KAABOO Del Mar ‘mix-perience’ to be unlike any other
Photo Courtesy of KAABOO/Twitter
by Tayler Reviere Verninas | Arts & Culture Editor
When students hear the term ‘music festival’, big headliner events such as Coachella, Outside Lands, or Lollapalooza may come to mind. It seems inevitable for San Diego to host its very own music festival, especially in a city with a thriving music scene.
Finally, local music aficionados no longer have to venture out to far away places, but can take a quick drive to the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds to attend the inaugural year for KAABOO from Friday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 20. It will feature headline performances from No Doubt, Zac Brown Band, and The Killers, along with entertainment beyond the quintessential music festival goer’s dreams.
Festival organizers Bryan Gordon and Chris Brown are not considering KAABOO Del Mar to be the typical music festival with porta potties or lack of air-conditioned rooms. Rather, KAABOO is set to be the ultimate three-day ‘mix-perience’ on seven stages and six unparalleled experiences: Humor Me, Palate, Indulgences, ArtworK, Encore, and Posh Nosh. The seven music stages include Sunset Cliffs, Grandview, Trestles, Zuma, Humor, Encore, and Tourmaline.
Gordon shares insight on the ‘mix-perience’ he has helped create.
“It starts with a life-long interest in music, and specifically, live music,” Gordon said. “Combine that with a passion for food, art and hospitality. With KAABOO, I have the opportunity to put all of those elements together n one place.”
According to the official KAABOO website, the event is an adult experience, uniquely curated to appeal to all five senses. It will include world-class music, dancing, incredible cuisine, craft libations, inspiring contemporary art and personal indulgences.
As explained by the creators, it is a three-day sound voyage that combines rock-n-roll music and tastemaking events in a modern wonderland on the warm shores of the Pacific.
“It is a world that evokes relaxation and playfulness,” Gordon said. “A journey of discovery in which I want everybody to leave their worldly concerns behind. I want them to get rid of the stress of papers or midterms at school or the commute to work. They should voyage out to discover whatever it is they might not have been familiar with and immerse themselves in more memories and experiences.”
Gordon believes there is a lot to absorb after hours of listening to music, and that many concert goers will desire a much-needed place for rest.
“My observation from other music festivals was that I needed an outlet to decompress for about half an hour or so and then come back and enjoy the music,” Gordon said. “I thought it was important to create these types of outlets so you can recharge your brain to get back to the music.”
These outlets are in different locations on the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds that will include many indoor, air-conditioned attractions.
KAABOO is set to offer what seems to be more amenities than the common three-day music festivals. According to the website, the ArtworK section of the three-day weekend will feature contemporary public art installations as well as a contemporary art fair.
If concert goers want to take another break from the musical chaos, they can experience a good laugh at the Humor Me stage, which will contain various featured comedians each day.
When heat from the sun starts to increase, audience members can take a nice dip in the provided pool or enjoy an array of eateries that will be featured on the fairgrounds.
“We want people to have options to get away from the music for a little while and do something different,” Gordon said. “People are not just listening to music; the music is the backdrop to a whole process of having fun on many different levels.”
For selective music listeners who are only interested in a day pass, one day tickets starts at $125 plus additional fees. But for those who want to fully invest in the three-day ‘mix-perience’ prices range from $299 for guest access to $2,499 for a hang ten VIP pass.
For more information regarding the lineup and tickets, visit the KAABOO website for an opportunity to feel “hella good” watching No Doubt or maybe loving Zac Brown Band more easily. On the bright side, one could even spend their Sunday evening rocking out to a live performance of The Killers. Whatever motive music aficionados have for attending KAABOO, let it be the most eventful ‘mix-perience’ yet.