This review was also featured on Sharp Balloon.

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It was a spur of the moment thing, which is how the best stories tend to start. After a crazy day in Denver consisting of breweries, a renegade bluegrass show, waiting for a van, and driving in circles in an absurd day-turned-evening, we ascended through windy treelined mountain roads. My ears popped from the pressure of climbing from the mile-high city of Denver up to remote Fairplay, Colorado as a vibrant sunset lit the sky.

Just days previously, I had quit my desk job of three years at a marketing company, throwing away all semblance of security, structure, and doing what a typical 25-year-old is “supposed” to do. I was being called to follow my passion of being a writer, and nothing was going to stop me. The current of life’s waters pulled me to that Unified Field in the remote mountains of Colorado. This was an opportunity for rejuvenation and rebirth, a chance to leave a life of unfulfillment behind and move forward into the boundless potential the universe has offered each one of us, if we only take the first step.

Upon finally getting inside the festival, which was at a new location on a ranch nestled in a valley completely surrounded by mountains, the twinkling stars seemed much closer than usual as we settled in for the evening. I ventured into the music area solo, while my kind driver, my friend I grew up next door to, wearily rested his bones. I was immediately loving the setup of the main stage – Bloom Stage – with mountains jutting up in the background. Vibesquad was throwing down his deep, crispy bass, while just the right amount of stunning projection screens behind him and on either side pulsated a purple aura. The renowned Funktion-One sound system shook the earth the entire weekend at this stage with impeccable sound – the largest system they had ever set up.

I found myself getting into some silliness and making friends with people from the spOILed crew as well the Djedi Templar. The Djedi temples were nestled right in the middle of the circular mainstage area and added a real sense of spirituality and unity to the festival experience. Their mission is to cultivate sacred spaces, and each of the four lotus tents they had set up was filled with art, crystals, alters, and more, with all the tents connected at the top by a giant dreamcatcher. People in each tent were laughing, telling stories, painting each other, or going wherever the vibe flowed. The area hosted workshops, musical performances, yoga, meditation, and other forms of nourishing activities throughout the weekend.

The next day our crew finally came together, as we were unable to find each other in the dark with spotty cell service. A group of individuals mostly from the Bay area, and a few of us from Illinois, it was a conglomerate of souls who enjoyed and encouraged shenanigans. The altitude (upwards of 10,000 ft) was intense and I could definitely feel a difference in how my brain processed stimulation, and made everyone just a little bit sillier. The sun was warm and there was a light breeze. A nice afternoon buzz took over, ushering in my first full day of music.

Tipper was a highly anticipated act of the weekend. Slated to play Friday and Saturday, the word had spread there would be a heavier set with Android Jones orchestrating the visuals, and a more chill, downtempo set on the other night with visuals by Jonathan Singer. Friday night we got the later. We got that deep, drippy, trippy bass that was resonated deep into my brain cells. I got sucked into one of the creative dome structures set up facing the stage, where I allowed the Tip man to transport us all to new planes with his soundscapes.

My legs had escaped me as I floated, being carried by the flow of people heading back to the campgrounds. Allowing both my brain and my body to once again adjust to the altitude and the delirium of the transcendental music I had soaked in, a plan to venture out again was formulated. Fake fur was put on to protect from the cold, while bindis and face paint adorned faces. There’s no doubt we looked like a regal species of lovers, laughers, and dancers. Or just like crazy music-obsessed beings braving the elements in the name of expression.

Polish Ambassador performed what may have been one of his best sets. The world’s funkiest diplomat kept us on our toes, playing the magical world music inspired tracks from his latest album Pushing Through the Pavement, throwing in remixes of “No Diggity” and “Beat It,” all while exuding his signature bouncy electro-funk that blasted us off into space. Adding to the ethereal ambiance were aerial artists and fire dancers. Out came the blessed songstress Ayla Nereo – a goddess who is making waves in the transformational music community along with the Ambassador’s Jumpsuit Records. She lent her hauntingly beautiful voice for “Lost & Found,” my favorite track off the new album that seems as though it was written for me.

Just like the Sonic Bloom hummingbird logo that encapsulates a vast psychedelic universe, the night was truly one of visual stimulation. Visuals and projection mapping beyond what one’s mind could comprehend (both sober or otherwise) shot across screens as waves of sonic explosions came crashing down around us. And away into the crisp mountain night air we were carried, blissfully into the dawn.

Saturday was one for sleeping in, and once I rose from the slumber of my gonzo cave, I ended up meeting some other friends who had made the journey to Bloom. As we traversed the festival grounds I admired the many sculptures and art installations all made of natural objects like sticks, rocks, flowers, and more that had been erected throughout the music areas. Such an awe-inspiring setting to hold this glorious event.

Michal Menert’s Big Band popped that day’s music cherry for me. Menert expertly compiled an orchestra consisting of his live drummer, a number of members from funk ensemble Snug Harbor, Paul Basic on synth drums, a string section, turntablist, vocalists, and more. Sonic Bloom was their debut and it was breathtaking to hear tracks like  “In The Morning” off his first album, as the sun began to skim the mountaintops in the background, warming each face and making everything glisten.

I was pulled out of my musical coma at the CO Dome by Zion I’s clever and rambunctious hip hop. They had the crowd straight jumping in the air, loving the change of pace from the mostly electronic lineup. The message of their words is uplifting and inspiring. I admire the Zion I crew’s take on the genre, acknowledging their influence among their fans and choosing to spread positivity.

