As we observe the shakeout from the recent years of “peak festivals,” various festivals have gone dark. Arroyo Seco last year had an impressive inaugural weekend which I enjoyed, and the producers have just announced the lineup for their second festival.
The event takes place June 23-24 on the golf course adjoining the venerable Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The big names will be Neil Young + Promise of the Real, Robert Plant & the Sensational Shape Shifters and Jack White.
Dwight Twilley
Robert Plant
Gary Clark Jr.
Jeff Goldblum
Jack White
Pharaoh Sanders
Pretenders
Seu George
The Bangles
Trampled by Turtles
Belle & Sebastian
Other notable artists include Belle & Sebastian, Dwight Twilley, Aaron Neville, Kings of Leon, Gomez, Pretenders, The Specials and Gary Clark Jr. Returning from his delightful performance last year is Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Local SoCal artists include Los Lobos and The Bangles. The latter’s “Manic Monday” was written by Prince, and his music will be further represented by The Revolution, perhaps his most famous band. Also from the mid-West will be Violent Femmes and Trampled by Turtles. Hidden jazzy gems in the lineup include Seu George, Kamasi Washington and Pharaoh Sanders.
The promoters of Arroyo Seco are Goldenvoice, who know more than a little about successful festivals, having grown Coachella into the global gold standard.
The promoters have taken a page from the success of KAABOO and other festivals which skew slightly older, by target demographic by bringing a tightened focus on culinary offerings. Attendees at Arroyo Seco can avail themselves of food from Los Angeles staples Wexler’s Deli and Barrel & Ashes, along with the beloved Burritos La Palma, and the new and exciting Chilola’s Fine Filipino Tacos by Chef Michael Hung, and Chef Michael Mina’s Cal Mare.
Also drawing on local Pasadena institutions, the promoters have arranged with The Huntington Library for an interactive installation of plant and flower biology. The nearby NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory will be on site with an exclusive Intergalactic Travel Lounge (no word on whether you need to bring your passport). This year also sees the return of Vroman’s Bookstore-curated Little Libraries, scattered around the festival site. As one of the dwindling number of independent bookstores, Vroman’s is cherished by folks near and far. Festival attendees will be able to peruse books relating to Pasadena’s long history as a cultural center.
In a clever bid to instill the festival experience early, children 10 and under are free with a ticketed adult at Arroyo Seco.
Ticket information here.
Full artist lineup:
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