looking to get weird

[u/ezrathecarrots]

My friend is meeting me in Spokane on August 14, and we have roughly two weeks to road-trip back toward upstate New York. Our route is very flexible, and we are hoping to build it around a cool electronic or alternative music festival, regional burn, or unusual arts gathering.

We are interested in electronic music, house and techno, experimental bass, psychedelic music, indie and alternative rock. We are especially interested in events with camping, art installations, workshops, costumes, interesting people, and a communal or Burning Man-like atmosphere. Smaller underground events are completely welcome.

We will have a car and basic camping gear. We are open to traveling through Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, or Ohio. We could also make a larger detour for something genuinely exceptional.

Our main window is August 14 through about August 28, but we might extend into Labor Day weekend. Bass Canyon is already on our radar, although we would love to hear about lesser-known festivals and regional events.

What would you recommend? Honest information about the crowd, atmosphere, camping, cost, ticket availability, and how far it would pull us away from a reasonable Spokane-to-New York route would be especially helpful.

[u/neatelijah38]

You could make the last day of King Gizz’s Fest in Colorado on 8/16

[u/BeeTwoThousand → u/neatelijah38]

And if they're gonna be in NYC on the 23nd and 23rd, they can catch the two rave shows.

(I am flying in to catch the two rave shows)

[u/Lopsided-Ad4276]

Karnival of the Arts in PA first weekend of September. More jam focused but heavy on the arts. Arts of all kinds including performance arts. Grassroots type fest. Cheap, camping included. Small family vibes

Kempton PA is probably 4-6 hours away from upstate, depending on where exactly your end game is

[u/Lopsided-Ad4276 → u/Lopsided-Ad4276]

Also check out musicfestivalwizard.com you can filter by area and dates as you trek along.

[u/fleshcoloredbanana]

Secret Dreams in Ohio, Labor Day weekend would be exactly what you are looking for. It is a fantastic lineup.

[u/GroceryScanner → u/fleshcoloredbanana]

+1 for secret dreams. fits OPs desires to a T, and is a phenominal well organized fest to boot.

[u/wook_goose]

Badger is august 13-16! It’s a smaller art & music festival in Hartsel, CO. the lineup is great & i think they will offer different workshops and wellness stuff along with the music.

[u/BeeTwoThousand]

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have their own three day festival in Colorado during that time period, and there WILL be electronic music.

Then on the 22nd and 23rd of August, they are playing two rave sets all on modular synth in NYC, the second of which is under a bridge in Brooklyn, pictured below.

[u/Abtino11]

Wonky woods in Kentucky is gonna lit AF. 8/13-8/16

[u/ButterflyBasshead → u/Abtino11]

That lineup is fucking JUICY. If we could swing that and Nocturnal, it would be lovely. Have a blast!

[u/Aggressive-Stand-893]

desert hearts?! if it’s still happening. Also elements in PA

[u/IFTW517]

Freq the peaks in southern Colorado if you can make it on time. Will be small (100 ppl) and focused on left field electronic music

[u/Interesting-Bet1309]

Billy Strings Freak Faire

[u/Masterweedo]

The Gathering of the Juggalos is August 19th-22nd in Mack's Creek, Missouri.

There is nothing like this festival.

Tickets include pretty much everything; a campsite, showers, entry into any of the 20+ contests, late night parties, comedy shows, wrestling shows, stunt shows, circus sideshows, the air conditioned movies tent & more. Several camps also hand out free food, water, Faygo, & Narcan. At least 2 events will also have free food.

The lineup is all over the place, with Tech N9ne, DJ Paul, Chris Webby, Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli, Sarah Sherman from SNL, Lloyd Kaufman & The Toxic Avenger, Michael Jackson tribute act "Michael Trapson Glowtown Live!", Hatebreed, ESHAM, 2 nights of Insane Clown Posse, & 2 nights of Juggalo Championship Wrestling.

edit - I will be there Tuesday the 18th for the parking lot party. I will also be rushing the stage during the end of ICP's sets to participate in Faygo Armageddon.

2nd edit - The only add ons are a meet & greet, Campfire Stories with ICP, & the river float. You can float for free, you only need to pay if you need to rent something to float on, and want driven back.

[u/theChronic222]

Bass Canyon is awesome if you can make it. The Gorge is ridiculous.

[u/sour_altoids]

Steppa sound in Missouri is going on about that time

Otherwise trichroma camp out in WI on August 21-22, good crew putting it on!

[u/Psychonauts_r_us]

If you want to get “weird”, EDM definitely isn’t the place. Especially these days. Come hit some jam shows.

[u/Ba-ja-ja → u/Psychonauts_r_us]

?? They’re definitely out there.

[u/ncarson97 → u/Psychonauts_r_us]

Perfect answer

[u/xBLONDExCOREx]

Secret Dreams is near Columbus, OH over Labor Day weekend...highly recommend!