Quixotic then took over the Bloom Stage with their dancers, projection mapping, acrobats suspended over the stage, and original live music with a bass edge to it. Always a spectacle fusing motion and music in a mystical way, you never know what to expect with this dynamic group of performers.

The insanity continued as Opiuo graced us with his blend of glitch hop and heavy wobbles. His visceral beats are crafted live using a drum pad, and the experience was captivating as he took the already stoked crowd on a ride from track to track. There was a chill in the air and we could see one another’s breaths as we were sandwiched in between Opiuo killing it and Tipper’s second set of the weekend.

Tipper appeared next to an oddly shaped screen which was projecting visuals controlled by Android Jones. He was drawing the visuals as he went, leading to preposterously psychedelic images flowing perfectly with Tipper’s wet, drip drop beats that coalesced with trippy sounds until 4 a.m.

Sunday was a beautiful one. Even though it started out a little grey and rainy, the sun came out and with it, beauty around every corner. Dirtwire began my musical adventure. Comprised of David Satori of Beats Antique and Evan Fraser of Hamsa Lila, this experimental take on otherworldly music is soothingly unusual, the perfect accent to begin my Sunday with.

Before anyone knew what was going on, David Satori reemerged onstage in minister attire, where he proceeded to bring ill-esha and S∆UCEmonster (who had performed together before Dirtwire as Polar Vortex). He then presided over their marriage in front of the crowd gathered before the stage. It was completely unannounced, and it was a joyous, unifying moment to see the two partners in music become partners in life. I felt like I was in an Alex Grey painting, love and energy literally radiating from everyone in the vicinity.

ZILLA hit the stage next, comprised of EOTO’s Michael Travis, Jamie Janover, and Aaron Holstein, and featuring 100% improvised music. I bounced around between Break Science and Bird of Prey, before settling in at the Hummingbird Stage for The Human Experience. Also known as David Block, he is an incredibly talented artist you should get familiar with. He was joined by vocalist Haley Reinhart, an American Idol finalist that has taken to the festival and transformational scene. This was a fabulous collaboration.

My friend Filibusta played Hummingbird next. His glitch hop was perfect to usher in the evening to, and he even pulled up fellow Untz Challenge winner Ryan Viser for some sexy trumpet action. The Shpongle experience invaded the main stage, trapeze artists performing tricks as SImon Posford’s trademark feather plumage on his hat graciously bounced with each movement as he majestically orchestrated his rowdy yet soothing jungle beats.

Krooked Drivers did an impressive, energetic set at the Hummingbird stage, before EOTO ravaged the Bloom Stage, throwing down one of the most boisterous sets I’ve seen. They had heavy, full-bodied bass going while Jason Hann was rapping and furiously drumming, then they rolled out “Turn Down For What,” just vibing hard off the intense energy from the crowd.

We were then treated to the Sonic Bloom Orchestra…EOTO, ZILLA, Dirtwire, ill-esha, saQi, with multi-instrumentalist and inventor Jamie Janover conducting and playing. As fire dancers flowed in front of them the music went to so many different places, but the overlying themes were either funky as fuck or sultry-sexy. A proper conclusive set for the Bloom Stage.

Of the many fun and diverse friends I made, on Sunday my new friends became Sub.mission crew. They were silly and outrageous, all while ensuring pristine sound quality on the CO Dome and The Untz’s Hummingbird Stage. We checked out Mr. Bill on the CO Dome stage before Wala closed out the Hummingbird Stage. I recall one of the last songs being a sexy female version of T.I.’s “Whatever You Like.”

One of the most inspiring festivals I have attended ended properly in the VIP Bloom Saloon, a wild west style wooden saloon, in which we were entertained by the likes of ill-esha and saQi. My legs nearly collapsing, myself and the wild group I was with relaxed at a table. We were soon joined by none other than David Block himself as well as Haley Reinhart.

Conversations tickled topics as Random Rab took the stage and soothed our souls with his sacred bass. I recall getting up and swaying, unable to deny the spiritual cleansing that is the church of Random Rab. As we filtered out of the saloon after his set, we were surprised to learn the sun was rising. Damnit, Rab you got a sunrise set in right under my nose! Note: I believe the sunrise set was meant to be outside, but was brought into the saloon due to sound ordinance.

A blunt and a couple more beers were shared on the large couch behind the Hummingbird stage with the crew I had just met earlier that day. Snuggled together under a blanket and running through the hilarious, the magical, and the awkward events of the day, I remembered the part from one of my favorite movies, “Almost Famous,” where the lead character, a writer who’s following a rock band for a story keeps insisting he has to go home. As the tour bus has erupted in song, all jovially singing along to “Tiny Dancer,” Penny Lane, the enchanting female character waves her hand in front of his face, and says, “You ARE home.”

I am at a point in my life where home does not always carry the same meaning it used to. But when I feel I am just exactly where the universe intended me to be, surrounded by fellow loving, wayward souls – whether they’re strangers or I’ve known them for years – that is where I feel home. It doesn’t matter where on this earth or in this galaxy it might be.

It is difficult to transcend your conditioning, expectations, and beliefs. To shed it all away and literally feel and know you have all your needs met. When you can accomplish such a mental state, a fire burns bright inside of you. Sonic Bloom ignited my fire, lending inspiration and a fresh outlook for me to come back and tackle a non-traditional life. One that will involve me flying by the seat of my pants from place to place, festival to festival, thought to thought, and chronicling all the madness that ensues.