El Paso, TX has never had a music festival of the magnitude of Neon Desert Music Festival come through, ever. The Vans Warped Tour and H.O.R.D.E. have come through Las Cruces, but the largest concert I can remember in El Paso was U2 with the Sugarcubes at the Sun Bowl back around 1992 during the “Zooropa” tour. I wasn’t cool enough to have somebody older take me, however, I have friends that had cooler older brothers that would tote them anywhere and everywhere. My friend Richard Nassar would wear his U2 concert t-shirt religiously once a week for the rest of the school year. I’m ecstatic that the downtown area is attempting to revitalize by attracting new businesses and new life. Just make sure you keep the Lagartos. The inaugural Neon Desert Music Festival (we hope it’s the first of many to come) is part of this revitalization plan and it goes down this Saturday, April 30th. The festival is 100% El Pasoan. The orgainzers are local El Paso bred kids: Zach Paul, Brian Chavez and Gina Martinez. I’m very envious that I wasn’t able to help in a different capacity, but happy nonetheless. If you haven’t purchased your tickets, you can do so here and information on how to commute to the festival is right here. Call me a dreamer, but wouldn’t it be rad if At the Drive-In reunited, even if it was for just one night? The stars have aligned themselves accordingly, and Jim Ward does live in town, and the stage is set. All that is left to do is play.
Festival goers are urged to come with empty bellies. L&J Cafe, 501 Bar and Bistro, the Drifter and Crave will be on hand to dish out local foodie fare. There will also be live art installations provided by Ernesto Yerena, Tocayo, Neko and Exist 1981 and other local artists. For those of you that aren’t satisfied going home at 11 PM, you will be pleasantly pleased with the after hours situation. What would a music festival be without after parties? The bands are yet to be announced, however, there will be after hours shows at the Lowbrow Palace, Wet, Soho Cocktail and Lounge and the San Carlos Building. Check out the most up to date information on the festival below and be on the lookout for updates from the El Paso Times for more information.
