Trail to the Woods: Battle for Backwoods 2016
Backwoods Music Festival is hosting a touring series of events around the US in which bands and DJs are competing for a spot to play at Backwoods Music Festival 2016 alongside headliners: Nero, Big Gigantic, Moe, and more!
Applications are open and entries will be accepted through May 20th. A panel of judges will review the submissions and will be in contact with those selected to perform at each Trail to the Woods event. For a list of venues and events just click here. If you are interested in submitting an application click here.
Backwoods Music Festival 2016 Lineup
We're excited to announce the addition of Desert Dwellers, Space Jesus, and Esseks for a free Treehouse Party for all campers on Thursday Night to the already packed 2016 Backwoods Music Festival Lineup to join Nero (Live), Big Gigantic, moe., and Nahko and Medicine for the People! Additional national touring acts added include Autograf, Big Chocolate, Elephante, George Acosta, Pierce Fulton, Styles & Complete, Admirals, Alex Sin, CAPYAC, Dreamers Delight, Feverkin, Filibusta, Gibbz, Higher Learning, Kiid H4wk, Marcus Marr, Skydyed, SoDown, Vibesquad, Wick-it-The Instigator, Willdabeast, and Zoogma. Many other notable artists were added as support as well in the final two tiers of the announcement. These acts and more all join the already stellar phase 1 lineup for Backwoods 2016!And just in, the new campground stage lineup including Yheti and many other incredible bass-heavy artists to keep the party going all night long. This is going to be a year for the books!
Slip-N-Slide Shenanigans!
There’s nothing more necessary to subside the Oklahoma Labor Day heat than Backwoods Music Festival’s newest water attraction! For your enjoyment, Backwoods will be introducing a 100-meter Slip-N-Slide for the first time ever. All avid festival goers know the heat can be unbearable at times so Backwoods has you covered! The 100-meter slide will take each person on a journey through all 4 of the elements; earth, air, fire and water and will end with a splash in the ranch’s very own 15-acre lake. The Slip-N-Slide will be free for all attendees and it will run during daylight hours for your amusement! Along with this attraction we’re including more water inflatables than in the past to guarantee a magical time for everyone. Besides all the exciting new improvements, we will also have some recurring activities like our co-ed water volleyball tournament and pool access will be available for VIP ticket holders. Even bringing your own hammock to string amongst a nearby tree is an option for relaxation between sets. This years Backwoods Music Festival is inevitably going to top the previous years so don’t forget your swimsuit and sunscreen for a blissful 3 days on the ranch.
Backwoods Goes Cashless
This year at Backwoods, we’ve decided to take a step into the wonderful world of technology. No longer will we sit in the dark ages of paper money and coins. Backwoods is going completely cashless! This year, you’ll use your wristbands to pay for everything you need. No, it’s not magic or voodoo or aliens. It’s all in the chip!The RFID chip in your wristband, the part that you scan when you enter the festival, is also going to be scanned when you make your purchases at any vendor or merch booth. The chip will be read, you’ll have to enter in the PIN you create, and the money will be taken out of your account. This will save everyone time and will make transactions so much faster. Instead of waiting in line, you’ll be able to see more shows and have more fun!You’ll have to set up an account when you register your wristband so that you’re not stuck without any spending money while you’re on the ranch. Backwoods is going completely cashless, so the only way you’ll be able to make purchases is with your wristband. No worries, though! It’s a safe and secure system that is easy to use. No one can spend your money but you! The company handling the cashless RFID system for Backwoods this year is Intellitix, the largest and most reputable company in the business that handles cashless payments for the largest festivals around the globe.We are so excited for this update, and we know you’ll love it too! Who want’s to carry around cash, anyways? Nobody likes “that guy” at the front of the line counting out his pennies to pay for his stuff. Luckily, there wont be any of “those guys” this year. It’s just a quick scan and go! So don’t forget to set up those cashless accounts when you register your wristbands this year!
Treehouse Stage (The Meadow) Under Construction
The Treehouse Stage in The Meadow at Backwoods Music Festival is under construction and on its way to reality. It's coming together nicely and even since this video was shot more progress has been made framing the roofing and walls. Artists will perform on this stage with one side acting as their performance platform and the other a completely enclosed Green Room. The Treehouse is 1,000 SF (large enough to be a real house) and spans almost 100' with the bridge connecting the two halves. Artists will walk from the Green Room across the bridge to the performance platform giving the audience a chance to scream and cheer for them as they make their entrance into view. Take a look at this video showcasing the treehouse under construction.
