Music
Ashley Joy Parker
First-Look At Shabang Festival's 10th Anniversary Lineup
- By: Ashley Joy Parker
- January 23, 2024
Two days of alternative & electronic performances.….
On May 3 and 4, the homegrown indie-electronic music festival Shabang will take over the picturesque Dairy Creek Golf Course, celebrating its 10th year of successfully putting San Luis Obispo’s art and cultural scene on the map.
Featuring four stages of performances from over sixty artists, the coastal California event will highlight both local and internationally renowned DJs and live bands with its biggest edition to date. This year will feature all-new camping packages for attendees, yoga, workshops, art installations, and pop-ups from renowned wineries, breweries, and local food vendors – making it a perfect weekend escape to the beautiful Central California coast.
Set against a backdrop of rolling hills, the renowned Laguna Lake and Cuesta Ridge stages will host Shabang’s indie and crossover lineup- led by 2x Grammy-winner Thundercat, Canadian indie-pop band Peach Pit, rising surf-rock favorites Sun Room, and American folk-rock icons Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners.
The live billing is continued with Philly alt-pop group Joy Again, singer-songwriter Kate Bollinger, hometown heroes Swede & Skogen, and The Walters – whose single “I Love You So” just reached RIAA Certified Platinum.
The electronic music billing is just as impressive for the festival’s silver-anniversary, with legendary acts such as Techne label boss Noizu, grammy-nominated SIDEPIECE, and the NYC-born house icons Walker & Royce taking charge of the Funk Safari stage. The prolific dance music vocalist Kaleena Zanders will also be joining the decks, disco-driven duo LF System, and Nala – who has been quickly recognized for her Riot Grrrl-style vocals in her production. Shabang continues to stay in tune with the current cultural landscape with the comedy TikTok act DJ Mandy joining the industry heavyweights who rose to fame for her “purposely disastrous attempts at mixing”.
Rounding off the electronic lineup is Beatport Top 10 melodic-techno act Silver Panda, rising Realm Records-signed Jackie Hollander, and a special set from the festival’s beloved music director SAWYER.
Every spring, Shabang proves its commitment to community participation through multiple initiatives and sustainability efforts. Its infamous Battle of the Bands tour aims to uplift new talent by traveling across California to fill the remaining slots on the lineup. The annual competition provides winners with a monetary grant, studio time, and a platform to excel in their careers and showcase their music.
On top of the extensive music programming, the landmark event will feature an art garden, relaxation tents, a Vendor Village, performance aerialists, live painters, and more. The University space will continue to host yoga, stand-up comedy, speed dating, and workshops such as last year’s popular “Twerk Therapy.”
As an ode to SLO’s house show culture, the silent-disco Haüs Party will also take place in a literal house equipped with a furnished living room and backyard with a grill, bar, stage, twinkling lights & DJ sets from local talents. Situated next to Paso Robles’ expansive wine and farm country, the festival also furnishes pop-ups from acclaimed vineyards, breweries, and local food vendors.
For the first time since its inaugural edition in 2014, camping packages will also be offered at El Chorro Regional Park Campground with bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, fire pits, RV hookups, and a general store – all within a 10-minute walk from the venue. Activities will be provided at the campgrounds such as yoga classes, volleyball, and tours through the neighboring San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens.
Shabang began as a humble DIY event in the mountains above Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Three college students, Greg Golf, Carson Stone, and Alexander Schwend, aimed to throw “The Last Shabang” for 20 friends with a shared love of music and growing their community.
Today, the festival is a sought-after West Coast weekender with over ten thousand attendees per year and a decade of uniting the 805 under their belt.
“It is hard to believe that Shabang turns 10 this May,” the founders share. “When we started, we never imagined the journey that life had in store for us. A decade later, we’ve arrived at the venue of our dreams with a line-up to match. What truly has kept us growing is our deep roots on the Central Coast; this anniversary is only possible thanks to this community.”
They continue, “With camping and our biggest lineup yet, we’re dancing our way into a new chapter in Shabang’s evolution and becoming one of California’s favorite grassroots festivals. Here’s to ten more years!”
Located on the sprawling grass meadows in the valley of the Nine Sisters, Shabang transforms Dairy Creek Golf Course into a kaleidoscope of color that highlights the natural landscapes of the Central Coast and provides a perfect spring getaway from SoCal to San Francisco. With curated talent booking and strong ties to the community, the festival shares the voices and stories of both local artisans and global music acts alike.
Shabang’s 10th anniversary will be nothing short of magical – promising to celebrate all the festival has built over the past decade and providing a glimpse into what the next chapter holds.
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