KAABOO has been around for 5 years in Del Mar, CA, so while this isn't their first rodeo, it is the festival's first time in Texas, and with a new venue and new city comes growing pains. Despite all of this, the festival organizers executed the first day of festivities flawlessly.
In the last decade, Arlington, Texas has been expanding its offerings to be competitive with its bigger sibling cities, Fort Worth and Dallas. Several developments include the building of the AT&T Stadium, the building the Arlington Highlands (an outdoor shopping complex), refashioning its convention center into an E-sports stadium and expo center, and strengthening the downtown area to encourage tourism. Growing up in this town that the residents refer to as a “big small town,” it comes to no surprise to me that this year Arlington will host its first annual music festival, KAABOO Texas Festival. It’s rather fitting of a major music festival to make its debut in the AT&T Stadium, ten years after the stadium first opened.
KAABOO markets itself as a “new kind of entertainment and arts experience designed around comfort, hospitality, and good times,” according to its website. An adults-only event, this event advertises music, comedy, food, comedy, art, and hospitality amenities like lounges and running toilets. With a strong line-up including The Killers, Lionel Richie, Mrs. Lauryn Hill, Blue October, and Your Smith, KAABOO may become one of the stronger festivals of Texas.
Stay tuned with ktru for a giveaway opportunity. KAABOO Festival will happen May 10-12 at AT&T stadium. More information can be found on their website kaabootexas.com.
BUKU is defined as excess in Creole slang, deriving from the French word “beaucoup”. The name is perfect for a music and arts festival held at Mardi Gras World on the banks of the Mississippi in New Orleans. BUKU is a relatively new festival that started in 2012, but managed to attract over 35,000 people this year, selling out completely. BUKU, in comparison to the other festivals in New Orleans (like Jazz and French Quarter Fest) appeals to a younger crowd; this is apparent in the festival’s EDM heavy lineup.