Celebrating its 12-year run, Shabang was dosed with sunshine, dancing, and music fun – and did not disappoint. Well-rounded artists like Chris Lake, Sol Arc, DJ Mandy, Brass Mash, The Backseat Lovers, Magdalena Bay and many others secured the highlights of the weekend.
If you were at Shabang, you spent way too much money on food and drinks, and eventually bought a $65 hoodie to stay warm. You might’ve found yourself moshing in the middle of the crowd or dancing to the beat on the outskirts of the crowd.
Day one of Shabang was a whirlwind. The gates opened at 2 p.m. with stormy clouds hovering. The entry lines were not as long as expected; most people came later in the day. The clouds cleared up quickly, revealing the hot sun. The vibes were immediately there. People rushed straight to the stages to see opening artists like Hot 45, DJ Honey and Twin Fin.
As the temperature increased, so did the crowd. Lines for the food trucks, drink stands, and porta-potties grew. Funk Safari hosted a consistent vast majority of the attendees, where DJs Honey, Soraya, Welker, Fallon, Jackie Hollander and Polo & Pan swept the crowd off their feet. Dust was flying off the ground, people climbed on shoulders, and everyone had a good time.
While the music was satisfying, Shabang has so much more to offer. Playgroundpgx contributed a giant blank canvas for festival goers to paint freely. At first, each individual symbol and letter was legible. After around three hours, designs started to overlap, creating a big masterpiece. This was such a good way for people to express themselves in a space where no one would judge them.
The University platform centered on interactive activities instead of performances, like classes and art activities. On Saturday, these included improv, a panel discussion/mixer, a yoga class, an aro flow session, and a freestyle flow jam. A variety of pursuits leads attendees to feel more immersed and included in the festival.
One unique thing that I observed was how many picture opportunities Shabang offered. Knowing that the festival’s target audience uses social media, offering photo spots is a great way to drive engagement.
There were many mirrors placed around the property, including one that said “Shabang,” as well as large, fuzzy blocks with convex mirrors placed around the perimeter. There were 15 food and drink options. Each stand offered a different type of cuisine (Thai, pizza, sushi, coffee, etc.), ensuring everyone’s cravings were catered to. The lines grew quickly, going from a 5-minute wait to a 30-minute wait. However, this didn’t stop the fun. Friends were still dancing around and having a great time while waiting.
With sunset approaching, the merchandising became busier. The location of the merch booth was not meant for long lines; there was a section of rocky terrain that made the lines curve and merge. As far as merchandising itself, they offered a lot of great options in all sizes. They had Shabang
hoodies for the cold and artist tees. By the time the sun had set, almost everybody was wearing a new Shabang hoodie.
As the night fell, everyone’s energy picked up. You could immediately feel the vibe change as it got time for the Backseat Lovers to take the stage. People started gathering at the Laguna Lake stage hours before they were expected to appear. As the crowd packed together like sardines, The Backseat Lovers took the stage. Although their music is more laid back, the energy was intense.
People everywhere were having the time of their lives with their friends, making day one the perfect ending.
Bringing another full lineup of indie, electronic and alternative artists to the rolling hills and spring sun, day two carried the momentum from the opening night and leaned fully into the festival’s signature mix of music, art and community.
While Shabang has grown far beyond its DIY roots, the final day of the festival still held onto its local feel. From early afternoon sets to late-night headliners, the crowd moved between stages, discovering new artists and returning for highly anticipated performances.
Early in the day, smaller acts like Birchwood, Makeout Reef and Broken Hill brought a laid-back start to the afternoon. These sets, often hosted on more intimate stages, gave festivalgoers a chance to sit back, gather with friends and ease into the day before the larger crowds rolled in. Despite earlier time slots, the energy remained steady, with artists interacting closely with the audience and setting a welcoming tone for the rest of the day.
As the afternoon picked up, performances from artists like Inji and DJ Mandy began to shift the pace. Their sets drew in larger crowds and introduced more dance-heavy energy, with attendees filling in open space near the stage and turning the grassy venue into an open dance floor. The transition from relaxed indie sounds to electronic-driven music highlighted the range that defines Shabang’s lineup.
One of the standout elements of day two was the sense of discovery. Many attendees wandered into sets unfamiliar with the artists and left as new fans. Bands like The Thing and Brass Mash delivered high-energy performances that fed directly off the crowd.
Whether it was bold instrumentals, crowd engagement or spontaneous moments between songs, these sets captured the unpredictable and live nature of the festival experience.
(Kennedy Lyman)
As the sun began to set, the atmosphere across the festival shifted. The golden hour time slots once again proved to be some of the most memorable, with stages filling up and the visuals of the surrounding hills adding to the experience.
Magdalena Bay brought a polished, synth-driven performance that balanced strong vocals with vibrant production, drawing one of the larger crowds of the evening.
Closing out the night, Chris Lake delivered one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend. By the time he took the stage, the crowd had packed tightly together, ready for a high-energy finale. Lights, bass and crowd movement combined to create a full festival atmosphere, with attendees dancing through the final moments of the night. The set served as a fitting end to the weekend, bringing together fans from across the festival grounds for one last performance.
Beyond the music, day two continued to highlight the interactive aspects that make Shabang stand out. Art installations, vendors and returning traditions added to the experience, giving attendees more to explore between sets.
The festival maintained a balance between large-scale production and local charm, a balance that has defined its growth over the years. By the end of the night, Shabang once again proved why it has become a staple in San Luis Obispo’s spring events.
