UTOPiAfest | The best little festival in Texas

UTOPiAfest is a like a special secret of goodness that you can re-discover annually.  This UTOPiAfest 2015 review offers you a small peak into this wonderful experience.

UTOPiAfest 2015 Review

Check out this quick video of highlights that was Edited by Regan Wheeler:

For the past seven years the remote, 1,000 acre, Four Sisters Ranch has shared their land with a capped attendance of 2,000 lucky people. The festival’s setting—a natural amphitheater of Texas hill country– is perfect for camping, outdoor activities and music.

“We believe an ideal music festival should be experience-centered. One set in beautiful, natural surroundings where the positive energy from the land is palpable” -Travis Sutherland

UTOPiAfest 2015 Review | Activities, Art and People

You are welcome to enjoy certain freedoms at UTOPiAfest that you simply don’t get at other music festivals. There are places to explore. You can roam almost anywhere you choose. Parking and camping are free. You can bring your own food and drink or buy prepared food from vendors.

There are numerous physical and/or educational activities to choose from at no additional cost. Take a bike ride or play a round of disc golf before your next workshop or yoga class.

“The overall friendly, family, wholesome, and hospitable vibe is a true reflection of Texas.” -Travis Sutherland

UTOPiAfest weaves the perfect balance between a party and a family friendly atmosphere. Camp with your kids in the designated area for families. Children’s activities keep them excited throughout the weekend. All the friendly party people simply carry on.

“The experience should be accessible to all ages, and enjoyed with your whole family. You should never have to feel crowded or wait unreasonably long in a line. We believe you should be able to bring your own beer and cook your own food. We aim to provide a festival that is seamless, effortless, and timeless.” -Travis Sutherland

You will see many different types of people along with a broad range of age groups (most are in their 20’s). The main thing that connects everyone is the desire to hear good music in a beautiful place.

Awesome sponsor REI Co-op provided mountain bike tours.

UTOPiAfest offers a top tier Disc Golf experience designed for first timers, while offering challenges to veterans.

The Warrior pose. Another great UTOPiAfest sponsor was Yoga-yoga in Austin.

A more advanced Yoga pose.

Free build your own sunglasses from REI.

Play games or relax under a shade canopy provided by REI.

Kid friendly.

REI members were treated to shower tokens and other goodies.

Shade canopy provided by Red Bull.

Best Camp totem according to Utopiafest 2015 Review.

UTOPiAfest 2015 Review | Lineup

UTOPiAfest 2015 featured over 20 musical acts with styles that varied from space glam to polyethnic cajun slamgrass, indie, electronic, and soul.

“There should be no music overlap—music bleed or hard choices between bands. There should be performances where the whole audience is absolutely attentive, engaged, and phoneless. At such a fest you can play a round of disc golf, attend a workshop or yoga class, or go on a bike ride before you see the first set.” -Travis Sutherland

Headliners for UTOPiAfest 2015 included Leftover Salmon, Explosions in the Sky, Of Montreal, RJD2, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, and the Tune-Yards.

My Friday Favorites, September 4, 2015

SPHYNX

Say what you will, SPHYNX knows how to entertain with style and grooves.  Now dance…

Todd Harris of SPHYNX on drums

Cory Dennis of SPHYNX, Vocals/Synths.

Aaron Miller of SPHYNX, vocals/guitars.

Cory “Can’t Stop” Dennis.

Todd “Might Stop” Harris.

Whipping long hair of Cory Dennis.

“Like queen, but with two Freddy Mercurys and also Phil Collins.”

Aaron “Won’t Stop” Miller.

Aaron Miller embodies psychedelic glam rock at its finest.

SPHYNX’s Cory Dennis delivers baritone.

The explosiveness of Todd Harris.

SPHYNX’s Aaron Miller.

Leftover Salmon

A polyethnic cajun slamgrass jam band.

Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon: acoustic guitar, vocals.

Drew Emmit of Leftover Salmon: mandolin, electric guitar, fiddle, vocals.

Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon: banjo, vocals.

Greg Garrison of Leftover Salmon: bass, vocals.

Alwyn Robinson of Leftover Salmon: drums.

Drew Emmit of Leftover Salmon: mandolin, electric guitar, fiddle, vocals.

Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon: acoustic guitar, vocals.

My Saturday Favorites, September 5, 2015

Holiday Mountain

Genre-bending, all-encompassing pop.

Zander Kagle / Laura Patino

Holiday mountain Laura Patino.

Zander Kagle of Holiday Mountain.

Laura Patino of Holiday Mountain.

Zander Kagle of Holiday Mountain.

Laura Patino of Holiday Mountain.

Performing artist Shesuz Heart (Crash Alchemy and Founder at Born2bnaked) almost stole the show.

Laura Patino of Holiday Mountain aoxoa utopiafest

Zander Kagle of Holiday Mountain.

Leftover Salmon

No recording can capture how great they sound live.

Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon: acoustic guitar, vocals.

Drew Emmit of Leftover Salmon: mandolin, electric guitar, fiddle, vocals.

Austin Fiddler Ruby Jane sits in with Leftover Salmon.

Greg Garrison of Leftover Salmon: bass, vocals.

Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon: banjo, vocals.

Alwyn Robinson of Leftover Salmon: drums.

Drew Emmit of Leftover Salmon: mandolin, electric guitar, fiddle, vocals.

Drew Emmit of Leftover Salmon: mandolin, electric guitar, fiddle, vocals.

Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon: acoustic guitar, vocals.

Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon: acoustic guitar, vocals.

My Sunday Favorites, September 6, 2015

Wild Child

Gypsy, Folk, Indie-pop style.

Alexander Beggins is the lead vocals, baritone ukulele for Wild Child

Kelsey Wilson is lead vocals, violin for Wild Child

Evan Magers on Keys with Wild Child

Matt Bradshaw on trumpet, banjo and harmonica

Kelsey Wilson of Wild Child

Drew Brunetti on drums for Wild Child.

Chris D’Annunzio of Wild Child plays bass.

Evan Magers on Keys with Wild Child

Sadie Wolfe on Cello for Wild Child.

Alexander Beggins of Wild Child

Kelsey Wilson of Wild Child

Matt Bradshaw of Wild Child.

RJD2

Not only is it a rare sight to see someone spinning records but he uses 5 turntables.

Ramble Jon Krohn is RJD2.

Old school DJ RJD2 spins records.

RJD2 uses not 2 but up to 6 turntables. Impressive.

Yes, he has a wad of tissue in his nose. The show must go on.

While his techniques are old his output is in full color.

RDD2.

UTOPiAfest 2015 | Keep Utopia Beautiful

A special recognition to Keep Utopia Beautiful. Their volunteers kept the land clean, recycled your trash and provided an educational booth with free tools to keep your butts off the ground.

The organization Keep Utopia Beautiful is one of the smallest affiliates of Keep America Beautiful.  It is nice to go green and their efforts were greatly appreciated.

Claudia Rogers and the Keep Utopia Beautiful volunteers.

An Art Outside flyer on the ground.

Claudia Rogers of Keep Utopia Beautiful.

More UTOPiAfest Posts by AoxoA:

UTOPiAfest 2015 – Best Little Festival in Texas
UTOPiAfest 2014 | Review in Photos
Warpaint – All Female Band – Utopiafest 2014
Wild Child – An American Band
Kishi Bashi – Utopiafest 2014 – Review
Cold War Kids – Utopiafest 2014

UTOPiAfest Official Websites/Social Media

Website: http://www.utopiafest.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FMMFestival
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UTOPiAfest
Instagram: https://instagram.com/utopiafest

Share UTOPiAfest 2015 Review