Pure Imagination Music Festival recap: The Flaming Lips, Michael Front & Spearhead, Tanya Tucker, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, more

Michael Franti at the Pure Imagination Music Festival.

What: Pure Imagination Music Festival

Who: Michael Franti & Spearhead, Ozomatli, Ponderosa Grove, more (Friday); The Flaming Lips, Sylvan Esso, The Pharcyde, Tanya Tucker, The National Parks, Hopi Tribe, more (Saturday)

Where: Watson Lake in Prescott, AZ

When: Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, 2024

Review by Robert Kinsler; Photography by Daryl Weisser

Concertgoers at the Pure Imagination Music Festival in Prescott, Arizona.

Since I caught the US Festival featuring David Bowie, U2, The Pretenders and Stevie Nicks in the Southern California desert May 1983, I have been fortunate enough to attend countless music festivals over the years. 

The majority of these marathon-length music events focused primarily on only one or two genres of music — alternative rock, country, blues, Cajun, punk and rap immediately come to mind — and attracted a specific demographic-minded concertgoer. 

A truly wonderful lure of the Pure Imagination Music Festival staged at Watson Lake in Prescott, Arizona over the weekend (May 17-18, 2024) was the strong and diverse field of artists who performed in a truly wonderful setting set on a grassy field with massive otherworldly granite boulders serving as a dramatic backdrop to the musical action. Rock, electronica, country, Americana, rap, Native American, world fusion and more styles were all on tap courtesy of the wide-ranging lineup of celebrated veterans and rising names; a wealth of food and art vendors added to the welcoming environment. Talented acrobats performed in an area near one stage and there was even a fun parade on Saturday afternoon.

Friday's half-day lineup featured four artists, while Saturday's full day offered up another dozen performances that played out on two large stages. 

Slim Gambill at Pure Imagination on May 17, 2024.

Kicking off the action was virtuoso guitarist Slim Gambill and his four-man band; the ensemble delivered 30 minutes of modern jazz-anchored instrumentals. Gambill (who is also lead guitarist of country music hitmakers Lady A) proved to be a truly incredible master of his instrument, showcasing fretwork that was both dramatic and artful at every turn.

From left, Ponderosa Grove's Candace Devine and Drew Hall.

Ponderosa Grove thrilled in their performance at Pure Imagination back in 2023, and it was wonderful to see the band return to Watson Lake this year. The Prescott-based collective offered up a perfect blend of '70s-styled folk rock and modern day Americana with the lead vocals of singer Candace Devine a perfect blend with the stylish musicianship and rich harmony vocals of her band mates propelling the 50-minute performance.

Highlights of the group's set included the melodic folk rocker "Waterline," intoxicating R&B foray "Don't Worry Child" and rousing "Save My Soul," the latter showcasing Devine's powerful soprano and the exciting lead guitar work of Drew Hall.  

Ozomatli performing in Prescott, AZ.

Los Angeles-spawned Ozomatli brought a party-minded approach to their set effortlessly blending rock, funk, salsa, hip hop, reggae and other styles.  The seven-member outfit's energetic performance frequently fueled dancers in the field. Noting that Ozomatli is celebrating their 29th year performing together, the group has performed in an impressive 65 different nations over that span. Among the memorable cuts performed was "Saturday Night" and a marathon-length take on "Cumbia De Los Muertos." The band completed their set with the members marching through the crowd in a celebratory style.

Michael Franti engaging with the crowd on Friday, May 17, 2024.

Closing out the first day of the fest was Michael Franti & Spearhead; the quintet fully captured the spirit of Pure Imagination with a setlist centered on songs that celebrate the idea of a better world free of the war, crime, hate and violent conflict that have increasingly been seen overseas and across America over the past several years. 

Michael Franti brought up children to the stage
during his energetic set on May 17, 2024.

Franti opened with "Meet Me When The Sun Goes Down" and even walked into the field to more fully connect with the crowd; he followed that up with the rousing rocker "I'm Alive" and feel good sortie "Good Life." Shortly after, Franti explained the Prescott performance marked the opening night of his "Togetherness Tour," which will run through late August. 

Franti's winning and authentic personality and strong vocals powered the 130-minute set to be sure, with great sing-along material winning over the crowd. "The Sound of Sunshine," "Happy is the New Sexy," "Life Is Better With You" and "Say Hey (I Love You)" all impressed. Especially poignant was his moving performance on the acoustic aptly-titled original "Hey World (Don't Give Up)."

Saturday offered up an even greater number of performances, with members of Arizona's Hopi Tribe offering a musical blessing to open the day. Several members of the tribe chanted to the bewitching rhythm of a drum while a trio of young dancers in traditional attire danced. 

Znora rocking the Pure Imagination Music Festival.

