There's a time and a place for giant meat market music festivals, but I love a mellower summer weekend bender, one with just two or three stages packed with excellent bands. Because of that, Sonoma's annual Huichica festival has become a yearly journey for me and many of my indie, psych, and folk-pop loving friends from the city.
Huichica isn't some corporate deal by a winemaker trying to make a buck. It was started six years ago by a vintner at California's oldest family-run winery and one of his favorite musicians, Eric D. Johnson of the Fruit Bats. Together they've cultivated a gathering on the scenic hills and outdoor amphitheater of the Gundlach Bundschu Winery that collects great national acts, top notch West Coast food trucks, and tasty wine you can buy and drink by the bottle on their lawn. Since 2013, Britt Govea of FolkYeah has helped amp up the bookings (those of you who hit his amazing shows in Big Sur at the Henry Miller Library know what I'm talking about).
The lineup for Huichica 2015 (June 12-13) has just been announced and it looks awesome once again.
Allah-Las
Atlas Sound
Amen Dunes
Jessica Pratt
Shannon & The Clams
Sonny & the Sunsets
Gap Dream
Fresh & Only's
EDJ
Pure Bathing Culture
The Tyde
GospelbeacH
The Donkeys
Trummors
William Tyler
Ryley Walker
Kacey Johansing
Mariee Sioux
One thing to note for 2015: there will be three stages this year, upped from the previous two. Shows will happen at the Hillside Amphitheater, the Cave Stage, and inside the gorgeous Redwood Barn.
Huichica will take place Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13, at Gundlach Bundschu Winery in Sonoma. Tickets are $40-$55/day for GA and up to $120 for two-day VIP passes. Pro tip: Book an Airbnb nearby so you don't have to drive all the way to the city. Local hotels can be spendy so room and home rental sites are the way to go.
And if you dig the festival setting here, Gunlach Bunschu hosts one-off shows with a number of great indie acts, including Father John Misty, Jenny Lewis, and others. In April they'll have a show with Panda Bear, and Real Estate and Woods will perform there in May. Check out their concert calendar here.
All photos by James Fanucchi courtesy of Gundlach Bundschu