Where were you when GRiZ announced his impending hiatus? I remember reading his heartfelt post on Instagram, knowing that I would not miss the last curated event to be announced later that week. Fully prepared to buy a plane ticket or make a cross-country road trip, I was SHOCKED when he announced Ursa Major, a three-day festival that would be held in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona. As a long-time GRiZ fan and a former Flagstaffian, I was ecstatic that he chose this intimate send-off event.
Despite my excitement, I was cautiously optimistic. In my years of festival experience, I have come to understand the challenges that first-year festivals can encounter. It delights me to report that my three days at Ursa Major were everything I hoped for and more! Let’s explore five ways in which GRiZ successfully cultivated one of the most magical festivals in electronic music to date.
- The Perfect Setting
Nestled away in the Coconino County Forest, Fort Tuthill Recreation Area is a property that serves year-round entertainment for locals and tourists alike. The space is home to zip-line and adventure courses, an equestrian arena, and hills for tubing in the winter. Pulling into the Fort Tuthill campgrounds early on Friday, the process to enter the grounds was streamlined and straightforward. Within thirty minutes, we had driven through the sprawling area and gone through the vehicle security checkpoint. Ursa Major festival-goers had two camping options to choose from within Fort Tuthill, car camping or walk-in camping. I opted for walk-in camping and the trek from car to campsite was extremely easy. As we walked up, our camp hosts invited us in to orient us and point out where bathrooms, medical, and venue would be. The free-range feel of the camp was amazing and many took the opportunity to hang their hammocks up between the pines for a place to lounge or sleep.
The Pepsi Amphitheater itself is an intimate venue that holds a maximum of 3,000 people. The grass lawn was a perfect place to groove and the pit was only a short walk down the stairs. The mountain air, trees, and cool weather made the entire experience feel incredibly refreshing and authentic.
- Unforgettable Performances
With a stellar mix of electro-funk, bass, and jam bands, the lineup offered something for everyone. GRiZ also provided a set forecast for the weekend so fans could prepare.
Day 1 was a thrilling kick-off, sporting talented artists including Of The Trees, Justin Jay, and Black Carl. GRiZ didn’t disappoint, playing old and new bass bangers that had the crowd bouncing. Day 2 was super groovy, with vibes facilitated by Sunsquabi, Freddy Todd, and GRiZ’s infamous Chasing the Golden Hour set. The night closed with powerhouses Daily Bread and Opiou, which were some of my favorite sets of the weekend. Day 3 offered brilliant performances from the likes of Motifv, Maddy O’Neal, Inzo, and Flamingosis. The journey between jazzy sets and funky bass was a great preamble for GRiZ’s final set of the weekend. Beginning with an open-ended love letter to his supporters, the set was beautifully crafted with old soulful favorites and new unreleased music alike.
- The Crowd
While the electronic music community is often filled with kindred spirits, we can all think of a time when the crowd at an event failed to meet expectations. Whether it is a negative experience with a specific person or simply that the event is severely overcrowded, this situation can be disheartening when you have looked forward to seeing a favorite artist. However, the atmosphere at Ursa Major felt like being surrounded by 3,000 of your good friends. Walking through the crowd, you were met with smiles and great conversation. The event was also supported by the Harmony Project, which can be found at all GRiZ-headlined shows. Partnered with Good Night Out Vancouver, the project is aimed at promoting safety at events and offers assistance to those who are made feel uncomfortable or who have had boundaries violated. It was wonderful to see and feel the love and compassion within the community, a sentiment that was consistently shared by many throughout the weekend.
- Opportunities to Feed the Soul
Ursa Major offered a variety of workshops and activities, with events like morning yoga, nature walks, meditation, and art-making. I thoroughly enjoyed the Altered States: Gong Journey, a meditation experience that emulated a sound bath. The sound of the wind in the trees and the low humming of the gong was cathartic. Something unique to Ursa was a workshop titled Bystander Intervention Made Easy, which helped equip attendees with intervention techniques to be used when witnessing harassment. There were also daily workout sessions led by GRiZ’s friend and personal trainer Oli Beardshall, to which GRiZ even made an appearance. The workshops were held in different areas around Fort Tuthill, and each offered participants a time and space to connect with one another and with nature.
- GRiZ Culture
What made Ursa Major so special boils down to the culture GRiZ has built over the years using his music and platform. Regardless of race, age, or sexual orientation, all are welcome within the GRiZ community. His long-standing motto “Show Love Spread Love” was the theme of the weekend and set a precedent for the way music events should be. On the last evening, there wasn’t a dry eye in sight. Hugs were shared and tears were shed as GRiZ gave his final thoughts. I found it admirable that he took a moment during this last set to have all attendees swear to leave no trace in the campgrounds and to ensure that we left the space as pristine as we found it. As we packed up camp Monday morning, it was clear that everyone took his words seriously and worked together to preserve the campgrounds.
After this weekend, I can confidently say that we should not feel sadness toward GRiZ’s hiatus. Instead, it should inspire a sense of hope. Hope for a future that is bright, for friends that love you, for music that always makes you feel good, and lastly, hope to eventually cross paths with GRiZ once again.