Backwoods Brings in DanceSafe
Backwoods' Responsibility to Attendees
Backwoods is bringing in DanceSafe for festival attendees this year in an attempt to add additional safety and knowledgable team members to its volunteer and medical staff and mitigate risk. While Backwoods does not take a stance for or against drug use, Backwoods does not promote drug use, or allow it to be brought into the venue. It is inevitable that some attendees will choose to take illicit substances despite efforts to prevent it at any concert, festival, or event. Since this can not be ignored, Backwoods wants to ensure the health and safety of its attendees first and foremost. Enter the role of DanceSafe. The group will be working closely with security and EMS teams at Backwoods to educate, promote safety, and assist those who may be experiencing the unwanted effects of a substance.
About DanceSafe
DanceSafe is a 501(c)(3) public health organization promoting health and safety within the nightlife and electronic music community. Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1998 by Emanuel Sferios, DanceSafe quickly grew into a national organization with chapters in cities across North America.
DanceSafe Principles
DanceSafe has two fundamental operating principles: harm reduction and peerbased, popular education. Combining these two principles has enabled us to create successful, peerbased educational programs to reduce drug misuse and empower young people to make healthy, informed lifestyle choices. We are known for bringing adulterant screening (a.k.a., “pill testing,” “drug checking”) to the rave and nightlife community in the U.S., and for distributing unbiased educational literature describing the effects and risks associated with the use of various drugs.DanceSafe also started the only publicly accessible laboratory analysis program for ecstasy in North America, currently hosted and managed by Erowid at EcstasyData.org. DanceSafe neither condones nor condemns drug use. Rather, they provide a nonjudgmental perspective to help support people who use drugs in making informed decisions about their health and safety.
DanceSafe Initiatives and Services
- Provide safe spaces to engage in conversations about health, drug use, and personal safety;
- Provide free water and electrolytes to prevent dehydration and heatstroke;
- Provide free safe sex tools to avoid unwanted pregnancies and the spread of STIs;
- Provide free ear plugs to prevent hearing loss;
- Provide honest, factbased, unbiased information on drug effects and potential harms to empower users to make informed decisions;
- Offer a nonjudgmental firstpoint of contact to risky or challenging situations;
- Offer drug checking services to prevent overdose and death; and
- Work with promoters and local stakeholders to advocate for safety first approaches.
Note: Information and services are directed primarily towards nonaddicted, recreational drug users. Nonaddicted drug users are an underserved population within the harm reduction movement, despite the fact that they comprise the vast majority of drug users in our society.While many organizations exist that provide services to drug-dependent individuals, few groups address the needs of the majority of nonaddicted, recreational users. DanceSafe hopes to fill this gap.When needed, DanceSafe will always refer people to appropriate treatment programs.
DanceSafe Chapters
DanceSafe currently has local chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada. Their local chapters consist of young people from within the dance culture who have a sincere interest in ensuring the health and safety of their communities and educating themselves and their peers. They train their volunteers to be health educators and drug abuse prevention counselors within their own communities, utilizing the principles and methods of harm reduction and popular education.
Diskoportal - A Stage On Fire, Literally
Diskoportal Open
Backwoods continues to blow minds with another 360 degree, fully immersed environment for yet another stage announcement "Diskoportal."Designed by Algorythym, and the brain child of Alan Rushlow, the Diskoportal will make it's only appearance this year at Backwoods Music Festival. The centerpiece originally named "Diskopella" had previously been mounted to a moving vehicle for burning man, but has been integrated into the center of this design specifically commissioned by Backwoods.The Diskoportal consists of a 3,000 pound mirrored disco ball center structure which proceeds to open like a Lotus flower and shoot 50' flames from it's core. Additionally, 6 towers surround the outskirts of the portal which are lined with LED panels (video screens) on the insides, with speakers that will rock your socks off, and also shoot 7-10 foot flames up into the sky everywhere else you look.
