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The Flaming Lips will headline the 2024 Pure Imagination Music Festival on a tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their seminal “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” album when the festival returns to Watson Lake in historic Prescott, Arizona, on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
It’s an impressively eclectic lineup, as always, from the willfully eccentric, psychedelic splendor of the Flaming Lips to country music legend Tanya Tucker, indie dance-pop duo Sylvan Esso and alternative hip-hop pioneers the Pharcyde.
Other performers include Danielle Ponder, The National Parks, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Brian Chartrand, Ponderosa Grove, the Irie, Galactagogues and BG NFTY.
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Who founded the Pure Imagination Festival?
Now in its third year, the Pure Imagination Music Festival will also host a kickoff concert on Friday, May 17, with Michael Franti & Spearhead and Ponderosa Grove, whose frontwoman Candace Devine founded the festival as part of her desire to see Prescott rise as an epicenter for arts, culture and music in the Southwest.
“Pure Imagination has truly become a movement of wonder and joy in our community and it feels more important than ever,” Devine said in a news release.
“In this time when the world feels a little off course, nothing brings a warmer feeling to my heart than knowing we are just a few months away from experiencing true human connection to each other, our beautiful landscape, and a greater communal kindness that comes through all of us from live music.”
Are Prescott, Pure Imagination Festival family-friendly?
An hour and a half drive from Phoenix and Flagstaff, Prescott, Arizona, offers Old West vibes within the breathtaking surroundings of Prescott National Forest, a top destination for mountain biking, hiking, bouldering and communing with nature.
The Prescott Night Market will showcase artisan vendors and dining options from a diverse array of food trucks.
Pure Imagination is a family-friendly event. Children 10 and younger get in free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Plan your visit by purchasing a parking pass for Watson Lake Park in advance or opt for the free shuttle service to the festival.
Ziggy Marley, Lucinda Williams and the history of Pure Imagination Festival
Pure Imagination launched in 2022 with indie-folk sensations Dawes, hip-hop icon Talib Kweli, three-time Grammy winner Fantastic Negrito, Nikki Lane, Phantom Planet and more.
In 2023, the festival boasted performances from reggae royalty Ziggy Marley, acclaimed singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams, Los Lobos, Capital Cities, Allison Russell, Southern rap group Nappy Roots and more.
These eclectic lineups brought thousands of music fans to Watson Lake Park to enjoy a day that also featured aerial artists, performance groups, jugglers, art cars and plenty of revelry.
Many of the same experiences are returning this year.
The festival will donate a portion of its proceeds to the Flying Horse Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting arts and music in multicultural spaces. The Flying Horse Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3).
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How to secure your spot at Pure Imagination Festival 2024
Tickets are on sale now at pureimagination.frontgatetickets.com:
- Two-day general admission tickets start at $125.
- Friday general admission starts at $55.
- Saturday general admission starts at $95.
The Pure Imagination VIP experience
The VIP experience includes front-row viewing of both stages; a shaded VIP lounge, bar, bathrooms and beauty bar; complimentary chair massages on Saturday; and a festival poster and mug.
- Two-day VIP tickets start at $275.
- Friday VIP admission starts at $125.
- Saturday VIP admission starts at $175.
The Pure Imagination Platinum + VIP experience
Enjoy all of the perks of a VIP ticket plus free all-day catering on Saturday by El Gato Azul restaurant in Prescott.
- Two-day Platinum + VIP tickets start at $300.
- Saturday Platinum VIP tickets start at $200.
Pure Imagination Festival parking information
Limited parking is available at Watson Lake Park. Parking must be purchased in advance.
- Two-day parking starts at $60.
- Single-day parking is $40 a day.
Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. Follow him on X @EdMasley.
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