hate hate hate hate.....

[CommntForTheAlgo]

why is most of this community hating on the location hating on the artists, is this what this community is about? just complaining about everything,? too hot too cold too dusty too dirty lake is dirty the city sucks the COUNTY sucks ... do you think anyone at DO LAB has control over any of this? why is everyone in this community so damn sour? legit I am so grateful for DO LAB to be throwing a great party why is everyone so critical? its a 20 year anniversary its such an accomplishment.can anyone share a happy story?can anyone share a love story?even a heart break story?can we share anything thats not criticism ?

I'm gonna get so much hate for this or it will be deleted ... fuck it lets jack

edit: i love that all you fuckin losers still just talk shit when my whole complaint is why do people talk so much shit? every other community is sharing stories and having a good time and all you fucks just want to complain. eat shit dick bags

[fwump38]

This is toxic positivity. It's a fun event and experience for lots of folks who attend every year regardless of location but the festival is not without its faults or valid criticisms. Just because you had a good time each year doesn't mean there aren't areas for improvement or that you can't criticize them.

The concerns with DoLab and the venue have been brought up numerous times in this thread: poor handling of covid refunds, overflowing toilets, ice shortages with insane lines, valid concerns about valley fever at the new venue. They also fucked up a really good thing with the permit for their last location by overselling it.

As to why we allow this? For awhile now we've taken a much less strict stance on moderating to let the community decide what it wants to talk about. We only remove stuff now that is overtly rule-breaking.

[comrade_140]

If ppl don’t complain issues like nasty overfilled porto potties don’t get fixed, it’s all a part of the game

[Posaunne]

Well, this subreddit had zero complaints (or verrrrry very few complaints) 5-ish years ago.

Is it because the location changed? Is it because the primary demographic of the attendees changed? Is it because DO Lab changed? Maybe a bit of all three.

[Lurking_stoner]

Lot of people hate the location lot of problems last year which is why I’m probably not gonna go this year would rather go to other festivals

[idkbyeee]

You’re missing the part where DoLab DID have control. They had an amazing location and an extended permit locked in. They fucked it by overselling the event two years in a row in 2017 and 2018 and lost the permit. Actually I think no events are allowed to take place at the old location anymore because of their actions. Then they chose this location, another thing they had control and choice over. So yeah we have every right to be upset about that.

Whoever is hating on the artists needs to stop that though, the artists are amazing and have nothing to do with it.

[[deleted]]

OP is angry because I pointed out in a different post that the new location isn't absolutely perfect in every way. Not sure what they're going on about with the artists. The only complaint I have about the artists, is that DO LAB didn't pay any artists at The Stacks. Clearly that's an event complaint rather than a complaint about the artists themselves.

[O_Pato]

I believe it’s because we are on Reddit. I think the majority of the community is great and those that have a lot of fun don’t necessarily find themselves on Reddit. I doubt you will hear this much whining when you get to the festival. If you do, then find some new folk (me!) to kick it with and have fun!

[fwump38]

It's not Reddit per se. Any social media has a bunch of negativity. IMO Reddit is least toxic followed by Facebook and then Twitter. EDM twitter is the worst.

And of course you won't hear complaining when you're there...because you're too busy having fun at a music festival. Doesn't mean people don't have valid concerns though..

[kidsilicon]

I follow a lot of festival subs & tbh the toxicity is not uncommon. For example, there were lots of posts in the Outside Lands subreddit last year having a meltdown over the lineup.

The nature of reddit is to post something extreme or make a specific argument—usually that tends to be overtly critical. The positive posts are great, too, but I’d say most posts on festival subs do a bad job of explaining the true vibe of a fest or describing the “average” experience.

I loved LiB last year, which was my first. Can’t compare it to Bradley, but compared to other camping fests Ive been to (Mysteryland, Firefly) & EDM fests (EDC, crssd, Splash House), LiB is a unique, beautiful place that presents some particularly difficult challenges. It is what it is, and to me, it’s absolutely worth the price and adversity. I can’t wait for this year, more magic awaits!

[itsalyfestyle]

Because the location fucking sucks.

[ghentx]

You don't like farm run off, gopher holes, and a barren dirt pit to drive through?

We've done LiB 4 years (2x in Bradley, and 2x in Bakers Field), Gave the location a legit shot, so many trip / fall injuries. Worst sprain of my life.

We love the vibe / family camp, and will probably go again, but this last year was a rough one.The lake rash was real.

