The Music
The line up features talented artists who are not (yet) household names. Most likely you won't hear these artists on the radio, or see them at other major festivals. We showcase up & coming, white hot, have-to-see-them-now-before-they-get-big type of roster, with artists that are still hungry, honing their craft, and creating unique, original sounds. Artists who have performed at JTMF, then gone on to successful music careers include Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Elle King, the Avett Brothers, Brett Dennen, John Butler Trio, Trombone Shorty, Deer Tick, Trampled by Turtles, Chicano Batman, Railroad Earth, Orgone, Valerie June, Greensky Bluegrass and more. Sprinkle in a few Grammy Award winners and nominees (La Santa Cecilia, Dave Alvin, Kinky, Fareed Haque, Nortec Collective, John Butler) some Rock & Roll Hall of Famers (Bernie Worrell, Dick Dale, Eric Burdon, Robbie Krieger), and some World Music luminaries (Dakhabrakha, Khaira Arby, Gaudi, Wunmi, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, Vieux Farka Toure, John Butler Trio, Nortec Collective, Kinky, and Kraak & Smaak) for good measure. Now add New Orleans Funk & Rollers (Ivan Nevilles' Dumpstaphunk, Porter Batiste Stoltz, Trombone Shorty, Henry Butler, Papa Mali, Rhythm Council, Zydepunks, Bonerama), Jam-Tronic Innovators & Heavyweights (The Slip, Ghostland Observatory, JJ Grey, the New Deal, Garaj Mahal, Heavyweight Dub Champion, Zilla, Toubab Krewe, Railroad Earth, Lotus, Particle), and Electronic Sonic Mavens (Floozies, Dynohunter, Gaudi, Nickodemus, Marques Wyatt, Adam Freeland, Mark Farina, Stanton Warriors, and Ursula 1000) to realize the diversity our rosters.
The Location
The Joshua Tree Lake Campground (Joshua Tree, CA) is home to JTMF. Nestled against the Copper Mountains, bordering BLM land, with sweeping views of the otherworldly National Park, this 40 acre, privately owned venue is an ideal locale for this intimate festival. This site features plenty of space in the campground, hot showers & RV hook-ups, and camping is a short stroll from the lake area and music bowl. Two stages, a world market, and organic food purveyors complete the circle that is the music bowl. Live music alternates continuously on two stages in one area so you don't miss a beat. More than 35,000 square feet of shade cloth flies over head for comfort. The one acre oval lake area is surrounded by amazing Visual Art installations, Kidsville, Playshops, the shaded Yoga & Healing Stage, shady nooks, and funky vignettes. Situated in the town of Joshua Tree, which is located in the high desert of the magical Mojave, it is 50 minutes from Palm Springs, 2.5 hours from LA, 3 from San Diego, 3.5 from Vegas, and 5 from Phoenix.