High Sierra Music Festival 2025 Recap & Thank you’s by Miss BISS
🙏 High Sierra 2025 Thank You & Recap
Now that I’ve had a little time to catch up on rest & food, and gather up my brain power, it’s time to send out a big, resounding THANK YOU to everyone who made this year’s High Sierra the magical event we were all hoping for.
High Sierra 2025 was unforgettable. It was the kind of year where everything clicked – the music, the people, the energy, the love. You could feel it in the air and in every corner of the fairgrounds. Whether you were part of the crew, an artist, staff, a FestivALL patron, or someone dancing your heart out under the stars, you helped bring this experience to life.
So let’s take a moment to celebrate what we built together…
Thank You to the FestivALL Crew (Ride-or-Die Legends)
Thank you to my entire 2025 FestivALL crew. You were absolutely phenomenal. You brought heart, humor, and hustle, and together, you made magic happen.
Skye, Winter, Josh, Amanda, Larry, Nick, Donna, Caleb, Krista, Juliana, Ken, April, Daphne, Michael, Corey, Lauren, Corrie, Teague, Gina, Mary, Michelle, Silas, Cheryl, Lauren, LeighAnne, Joel, Angela, Lauren, Mei, and Aaron – thank you.
Whether you worked every day or jumped in for just a few shifts, I saw you. I felt your energy, your dedication, and your love for this thing we’re rebuilding. You showed up when it counted. You stayed late when needed. You pivoted when plans changed. And through it all, you made space for joy while handling the grind. That kind of crew is rare, and it does not go unnoticed.
💜 Huge love & appreciation to my assistants, Skye & Winter. Wonder triplet powers, ACTIVATE. I couldn’t have survived the madness without you.
🍹 Major props and gratitude to Josh, the FestivALL bar manager, for not just running the bar like a pro, but also showing up early and stepping up to help the team during pre-fest.
💪 Big thanks to Corey for crushing my own load-in and load-out from my house and storage unit. You made the edges smoother and the weight lighter.
Thank You to the Staff (Festival Fam Forever)
From top to bottom, this team poured their hearts into making this thing happen, and I saw it. I felt it. Every department brought their A-game. Dave Margulies kept the vision alive and steady, while Theresa Hayle absolutely crushed it as Director of Operations. I felt lucky to be learning from her again this year, as I have for something like over 20 years now, and watching her lead with clarity and care is amazing.
The work environment this year was especially supportive. We pulled together with one shared goal: to keep this beautiful thing alive and make sure every person, from staff to patrons to artists, had an incredible experience.
And in the weeks leading up to the festival, those check-ins with Jennie for a quick mental health moment really helped ground me amidst the chaos. (Thanks girl!) It wasn’t just about logistics this year, it was about taking care of ourselves and each other, and it showed.
Thank You to the Music & the Artists Who Brought It (Heart Beats & Funky Feels)
To all the artists who brought it – your sound, your soul, your stories – thank you. You are the heartbeat of this festival. Whether you were lighting up the Grandstand Stage, Big Meadow, Vaudeville, a Playshop, a Troubadour session, vibing in a late-night set, or jamming in a tucked-away corner of the fairgrounds, you created the magic that lives in all of us now.
While I couldn’t get out of my own little world as much as I would’ve liked, I heard about all the jams, collabs, and epic moments happening across every corner, big and small, throughout the weekend. That’s one of the most magical things about High Sierra: even what you miss becomes part of the collective joy. I didn’t get to see everything (I never do), but I caught those magical, fleeting moments that only High Sierra delivers. The ones that remind you why you do this work in the first place.
And about that whole “no headliner” conversation? Please. The music proved that the headliners are created! Someone said Quincy’s mountains should be considered the biggest headliner… and honestly, facts.
Thank You for the Vibes (Pure High Sierra Magic)
There’s something in the air in Quincy. The kindness. The connection. The constant soundtrack of funk, soul, and joy. People smiling like they haven’t smiled in months. Hula hoops, parasols, costumes, reunions… it’s all just one big love bomb. This year felt like a reset, like we stripped things down and rebuilt something real. People showed up. We pulled it off. And you could feel it in every dusty, sparkly moment.
