On Burning Man 2016 And The Evolution Of Festival Culture
Thirty years ago, Burning Man was a festival associated with “radical self-expression” that took place in the shadow of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and ended with the ritualistic symbolic burning of a large wooden effigy-as-man. In 2016, Burning Man is a destination on Instagram near Reno, Nevada where from August 28-September 5, the likes of Paris Hilton and 70,000 of her friends partied on-board a jet-plane as art installation, Jack U played Billboard pop hits, and yes, they still burned a wooden man. Somewhere in the middle of this insanity there’s a lesson about what happens when underground things become mainstream fads because everyone loves a good, cool party that it seems like nobody else is attending.
Burning Man has existed for 30 years, but it was ultimately the festival’s close alignment with mid-2000s leading indie-to-pop cultural staples of electronic music and festivals as communal experiences that arguably put it over-the-top. Over the past weekend, Burning Man’s attendance reached a 40% surge in the past five years. That’s roughly 70,000% growth in the festival’s 30-year history, so it’s probably as good of a time as any to sit down and consider how movements develop and when it’s time to start doing something new.
Getting angry about Burning Man “not being for the scene” anymore is arguably fruitless. From disco to old-school rap, scenes evolve over time, as people, places and economics “conspire” to open culture up to society-at-large. These evolutions welcome in people who bring their unique human backgrounds into what are ideally supposed to be “shared cultural spaces.” Whenever “sharing” occurs, there’s a balance that must be achieved. Of course, when that balance is between wealth and “free-thinking,” the idea that wealth allows for free-thinking to include so much of what we saw at Burning Man 2016, stories like that of a “fancy camp” founded by the son of a Russian billionaire being ransacked make sense.
There’s been recent discussion of moving the Burning Man Festival out of the Nevada desert because of festival taxes being levied by the state of Nevada. If Burning Man were still all about free-thinking hippies on a beach, that’d be a problem. However, confusing what Burning Man originally was with what it is right now is like comparing a McDonald’s Big Mac to a steak dinner at The Palm. In Burning Man 2016 being far more of the latter and less of the former, the idea of taxing the wealth-positive festival makes sense.
Here’s an intriguing solution. Maybe it’s time for the OG burners to head, as VICE suggested in 2015, to Utah. In June 2016, Burning Man’s organizers purchased the 3,800 square foot Fly Ranch in Washoe County, Nevada in order to build year-round Burning Man-style infrastructure. While for some this may seem like an ideal solution for those looking to get away from the growing crowd in Black Rock City, heading to Utah instead could be a winning plan.
In the 2015 Vice piece, Burning Man’s CEO Marian Goodell notes that the Nevada taxes has made the festival’s organizers “ look longingly towards Utah or any other state that might not have levied that.” However, when Goodell also notes, “[w]e have watched the change in the type of people that come to Burning Man, and we’re not gonna get in front of certain things and force issues. We are gonna nurture the process so we all get the best results. Burning Man is an experiment in temporary community, and we’re the stewards of that process,” is it also a nod to potentially taking things elsewhere? When she continues to note that at 2015’s festival may be the most important sign that times have changed and that the festival’s culture may need to evolve:
“I was one of the people who was awakened at 3 in the morning by the sound of thumping music. My trailer was vibrating! Several of us came out, shocked, and couldn’t understand, even though I’ve been doing this for 19 years. We got in the cart and went out and it was an tart car facing its speakers towards the camp. It was past the man and it woke me!”
Again, in 2016, Burning Man was a destination on Instagram near Reno, Nevada where from August 28-September 5, the likes of Paris Hilton and 70,000 of her friends partied on-board a jet-plane as art installation, and ultimately, given how change occurs and things evolve, that’s okay. In looking to discover how to preserve a Burning Man that’s more about good music, good vibes and hanging out on a beach as a wooden man burns, maybe it’s time to think about Utah, and that’s okay, too.
David Guetta: 3.4.16 at Echostage
Glow Washington DC Presents:
David Guetta
March 4, 2016 | Doors 9pm | Ages 18+
Echostage • 2135 Queens Chapel Rd NE • Washington, DC
VIP and Venue Information – 202.503.2330
David Guetta makes his return to Echostage on March 4!
