MDM’s First LA Digital Media Meetup - Featuring Youngblood Hawke

Last night, my company, Manatt Digital Media, held our first LA Digital Media Meetup -- featuring the hot indie band Youngblood Hawke performing a rare acoustic set (which was outstanding, by the way).  We held it at our good partner, WeWork Labs', beautiful space in Hollywood.  Here are some pics of the night -- as well as a video of their hit song “We Come Running.”  We limited invitations -- kept it exclusive (to about 50 people) -- to keep it intimate and so that our eclectic mix of digital media movers and shakers could actually connect.  Was a great night -- and there will be more (we have already held 3 Meetups in NYC).

Sun God Music Festival 2013 -- A Review

Last weekend, my wife and I attended the first Bottle Rock music festival in Napa -- here is my review.

Yesterday, I attended the Sun God music festival, which is held on the campus of the University of California, San Diego, each year.  Sounds relatively small, right?

Wrong.  Sun God is 20,000 -- outdoors -- amidst the beauty of San Diego.

Sun God has become a mini-Coachella.  It's that good.  The grounds are grassy and beautiful (like Coachella, and unlike Bottle Rock). The production is first-class all the way (like Coachella and Bottle Rock).  Over the years, Sun God has dialed it all in (the layout, the logistics).  And, the line-up is relatively strong for a festival that is essentially fully funded by the UCSD students themselves (via their annual student services fees).  Essentially, 3 stages -- one main stage for the bands (including one of my favorites for the day, Youngblood Hawke out of LA -- pictured here); a second stage for EDM, which has taken over the world (and is beginning to out-draw the main rock and roll stage at Sun God); and a "tent" venue that features various dance troups and other performances.

Sun God sits on a perfect venue for live music.  This has become an annual rite of passage for UCSD students -- and it was fun just to experience all of these kids meandering all around and getting a taste of a real festival experience.

But, do they really appreciate how unique it is for them?