Transport Back to Lightning in a Bottle Through Zach’s Lens

The dust has settled after another soul-enriching Lightning in a Bottle! Take a journey back to the festival with my photos.

Each passing edition of Lightning in a Bottle etches a deeper impact on my heart. With a winning combination of community, music, art, and passion, the ethos of Lightning in a Bottle set an inspiring tone for the weekend from the very beginning. In the end, I left feeling rejuvenated, grateful, and eager to take my renewed spirit back into the world.

Reflecting on this year’s experience, I relish in the memories created with my dearest friends. It seems every moment was effortlessly threaded together by the shared values of love and music. There is a reason Lightning in a Bottle is so near and dear to many people’s hearts, and this year was exemplary.

Lightning in a Bottle is a place where the soundtrack provides moments of clarity and release. The larger-than-life art installations reignite a sense of wonder and curiosity. The sunsets, trees, and lake invite one to reconnect with nature and the endless beauty it offers.

Across the weekend, I immersed myself in the playground that is LiB. I wandered, discovered, danced, and reconnected. My weekend unfolded in so many magical ways, and these are some snaps that help tell the story of my Lightning in a Bottle.

Photo Credit: Six Degrees Creative

My journey to Lightning in a Bottle started Thursday morning. I traveled from San Diego to Bakersfield and was greeted by warm weather and a beautiful sunset.

Vibes were at a proper cruising altitude upon arrival. After picking up my wristband and car camping pass at the box office, I linked up with my best friends whom I met at LiB ’16.

They strategically arrived Wednesday and staked out a perfect location at the intersection of Cambodia and Middle Way in the High Noon camp. This home base put us right by Gate 3 and the entrance to the Lightning stage, where the headliners and a large portion of the live bands performed.

Not only that, but Yoga Sol was also by Gate 3. This made morning yoga more feasible, and in turn, positively impacted my body over the course of the weekend.

I was eager to get inside and explore so I quickly set up camp and took my first lap to the Woogie stage for Jimi Jules at sunset. This was a walk I found myself making multiple times a day because the music and vibes at Woogie were always so good.

I put a lot of miles on these legs as a result. I wouldn’t change it for a thing, though, because it gave me a chance to be appreciate the little things.

I would see smiling faces and friends laughing. I would laugh out loud at the changing marquee sign at Unicorn Palace. The sunlight would play with the natural landscape and art. I mean, sheesh, my cup filled and filled the more I tuned in to the present moment. From my very first laps and interactions on Thursday, I knew it was going to be a special weekend.

Photo Credit: Six Degrees Creative

There was so much wonderful art, but my favorite installation was the Giant Snail and its cute snail babies.

A great meetup location at the festival, the Giant Snail was a behemoth to behold. You could not miss it as it towered over 25 feet and was large enough to provide salvation from the sun on hot days.

The structure was something to marvel. The wood was so intricately and intentionally placed to create the design of the snail that I could have looked at it all day.

Not only was Giant Snail aesthetically pleasing, but attendees could also climb into its shell for a unique perspective of the festival. I was so impressed with this piece because not only did it feel right in the space that it brought to life, but it was interactive, playful, and sturdy. The baby snails just on the outskirts of the area (not pictured above) also really added a fun dynamic.

Of course, the large-scale installations were exceptional, but there was also so much live art being painted throughout the festival that culminated in an art auction on Sunday. It was such a cool process to witness. Artists meticulously transformed their canvas into completed art pieces and added little details over the weekend.

I gravitated toward and tuned in to two different pieces. Both Tyson King‘s and Paula‘s canvasses blew me away the way they evolved from start to finish. The live art scattered throughout the festival always kept the adventures pleasant and exciting while I walked throughout the venue. I was endlessly inspired by all the art and creativity, but the music was fuel for my soul.

Photo Credit: Six Degrees Creative

The music moved me at Lightning in a Bottle. I was able to see one of my favorite artists, Lane 8, and discovered one of my new favorites, Nimino.

The music will always be what draws me to festivals. There is something special about the energy of a live show. Smiling, dancing, and singing at the top of your lungs with hundreds of like minded individuals is an unmatched experience.

This was my first festival of the year, and I genuinely needed the music, festival, therapy. There is no doubt experiencing live music impacts my life in ways I barely understand, but what I do know is that when I’m around it, I’m happy.

Lane 8 was the top artist I wanted to see. I have been on a huge melodic listening spree lately and Lane 8’s music really resonates with me. His set was full of originals and remixes, spanning his entire discography, and it tapped into every emotion on the human spectrum.

There were times I wanted to cry. There were times I felt like I was levitating. There were times I observed in awe. Feeling the vibrations of the music and sharing these moments with people I care about brought me back to myself. I will never forget dancing my little heart out when he played “Sunday Song.”

One of the most beautiful things about Lightning in a Bottle is the new music discoveries. Not only did I get to experience one of my favorite artists, but I also discovered one of my new favorites, Nimino.

I added a few of Nimino’s songs to my playlist prior to the festival and found myself vibing anytime they came on. Then, he blew me away with his set on Sunday with a set inthat same melodic vein at Thunder. It was loud, the bass shook my body, there was enough room to dance, and it was such a good time. Although I saw a handful of sets after his on Sunday, Nimino’s is the one I think about on the regular.

Photo Credit: Six Degrees Creative

When all is said and done, a lot of the magic of Lightning in a Bottle comes from sharing the experience of the festival with the community and people you care about.

Lightning in a Bottle has provided me with some of life’s most cherished memories and relationships. I met my best friends at LiB ’16, and eight years later we got to run it back!

I was able to watch sets, explore, and reconnect with friends old and new. I got to play with my camera and creatively experiment with no inhibitions. Lightning in a Bottle is a playground full of incredible music, art, workshops, natural beauty, community, and so much more. It is a portal of inspiration where the collective energy elevates everyone in its radius to make wonderful things happen.

I don’t think I could have written a better script for this year’s edition. Until next time!