KAABOO Delivers on its Promises
In only its fourth year, KAABOO has clearly carved a path into the hearts of music lover across Southern California. For those willing to put down a small chunk of their wages to attend, they were repaid with a weekend filled with music, comedy and cuisine. With an impressive list of headline acts, the three-day music festival sold out and set the stage for an incredible weekend of music.
Headliners Foo Fighters, Imagine Dragons, and Katy Perry were the big draw that brought together music lovers of varying demographics that came together for a weekend of fun, laughs and surprises.
KAABOO was held September 14-16th in Del Mar, California, at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds.
The KAABOO experience is clearly designed to provide a music reality that leaves a hangover effect, leading to ask what’s in store for 2019.
With music being the main focus, KAABOO served up a balanced helping of a musically diverse lineup that satisfied the ravenous palate of those seeking pop, rock, hip hop, county, and grunge, among other genres. This year’s KAABOO was nothing short of spectacular. Clearly the organizers of KAABOO have listened to what their core audience wants and have consistently delivered.
While the temparatures remained summer-like with high humidity during KAABOO’s three days in Del Mar, the turnout was what was expected: crowded parking lots, shuttle buses and Uber cars. If you didn’t come prepared to walk, KAABOO may have posed a big challenge. Simply getting into the festival was quite a walk. For those lucky enough to catch a tram, it shuttled you to the main gate; otherwise for many walking was one’s choice. The gates themselves didn’t have long lines for those who arrived early, and getting through security was a breeze.
Once inside the grounds, festival-goers had choices to make. There were culinary demonstrations and art showcases where the artists were actively engaging the crowd while they created their masterpieces. The main stages were on opposite sides of the grounds. In between is where all the rest of the fun could be found, including smaller stages, food and drink stands, and the comedy area “Humor Me,” where the crowds funneled in to see comedians Craig Ferguson, Pauly Shore, Judd Apatow, Louie Anderson and others. There was plenty to do while you waited for your favorite band to play. For many, finding shade, a place to charge their phones, and sip of cold water is all they wanted. It was a place to meet old friends and make new ones.
The massive stages were clearly a representation of how big KAABOO has become. The grounds near each of the two offered a place to kick back and enjoy the music while sitting on either grass or sand, depending on what time you headed there. If you lucky enough to have a VIP ticket, you had a grass area to spread out a blanket and have a relatively unobstructed view of the stage.
Of course people who attend music festivals like KAABOO are there for other things besides the epic bands. The food and beverage choices were average for festivals of this size. There were plenty of water stations, craft beer stands, and plenty of places to grab a bite.
For those who had the fortitude to attend all three days, they got a chance to connect with their favorite artists, listen to some new ones, and enjoy unique art experiences and tons of food peppered with some laughs. There were many who left satisfied with the memories of an epic weekend, and many are already planning to attend next year. If you missed KAABOO, tickets for 2019 are already on sale and can be purchased here.
There is no doubt that KAABOO will continue to deliver what the audience demands as it evolves with time. This festival is here to stay and will be the benchmark for future fests.