Imagine yourself completely surrounded by sound, computer synchronized fire shooting from all around you that matches the music, and your visual senses being stimulated by LED screens which surround you as well. Oh yea, I almost forgot about that giant Lotus looking disco ball in the center throwing a 50' flame and 2,000' light beams everywhere. Can we say extreme? I'd say so. It's so much even to describe we can't wait to see what it's like in person.When first shown the concept and video tests of a similar computer controlled fire system through a simple text message, Gerry Westby in promotions at Backwoods said, "Oh my God." followed by a second text message of "OH MY GOD," just a few moments later.We didn't feel the need to ask anyone else on the team what they thought about the concept as most others seemed to be speechless. We know this will be one of the most memorable and talked about experiences at Backwoods Music Festival this year.We asked Alan a few questions about this half stage half art installation which will be at Backwoods Music Festival this year:
1. If you had to explain this to someone in 10 words or less, describe what the heck this thing is.
Diskoportal Closed
::Diskoportal:: is a "Mind altering, Audio/Visual sensory arena designed to unify crowds" - I think that is precisely 10.
2. OK, now you have free reign. Give us the details... How far do light beams shoot off this thing? How much gas does it use? How tall are the flames? How many feet of LED panels? Spill the beans.
Ladies and Gentleman... Welcome to ::Diskoportal::, what is Diskoportal? Let's start with the centrifuge in the middle of the design. Last year Mr. Michael Freelander of Indica Vaporizers, Algorythym Designs and Mobius Creations sought out to create a mutant vehicle at Burning Man. When we started brainstorming ideas, we wanted to include an iconic symbol that could relate to everyone in the world. Considering this vehicle would feature a sound system and lighting rig that rivals most night clubs, we decided on a GIANT 3000lbs. disco ball made of cold hard steel to stand abroad on this vehicle! During the design process this disco ball grew to 14' in diameter and consisted of 860 mirrors. The light projected from this thing reflected light 500’ in each direction. That is 1000’ in a full 360 degree spectrum! However, we knew we couldn’t stop there. That's when we came up with the idea of making this massive disco ball spin and open like a lotus flower! Then, we said... "Why stop there!?” That is when we called our good friend from Re:Engineering, Ryan Elmendorf, and added a custom built 50' pyrotechnic propane fire cannon into the mix. Needless to say, we ended up building all this on an 1976 M35a2 military vehicle and ::Diskopella:: was born!! We took her to Black Rock City and a legand was born. Now it is time to create something fresh and new for Backwoods Music Festival and ::Diskoportal:: was born! Just to get you up to speed, the entire effects package going into the new portal designs consists of:
(6) - Clay Paky ‘Sharpy’ lighting fixtures
(6) – Martin ‘Mac 301’ LED Lighting Fixtures
(12) – 22watt NEO neON LED wash fixtures
(208) - 1’ x 4’ 37mil LED Video Panels (Rhythm FX, Denver)
125,000 watts of Aspect 880 TurboSound (Faze2 TurboSound, Denver)
(1) – 400lbs into 200lbs compressed propane fire system capable of 50’ bursts.
(6) – 100lbs DMX controlled fire system for 360 degree blasts.
8,000 lbs. of custom fabricated steel
2,304 square feet of aluminum sheathing
Diskoportal Open
3. What’s the original concept and inspiration behind Discopella and how did it make its way to a full on Disco-Portal?
Since her debut at Burning Man 2014 the disco ball centrifuge has become iconic and we felt it was time to re-purpose her and create a more engaging experience that would allow more people to gather and experience it. We really wanted to gift this piece back to the community at Burning Man until we heard of the Backwoods Music Festival falling on the same weekend. It was time for a change and it was time to bring these creative ideas to growing and inspiring markets that hit closer to home.Algorythym Designs has worked with the largest producers in the US and with a couple sound and lighting companies that were eager to get involved. With that said, my good friend Alex Brooks from Faze2 TurboSound had purchased an Aspect 880 touring rig that blows away any sound rig I have heard in sometime. The feeling this of warm audio waves that did not hurt my ears coming from this sound system gave me, really sparked the idea.The idea to create an arena that showcase an experience of sensory impalement (Feel free to use that one ). In the true spirit of Algorythym Designs, it couldn’t be just any arena... We needed to plus it! We contacted our good friend Zach Klassan from Rythm FX in Colorado to see if he wanted to add video to the project. We contacted Ryan Elemendorf at Re-Engineering to add 6 more fire systems and the idea was born…Queue... ::Diskoportal::
