Music

Is Further Future the latest Las Vegas music festival?

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Experimental electronic act The Orb.

The poster lists musical names you'd never imagine performing in Las Vegas. The name behind the event suggests a Burning Man-inspired gathering south of the Black Rock Desert, one that could attract many from outside Nevada. The description promises things such as "enlightened community," "amazing experiences" and "fostering a culture of mindful optimism, wonder and exploration."

And the other details are, well, scant.

What we know: Robot Heart, the arts and music collective responsible for some of the most memorable and beloved events and gatherings at Burning Man and in its native New York City, is hyping on social media a festival-type happening called Further Future for May 1-3. Its tease coordinates and promo artwork place it in Las Vegas. Its Facebook query responses reveal that it will be a 21-and-over event that will likely utilize the customized and sonically superior mobile Robot Heart sound system, which has never been publicly used outside of Burning Man or NYC, and is notable for its wire heart sculpture and enviable brag-sheet of previous performers.

And there's already a website for the event with ticketing link, courtesy of online ticket service Wantickets, though nothing's for sale yet, and there's no mention of ticket costs or onsale date, venue location or other relevant information. However, an anonymous source tells us the capacity will be limited to 5,000 people, and it's very likely Further Future will be an invite-only event—possibly to ensure that Robot Heart supporters are guaranteed admission. (Robot Heart events in NYC have operated the same way, giving Wanticket passcodes to various "community leaders" and Burning Man camps to distribute to their circles.)

The first wave of acts announced for Further Future, an event taking place May 1-3 in Las Vegas.

As for the talent lineup, today's artwork revealed experimental and underground electronic music artists like The Orb, Tim Hecker, John Tejada, Nosaj Thing, Hundred Waters, Rob da Bank, Henry Saiz (performing with a live band), Body Language (performing a DJ set), Little People and other international talent otherwise unlikely to come our way. Local house/techno DJ and previous Robot Heart performer Brett Rubin is also included among the 48 acts on the preliminary roster (which also promises "more names to be announced").

And as far as enlightened community and mindful exploration is concerned, I'm also hearing there will be speakers as well.

A weekender with left-of-center music, dreamed up by a revered Burning Man sound camp, could also possibly involve art cars and mutant vehicles, theme camps, creative works, costumes/playa gear and guiding principles (i.e. leave-no-trace requirements of attendees) just like the big end-of-summer event up north. But even if it doesn't, Further Future is sounding like just the sort of experience that Las Vegas needs to counter the usual EDM onslaught and its status as a cultural punchline. More details to come.

Tags: Nightlife, Music
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