Summer Concerts in DC
Summer has finally arrived and DC! The best time of year for outdoor concerts, stadium-packed shows, and serious summer lineups. This summer is on pace to be one of the most epic so far: Foo Fighters, Nicki Minaj, the Moonrise Festival, and so much more. Better start budgeting your Summer cash now, because you are probably going to want to see all of these. And by probably, I mean definitely.
Third Eye Blind and Dashboard Confessional
When: June 17, 2015
Where: Peir 6 Pavilion
Tickets: Ticketfly
Tell the angst-ridden teen in you that is freaking out over this to take a couple of deep breaths and then reassure them that yes: this is indeed real. The emo royals who once ruled your AIM profile (don’t lie) and sang about “screaming infidelities” is reuniting for the first time in 5 years with none other than Third Eye Blind. Need I say more?
Panda Funk
ft. Dirty Audio, Deorro, Zoo Funktion, and Iez
When: June 26, 2015
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Wantickets
“What good is art if no one gets to enjoy it?” Excellent question, Deorro. Panda Funk, lead by Deorro himself, is a west coast record label that prides itself on discovering new artists and letting them explore their capabilities. They aim to keep music as authentic and real as possible, and their show this summer at Echostage should prove to any skeptics just what they’re about.
Foo Fighters 20th Anniversary Blowout
When: July 7, 2015
Where: RFK Stadium
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Saying that this is a concert of colossal proportions would still be putting it mildly. To celebrate their 20th anniversary as one of the greatest, most influential rock bands alive (not to mention the coolest – have you ever read an interview with Dave Grohl? What a guy), the band is bringing together many of the groundbreaking American acts featured in their HBO docuseries, Sonic Highways: Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., Heart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, LL Cool J feat. DJ Z-Trip – the list just goes on.
In the words of Wayne and Garth: We’re not worthy!
Taylor Swift
When: July 13-14, 2015
Where: Nationals Park
Tickets: Tickets.com
Leave a blank space in your calendar open! It’s time to party like it’s 1989! If you can’t make it one day, shake it off because there’s a second show!
I’ll stop.
But in all seriousness, my girl T-Swift deserves some credit: Her last album shattered the sales of whatever it was Justin Beiber put out and that is something everyone can get on board with. She’s also broken a few Guinness records that haven’t been touched (or realized) since the pre-Napster and mp3 days when TRL was the deciding factor of who achieved platinum status (#throwback #missyouCarson #rememberwhenDiddyranonthattreadmill?). And she’s coming to DC’s beloved Nationals Park.
Adventure Club
When: July 17, 2015
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Wantickets
The Montreal duo started out as a pop-punk band, but after getting bored they switched to the high energy dubstep genre of EDM, generating their initial fan base with a remix of Brand New’s “Daisy”. Taking influence from Echostage veterans such as Tiesto, Skrillex, and Flux Pavillion, Adventure Club’s high energy Christian Srigley and Leighton James are no strangers to the festival circuit: appearing at both EDC Vegas and Ultra Miami in the past few years – their DC show will most definitely be worth checking out.
Nicki Minaj
When: July 22, 2015
Where: Jiffy Lube Live
Tickets: Live Nation
Nicki Minaj’s The Pinkprint Tour hits Jiffy Lube Live this July, bringing special guests Meek Mill, Rae Sremmurd, Tenashe, and Dej Loaf with her. If the trap/rap/pop mix on her December ’14 album is any indication of this tour’s direction, it’ll definitely be a rager on pace with the over-the-top style and attitude we’ve all come to know and love.
Flo Rida
When: July 24, 2015
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Southern rapper Flo Rida makes his Echostage debut this July following his October 2014 EP release My House. Having performed and worked with artists such as DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, and, of course, T-Pain (a collab which resulted in a Grammy win for “Low”), this show is sure to be a blowout. Tables and tickets are still available for now, but will more than likely sell out soon. If you want to be a part of this party, I’d get on it quick.