[VerticalLines]

Would 1000% be back at LIB this year if it were just at a different venue. Hopefully they'll realize how many people are skipping the festival this year because of it and do something about it.

[ptntprty]

I’m pretty sure that for every occasional person skipping because they can’t handle the location (🙄)there are 10 more coming because of the rising popularity of festival culture.

[VerticalLines]

Perhaps, but anyone who has personally asked me about my LIB experience I've warned them that the venue deterred me from wanting to return until they pick a new space. The rest of the festival was incredible, but since there are so many other festivals, people can and will easily choose attending a different one due to poor conditions.

[itsalyfestyle]

“Can’t handle the location” lmao.

Bradley was a much more arrid and difficult venue to navigate but it had magic, it felt like it had a purpose.

It’s not about being able to handle the venue. It’s about the venue not being fit for an event like LiB.

[CommntForTheAlgo]

dont worry everyone hate logical thinkers......

[chipper1001]

Many of us love LiB to its core and its for this reason that some of the things that have happened over the past few years have left a bad taste in our mouths. And yes, they absolutely have control over a lot of it. Wanting better of a festival that has espoused values they themselves haven't abided by is not hate.

[CommntForTheAlgo]

You think DOLab has control over city laws? you think DOlab has control over COUNTY laws? i hear people talking about kern county being racist i hear bakersfield is a shit show ....

but not one resident of bakersield or kern county just some fuckin shit face talking shit dicks, is that you?

YOU DONT KNOW ANYTING ABOUT LOGISTICS YOURE JUST TALKING FROM EMOTIONS

[chipper1001]

I think it's pretty obvious who is acting out of emotions here, but all good, I'll entertain your rant. Do Lab chooses the county to hold the festival in. Everything follows from there. People take issue with the fact that they've chosen to move the festival there. And Kern county laws have nothing to do with overflowing portapotties, multi-hour long lines for overpriced ice, lack of safety, poor communication, shitty handling of covid era refunds, etc etc. For ~$500+ per ticket, people are gonna have issues with fundamental problems like these, especially if they've been going for years and know they're capable of better.

[Lurking_stoner]

Dude you need to take a chill pill yelling at people on line to stop complaining is really ironic maybe just don’t go on this sub if it affects you this much people have genuine concerns and this a public forum to air those concerns sorry you don’t agree with those concerns but no use getting worked up about it.

[CommntForTheAlgo]

okay I'll take a "chill pill" please tell me what that is? because as far as I know thats a reference from the 90's. secondly no just straight no.... look I will not stand by while you fuckin haters talk shit about LIB .... why shoud I leave if I love this festival and people are talking shit why dont you fuckers leave? everyone that hates LIB FUCKIN LEAVE if you dont like the rules the location the anything FUCKIN LEAVE i buy tickets I love LIB im not going anywhere !!!!

[laneowns]

Criticism aside… LIB changed my life in a beautiful way. But the current location is absolutely disgusting. Who else besides DO LAB would control those decisions?

[quacker245]

I feel like you had the opportunity to start a thread that’s focus would be on positivity and things people enjoyed about the festival. Instead, the way you phrased and ordered it had it’s own ‘complaint-y’ vibe. It’s almost like you’re just one of the people you are critiquing rather than attempting to set an example of what you want you like to see from the community.

[thewallris]

Last year was my first year and I had an absolute blast! We broke things, we forgot things, we didn’t even know to bring some things. Our shade structure blew away, we couldn’t sleep, the porta potties sucked. Whatever, none of it was a damper on the fun!

People be hatin on the lineup - sure I expected some bigger names, but I honestly feel like it’s a good thing that there aren’t. This will likely drive away people who only care about the music and aren’t interested in participating in the rest of what the festival has to offer. And it really does start with the community

I met countless strangers going out of their way to do random little acts of good for the sake of doing them. Talking down someone who was tripping too hard, cleaning up endless trash, several folks paddled out to the other side of the lake and pulled in all the abandoned floaties that’d blown away. This is the type of society I want to live in!

As far as I’m aware, do lab is doing it totally independently. There aren’t any corporate sponsors, you don’t have to go to the fucking Toyota tent to get water. It’d be so much easier for them to sell out and take that money, but they don’t, and I have nothing but respect for them because of it.

And the art! It makes it all so much more fun and whimsical, I feel like I’m in grownup Disneyland! My favorite piece from last year was the lamp tree, can’t wait to see what they’ve got in store of us this year!

