Shabang music & arts festival made a proud return to San Luis Obispo early this May, and nestled along California's central coast, the weekend drew revelers of indie, alternative, and electronic sounds. After celebrating the festival’s tenth anniversary in 2025, this year’s festival launched the biggest season yet. Taking place on the Dairy Creek Golf Course, Shabang was brimming with four stages, local food & refreshments, comedy workshops, immersive on-site activations, and a killer line-up of performers. 

Alongside the gorgeous view of the Santa Lucia Mountains, festivalgoers were enthralled with headlining performances by DJ and producer Chris Lake, alternative rock band The Backseat Lovers, musical duo Polo & Pan, and pop duo Magdalena Bay, each garnering their own distinct sound and audience. Lovers of the electronic and alternative genre enjoyed sets from fcukers, INJI, TOPS, Chezile, Natalie Bergman, and Jackie Hollander. Additional featured artists include DJ Mandy, JÜNGLE HAUS, Brass Mash, and Son of Ed.

In accordance with the breezy town’s hallmark “SLO Life” culture, this year’s Shabang offered many immersive experiences for guests, including sound baths, yoga, silent discos, and live art installations. A fan-favorite station hosted by Playground encouraged participants to paint on one large-scale canvas, inspiring playful community creativity. A curated selection of local food vendors, wineries, and breweries was made available for guests, befitting the region’s location to Central California’s most prominent vineyards. 

As a recent addition over the past year, Shabang offers campgrounds at the El Chorro Regional Park, where guests are a brisk five-minute walk from the festival. Amenities include clean bathrooms, showers, fire pits, RV hookups, and exclusive activities such as acoustic sessions, trivia, morning yoga, and nature walks through the San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens.

What sprouted from a 20-person homegrown college party has bloomed into a nationally renowned annual festival harbouring over 10,000 attendees from around the globe. Continuing to foster multi-genred artists and crowds, Shabang reinforces its place as one of the Golden State’s most cherished grassroots festivals.