4. What has been the most challenging part of designing the concept thus far?
Diskoportal
Definitely the element of creating a stage this massive that is created in the round. Mainly because ::Diskoportal:: consists of (6) – 22’ tall metal towers. These towers are packed with fire, lighting, effects and all those elements need to receive data and power. Throw 5,000 people dancing and partying around them into the mix and you have yourself a logistical nightmare. Safety is our main focus and keeping this creation safe takes a lot of planning and strategic designing. There is something to be said when creating an interactive area that engages the community and delivers the experience of a lifetime! At the end of the day, we WORK HARD to PLAY HARD! I guess if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
5. What else are you most excited for at Backwoods?
The main thing we are looking forward to this year at Backwoods is getting involved with the community that is the bloodline of this concept. YOU! We have worked with just about every festival in the nation and our crew is more excited for this show than any other show. Reason being? It is such a warm and inviting community that is sparing NO EXPENSE to get it right. The fact that we are contributing such a visually creative concept from the ground up means that the space above us are our only limitations. We are honored to be a new part of the Backwoods family and we cannot wait to meet everyone!! See you soon, Love and Light!
Globe Theatre - Bigger and Badder at Backwoods
The Globe Theatre, which has been seen at festivals such as Electric Forest, Snow Globe, and EDC is making its way to Backwoods Music Festival this year, with one difference of course; It will be bigger and badder than it has ever been built before.
The creative geniuses at Imagine Nation are taking Globe to the next level for this year's show. Typically a small stage is placed at one end of the venue and the capacity is very limited, lending itself to issues if an artist draws huge crowds. Not at Backwoods. The stage will be twice as large as normally placed inside the Globe Theatre to handle the larger professional acts which require more space for their stage plot, and the crew is planning to expand the size of Globe for larger audiences. Currently discussions are leading towards designing Globe as a two story theatre with a balcony for festival attendees. If you ever caught it at Electric Forest, think twice the size for this year's Backwoods Music Festival. Producer, Will Royall explains, "We needed to make sure the venue would have enough capacity for some of the artists we're putting on that stage. Andy Frasco had a huge turn-out for both shows at Wakarusa for example, and he'll be headlining one of the evenings in Globe. That place is going to be nuts."
The Globe Theatre is completely built out of reclaimed and recycled found materials. The temporary enclosed roofed structure is built in just 7 days by the team who then transforms into characters and actors to deepen the experience of their visitors. We asked John Ripley, of Imagine Nation a few questions about this year's Globe build at Backwoods:
1. Who are you guys and what the heck is the Globe Theatre?
We are The Imagine Nation a collective of artists, performers, and builders versed in the art of creating interactive theme stages with live characterization, witty tricks, and an epic vibe. The Globe Theater is our recreation of a mini Shakespearian era venue filled with secret doors, 360 degree immersive artistic design, and improv shenanigans.
2. What was the inspiration behind Globe Theatre?
We are very inspired by past "era's" and love to recreate and re-enact them in today's festival scene. The Globe Theater comes from the Shakespearian era which was full of beautiful woodwork, amazing characters, and immaculetly designed theaters. Due to all of these aspects of this era fitting with our style we were inspired to recreate it in modern time!
3. What can festival attendees look forward to most when they happen across Globe Theatre in the Nirvana Woodlands this year at Backwoods?
When you enter The Globe be prepared to step into a totally seperate reality filled with a magical sparkle that will tantalize your senses and stimulate your imagine nation while transporting you straight into the ye ole Shakespearian era!
4. You all are known for getting into “character” as well, can you explain what that means really?
To fully bring our installations to life we dress up and talk in accent according to the time period we are recreating. We aim to be playful and witty yet real to create a unique interaction with each person that enters our zone.
5. What are you looking forward to most about Backwoods Music Festival this year?
Above and beyond the awesome lineup, we are really excited to connect with a whole new audience, the production crew, and witness first hand the epic vibe and experience that we keep hearing about with Backwoods! Oh, and we are super stoked that the Globe is right next to the lake!