Diandra Reviews It All

Full Moon Fest is a unique festival, in part, because it does not feel like other giant, music festivals. Like Governor’s Ball, it is on Governor’s Island, but does not carry the same “bigness” in ambiance. Instead, it goes for a playground intimacy with music blasting in the backdrop, and people gliding between its three stages like one would go from the slide to the jungle gym. Thus, Full Moon Fest was actually a rather calm, cool day experience.

If you are looking for the next Coachella, Full Moon Fest is not aiming for such an otherworldly experience; it is feeling too chill on earth. As people laid out on the grass and sunbathed to artists such as, Tops, Connan Mockasins, and Selvage, the music ranged from electro dance to moody wave-rock, which had people’s sense “rollercoasting”. There were times like in the disco tent of Kitsuné that artists such as Zimmer had people doing full choreography to the house beats and hanging plant ornaments. Then, there was the Solaar or “La Plage”, a sandy dune where people felt like they were listening to funkadelic rhythms on an actual beach. Both areas were dedicated to DJ’s, such as DJ Harvey and Jeremy Underground, that made their small spaces feel like huge rockets to the sky. People were laughing and elated by the openness of Full Moon’s setting, again, giving a serene, playground atmosphere. It truly was a place for twenty-somethings to run around like they were kids, and even make line for ice cream, which, eventually, ran out. From delicious fruit to Japanese pizza, lines were packing for everyone to get some of the friendly-priced treats, which left some vendors surprisingly but happily sold-out.

The short vicinity between each location was a benefit, and something that I, especially, enjoyed in the last Full Moon Fest. Although the organizers, widened and moved their original space on Gov Island, I did prefer the smallness of last year, of which travel to and from the island was way easier. Yet, with popularity comes movement, and their main stage, Full Moon, had added theatrics and screens to match some of its cooler, culturally influencing artists. Vic Mensa, Kelela, and Abra were absolute standouts. The energy they brought to the stage ripped away the casualness of the festival to remind viewers, “Hey, YOU ARE AT A FESTIVAL”. With lights and smoke blazing through the stage, they looked like vampires sucking music for all the life it gave them. Each reminded the crowd that Full Moon Fest aims for a “boutique” setup, which can be seen in their choices of vendors (Kombucha Anyone?). Yet, I think Full Moon Fest can continue to grow better through years by keeping its relaxed, fun aura. For More Information On Full Moon Fest Click Here.