Milky Chance
When: July 27, 2015
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Ticketmaster
The German duo Milky Chance are quickly rising to fame with their laid-back blend of slinky dance beats, acoustic details, and soulful vocals. Their hit single “Stolen Dance” came out in 2013, but didn’t catch on stateside until late 2014. When it did, though, the song shot to #39 on the Billboard Top 100 in just a few short weeks. Still not sold? Give “Down by the River” and “Flashed Junk Mind” a listen, I dare you to not immediately purchase tickets.
Moonrise Festival
When: August 8-9, 2015
Where: Pimlico Race Course
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Oh. Shit.
It’s back: two days of the best music Glow DC has to offer – which, coming from the people who put the #2 club in the country on the map, is a whole lot. Think Coachella just for EDM, but Coachella in it’s pre-commercialized golden days when it was more about the music and less about who was in attendance wearing godknowswhat (although, to be honest, the fashion will probably still be pretty awesome). Not as awesome as the acts themselves, though: check ClubGlow.com for lineup announcements leading up to the big day.
J. Cole
with special guests Big Sean, Jeremih, and YG
When: August 9, 2015
Where: Jiffy Lube Live
Tickets: Ticketmonster
J. Cole brings his Forest Hills Drive tour to VA this Summer, accompanied by hiphop artist Big Sean, contemporary R&B singer Jeremih, and Compton rapper YG (you may recognize those last two from the radio-regular earworm “Don’t Tell ‘Em”). Approved and promoted by Jay-Z, J. Cole has been known to put on a energetic, diverse show: blending rap with jazz, R&B, funk, and neo soul with a love of storytelling. If anything, you should go to this purely for the “I heard it first” bragging rights – Billboard is predicting big things for guy’s future.
Twenty One Pilots
with special guest Echosmith
When: September 8-9, 2015
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Anyone who has lived in the DMV area knows that September still counts as Summer, so finish yours off with a show that has been selling so well and so fast they added a second night. Animated indie-rockers Twenty-One Pilots mix elements of hip hop, hard rock, and pop into performances that have consistently left fans wanting more. Bonus: Echosmith is their special guest. Be there and be like the cool kids (zing!).
For more shows, updates, and other DCClubbing events: visit our Event Calendar and our friends at Club Glow and Echostage!
Armin Van Buuren: 9.24.15 at Echostage
Glow Washington DC presents:
Armin Van Buuren
September 24, 2015
2135 Queens Chapel Road NE • Washington, DC
For more than 15 years, the Grammy-nominated Dutchman has been living to the rhythm of his own international success. His 5-time number one position in the critically acclaimed DJ Mag Top 100 poll has been the result of his loyalty to fans, his creativity in the studio, the perseverance with which he hosts his weekly radio show ‘A State of Trance’, and the energy he brings to the crowds in front of him. Despite the heavy pressure that comes along with being one of the world’s most popular DJs, Armin has always kept his focus on the music. And that’s exactly what keeps him going.
Echoversary: 9.18.15 + 9.19.15
Glow Washington DC presents:
Echoversary
Celebrating 3 Years of Echostage
September 18-19, 2015
2135 Queens Chapel Road NE • Washington, DC
Join us in celebration as we commemorate 3 amazing years at Echostage with a two-night blowout featuring Tchami, Bingo Players, and Henry Fong! Check back for updates on what is sure to be an epic September lineup!
Life In Color: 9.12.15 at RFK Stadium
Life in Color “The World’s Largest Paint Party” Presents:
The 2015 Big Bang Tour
The Creation Of Color
Washington D.C
Saturday September 12, 2015
RFK Stadium | 2400 E Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003
The world’s largest paint party is back again on September 12: T-Mobile and Glow Washington DC present Life In Color!
Featuring Adventure Club, Seven Lions, and Jaul!!
Miami, FL – June 2, 2015 — Life in Color today announced the dates and locations of Phase 2 of the “Big Bang – The Creation of Color” World Tour. Stops include Ibiza, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Lima, Colombia, Honduras, and many more. Life in Color capped off a stellar 2014 with their two-day Life In Color Miami Festival that brought in over 50,000 attendees and dumped 20,000+ gallons of paint on partiers. Pushing strong into 2015, it’s all about “New Year, New Hues”.
For the US portion of the tour, Life in Color announced T-Mobile as the title sponsor and T-Mobile customers attending these events in the US will receive special perks starting with the Atlanta/Marietta show on August 29th. T-Mobile has been working with SFX Entertainment for over a year to support live music experiences. T-Mobile launched Music Freedom last year, which lets T-Mobile Simple Choice™ customers stream all the music they want on T-Mobile’s Data Strong™ network without hitting their high speed data buckets. At the “Big Bang – The Creation of Color” tour, premier experience areas and special moments throughout the show will be Un-leashed™ by T-Mobile, bringing fans an enhanced Life in Color experience. Stay tuned for more information! What is anticipated to be a 130 city tour in over 40 countries, Phase 1 is wrapped and Phase 2 is about to be underway. The US portion of Phase 2 kicks off in Kennesaw / Atlanta on August 29th and aims to answer the age-old question: How did color come to be? It’s an ambitious pursuit spanning all of 2015 that involves combing the country for the most rambunctious paint partiers in the universe, with help along the way from some of dance music’s most colorful characters. Fans can learn about the origins of paint through the almighty “Paint Factory,” which Life in Color Miami attendees will recognize as one of the festival’s massive structures. The stage will accompany the “Big Bang – The Creation of Color” tour on all its dates. So get your tickets to your city and prepare for the countdown to the BIG BANG!
Stay tuned for more lineup announcements!
Ruby Rose: 9.4.15 at Echostage
Glow Washington DC presents:
Ruby Rose
with Michael Woods
Friday September 4, 2015
2135 Queens Chapel Road NE • Washington, DC
Yes! The one and only Ruby Rose, who gained fame recently by appearing in the Netflix hit Orange is the New Black, is coming to Echostage on Friday September 4th for a full live DJ set with Michael Woods!
Many may not know that Rose has critical acclaim first and foremost as a DJ. In 2012 she released her first single with Gary Go and she’s continued performing between television and charity appearances ever since.
Tickets go on sale Friday July 31 at noon!
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More information | ClubGlow.com | Tickets on sale Friday 7/31 at 12pm!
DJ Snake: 8.15.15 at Echostage
Glow Washington DC presents:
DJ Snake
August 15, 2015
2135 Queens Chapel Road NE • Washington, DC
William Grigahcine, better known by his stage name DJ Snake, is a French DJ of Algerian descent, rapper and producer mixing hip hop and electronic music.
He is a Grammy-nominated producer and artist who debuted into the international scene with singles “Bird Machine” and “Turn Down for What” in 2013. “Bird Machine” is a collaboration with fellow French act Alesia. The single was picked up by Mad Decent, a Los Angeles-based record label run by Diplo, and released in February 2013. In June 2013, DJ Snake was invited by Diplo to do a live mix on his radio show, “Diplo & Friends”, which airs on BBC Radio 1.
He and Dillon Francis released “Get Low” on DJ Snake’s official YouTube page on February 10, 2014. On April 30, 2014, DJ Snake was labeled as an “Artist To Watch” by FoxWeekly.[11] DJ Snake and Dillon Francis were announced as alternating supporting artists for the summer Mothership Tour 2014 with Skrillex.
Moonrise Festival: August 8-9 at Pimlico Race Course
Glow Washington DC presents:
Moonrise Festival
Saturday August 8 – Sunday August 9, 2015
Pimlico Race Course | 5201 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215
Get Tickets Here
More information | ClubGlow.com | Moonrise Festival official website
Panda Funk: 6.26.15 at Echostage
Glow Washington DC presents:
Panda Funk
Dirty Audio | Deorro | Zoo Funktion | Iez
June 26, 2015
2135 Queens Chapel Road NE • Washington, DC
Panda Funk comes to Echostage this Summer! With special guests Dirty Audio, Deorro, Zoo Funktion, and Iez! Tickets on sale now!