Next came Znora, an Arizona-based power rock trio headed by singer-guitarist Adrian Negrete whose approach recalled classic acts such as Jimi Hendrix and Cream. Particularly impressive was the band's original 2023 single "Sweet Baby Rae." That driving cut featured Negrete's dazzling electric guitar work.

Galactagogues performing on May 18, 2024.

Galactagogues' fun performance marked another chance to celebrate Arizona's thriving original music scene. The area quartet performed a 30-minute set of alternative folk-meets-Americana material bolstered by great harmony vocals. Originals like "Something in the Plumbing" and the set closer "HeyHeyHey" showcased their unique sound.

Brian Chartrand at the Pure Imagination Music Festival.

Brian Chartrand performed a breezy set of songs blending jazz, rock and R&B stylings. Along with his four-member backing band, he impressed with his soulful vocals and an original reworking of Steely Dan's "Dirty Work" as well as originals including "Miss You Now."

Sarah Shook rocking out at the Pure Imagination Music Festival.

Like talented singer-songwriters Lucinda Williams and Courtney Barnett, Sarah Shook occupies her own marvelous corner of the musical universe. At her showcase on Saturday — first-time ever visit to Prescott — the Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based singer-guitarist and her backing country-punk outfit the Disarmers bravely delivered the same rollicking brew heard on the troupe's recent full-length release Revelations (available via the Thirty Tigers). 

Brady Parks of The National Parks.

The National Parks, from left, Cam Brannelly, Sydney Macfarlene, Brady Parks
and Megan Taylor Parks performing on May 18, 2024.

Sydney Macfarlene enjoying the moment during
The National Parks' set at Pure Imagination.

The National Parks ignited the crowd with a fast moving 35-minute set of original Americana that fired up the audience from the opening notes of the euphoric "Angels," a track showcasing the chemistry and strong talents of Brady Parks (guitar, lead vocals), Sydney Macfarlene (keyboards, vocals), Cam Brannelly (drums) and Megan Taylor Parks (fiddle, vocals).

The Utah-based band's efforts to get the audience to sing and move along on cue were a big part of the set's momentum and original gems such as the dynamic "Time," "Wildflower" and set-ending "As We Ran" were elevated by the energy of the moment. Only a day after its official release, the band's new single "Wild Spirit" was performed; the enticing title track from National Parks' forthcoming album is a glorious celebration about "getting lost" and the rugged setting was the perfect locale for the performance of the track.

Danielle Ponder performing in Prescott on May 18, 2024.

One-time Rochester, NY public defender turned professional singer Danielle Ponder delivered a riveting set of soul music. Among her strong vocal performances was her inspirational original "So Long" and a heartfelt reworking of Radiohead's "Creep."

Tanya Tucker performing in Prescott, Arizona.

One of the most anticipated appearances of the weekend was from legendary country music icon Tanya Tucker. The 65-year-old brought a lifetime of country hits to her 50-minute set and her voice sounded excellent in the delivery of favorites such as the mid tempo "If Your Heart Ain't Busy Tonight," beautiful "Hangin' In," a terrific medley blending Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" and Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," the winning country rocker "Hard Luck" and set closer "Delta Dawn," the latter a Alex Harvey-penned hit recorded by Tucker in 1972 when she was only 13!

Sylvan Esso performing at the Pure Imagination Music Festival.

Durham, North Carolina duo Sylvan Esso made their first performance of 2024 at Pure Imagination on Saturday night; the 55-minute set also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the release of their eponymous debut album (released May 12, 2014). Singer Amelia Meath and producer Nick Sunburn turned in a terrific set that had many in the audience moving to their electronic dance-minded tracks.

The Flaming Lips headlining on Saturday night, May 18, 2024.

Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips.

Headliners The Flaming Lips brought their groundbreaking Neo psychedelic modern rock to Prescott, kicking off their lengthy set with a performance of the Oklahoma City-launched band's acclaimed 2002 album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in its entirety. Headed by singer-founding member Wayne Coyne, the rock quintet came armed with more than great songs; colorful rear-screen projections and inflatable robots and other elements (including the tossing of gigantic balls into the crowd) added to the festive atmosphere.

"You live here," Coyne said early in their set; he noted the band was fascinated with the concert location and the natural beauty of Watson Lake. "You are very lucky."

Other performers who appeared at Pure Imagination included reggae rocking trio Irie, Louisiana-based soul singer Durand Jones and '90s rap outfit The Pharcyde. Between sets, DJ BG NFTY kept the music going strong.

The Pure Imagination Music Festival is quickly becoming an essential part of the area's thriving music and arts scene. 

Below is a gallery of additional photographs taken by Daryl Weisser at the Pure Imagination Music Festival. 

Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips.

DJ BG NFTY keeping the music going.

The team from Lighthouse Coffee Company served up drinks throughout the event.

From left, Ponderosa Grove's Candace Devine and Drew Hall.

An acrobat at Pure Imagination Music Festival.

From left, Emily and Alvaro of "Peace, Love & Halos."