Doe Bay Music Fest: Frack! Is It August Yet?

This post may be a bit more of an editorial than I typically write, but for good reason. Doe Bay Music Festival is hands down the best, and most personal, musical experience I've ever had and I can hardly wait for this year's to begin. For those of you who know what Doe Bay Fest is, I'm sure you've talked about it almost every time the topic of local music or summer festivals has come up in conversation (and maybe even more than that). I know it's true in my case, but then again I live, breathe and eat local music (my own choosing of course). Having had the opportunity to see it first hand last year, I can tell you that it's a once in a lifetime experience no matter how many times you go.

More importantly for those of you who don't know about this festival, let me fill you in a bit. This year it takes place August 11th - 14th on Orcas Island at the incredibly beautiful Doe Bay Resort. Over one weekend you have the chance to see about twenty PNW bands up close and personal in more ways than one. Not only do all the bands play (at least one) set somewhere on the grounds, but you also live, eat and sleep among them throughout the festival. They're hanging out and enjoying the shows just like you, and you get to see what great people they are without feeling like a complete creeper. Some also bring their families since it's billed as a very family friendly weekend with kids running around all over the place. You'd think this would be a downer, but I only noticed they were there when they started dancing around to the music. Adorable!

Along with the purchase of a ticket you also need to choose some form of sleeping arrangements at the resort. Last year I was in the general festival camping which was really fun, but this year I'm splurging a bit by sharing a dome and an adjacent camp space with some friends. There are quite a few options but most likely VIP camping and festival camping will be the only ones available once general tickets go on sale May 1st (all the cabins have been snapped up by bands and the domes/yurts are quickly selling out amongst pre-sale fest-goers). By the way, you need to write down that date (May 1st) because all 700 tickets for this music-filled weekend were sold out within ten days last year. There is one catch, you won't know who is actually playing the festival until long after the tickets are sold out. Columbia City Theater will be holding a free announcement party to reveal the entire lineup on June 2nd where a few bands from the festival's lineup will be playing. There are some strict rules to be aware of so you don't get frustrated later. You can't sell your ticket if you don't like the lineup. Doe Bay requires you to give your name and email at the time of purchase with no changes accepted. Also, no puppy friends (or any other pets for that matter) are allowed at the event. Here's one plus, all kids under 12 are free.

I've been planning to go back since the day after last year's festival ended. One highlight from Doe Bay Fest 2010 was an unforgettable show by Head and the Heart followed by Revenna Woods in a tiny yoga studio/cabin that held maybe 50 people. It was crammed so tight we could barely move but it didn't matter, all I can remember is singing at the top of my lungs and dancing around like a crazy person.

We will keep you up to date with any news we hear, scout's honor. Till then we have a couple fun things. First, the list of bands that I either assume will be playing or that I hope will be playing. Any others I missed? Drop a comment, because I love playing the "who's gonna be there?" game. Also below is a beautiful video put together by Nick Simmons & Justin Henning that just about sums up the magic that was Doe Bay Music Festival 2010. It will probably explain to you better than I ever could why I never plan on missing another one again.

Possible Doe Bay Festival Lineup (if we had anything to say about it, in no particular order):
Campfire OK
Bryan John Appleby
Big Sur
Youth Rescue Mission
Ages and Ages
BOAT
Hot Bodies In Motion
Typhoon
People Eating People
Young Evils
Thousands
Fort Union
Pickwick
Lemolo
Thomas Hunter
Tony Kevin Jr.