Unlike many of his classmates, Steven Lindberg will spend his weekend at the three-day Moogfest music festival in the mountains rather than partaking in the Hillsborough Hike. To Lindberg , a weekend assortment of contemporary electronic is worth the road trip.
“This festival definitely caters to electronic music and Asheville has some really nice venues,” Lindberg , a junior in art and design, said. “I went last year and had a blast. I think it can only get better this time.”
In its second year, Moogfest is looking to attract 10,000 visitors a day, according to Jeff Cuellar , event organizer and director of connectivity at AC Entertainment. Cuellar said the festival doesn’t cater to any specific crowd or genre.
“There will be a little bit of everything, but we wanted to make sure that everything is quality,” Cuellar said. “The musicians and the great acts they are bringing should speak for themselves, but overall, we want people to come to enjoy the festival and experience it.”
Cuellar said Moogfest is not just about the music, but rather focuses on the rich cultural experience charged with energy from the crowds, the venues and the ambience.
“The music is important, but concerts aren’t just cutting it anymore,” Cuellar said. “People aren’t traveling here to just listen to music, but they want to feel like their part of something really big and we’re going above and beyond to make sure the music and the experience leave an impact of the visitors.”
Cuellar said the highlight acts will include Tangerine Dreams, Little Dragons, Crystal Castles, Taylor and Gyan Riley, Moby and Passion Pit. The Flaming Lips, who were featured as the biggest show in Raleigh’s Hopscotch Music Festival, will make an appearance Saturday night.
Moogfest honors the late Asheville instrument maker Robert Moog , who is famous for designing the Moog synthesizer and pioneering electronic music.
The mix of electronic and the timely Halloween weekend inspired visitors to the festival to dress up last year, and Lindberg plans to return dressed up as Donnie Darko and his girlfriend as Frank from the film Donnie Darko .
“It just that atmosphere and it’s funny being a grown up and all dressed up, but a lot of people do it,” Lindberg said. “I’m expecting a lot of people to come back dressed up.”
The festival will feature more than 70 bands and will take over the center of downtown Asheville. Cuellar said the acts will celebrate national and international music, but overall the focus is to show off the city.
“North Carolina is only growing on the music scene and Moogfest is making sure people look out for what’s happening,” Cuellar said. “People are looking for things to do—we have great venues and a great downtown, so we’re going to have some fun.”
