Written and photos by Rebecca Hollman
We’re only 3 weeks away from one of the most epic festival on the West Coast – Dirtybird Campout. Dirtybird has created a cult following, and rightfully so. Created by Claude vonStroke, Dirtybird Records has been putting out funky house beats for years. Almost more than any other record label, Dirtybird has got some true hardcore fans – always decked out in Dirtybird merch. Now with a ton of artists on the label, one-day events all around the country, and two different festivals on both sides of the States, Dirtybird has really swept it all.
Dirtybird Campout West has been bringing adult camp shenanigans and banging house music for years. 2019 will be no exception with it’s stacked lineup of Dirtybird Players like Ardalan, BOT, Bruno Furlan, Justin Martin, Sacha Robotti, Steve Darko, VNSSA, Walker & Royce, Will Clarke, Franklyn Watts, Sage Armstrong, Justin Jay, ZDS, and of course Claude vonStroke himself.
Besides just house, Dirtybird Campout always has bass artists playing at the Bass Lodge. This year will bring The Librarian, Tiedye Ky, Eprom, Mija, and Barclay Crenshaw.
The thing that makes Dirtybird Campout so unique is its games and activities. No one else quite does adult summer camp like Dirtybird. All festival attendees are assigned a team color upon entrance into the festival and all the teams compete for points throughout the weekend. A final team is declared winner at the closing ceremony. The weekend’s games for 2019 include both athletic and artistic – as well as just some pure luck. New games for 2019 include freeze tag, double dutch, an obstacle course, a wheelbarrow race, red light green light and boat wars. Back from last year are volleyball, dodgeball, archery, bocci ball, cornhole, horseshoes, kayak races, ping pong, soccer, potato sack races, tug of war, water balloon toss, kickball, 3 legged races, hula hoop contest, a scavenger hunt, and boat/floatie races. Points will also be awarded for best artistic skills in a totem making contest, the knitting contest, a body art contest, and a tie-dyeing contest.
Besides the music and camp activities, there will also be a wide array of other events at Claude’s Cabin – previously known as the Bunkhouse Stage. Claude’s Cabin will be going all day and late at night after the music has ended. New events for 2019 include speed dating, -an attempt to connect some Dirtybirdies for young love-, deep house yoga, -to stretch your body and ease your mind before the day ensues-, as well as a twerkaholics workshop, and a “How Long Can You Last” competition. Back again for 2019 is the welcome assembly on Friday morning, bobbing for apples, pie-eating contests, a lap dance competition, a talent show, open mic/stand up comedy, a beatbox competition, and the closing award ceremony.
Check out a few live sets from the artists on this year’s lineup to get yourself pumped in the coming weeks!