Franklin and can be made through Venmo (@Franklin-Fund). Thank you for taking the time to honor Julia alongside the JTMF community and family.

The community is where the heart is when it comes to this festival, which makes it such an individual experience. The environment of JTMF is of openness, connection, creativity, and community. The sudden loss of an attendee has brought people together in a way that was unimaginable in witnessing a resilience in spirit of support. We realized there was much more to music that we all danced to the rhythm of. There was a heartbeat that we all felt together in embracing the gift of the moment.

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www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com