Photo Diary: Trans Pecos Festival of Music & Love

There’s something magic in the Marfa air…

It’s a place that has haunted my imagination for many years and, once I moved to Austin, it felt so close I could taste it. The Trans Pecos Festival of Music & Love was my ticket to Marfa and, late last week, I threw some clothes in a backpack, hopped in my car and headed out.

Just 6 hours from Austin, it felt like a completely different world. The road stretched on for miles and miles, the desert broken up by rock formations hinting at the nearby Big Bend National Park (another place on my list to visit). I felt a little anxiety in the pit of my stomach, as I was attending the festival solo. But at the same time, I felt like this might be a trip that I needed to make alone – and I was right.

It’s hard to pinpoint what makes this festival so special. Surely, the location is jaw-dropping. El Cosmico, the unique space where it takes place, is an array of rentable candy-colored trailers and teepees. The way the light hits the campgrounds is a sight I won’t forget anytime soon…it felt like every hour was magic hour. The music? An amazing lineup of acts including Portugal. The Man, Phosphorescent and Langhorne Slim, to name a few. The vendors and workshops – some of Austin’s finest vintage sellers and makers like Fort Lonesome, one of my absolute favorites.

On second thought, I can pinpoint what makes this festival so special. The people. The second I walked through the gates I felt welcomed with open arms and, in such a small venue, it’s easy to run into people and make friends. It’s a special group that is drawn to this festival and, having witnessed it, I can understand why. A quote taken on their website sums it up perfectly.

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” – Yoko Ono/John Lennon

Thank you, Trans Pecos, and see you next year.