Among all the festivals I’ve experienced, one stands out as particularly transformative: Lightning in a Bottle.
Your first festival or rave is an unforgettable experience, but my first Lightning in a Bottle at Buena Vista Lake in Kern County, California was something truly special. It shaped me on a personal level, and as I prepare to return, it feels almost like fate intervened to provide me with exactly what I needed at that moment.
That’s the magic of festivals and the community surrounding them, particularly at LIB. You arrive with your current state of mind and leave with so much more, making the world outside feel lighter and brighter.
From my camping crew to the music and shared experiences, the weekend was truly magical.
During that time, I was struggling with the impending end of a long-term relationship. In fact, I had a fight with my partner just a week prior to LIB, and we almost decided against going. I won’t delve into the details of our arguments, but I can say that my emotional state was low, and I was yearning for external validation while feeling disconnected from my sense of self.
However, when the universe has plans for you, it often finds a way, and my destined experience began in 2021 at a Santa Barbara venue while watching OPIUO. I met Edwin that night after complimenting his unique mask, which he designed himself (shout out to Reawakened Designs!).
After that encounter, we kept in touch, and when we learned we were both going to LIB, he invited me to join his camp, which would later lead to fantastic friendships in and out of the rave community.
A group chat was created leading up to the festival. My friend planned to drive with another friend, and they were connected to multiple groups, which made for a chaotic but exciting caravan plan into the festival. From our initial messages to our first in-person meeting, it was clear we were an entertaining and lively group.
Embrace the moment, and don’t let life hold you back.
I’ll admit, I struggled to be fully present when we first arrived at camp. Attending a festival while nearing the end of a relationship is no easy task. While I enjoyed the time spent with my soon-to-be ex, it’s important to mention my emotional state as I entered LIB.
After setting up camp and pregaming, we ventured into the festival grounds to hit the lake. I remember passing The Giving Tree Art Car and being amazed by its beauty. Some friends from our camp brought paddle boards, and we took turns floating around on sloth and unicorn floaties. As the day went on, I felt myself relaxing more and embracing the experience.
Our group was energetic and fun, and we made it a priority to catch OPIUO and High Step Society, but it became less about the specific sets and more about wandering and soaking in the festival’s sights.
From stumbling into the Grand Artique for a poi light show to dancing wildly at Martian Circus, the weekend was filled with adventures. Cooking, laughing, and bonding at our campsite felt incredibly special. Our group chat still thrives today, and some of my most cherished friendships blossomed from that weekend. We’ve gone on road trips to Red Rocks, attended shows in LA, and Edwin even hosts backyard movie nights now and then.
Beyond my camp, I encountered numerous synchronistic moments. For instance, while walking back to my campsite, I heard someone call out, “Is that Danae?!” I discovered my friend Jessica, who I’ve grown close to since LIB, was camped right next to us. She’s a stylist with incredible rave fashion. As the night progressed, I witnessed her transformation into what I can only describe as a grandmother wook moth lady goddess, a memory I’ll cherish forever.
Another memorable moment came when I was floating on my inflatable sloth, only to be unexpectedly bumped into by a high school friend I hadn’t seen in years. What are the odds?
Wandering the festival alone was another highlight. I rushed to see Max Cooper and was moved to tears when he played “Perpetual Motion.” I also made sure to catch Four Tet, as I never miss his performances.
Other favorites included singing along to Glass Animals—a band close to my heart—going wild for LSDREAM and CloZee, and catching one of my all-time favorites, UM…, at The Stacks. A particularly special moment for me was experiencing LIGHTCODE by LSDREAM; it was my first breathwork session, and it brought me to tears—a release I can’t put into words.
Life goes on, so keep dancing.
When the opportunity to cover the festival presented itself, I hesitated due to ongoing life challenges. However, after encouragement from friends and coming across a video on Instagram of someone attending Coachella despite life’s hurdles, I felt the universe nudging me that this is what I needed right now.
If you’ve read this far, thank you for taking this journey down memory lane with me. As I write this, my life isn’t perfectly aligned with my plans, but the meaningful friendships I formed at and beyond LIB, my resurgence of self-confidence, and my commitment to self-love have made dealing with the real world much more manageable. I’ve even camped solo at festivals like Nocturnal Wonderland and drove alone to EDC Las Vegas last year. I genuinely believe that my first LIB contributed to my newfound bravery and confidence.
If you’re feeling weighed down by life right now, remember that you are not alone, even if it feels that way. And if you’re contemplating attending a festival, especially LIB, I urge you to go for it—for yourself. If a festival isn’t feasible, seek local venues, promoters, and shows. Whatever you do, don’t stop dancing or smiling, as there’s so much life to be lived, especially on the dancefloor.