Thank You to Everyone Who Attended (You Made It Real)
To every single person who came to High Sierra this year – thank you. Whether it was your first time or your 20th (or 33rd), your energy, presence, and joy are what make this festival feel like home.
And to our FestivALL patrons: your support means the world. You help keep this dream alive and make all the behind-the-scenes work worth it. From the Lounge to the Grandstand, your energy was radiant. Thank you for showing up with style, grace, patience, and smiles.
Personal Highlights
Don’t get me wrong… I was working in the FestivALL Lounge right next to the Grandstand all weekend, right in the thick of it. But there’s a big difference between being near the music and actually dropping into it. Still, I managed to sneak in a few gems.
Friday afternoon kicked off with Sgt Splendor… As everyone probably knows, Kate and Eric are personal faves of mine. I was lucky enough to get up to the stage to catch sound check and a few minutes of their set.
After we closed up the Lounge on Friday night, Skye and I hopped in the golf cart and picked up a hitchhiker named Dave Margulies en route to catch Mitchum Yacoub over at Vaudeville. Then we hit Late Night with ALO. I mean, how could I not after suggesting Psychedelic Safari as the costume theme for the set?
Saturday flew by with all kinds of great music on the Grandstand Stage, but I dropped in at the stage for just a moment after running into Maxwell “Malik” Friedman in the FestivALL Lounge, who told me he was going to sit in with Ron Artis II. When Ron called his name, I booked it up to the front of the pit and caught this epic sit-in. It ended with a hug between the two of them, and I was standing under them in earshot when Maxwell made a heart with his hands and shouted, “I love all of you Mother f-ers!”
As I always say… it’s all dialed in by Sunday. And sure enough, it was. That meant I could finally drop in for a bit more… The Third Mind, Grace Bowers, The Rumble, and the epic closing set at the Grandstand Stage with Everyone Orchestra, conducted by guest conductor Zach Gill and featuring too many players to name!
It was truly one of those years where the magic was undeniable. The people, the music, the vibe… it all clicked. We saw artists creating in the moment, collaborating in ways that only happen at High Sierra. Check out my album of videos and photos here.
Bonus Notes & Links
📳 Gabe’s BISS List review said it best: “Headliners schmedliners!” When Ron Artis II walked into the crowd mid-set, ALO crushed their return, and The Slip, Surprise Me Mr. Davis, The Barr Brothers, and Nathan Moore interwove their magic, it was clear – headliners were born on our stages. Add Maxwell “Malik” Friedman, Karina Rykman, Molly Tuttle, Holly and Ryland Bowling, The Rumble, Grace Bowers, and Steve Poltz? That’s High Sierra at its finest.
He also gave a beautiful shout-out to both Theresa and me, and it truly meant the world.
📖 Read Gabe’s full review and see the photo gallery:
https://bisslist.com/biss-review/photo-gallery-high-sierra-music-festival-quincy-ca-07-03-25-07-06-25/
🎥 Some beautiful captures from my fest fam:
Ken Pordes
📷 Photo Albums:
https://www.facebook.com/ken.pordes/photos_albums
🎥 LAZWELL featuring Lantz Lazwell and Eric McFadden:
https://www.facebook.com/ken.pordes/videos/686273887764570
Tony Dellacioppa
📷 Shiny Happy People Album:
https://www.facebook.com/tony.dellacioppa/posts/pfbid02NEimrZWK8eW9oWcjJQy8QKPtB2V5c97i43YQV5NHqXiQ3v1jxKGrca55LoZn4yBol
🎥 Maxwell “Malik” Friedman, Camp Yes! – High Sierra 2025:
https://www.facebook.com/tony.dellacioppa/videos/30142584375389972
Susan Weiand
📷 Photo Albums:
More Good vibes: https://www.facebook.com/susanjweiandrockphotography/posts/pfbid0uGWFNz5RvzCtFAcPc8DDRg9hpKxdqQPztm5Hiy45NKKCRyfEKYTB5kexUZHMPXuol
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