Field of Vision II is finally on the horizon, kicking off at Meadow Creek in Buena Vista on Friday the 14th and running until the 16th. Those who attended last year have been dreaming about this week for a whole year now and the time has finally come. The festival is one of the most exciting in the country, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard one of the best bands to ever do it. It’s a psychedelic celebration of the weird, the heavy, the beautiful, all that makes us as people unique and alive. Attending is akin to traveling to some other more ideal version of our world where everyone can be so unabashedly themselves, all there joined by laughter and music, each person ready to head bang their way into oblivion with King Gizzard serving as our guides through hell, heaven, all that’s in between. If you attended last year, you know what I’m talking about and if this is your first Field of Vision, welcome. I am so happy you are getting to experience this.
We at Denver Dive want everyone attending Field of Vision II to have the greatest time possible. As such, we have put together this list of some general tips and things you should know about Field of Vision II in order to help guide you. Nonagon Infinity has opened the door and we can’t wait to step through it with you. See you there.
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Don’t Drive Past the Box Office if You Need Anything When Arriving
This comes from personal experience. Last year, I had received my wristband in the mail but not my parking pass and completely drove right by the box office thinking that the car check station was where I got my pass. They checked my car before realizing I didn’t have the stickers necessary to park and told me to go back to the box office to get them. I got out of line, drove to the box office line, waited, got my pass and had to wait in the main entrance line all over again. I had to have my car searched once again, which honestly didn’t take that long but the whole ordeal added an extra 45 minutes to entering the campgrounds and I’ll be honest, I felt pretty dumb about the whole thing. If you think you need something from the box office, it will be located right by where you turn into the grounds. Please make sure you stop and save yourself the time and embarrassment.
Arrive as Early as You Can to Get the Best Camping
Camping spots are first come first serve. When you arrive and get through car check, you are let in, directed to your respective campground and then get in where you fit in. The camping areas are massive and filled with partying people and if you show up super late, you’re going to have to park and camp very far from most of the festival’s activities. I know not everyone can do pre-party or get off work early but show up as early as possible to make sure you’re all set.
Try to Arrive at the Same Time as Your Friends
Continuing from the previous point, you will be directed to park at the first spot available. This can lead to friends getting separated, etc. If you want to camp with your friends that will be arriving in separate vehicles, try to convene before you enter the grounds. There’s a lot of gas stations and places in Buena Vista to meet up at and put a caravan together. Also, you can still haul your stuff to wherever your friends are if this isn’t possible but arriving all together will make things a hell of a lot easier on you and your people.
Don’t Bring Any Glass, Try to Keep Plastic Use to a Minimum and Just Generally Clean Up After Yourself
The Meadow Creek Park where the Field of Vision is held is absolutely beautiful. It’s gorgeous and green with tons of flowing water and breathtaking views. Let’s all try not to fuck it up. Glass is prohibited but that’s not going to stop everybody. If you bring glass, don’t break it. Put empty bottles in your car to dispose of when home so the people keeping the space clean don’t have to deal with it. Same with plastics. Some of it is unavoidable and it is honestly quite nice having plastic water bottles at your campsite so you don’t have to walk a long time to fill up any reusable water bottles but consider leaving the big packs of water bottles behind and instead bring gallons of water or a filtration device. Bring trash bags, clean up any messes, generally try to respect the space as much as possible so we can keep the space beautiful and keep coming back for years and years.
Bring Clothes for Any Weather
Buena Vista is beautiful in the day. Forecasts are projecting 70s and 80s before the sun goes down. But when it goes down, my god does it get cold. You go from running around in shorts without a shirt on all day to needing a sweater and pants at night. Do not underestimate this. It really drops. Bring warm clothes, party clothes, swimming attire for the lake DJ sets and the creek, anything you can think of. I am of the mind that its better to be over-prepared than underprepared when it comes to this. Bring a bunch of different kinds of shoes, everything from flip-flops/sandals, sneakers and boots, all will come in handy. It should be noted that this year, the forecast also projects rain everyday. Bring ponchos, a coat, rain slick, whatever you think will help keep you dry. This will be especially crucial at night.
Weatherproof Your Campsite
As mentioned above, we’re going to see all kinds of weather this coming weekend. Bring extra tarps to keep your tents dry and to make walls with around your easy ups. Make sure anything not waterproof such as grills, instruments, clothes you love, electronics of any kind, are stored safely in cars or wrapped up in tents. In addition to rain, those campgrounds get windy as hell. Last year, tents that weren’t properly nailed down flying through the air littering the campgrounds with people’s personal items were a rather common sight. Bring heavy duty stakes, like I’m talking railway spikes, to make sure everything is completely nailed down.
The Event is Cashless
This speaks for itself. The whole event is entirely cashless so bring your cards. Bring some cash too if you’re trying to buy anything not officially sold by the festival but just make sure all your cards are paid up so you don’t get screwed.
