KAABOO

Admittedly, it has been a while since I have gone to a giant music festival. I used to pioneer with others in the pursuit of the ultimate music experience reminiscent of the stories I had heard of the 1960s and 1970s live-music scene, as well as the current corporate-run ones which attract all kinds of tourism -isms to the organic scene.

KAABOO of Del Mar, San Diego, California is the type of festival where they aim for the "full-sensory experience" according to their complete guide to KAABOO. That means, if music, comedy and art is not enough for one's perception of entertainment, there is also cooking, "indulgences" (aimed toward women), a pool area, a music nightclub, and various festival food and picnic areas.

At first glance, it appears like any other music festival where one can go grab a drink and go listen to live music - concert style- be free, and indulge in the live-music scene. Indeed, that is promised, but at $11-$14 per 12 oz. beer, it suddenly appears as if one will have to prepare for the budgeting of their alcohol tab. Top-shelf liquor, please!

Aside from avoiding the costly drinks, which the festival seemingly knows is a handicap for the average attendee in the Hang Loose budget, there is also costly food and a contemporary art area which promises better food for almost as much as one pays for regular festival food.

KAABOO had suddenly appeared to be a glimpse of living the high-life! Looking around, it was clear that in order to experience this type of music festival, one would have to pay deeply out of his or her pocket. Perhaps a large percentage was somehow able to obtain free tickets; it is well-worth it, considering how much one would expect to pay in such a lavish festival! Was this a ploy to have the average, low to middle-class person experience the lifestyle of those who frequently spend their day experiencing these types of things? There were simply too many restricted areas to tell; however, if a human zoo with lookout areas ever existed on Earth, KAABOO would likely be the innovation of it.

During the 3-day weekend of live-music, art, BAR, comedy, watching cooking shows from afar, electric music, watching photographers and videographers running across fairgrounds, BAR, bathroom island, large-screen TV viewing area, art museum, BAR, sand, and fake grass, to name a few areas, one wonders how many cannot become simply exhausted and overwhelmed! Perhaps some were, and some were not. After all, there was also quite a mix of people, including those from an older (most-likely steadier) background and those who associate as "millennial" young. There was hydration stations and areas to hide from the crowd. There was chill areas, but perhaps, not enough. Indeed, it was like the Disneyland of festivals!

In all its glories of sharing in music, art, comedy, indulgences, and high-level areas, this writer and observer of people can only conclude that such far-reaching festivals do have all the glory; however, at what cost? Cost is everything in an endeavor which pursues profit and impact, and since KAABOO is an annual occurrence, hopefully the amount of attendees makes up for the overpriced alcohol and food. Only the KAABOO accountant can know for sure!

UNTIL NEXT TIME....


-SD Liz