We spent Thanksgiving weekend on the dance floor at Give Thanks in San Jose. From dark, bass-heavy energy to melodic, feel-good moments, the weekend showed how one festival can hold two completely different sides. We break down the sets, the crowd, the venue logistics, and the one upgrade we’re hoping for next year. Join us as we recap Give Thanks and share what the community is thankful for.

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The Okeechobee 2026 lineup dropped, and we are all in. If the stars align, this will be our new fest for 2026. With its stacked reggae presence, eclectic mix of artists, and a setting actually built for comfort—shade, hammocks, and the iconic AquaChobee beach—it shot straight to the top of our list. Join us as we break down the lineup and get to know the festival behind it.

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A weekend add-on that promised shuttles, suites, and sunrise sets turned into a cautionary tale. In this episode, we break down how Home Bass, the resort “takeover” tied to EDC Orlando weekend, unraveled amid last-minute venue changes, vague updates, and a same-day cancellation that left so many people scrambling. It’s a late review, but the story still matters!
And before we get into it…

Happy Thanksgiving, Festies! We hope you’re cozy, safe, and surrounded by good people today.

Sunny's Festival Corner:

Dimension Festival

Gem & Jam Festival

Give Thanks 2025

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Sunny & Clark spent a night at the San Francisco Leonard Cohen Festival and got an honest look at how his music lives on in the community. The festival is put on by Conspiracy of Beards, a Bay Area choir dedicated to performing Leonard Cohen’s music.

In this episode, Sunny & Clark tell Vanessa all about their experience at The Great American Music Hall, where they saw the Red Room Orchestra perform the score from the film McCabe & Mrs. Miller—a soundtrack built entirely on Leonard Cohen’s tender, sardonic songs.

Shout-out to Clay Smith, the festival’s director, for inviting Festies into such a memorable night.

For more Festies content, please follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @FestiesPodcast

Sunny's Festival Corner

1. Noah Kahan's Out of The Blue

2. The Music Fest at Steamboat Springs

3. ALTer EGO

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The lights and lineups get all the attention, but the real story of a world-class festival happens behind the scenes. We sit down with our friend Kevin Argueta, who has been in the Coachella and Stagecoach trenches as the payroll lead for the resources department — the crew behind cleanliness, sustainability, and nonstop operations that keep the experience seamless.

He shares what it’s like living in the Coachella Valley for weeks at a time, helping manage staff and making sure everyone gets paid! It’s an eye-opening look at how massive festivals support local communities while keeping the show running flawlessly.

If you love festivals, work them, or want to understand the machine behind the magic, this episode’s your backlot pass.

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Austin City Limits 2025 Recap (Weekend Two)
We’re breaking down our Austin City Limits weekend — what worked, what didn’t, and what we’d do again. From Johnny Stimson’s opener to The Killers’ massive closer, we talk about favorite sets, surprise moments, and a few lessons learned along the way.

Festival food, crowds, heat, and the moments that made ACL 2025 worth it.

Head to YouTube and see our official ACL 2025 VLOG!

Follow @festiespodcast on Instagram and TikTok for more ACL content and updates.

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Austin City Limits hits different—the skyline, the dust, the heat, and all the little choices that make or break your day. We haven’t been (yet), but we did the homework so you don’t have to: smarter ways to get around, how to stay connected when service drops, and the packing list that keeps you cool instead of cooked.

We’re talking shuttles, chair check, snacks, vibes, outfits, and the mindset that makes ACL actually fun when things go sideways. Plus—we’ve got bracelets and stickers, so come say hi.

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We go deep on Portola’s industrial charm, the sets that surprised us, and our first artist interview with Bob Moses. From Christina’s Y2K surge to Despacio’s fog, we share the moments that made the weekend, plus tips for anyone planning to go next year.

Make sure to check out our Portola content on our Instagram
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