Beats, booze and brews

Silo, the outdoor multipurpose space in East Village’s Makers Quarter, takes its eclectic programming seriously. The 25,000-square-foot lot has played host to everything from film and beer fests to job fairs and theatrical productions. And it’s about to add music festival to the list.

On June 13, the OASIS FSTVL will kick off a summer-long, four-date concert series. The first installment will feature performances from 2015 Coachella standouts The Gaslamp Killer and Penguin Prison, along with Moving Units, Oliver, JackLNDN, Dadon and Jimbo James. It will return on July 11, Aug. 5, and Sept. 5, although line-ups for those dates have not been announced.

In addition to music, OASIS FSTVL promises to highlight San Diego’s “thriving art, craft beer, food and spirits scenes.”

And according to one of the event’s partner Jonny “Rios” Marroquin, OASIS is looking to go beyond the typical fare of other boutique festivals.

“We want to provide a unique experience,” he said. “We didn’t want to just put up a stage and bring in talent. We want attendees to truly feel like they’re in a different place -- an oasis of sorts. And we envision an interactive element between the festival-goer and the local artists creating unique installment pieces for the series.”

Additionally, Marroquin and founder Camron Zibaie are bringing a nonprofit organization to the forefront of OASIS. From the early stages of planning the event, the pair knew they wanted the overall message of the festival to be more than just fun and games.

“Eating healthy is a luxury,” Marroquin said, “one that many people in lower socioeconomic households cannot afford. Phoenix Foods USA combats hunger by providing families, and all those in need, with pre-prepared nutritious meals. We chose them because the message they convey, and the way they put it out there, is brilliant.”

While the ultimate success of OASIS seems hinged on how well all of the multifaceted event’s components can coalesce, Marroquin relishes the idea of taking up the challenge on an annual basis.

“Our ideal scenario for the long term,” he said, “would be to keep it going summer after summer. We want to push the limits of what can be done creatively in the festival environment.”

Scott McDonald is a writer, on-air personality and consultant with 15 years of experience in the San Diego music scene. He has interviewed hundreds of artists, from the legendary to the underground, for print and television. Follow McDonald and his melodic musings on Twitter @eight24_ or Instagram @scotteight24. Send your music musts to scotteight24@gmail.com.

Source: DiscoverSD