Sedona’s premier music festival, VortiFest, returns this fall with a two-day celebration of music, art, culture and community in the vortex of Sedona’s mystical red rock country.
Presented by Wild Thyme Restaurant Group, and created by long-time Sedona residents and local business owners Brandon Decker, David Schmidt, Rachel Grant and Jason Lawrence, the vision for the festival is to cultivate community and connection through music and celebrating the breathtaking natural environment of Sedona.
Comedian Brent Pella will open the festival with a stand-up comedy show to kick off celebration on Friday, September 23rd, while music acts will hit the stage for an all-day and night festival experience on Saturday, September 24th with doors opening at 11 a.m.
Headlining bands of the family-friendly festival are multi-platinum two-time Grammy-Award winning Arrested Development and Grammy Award-nominated G. Love & Special Sauce.
True Hip-hop trailblazers since 1991, Arrested Development has been cultural champions of consciousness and empowerment across the planet. Their representation of eclectic and vibrant African sounds and clothing has produced a unique clash of rhythms and style that continue to contrast the expected look and sound of Hip-hop culture.
With an unmistakable sound, G. Love & Special Sauce rose to international fame in 1999 with the release of their fourth studio album, Philadelphonic. The Philadelphia-based trio brings their laidback blues and R&B fusion, which can be heard in classic anthems, like “Rodeo Clowns” and in their most recent album, Philadelphia Mississippi that was just released on June 24.
“We’re really excited about playing the new record, it plays really great live,” says Garrett Dutton, a.k.a. G. Love. “Fans can be ready to rock out to some of their new favorites and the classics too.”
The weekend’s full lineup includes: The Yawpers, Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra, Banana Gun, Adam Bruce, Damiyr and Sedona’s own decker., whose frontman Brandon Decker is the curator behind VortiFest’s jamming lineup.
“We’re excited to bring a collection of feel-good acts that stimulate the senses and uplift the soul in a way that keeps festival goers smiling, dancing and grooving all weekend long,” says Decker.
While music is the medium, VortiFest was designed to bolster Sedona’s greater community and local culture.
“Our job is to make people happy, and make people inspired, and bring together communities and make connections, so that’s what we’re coming here to do,” says G.Love. “It’s a privilege, it’s an honor, and it’s a party!”
Beyond the music, the festival will include a host of new experiences along with craft food trucks and beverages, local artisan vendor village, health, wellness, metaphysical and spirituality tents, a kid’s zone and more.
Click here for tickets and to view the full lineup and schedule.
