Reflections on a First Forest

It’s a little embarrassing to admit, considering my role in this publication, but I have been to very few music festivals.

Last year’s Hinterland was the first proper camping music festival I had attended. With a heat index of more than 100 degrees with little to no wind and an outrageously oversold crowd, it was quite the introduction into the festival scene.

This year I was excited to check out a place close to the hearts of so many, especially those on the Darkroom Music team. Creative Director and Photojournalist Eric and West Coast Correspondent Devin (metaphorically) held my hands and led me into the Forest.

The drive from Wisconsin to Rothbury was uneventful, which is always a plus for a road trip. After hours on the road we drove down Highway 31 leading to Double JJ Resort. That last stretch of the highway is beautifully lined with trees. It creates its own space, welcoming us to the nature around us and at our destination.

It had been raining off and on and was starting to come down a bit more as we drove to our campsite Wednesday afternoon but quickly cleared up so we could set up our tent, pop-up, makeshift living room and kitchen. Especially on our first day in Rothbury, we weren’t going to let a little rain ruin our fun.

After setting up our campsite we wandered around Main Street, which had everything from food and shopping vendors to an event space called the Brainery, coffee pop-up shop, and even a salon.

The first event on our schedule was The Great Bingo Revival hosted by the Reverend Rusty Reams. This was a particular favorite for many festival-goers so I brought my trusty orange dauber and matching visor for the occasion. 

The bingo itself did not disappoint in dramatics or entertainment. Reverend Rusty Reams kept an impressive dialogue on the game going as he called out letters and numbers, gave shout-outs to his DJ and the dancers, and would regularly shout out a booming “BINGO!” while throwing bingo packets into the audience.

As the night wore on the rain that had been off and on came back in a steady, heavy stream. We made our wet trek back to the campsite, ready to rest up for our first full day in the forest.

Unfortunately, I am not the type of person who can easily sleep in for hours. My internal clock is strong and persistent. While the festival grounds did not open until 2 p.m. every day, Main Street was open 24/7 from 7 p.m. Tuesday until 4 p.m. on Monday and had much to offer with events in The Brainery like yoga, narcan training, and pottery.

We started out Thursday with a different incredible option, drag brunch, hosted by Michigan’s own Betty J Madison.

We enjoyed lip-syncing, live singing, and dance and pole performances. Not only were the performers talented, beautiful, and charismatic, they did it all in heels on grass on a warm day.

As someone who packed for comfort, I was impressed and delighted with the many fun, creative outfits and makeup worn by the queens, festival-goers, and the actors in the Forest.

Betty herself even made a joke about getting queens to camp and perform outside. Yet that seems to be the magic of the festival, it makes things that might otherwise be a hindrance obsolete.

After drag brunch we were charged up for the day. We went back to camp, got our bags ready, and when the time came, entered the Forest.

My first impression was, “How big is this place?” I was especially grateful that I was with two people who were familiar with the festival and getting around. The first couple of days I had no idea where I was going, where it was in relation to anything, or how to navigate myself back.

The Electric Forest app has an interactive map so it is quite simple to find your way around. I, however, am particularly bad at directions and following maps. Even ones that have a little bubble showing where you are as you’re walking along.

Thursday was for exploring, which one can do for hours in the Forest. I had seen photos of the festival before, but being there is something completely different.

There is magic and power in nature, and it was felt there. The music mixed with laughter and excitement, the art installations, the themed stages and the trees.

We passed many hammocks throughout the festival, lying back, listening to great music, looking through the leaves up into the sky. A pocket of bliss, one of many that were found in the Forest.

In between getting acquainted with the space, we caught amazing performances by Justice, Dombresky, BALTHVS, Seth David and Smoakland, and Haute & Freddy, among others. While the weekend featured a bass music-leaning lineup, there was still a little something for everyone.

By the end of the night I was happy, content, and exhausted. Just about every night I was the first one at the campsite and passed out before anyone else came back. As the weekend wore on I was able to sleep a little better and stay up a little later.

The festival can be physically taxing with all the walking and dancing, it provides a mental and emotional openness and clarity. I watched every day as people helped each other, connected with each other, helped nature by cleaning up after themselves and enjoying the moment.

It felt like a respite from the usual grievances and annoyances of everyday life. That’s not to say that people don’t have bad days or bad moments in the Forest, but they are far and few in between.

Festival-goers brought their best, most authentic selves to trade kandi (beaded bracelets), hand out trinkets, take turns, and live in the moment.

Living in a time and a country where it seems everyone is at odds and trying their best to hurt each other, Electric Forest is a place where we aren’t caught in the crossfire. Many times throughout the festival I saw people in deep, emotional embraces, strangers connecting and forming unique bonds. 

The people are a big part of the magic of the Forest, but the performers help breathe life into the space. From the dragon-framed Tripolee stage, the impressive graphics of Sherwood Court to the Dolly Parton-coded Grand Artique, the festival was filled with energy and talent.

British-Jamaican Nia Archives took to Sherwood Court on Friday, bringing jungle, drum and bass that got us on our feet and dancing. She was not afraid to use the stage and have fun.

From singing along to the music and dancing, she engaged the music and in turn, her audience, drawing us into her infectious energy.

Other standouts from Friday were Arushi Jain who brought her training in classical Indian music paired with her background at the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics at Stanford, creating an unexpected mix that felt just right. Jain showed us that the worlds of arts and STEM are complementary.

Later that day we had to catch nimino, whose popular song “I Only Smoke When I Drink” could be heard throughout the campgrounds all weekend. The 2024 viral hit, popularized by the Claptone remix, has opened doors and venues for the talented DJ.

The rest of the weekend provided more opportunities for amazing music. The String Cheese Incident, called the “Muse of Electric Forest,” performed several times throughout the weekend, including their Saturday Shebang.

The Knocks and Dragonette put on an entertaining show. Between Martina Sorbara of Dragonette’s vocals, The Knocks’ mixing, and backup dancers, we were given a show to remember. Dragonette played all her hits, starting with the ever popular “Hello.” The big stages weren’t the only places to enjoy great music.

The staff talent showcase provided opportunities for staff to show off their DJing and other musical skills. The Grand Artique provided a more intimate ambience for performers like The Wandering Menstruals, the group self-described as folk meets feminism played both covers and original songs.

At Electric Forest people provided the heart, music provided the soul, and nature provided the ambience. But what else is there? Art. Throughout the festival grounds there is so much to look at, interact with, and experience.

As an adult I love spaces where I can play, and at Electric Forest you can play. I completed the scavenger hunt hosted by the Time Travel Agency which took me all around the forest solving puzzles. I opened every fairy house I could find, finding treasures and leaving some of my own.

The Dream Emporium provided an ultimate playground. There was a room for roller skating, wrestling, standing on clouds and playing with cardboard. The Dream Emporium contained hidden rooms and secret performances. The Forest invites one to explore and how can one refuse?

As all good things do, Electric Forest came to a close. I spent Sunday wandering, catching bits of performances, but mostly soaking in the last few hours of magic.

I enjoyed the Forest in the dark, the projections on the art pieces, the lights in the trees, the buzz of energy. I wanted to experience my favorite areas of the Forest and food (shout-out to Spicy Pie’s vegan pizza!) once more.

I felt both that I had seen and experienced everything I could and that I had barely scratched the surface. Electric Forest is the type of festival that people go to year after year, building community and making memories.

During my time there I started to understand what the magic was all about and, in the end, I brought a little bit of it home with me. Until next year, Happy Forest.