Joshua Tree Music Festival — the eclectic, immersive music, art and community experience — returns to the Mojave Desert for its twenty-second spring event May 16-19.
Adjacent to the magnificent Joshua Tree National Park, the four-day fest will feature up-and-coming and internationally known musicians; talented visual artists; yogis, healers, and bodyworkers; and food and craft vendors.
Like the people who attend the festival each year, this May’s music roster is vibrant and diverse. The lineup includes Grammy-winning funk-rock ‘n’ blues artist Fantastic Negrito, Brooklyn dance trio Moon Hooch, San Diego singer-songwriter/The Rugburns’ vocalist-guitarist Steve Poltz, and a cappella soulstress Madison McFerrin.
“Joshua Tree Music Festival has always been about pushing boundaries and celebrating the rich tapestry of music. This year’s lineup exemplifies our dedication to presenting artists who redefine genres and captivate the imagination,” says festival founder Barnett English.
For more than two decades, the festival has done a remarkable job of helping break emerging artists. Some of those who performed at the festival early in their careers and then went on to capture fame include The Avett Brothers, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Elle King, Trombone Shorty, Ghostland Observatory, Brett Dennen, and John Butler Trio.
“As a festival, we’ve always believed in the power of discovery. It’s incredibly rewarding to see artists who have graced our stage go on to make a significant impact in the music industry. This tradition continues with our May 2024 lineup,” English says.
Featuring 31 acts performing on four stages from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, the festival offers an eclectic array of musical genres and styles, from Atlanta funk octet Funk You and psychedelic dance band Spacehall Sound Machine to electro-pop duo Afrobeta and virtuosic sitarist Evan Hatfield. To give them an advance listen and discover your favorites, check out the official, 74-song May 2024 Spotify playlist.
In addition to all the great music, be sure to roam the grounds and explore all the festival has to offer, including:
Positive Vibration Station: where you’ll find everything from breath work to yoga to sound healing.
Sanctuary: a place for mindfulness talks, tea and song, storytelling, and more.
Queer Salon: a safe space for QTBIPOCC and LGBTQIAA+ featuring queer and trans art, performance, skills-share, and local resources.
Astro Mojo Dojo: The festival’s tea lounge and welcoming place for experiential learning, meditation, and connection.
Kidsville: rotating interactive activities for young ones, such as arts and crafts, face painting, puppet and magic shows.
Healing Oasis: a community of shamans, witches and therapists offering various healing modalities in a shaded space.
Visual Arts: showcased throughout the festival grounds via live painting, murals, interactive art installations, and at the festival art gallery.
Vendor Market: explore the selection of craft and artisan vendors and food and beverage purveyors in the Music Bowl.
The festival is an all-ages, family-friendly event. Four-day tickets, which include walk-in tent camping in the main campground, are $270 per adult and can be purchased here, along with kids and daily tickets. Vehicle passes, parking passes and early entry must be purchased separately, and there is plenty of local lodging for those who don’t prefer to camp onsite.
Donovan Roche, a San Diego-based writer/editor, has covered the music, entertainment, and arts scene for more than 30 years. Send your story ideas to droche17@cox.net.