Considering the fact that I was a virgin at the 2005 High Sierra music festival held annually at the fairgrounds in Quincy, California over Fourth of July weekend, you would think that I might be a bit overwhelmed by the experience. Another assumption might be that I would feel like I wasn't dialed in to the scene, not know where to set up camp, or where the best music was, you know, all those little intricacies of a festival scene that become part of the repertoire after years of experience. Ah, but I had a couple of factors on my side that allowed the awesome display of music and celebration to become very accessible for a first timer.

One big bonus to a successful first campaign was the fact that I was working for Nature's Gate handing out samples of sun block, lotion, soap, shampoo and conditioner. This allowed me to set up very early (Wednesday) and have my choice of where to pitch the tent and set up the sample booth. The Meadow Stage would be home for the next several days, and that meant attending live music concerts continuously. From this vantage point I managed to see hippies spinning circles all around, Frisbee throwers doing their thing, and lots of grooving, dancing, ecstatic people with large smiles on their faces, but also felt the musical vibrations emanating from the talented and varied musicians who graced the stage. My tent selection was key, and thanks to D Dub, a Santa Barbara local who is a multi-year veteran at the Festival, our Nature's Gate crew of six was invited into a circle of shade with a group of special human beings. We created a bond with this small family over the next few days, with food and drink shared, the joy of newborn babies felt, with an ever-present and joyous musical backdrop.


Another big plus was having the VIP wristband courtesy of NG. This allowed me to get into shows that were otherwise booked up, and even sample some free food backstage. But here's a quick tip for anyone not used to being backstage at a major concert event like myself: don't talk loudly and keep your shirt on. Despite the fact that it was a raging party environment and 98 degrees in the shade, I was still "vibed" by some of the backstage crew -- "Who do you know here?" Oh well, I still got to witness a near disaster during the ALO show while dancing backstage -- with my shirt on. I'll get to that story a little later when I talk more about the music and which artists shined brightly.


My overall impression of the festival is that it's not for everyone. This is not peaceful California Sierra camping. There are thousands of people living in a small common area, and a good night's sleep is not in the cards for anyone who is sensitive to sound. Even though there are lots of common folk of all ages, the Festival is at least 30% pure-hardcore hippy. I am talking white dreads with homemade clothes. I am talking raw foods and nitrous balloons. This can throw people off who are not used to seeing this element of our society up close and personal. Luckily I was doing my part to keep the hippies smelling fresh. Each day scores of the partakers of Humboldt County's finest flocked to our booth at NG to get soaps and conditioners. Anything that made them smell a little fresher as the sweltering sun and musical trance created sweat on everybody; those without deodorants sometimes made a fun barrier if you got close enough to deeply inhale their fumes.

ER Harris

part one of three