AD Roberts
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For years Brad Sweet and Peter Eichar, co-founders of the Same Same But Different Festival, have collaborated as musicians and shared an affinity for music festivals.
The pair had attended other large-scale music events across the country and felt the huge Southern California festival scene lacked a deeper sense of community.
“We don’t have plans to create a mega festival,” Sweet said in a recent phone interview, ahead of the festival’s return for its fourth year to Moreno Beach at Lake Perris State Park from 8 to September 11. “We want our festival to remain an intimate and special experience within our community.”
In 2018, Sweet and Eichar decided to throw their own party and hosted a crowd of a few hundred, mostly friends and fellow musicians, but it quickly turned into something more.
“The first few days were a lot of fun, and we didn’t expect it to grow the way it did,” Sweet said as the festival now draws a few thousand guests but remains an intimate affair. . “It surprised us how many people wanted to come back.”
This year’s multi-day festival features a musical lineup that incorporates a variety of sounds from jam and funk bands to EDM artists. Besides the music, Sweet said they wanted to bring in elements they’ve experienced at festivals in parts of the Midwest and include things like yoga workshops, meditation, and hula hooping classes.
“We think it’s important to have options when you go to a music festival,” he said. “It’s just another element that gives a lot of fun during the weekend.”
Here’s what you need to know if you’re heading to Same Same But Different. For the latest entertainment lineup, ticket information and more, visit ssbdfest.com.
Don’t miss a beat
Same Same But Different will feature more than 60 musical acts, including American funk band Vulfpeck, British songwriter and trip hop DJ Tipper, Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo and Griz, a Michigan DJ known for playing saxophone with his funk. and electro-soul rhythms.
“We tried to organize the lineup to flow in a direction where the energy builds from the beach party during the day, to the main stages at night, to the burst of energy with the heads of ‘poster, then back to the beach parties that go on until 4 a.m.,’ Sweet explained.
The music is also non-stop thanks to alternate stages and there is no competition as the artists do not overlap.
“No one should miss an act they’ve been looking forward to,” he added.
full moon party
There is a seaside pre-party for those camping at the festival from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday, September 8, which will be hosted by Genius Loci. It does not require an additional ticket for those who purchase a four-day general admission pass.
Afternoon parties will also take place by the lake, where guests are invited to swim, float and cool off all day. They are encouraged to return after the headliners close the main stage around 1 a.m. each day. In the festival’s first year, Sweet said there was a full moon that inspired a guest speaker and attendees to move tents onto the beach to enjoy the scenery and it turned into a party. of the full moon. It has since become an annual tradition.
“Since we don’t have noise restrictions on the lake, we approved it,” Sweet said. “People loved being on the beach late at night and we happen to have another full moon over the weekend of this festival.”
Practice being present
There’s been a lot of focus on practicing meditation and mindfulness over the past two years, no doubt exasperated by the coronavirus pandemic. Same Same But Different has woven these practices – through a variety of workshops and classes – seamlessly into the festival.
Some of the experiences include different styles of yoga with breathing exercises and meditation techniques. Other workshops focus on the senses, ranging from relaxation through sound to learning about different types of massage.
“We don’t want people to feel like they need to have a transformative or growth experience at the festival, but we do want to offer a number of different workshops or classes on topics that people might be interested in. people,” Sweet said.
interactive art
Same Same But Different will also feature things like Frick Frack Blackjack, where customers can gamble and barter with anything but cash, and the Giving Tree Art Car, an art instillation that fans can swing and climb on.
There is also the But Stage, an attraction that changes theme every year. For this event, it will be circus themed and will include acrobatics and circus acts.
“There are hidden surprises around every corner of the festival,” Sweet said.
The festival will also host an art walk on Sunday, September 11 to showcase the work of participating artists which will be available for purchase.
If you are going to
Same Same But Different opens for campers beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 8 and officially closes at 3 p.m. Monday, September 12 at Moreno Beach in Lake Perris State Park, 18095 Lake Perris Drive, Perris.
Four-day general admission passes cost $345; Three-day VIP passes cost $580; General admission day passes are $135; One-day VIP passes are $215; There are a variety of camping and parking passes available at ssbdfest.com.
