We can’t help but continue to reminisce on the dreamy, enchanting time we had listening to some of our favorite bands while surrounded by the best of people at Float Fest 2018. If you didn’t catch it, Float Fest was held from Saturday, July 21 to Sunday, July 22 at the spacious Cool River Ranch in San Marcos, Texas. Unlike any other festival in the world, this one offers folks live music, camping and floating on the refreshing San Marcos River – a perfect trio.
Just as we did for day one at Float Fest, we’ve laid out our top three highlights from day two at Float Fest along with some rad photos to paint the picture.
Snoop Dogg
Yes, the legendary Snoop Dogg. Originally from California, this American rapper has been dropping albums since 1992 and hasn’t missed a beat. Loved for his iconic style and unique sound, Snoop Dogg can still pump up any crowd after all these years.
Snoop Dogg performed at Float Fest’s Water Stage at 7 PM, after festival go-ers wandered their way across the large field separating the two stages. Large, energetic, and ready to party, the crowd shouted cheers of excitement as Snoop swaggered his way on stage, louder than I’d heard all weekend.
His set lasted for over an hour, playing popular hits like “Gin And Juice,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “The Next Episode,” “Who Am I (What My Name)?” and Katy Perry’s “California Girls.” Everyone rapped along with smiles on their faces, feeling sweet nostalgia from some of his older classic tracks we all loved back in the day.
Snoop Dogg’s performance brought the party to Float Fest and boosted us up despite the triple digit heats we thought would drag us down. It was the perfect segway into what would be a fun-filled evening.
Cold War Kids
Another from sunny California, Cold War Kids have been dishing their indie rock, soulful tunes since they formed in 2004. Though they bittersweetly replaced the originally scheduled Glass Animals, their set was truly a personal favorite of the weekend.
Cold War Kids graced us on the Sun Stage at 8:15 PM as the sun once again set after a long, hot summer day. Lead singer Nathan Willett instantaneously shocked us with his booming, glorious voice that sounded exactly as if they were playing a recording. Complimented by his band members, Matt Maust, Joe Plummer, Matthew Schwartz, and David Quon, Nathan shook the crowd with his energy and pure enjoyment on stage.
The band played many favorites, including oldies like “Hang Me Up to Dry,” and “Mexican Dogs” as well as newer tracks such as “Can We Hang On?,” “So Tied Up,” “First,” and their amazing cover of Rhianna’s “Love on the Brain” (seriously, go listen to it NOW!). We could feel every beat and rhythm through our bones as we bounched and sang along.
Although they were an unexpected addition in the lineup, Cold War Kids brought one of the best performances of the weekend. They’ll forever be top of mind when we look back at our time at Float Fest.
Tame Impala
What we were ALL waiting for the whole weekend: TAME IMPALA. Originating from the land-down-under, this Australian psychedelic pop band has been shaking up the indie rock scene since their career started back in 2007. Eagerly anticipated, Tame Impala put on a show at Float Fest for all to remember.
The band walked on the Water Stage at 9:30 PM on the dot and Float Festers went wild. We all knew what was to come would be nothing short of magical and euphoric. Dancers whirled around the lit (both figuratively and literally) grounds as lead singer Kevin Parker opened with a hilarious “Fuck, it’s hot” before progressing into their first song “Nangs,” followed shortly by one of their best hits “Let It Happen.” Accompanied by band members Jay “Gum” Watson, Dominic Simper, Cam Avery, and Julien “Frenchie” Barbagallo Kevin’s voice reverberated through the field and through our hearts.
Soon into the set began a mesmerizing laser light show that blasted into the sky, in sync with the band’s upbeat hypnotic tracks. Other crowd pleasers consisted of “Yes I’m Changing,” “Eventually,” “Elephant,” and for an encore, “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards.” Glow sticks waved around the air as we all swayed to the beat, feeling as if we were in some sort of mind-altering dream.
Tame Impala was both dynamic and laid back, lively and carefree. Fireworks blasted in the night sky as the show concluded, a symbol that though the magic was over, there will always be more to come.
Other sets we were able to catch a bit of include White Denim and Toadies. Though we weren’t able to stay the whole set, both delivered amazing acts we wished we could have seen more of!
Stay tuned for more recaps on Float Fest 2018 along with some awesome photos we captured. If you attended, you may be in one of them!
Featured image credit: Leigh Kettle/Shuffle Online
Leigh is a native Texan gone temporary New Yorker and now proud Austinite. Passions include but are not limited to music (both as a spectator and dabbler), traveling & cultural adventures, film & television, true crime, design (of the fashion, interior, and graphic sorts), and photographing & writing about all the aforementioned. Self-acclaimed coffee connoisseur & wino, cat aficionado, book worm, and nature junkie.