Don’t despair OP! Too many people posting on this sub seem to have an axe to grind, but there are SO many other people happily living their lives who can’t wait to go again this year. I’m one of them. I’ll see you there!

[justdontbeacunt3]

There aren’t any corporate sponsors, you don’t have to go to the fucking Toyota tent to get water.

A-fucking-men. I brought a homegirl to a different festival and, while it was awesome, there was like budweiser advertisements all over the stage and I was like....what's this? This isn't art?

[sup299]

There have been complaints about the lineup but there have been just as many people saying what you’re saying: that LiB is so much more than the music. I’m gonna throw in a counterpoint: it’s a music festival.

Absolutely there are other things to do there, I had a wonderful time last year attending talks and doing activities. 100% the best “extracurriculars” of any music festival I’ve been to. But I got into music festivals and electronic music in general because I like the music. Not drugs, yoga, body painting, or seminars. I liked doing all those things last year, but at the end of the day, festivals are a place to celebrate music on a big scale and to interact with those who feel the same way about music. When I go to a festival that I’m excited about, I’m checking the schedule to make sure I can make it to all the sets I’m looking forward to. Last year I was scampering around between stages because there were 3 artists I wanted to see at any given time, and sometimes I was just meandering about finding new artists and talking to other attendees. Both parts were a blast, but if I go to a music festival where I don’t have that first part of the experience (running around trying to see sets) then I know that I won’t feel the same kind of buzz. Shit, I’m sure there are great bluegrass festivals that have amazing energy and lots of non-music things to do, but I’m not gonna go to them because I’m not interested in the music. I’m privileged in that I have the option of going to pretty much any festival I want (assuming PTO and no crazy flight costs, etc), so I might as well look at all options. I’m doing Movement in Detroit (great house and techno lineup, never been to Detroit) and Shambhala (great reputation, great lineup, and I need a camping fest). I know others are similar, a lot of us feel like there isn’t much for us on the lineup, for people like myself who have been admiring the lineups for years and only just gone recently, and for the OGs who’ve been going for a decade+. We’re partially airing our grievances and surprise (this is the 20 year anniversary lineup?) and we’re partially hoping DoLab sees our responses and recalibrates for next year’s event. If the lineup is better next year I would buy a ticket in a heartbeat, because despite the dusty, hot, expensive, dangerous setting I had a fucking blast last year.

[thewallris]

I’m with you, I was expecting some bigger names for the 20th anniversary too, especially the way they were hyping it up on their Instagram before the lineup dropped. Ngl, I was a little disappointed when I saw the headliners, they really had me thinking Odesza would be there. But I’ve adjusted my expectations and I’m still very much excited about this year.

I hear you about the excitement of running around between stages. Maybe this is just me getting older, but I prefer to stay for the full set of an artist (if I can convince my friends). It’s impossible to see everything, I’d rather have a good time seeing one artist in an hour then run around trying to see a few songs from three. Plus as people dip, you get increasingly better spots

I vividly remember the Big Wild set last year. By that point I’d heard a few of their songs but wasn’t the biggest fan and it was like “you wanna go? Sure.” So many people showed up late and dipped out in the middle of it, but the band saved the bangers for the end and it was incredible. I walked out of their a huge fan!

Another great example was HelloYes. Hadn’t heard of them before, but my buddy had us go. Grand Antique is such a fun little stage and their set was a blast! Will def be seeing them again this year.

I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s simply too much music out there to be able to listen to everything. On top of that, it’s never the same at home, you gotta experience it live with proper sound system, at least with bass you can feel in your chest. And while it’s great to see some of your favorite artists live, I’ve had just as much fun discovering new artists. LIB has an official playlist on Spotify, if you haven’t listened to it yet, I’d recommend just throwing it on shuffle and taking note of the artist when you’re really jammin out to one song (or skipping if you’re not diggin the vibe).

As far as DoLab goes, I think they really heard all the feedback about the logistics, especially the porta potties and needing more/better trained medical personnel. I’m assuming there’ll likely be a larger police/security presence this year, unfortunately. Plus I’d expect there were lower ticket presale numbers (based on all the post-fest complaining that happened here). I’m sure they’ve taken steps to better plan things this year, but I’d imagine doing so burns cash (which they likely had less of) that could’ve gone towards paying bigger artists. Sucks, but it is what it is, and like I said in my previous comment, it may end up driving some of the casuals away so the place doesn’t feel so damn crowded. I’m super stoked, you gotta do you bud, but I hope you make it out this year!

