It was a natural progression for Meow Wolf, a Santa Fe art collective, to throw a music festival. The interactive art exhibit, The House of Eternal Return, serves as a psychedelic stage for bands on weekend nights. In the past, the group has been commissioned to make installations for multiple mainstream festivals, and music is central to a handful of the hidden rooms in THER.
Taos Vortex, which will be held August 3-4, is the group’s first venture into throwing their own festival.
Veteran electronic duo Thievery Corporation headlines Friday, and The Flaming Lips take the stage at Kit Carson Park on Saturday. The Lips’ live show is a no-brainer for a Meow Wolf festival. Their confetti-drenched interactive performances might have actually come through the Selig family’s refrigerator wormhole. Lead singer Wayne Coyne’s King’s Mouth installation, a massive silver head with an open mouth you can enter through, currently sits in the Meow Wolf lobby. Other acts include Washed Out, Dr. Dog, Poolside, Emancipator Ensemble, Cashmere Cat, and others.
However, Taos Vortex will not be as focused on art as one might expect.
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“It’s about getting to know your neighbor and getting to know (the) place,” said John Feins, Meow Wolf’s vice president of communications.
The collective has been expanding into new markets in Denver and Las Vegas, so Feins said the art aspect of the festival is not as dramatic as prior installations for other festivals, but festival-goers can still expect wild light shows and other trippy art elements.
Kit Carson Park is a 19-acre open-air space surrounded by views. Camping will be on site, as will food and a “funzies” zone. There will be different outdoor daytime activities attendees can choose from, such as balloon rides, rafting, horseback riding, llama treks, and morning yoga for additional prices. And, after the music, there will be a party on the dance stage with live DJ sets. Maybe you’ll meet a nice alien on the dance floor.
A variety of pass options are available at taosvortex.com.
Jessie O’Brien
