The ‘MIX-perience’ of KAABOO 2016

By Laura Hunt Little

KAABOO is an experience that is noticeably different from other festivals. The sophomore year festival brought together a multi-generational lineup of genre-spanning musical performances along with top comedians, chefs and visual artists. The four day festival on the weekend of September 15-18, 2016 began with Thursday night VIP access to performances by Macy Gray and Chris Isaak and continued through three more full days of more-than-can-be-seen shows. The lineup offered something for everyone – from Cypress Hill to Jimmy Buffet to Sara Silverman and Fall Out Boy, the biggest challenge was deciding who to see next.

The headlining acts knocked it out of the park. On Friday, Hall & Oates opened with Maneater and kept rolling with hit after hit. Jimmy Buffett transported his parrot heads to an island oasis, Fall Out Boy exploded into the night quite literally with choreographed fire cannons.  On Saturday, the busiest day of the festival, the acts were back to back, leaving fans to choose between too many favorites. Steel Pulse, Capital Cities and The Chainsmokers played on the Grandview Stage opposite Third Eye Blind, Lenny Kravitz and Aerosmith on the Sunset Cliffs stage. Sunday featured G.Love and Special Sauce, Jason Isbell, Cypress Hill, the Avett Brothers and, finally a long awaited return to the stage from Jack Johnson.

On top of the myriad musical selections, fans could spend the whole day listening to comedy in an air conditioned equestrian center with Dana Carvey, Sarah Silverman and Cheech & Chong.  Or wander around the art gallery tasting locally crafted cocktails, California wines and bites from San Diego’s best restaurants. 

One of the benefits of festival-going is finding a new band, or hearing a band live for the first time that you have only heard in passing. This year’s find was Dumpstaphunk. This band is a combination of jazz, reggae and funk started by Ivan Neville for the New Orleans Jazz Festival more than a decade ago and features two – yes two – bass players just laying down a groove that takes over your neuromuscular system. Couple that with smart, social justice lyrical themes and soulful vocals for the win. They played a show Saturday night after the festival at the Music Box, a downtown San Diego club with members of Slightly Stoopid.

Back at KAABOO, fans have much to look forward to over the next few years as the organizers have been approved to produce the event for the next 5 years. The growing pains were apparent when comparing the amount of foot traffic year over year. But while it was definitely easier to navigate in 2015 and find a seat, the growth of the audience for 2016 was a welcome sign to fans who want to be sure this MIX-perience continues.

Dates for 2017 have been announced for September 15-17, 2017. A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available on www.kaaboodelmar.com for a savings of $100 each on General Admission.

(Photos by Laura Hunt Little)