Bonnie Prince Billy Leads DIO (Do It Ourselves) Fest Into Rad Territory (FESTIVAL RECAP)

There is a prevailing vibe that blows around the Manzanita, Oaks and Coastal Redwoods on the top of a mountain at a place called Camp Krem in a town called Boulder Creek on the central coast of California. At a festival called DIO (Do It Ourselves) Fest, that vibe is rad. It’s not just that the vibe is rad, it’s that everything about what happens in that forest, beneath those trees at that place and in that town is rad. The smiles are rad, the hugs are rad, the camping is rad and the music is absolutely rad. “Rad” stops being an adjective up there and it becomes a full on ethos. It’s just expected that you’re rad and that the people you interact with will be rad and it all stems from the reason that people find their way to that place. It’s not an easy trip but it is worth it. And when you arrive, you’re suddenly part of something bigger than yourself or your friends or even the music. All of that is normal music festival stuff (which is great!) but DIO transcends that because, when it all comes down, the reason everyone is there is to raise money for a camp that serves developmentally disabled kids and adults that come to Camp Krem Summer after Summer to enjoy a week free of judgment and simple outdoor camping fun. The festival has supported Camp Krem in its mission now for five years and they do an absolutely fantastic job.

This might be the most laid back festival in the state. That doesn’t mean that a year’s worth of hard work and planning does not go into each annual production, but when it all comes together, then it’s just together and people do their thing. The smiles take over, the hugs get big and the camping gets comfortable. The musical line-up is not on the scope of a big corporate festival, its not even on the scope of a High Sierra Music Festival but these bands are unique, strong, and vibey as hell. This year boasted Bonnie Prince Billy, Possessed By Paul James, Sky Country, Rushad, The Sandies, MAJYK, Dan Juan, Hanna Haas, The Naked Bootleggers, and Royal Jelly Jive and Marty O’Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra joined forces to create a mind-melting band called Soul Jelly. And these were just a few of the bands that played over the course of the weekend. Many of these bands were local to the central coast and that gave the days of music a home feel where Big Sur headiness mingled with Santa Cruz reality.

The longest distance award had to have gone to Konrad Wert who played an incredibly memorable Possessed By Paul James sunset set on Saturday. The theme of the set hit on all the right points. Konrad, a special education teacher by day, travels all around the country playing music and speaking to the importance of special education and never forgetting about those that society, unfortunately, often leaves on the margins. It was a tone that fit with the surroundings and the Camp Krem mission and those musical moments were felt keenly and welcomed with tears and smiles.

Lagunitas Brewing Company kept the weekend’s base buzz well fueled and festivarians never really wanted for food. There was a DIO kitchen as well amazing fish tacos served up by Halibut 4 Humanity late into the night.

And that was that. It was set after set of fine music, smile after smile and high five after high five. If you’re interested in next year, remember to like “Do It Ourselves Presents” on Facebook and be ready for ticket announcements as only five hundred are sold each year as those that know this festival know that the best year yet is coming up and they don’t miss it!

 

 

Related Content

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

New to Glide

Keep up-to-date with Glide

Twitter