Shabang festival in San Luis Obispo, CA is what you get when you combine Portola and Outside Lands. It had a beautiful natural backdrop like OSL with a mixed lineup of half DJs and half indie artists like Portola.
It was a smaller festival, perfect for those just getting into this music scene. Activities were sprinkled around the grounds which made dull moments almost nonexistent. Vendors from across the state sold vintage clothing, body jewelry, earplugs, and much more.
The San Diego-based vendors Wookplugs, stationed between the Funk Safari DJ stage and silent disco, have created earplug jewelry for three years. Earrings with dazzling discoballs and necklaces adorning small garden gnomes are just some of the pieces available.
“A lot of people don’t realize the damage they’re doing to their hearing at bars, clubs, and concerts,” says Kayla, one of the founders of Wookplugs. She and her partner’s creations are convenient for eventgoers because “you don’t have to fish through your purse looking for some earplugs, they’re tethered to your ears or around your neck.”
Moody Goose Vintage, founded by Kristina Schagane, is a San Francisco-based vintage store. Their brick-and-mortar shop can be found on Polk Street. Born during lockdown, Moody Goose Vintage has become a beloved shop in the city. There are 20 different sellers within the shops walls, one of which was stationed right next to their booth at Shabang. The 90s aesthetic is prevalent in the founder’s selections. Schagane noted that she loves the silhouettes of that decade. “I would say my personal style is pretty feminine too. But our store has a lot more variety than that.”
When you weren’t perusing the shops and art installations, you were partying it up with aerialists and stilt walkers on the DJ side of the festival. In the evenings, there was a drum circle put on by Samba Loca at the center of the grounds.
The acts that stuck with me long after Shabang ended were Peach Pit, Wilt, Couch Dog, The Walters, and Thundercat. While all the performances those two days were a joy to see, the aforementioned artists added a certain draw that captivated you with each note they hit. It was beautiful hearing the Walters perform their rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” moment before a full rainbow peaked its way through the evaporating clouds. And hearing the hard metal intro at Peach Pit’s set was jarring in the best way.
Would I recommend this festival? Absolutely. It had almost everything a music and art lover would want. While it did rain for most of day 2, the artists made the best of it to keep the morale high. The staff were incredibly friendly, and the food was stellar. For anyone looking for a good time, check out Shabang festival.
Tickets for next year’s rendition are live on their website. Grab a ticket early to secure your spot!
