Live music review: Desert Daze 10 took place in California last weekend

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Tame Impala and Beach House topped the 10th edition of The Desert Daze Festival in Perris, Californa last weekend. High spirits, favorable weather and a lineup which had music for almost anyone’s taste drew thousands out to Moreno Beach for three days.

Friday had Belgian duo Charlotte Adigery & Bolis Pupul turning the Sanctuary Stage into a giant rave with their infectious dance beats.

Australia’s King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard kicked off their current tour at Desert Daze with a raucous set which included band leader Stu Mackenzie being carried out to the lake adjacent to the main stage during their closing song ”The Dripping Tap”.

                          

Saturday brought more aggressive acts to the stage, such as punk bands Soulglo, Surfbort and Frankie And the Witch Fingers who wasted no time in turning the crowd into swirling mosh pits of chaos.

Seun Kuti and the Egypt 80 was an Afrobeat celebration at sunset when they hit The Block Stage. Kuti once played Mohawk with Austin’s award-winning Afrobeat band, Hardproof.

                           

Peak weirdness was achieved during Viagra Boys as a person brandishing a block of cheddar cheese proceeded to grate it onto people’s heads or into their hands if they so desired. The set they performed was fun too.

                          

Hardcore collective The Armed completely destroyed the Beach Stage later Saturday evening during their brief set in what was perhaps the best performance of the weekend that nobody saw.

Tame Impala’s return to the festival was eagerly awaited by many after their appearance in 2018 took a turn for the worse when a storm cut their set short after a few songs. Kevin Parker didn’t mince words when he said he thought about that night all the time and was very ”fucking happy” to be back and performing their acclaimed album, Lonerism in full to celebrate its 10th anniversary, much like the festival which turned 10 this year.

                          

                           

Sunday started off with a bang with all-female group Mariachi Reyna De Los Angeles putting smiles on the faces of anyone within listening distance.

New wave leaning acts Automatic and Working Men’s Club turned their early afternoon performances into an 80’s dance club.

Ty Segall side project, Fuzz brought out blistering jams with a crowd that kindly reflected their sounds. Midway through their set a person was surfing across the audience while shooting Jello shots from a hand-held, sling shot to anyone in sight.

                           

Los Angeles-based favorites, The Marias likely had the biggest festival singalong when they covered ”Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears.

Beach House closed the weekend with a tried and true dose of dream pop. At 10 years in, Desert Daze does not look to be slowing down. Hopefully next year’s edition will deliver just as many enjoyable and strange memories as this weekend produced.

All photos by Christopher Alvarez  

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