Bring Your Own Food and Beer
The food vendors are solid at Field of Vision. We had everything from pierogies to pizza to breakfast burritos last year. However, depending on where you’re camping, the food vendors and bars and the like can be quite far. It’s best to just come prepared. Make some easy meals, bring hotdogs and a grill, pick up some MRE’s, bring snacks, that kind of thing. All that will make your life a lot easier. Liquor’s not allowed but bring your own beers, too. This tip doesn’t apply as much when you’re in the main venue itself as there’s plenty of food and beer that’s easily accessible in there. But for the day and while you’re hanging out at your campsite, bring some of your own stuff.
Tattoos are First Come First Serve and Space Will Run Out Quickly
Tattoo artist Emil Orth will be setting up shop Friday – Sunday from 9am to 7pm each day. If you’re looking to get a tattoo, show up as early as you can. I tried last year, got to the pop up around 9:30am. The line was extremely long and the signup list was full by the time I reached the booth. Tattoos were mostly Gizz related, obviously, but they also had some other designs of the artist’s to peruse. It’s a great place to get a tattoo. Just show up early and don’t be too disappointed if you get shut out.
Bring Some Toilet Paper
This a hard truth that must be faced at most camping music festivals: there’s a solid chance the bathrooms are going to get gross. The festival takes great care and does their best to keep Port-a-Potties clean and stocked but they’re contending with thousands of partying people. I find bringing your own TP can alleviate some of the potential grossness. You don’t want to get stuck without toilet paper on a Port-a-Potty toilet in summer heat or rain. You just don’t. Bring your own.
Mirage City is Incredible
Mirage City is returning this year and I couldn’t be happier. For those who don’t know, Mirage City is a bootleg alley meant for fan-made merch. It’s this haven of die hard Gizz fans selling shirts, hats, earrings, rugs, totems, name it. It’s such a cool thing to experience and a really interesting way for local artists to sell their wares. I found some of my favorite items of clothing ever walking down Mirage City last year. Make sure you go check it out.
Get Glammed Up at Drag Camp
Field of Vision is the most inclusive festival I’ve ever been to and Drag Camp is where that inclusivity lives. You can swing by at anytime to get a little glammed up, some glitter, some make up. You can go as hard as you’d like and, if it’s your first time, there’ll be some incredible queens hanging out there to help you out. Drag Camp will also feature a makeup tutorial workshop led by Efemmera Gendera, a hike led by Efemmera and Thespis D. Light and a meet and greet with legendary local queen Pattie Gonia. Swing by and get some glam in your life.
Don’t Forget the Other Stages
The main stage is the obvious main attraction. It’s where most of the sets you’ll see all weekend will be held. However, don’t sleep on the other two stages, Phantom Island and The Castle. Phantom Island is an island in the middle of the lake which hosts a variety of DJs including DJ Boogie Boudreaux and DJ Jello Biafra (legendary frontman of Dead Kennedys who also made an appearance last year) as well as early morning Acid Yoga. People bring floats and tubes and just hang out floating to the music. It’s a great way to spend the day before the main stage kicks off. The Castle is meant for sets before and after the main stage. This is your late night destination which will feature wild sets from Blood Incantation, La Luz and W.I.T.C.H. to name a few as well as some secret sets that have already invited much speculation.
Make Sure to Check Out the Record Fair
The p(doom) record fair will be held throughout the weekend. This will be a place where you can peruse King Gizzard’s extensive catalogue, exchange records of your own, find hidden gems and unreleased projects and more. It’s something I’ve never seen the like of at a festival and it was a really cool thing to check out. Make suer that any records you bring or buy are then stored properly as quick as possible to avoid and weather damage or warping.
Drink Water Before You Get in the Pit
This is just common sense but I feel it needs to be said. This year is a lot more metal-forward than last year with bands like Blood Incantation and Die Spitz among many others poised to rip Buena Vista apart right alongside Gizz. Please drink water before getting into any pits. The Gizz sets are three-hour marathons during which the pit rages without mercy. You should drink water throughout but make sure you’re nice and hydrated before you hop in and that means water, not just beer. No one wants you to pass out or get hurt.
Check On the People Around You
Following the previous tip, keep your eyes open for anyone in distress. If someone goes down in the pit, pick them up. If someone seems as if they might faint or is wobbling, get them some water, some shade, some air. This festival is shaped by community. We are all in this together so if you see someone who needs help, help them.
Don’t Be an Asshole
This one also needs very little explaining. Just don’t be an asshole. Everyone is there for the same reason. Help your neighbors, make some friends, try your best not to kick anybody while crowd-surfing, let people sleep when its time to sleep. It’s not hard.
Have a Great Time!
Last but not least, this weekend is poised to be one of the most fun weekends any of us will ever experience. Make the absolute most of it. Dance, mosh, head bang, be yourself, get a little weird with it, make some friendships that I guarantee will then last you a lifetime, see your favorite band, see bands you’ve never heard of, open yourself up to everything and I promise you won’t regret it. This is going to be something special and I can’t wait to see you there!
If you still need a wristband, get it here!
Check out the full schedule for Field of Vision II here!
