Yellow Red Sparks on the Terrace Stage

There’s nothing better than than enjoying folk music on a surreal ranch in the hills of the San Gabriel Mountains with 500 guests and 28 bands. On August 7th, The 2nd New Los Angeles Folk Festival was held at Zorthian Ranch in Altadena, CA. With four different stages spread over Zorthian’s 48 acres—each stage created out of the Ranch itself—attendees could enjoy an array of local and non-local music, all there to celebrate the genre of folk and its kindred spirits.

Attendees hopped from stage to stage without needing to rush in order to catch every band. The schedule somehow managed to work out so that when music stopped on one stage, another stage a few yards away began and there was very little overlap—this is one of many ways the Folk Fest put a refreshing spin on a regular festival experience. Keeping the audience to 500 guests was another wonderful treat. Many enjoyed Echo Country Outpost’s blow-up waterslide, swimming in Zorthian’s pool, and grazed the grounds, checking out Zorthian’s art made from scrap metal or visiting farm animals that dwell at the Ranch. Others sat beneath oak trees, shading themselves from the hot sun and licked ice cream from cones to cool themselves. There was a unique sense of togetherness at this special event. People stayed from early afternoon into the starry night, drinking tons of free O.N.E. Coconut Water, celebrating and enjoying their love for music and summertime. The Folk Fest really delivered the beauty Los Angeles holds, both physically and soulfully.

—photos & words by Kate Rentz

Pictured in PART 1: Frank Fairfield, Julia Holter, Cowboy & Indian, Matt Taylor & His Laurels, Driftwood Singers, Yellow Red Sparks, Stone Darling, Radical Face, Jenny Luna, Very Be Careful, and Olentangy John

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There’s MORE!!! Look out for PART 2 of Folk Fest photos to see Dustbowl Revival, Ghiant, Ferraby Lionheart, Ruthann Friedman, Fabiano Do Nascimento Trio (ft. Mia Doi Todd), Emily Lacy, Tommy Santee Klaws, Ana Caravelle, Nasambu & The Mystic Nomads, Nite Jewel, Amanda Jo Williams, Spacecomesoft, RT N The 44s, Triple Chicken Foot, Spindrift, Stevenson Ranch Davidians, and Djin Aquarian