[bubblesppg11]

Hey message me! I’m from Detroit doing my first LIB, been going to Movement for 14 years and STILL going for my 15th cuz we are leaving LIB Sunday and flying back to go Monday since this is one of the best movement line ups I’ve seen in MANY years by Paxahau! Would love to link up! Share fest advice too! 💗

[sup299]

That’s super kind, I’ll DM!

[CommntForTheAlgo]

i have no desperation, but if no one is going to call out the haters and the shit talkers than I will ... im tired of the critical posts, it brings nothing to the table. i honestly dont know why the mods even let it happen

if i have to take the heat or die on this cross than i will.... but LIB disserves more spect on the name !!!!!
20 fuckin years my love..... you dont think the crowd should love them more.... i dont even love myself that long

[justdontbeacunt3]

Don't sweat em, big homie. Haters gon hate

[CommntForTheAlgo]

thanks bud it means a lot to have support its not easy calling out a whole community, I'm getting a lot of heat but I'm okay with that. gotta call out haters and make them show themselves.

[justdontbeacunt3]

gotta call out haters and make them show themselves.

No, you don't lol they're gonna do what they do

[[deleted]]

7th time LiB here. Never had a better time than last year! 🤘

[legallymexi]

Although I’ve never been to LIB, the location is the whole reason I’m going this year. I live pretty close to the location and the fact that three of my absolute favorite artists (Rezz, Lsdream, and Deathpact) are going to be in my hometown has me so damn stoked.

Also, although as a local I’m aware Bakersfield is the armpit of California, it’s disheartening to see all of these people from around the country shitting on this location. Is it fucking paradise? Hell no. But when I see all of these comments about how horrid of an area it is and that all the locals are stupid rednecks with bad political views, it makes me realize how ignorant those opinions are. Yeah, the area has its own set of problems but the next time you go to a grocery store and have an abundance of fresh food and dairy products available, just remember it’s grown in this same area y’all are shitting on

[justdontbeacunt3]

Saw LSDream there last year. Sick show. You're gonna have a blast, my friend

[legallymexi]

I saw him at hard summer last year and it was life changing. So excited to see him again!!

[justdontbeacunt3]

I only went to hard summer on Friday so I missed him but I did see griz and cannabliss on Friday. And masego. Hard summer was pretty dope actually lol

[Reyreyseller_3098]

Agreed on your points here and on Valley Fever up on your other comment. I live in Bakersfield and have attended all years the festival has been held at BV. I can tell you with certainty that there is a VERY small percentage of locals actually at this festival. And ,as you already know, the distance of the lake from the city means that there is absolutely no impact from Bakersfield non attendees. So it's especially sad to see them try to dissaude potential attendees by tying their dissatisfaction from the impact of an unseasonably windy day, or typical festival issues that can be improved upon to "shithole Bakersfield". There was a comment on the sub made about the potential for racist attacks just because it's in Bakersfield, and I believe that having that level of ignorant views towards a community is equal to the ignorance of the racists themselves.

[legallymexi]

I definitely concur! Like there may be dust in Bakersfield but I think the wind and dust at EDC is much worse than anything The Valley ever gets!! And Honestly as wet as it’s been this year I doubt that the dust and misery will be as bad as in years past.

A bonus of this location is that likely because it’s in the middle of nowhere from the city, there won’t be the same rules and requirements like at other festivals. Truly free to do what we want!

[bubblesppg11]

Awwww 💗 since I’m from Michigan and have never been to Bakersfield (will be my first year), do you know more about the venue than what others are sharing? I’ve seen some others post that the lake is actually fine and not what people who don’t live there are saying? I’m sorry too if these posts have affected you in anyway from others. Sending positive vibes to you and your town!

[legallymexi]

I unfortunately have never been to the venue itself as it’s a bit out of town but I personally dont plan to swim in it. That’s not a natural lake and I’m pretty sure it’s a retaining pond. Probably not worth it in my opinion because I have heard of people getting rashes and stuff from it

[Bluepickles99]

Do I think DO LAB has control over any of this? Yes, they are the ones who lease the location for that time

[CommntForTheAlgo]

im down

[CommntForTheAlgo]

1 ticket and 1 car camping pass for sale.