OKEE DOKEE
Never in a million years would I have expected our world to look as it currently does, so I definitely wouldn’t have believed it if you tried to tell me some short weeks ago as I boarded a flight to Orlando for the triumphant return of Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival.
It’s really funny that I, of all people, was able to get in one fest before everything got cancelled or delayed. I also have officially passed the two week symptoms mark, so I know I at least didn’t catch COVID-19 from anyone in The Portal. I, also laugh at the fact that I thought going from a weekend in snowy Tahoe to muggy Florida was going to be my biggest issue.
Ok, so let’s rewind a little. Okeechobee is a relatively well-known fest that came back this year after taking a year off (due to some drama with the county) and under new ownership of Insomniac. When the first phase of the lineup dropped back in October, my friends and I immediately purchased tickets. Five months later, I found myself on a swamp in the legit middle of Florida for a few days of friends, wubs, laughs, dancing and more.
For all of us, this was out first Okee, and I think it’s safe to say we were all very pleased. I went with some of my faves of the Roo Croo and some new friends. Our friend, Caroline, also was working the festival, so it was so fun to all be together. We made a new friend, Destinee, who happened to camp next to us. She hung with us all weekend and is now even coming to Roo!
From first setting up the camp on Thursday morning to walking back from Incendia in the weeeee hours of Monday morning, there wasn’t a moment where I didn’t fully feel the magic of The Portal. I loved that it was a smaller festival, so lines were never really long, and it was pretty easy to get everywhere. Everyone was super friendly and down for a good time. Even though it was freeeeeezing, everyone was clearly so happy to be there.
Thursday night at Aquachobee either during Huxley Anne or Yheti
Absolute madness in Here during G Jones’s set
The music was absolutely incredible. They curated such a fucking mind blowing set of acts spanning all four days. I joked I would’ve gone if it was even just Saturday’s lineup alone (talk about an evening of Zía > Mersiv > LSDream > G Jones > Tipper – like are you KIDDING ME????). All of the sets were so different one to the next, and I loved just dancing and messing around like idiots with my friends. My favorite sets of the weekend, in no particular order, were Yheti (!!!!), G Jones, Griz (you can already listen back to his set), Crooked Colours, LSDream and Wreckno b2b Super Future. The poi show were got during Tipper was truly a story for the books. I’m still giggling about it. Also, seeing Subtronics as a last-minute replacement for Alison Wonderland could not have been a better way to end the weekend.
All smiles in The Portal
I was hyped about how bass music was so celebrated and cherished at Okee. I felt so energized and free, confidently feeling able to really lose myself at every set. It’s so heartwarming to know that other people are into the same niche shit as you.
Thoroughly enjoying the soundbath
Some of my favorite moments of the weekend included LSDream’s soundbath. 300 of us packed into Yogachobee to be cleansed and detoxed by the sounds of Sami. I also loved the super early Sunday morning (I’m talking 5 am) Eazybaked & Friends b2b2b2b2b on the beach at Incendia. They all looked like they were having an absolute ball, and it was so fun to just jam out on the beach with the girls. I loved the lil adventures we took a the Tea Lounge. It was this little wooded area filled with all kinds of crazy shit, coffee shots, pandas playing pianos, hidden mazes, drag shows and more. Finally, I loved the afternoon spent on the beach at Aquachobee listening to sets from G-Space and Eazybaked. We all took our shoes off as we got ddddddown in the sand.
It’s really weird looking back on this weekend now. On one hand, I’m obviously so happy that I got to have this experience, but on the other hand, it made me realize how important these weekends are. They’re a chance to disconnect from the outside as you enter a new world. You get to meet some of the best people and grow closer to those you already hold close.
I’m really sad that it’s going to be much longer until I’m able to share another one of these weekends with my good people. This whole chaotic time had really showed me to never take these moments for granted. I know that when we can all get back to normal life and regular festing, although a little different than years past, we are going to be even more devoted to being so present. I really cannot wait for it.
Thank you Okee for warming my heart, bringing me together with my friends, reminding me of why I love this and giving me memories I will forever remember.
If you wanna get into all your musical feels, feel free to dig into the playlist I made for the weekend:
