As I float above the crowd in a rainbow unicorn onesie, being lifted up by a bunch of dudes dressed in drag while an Australian psych-metal band plays (also in drag), I think to myself – “Is this real life?”
Such was the sentiment at least several times a day at Field of Vision – the first-ever festival in North America from King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. I’ve listened to King Gizz for several years now, but it was here that I became an official, full-fledged, card-carrying member of the Weirdo Swarm.
My King Gizzard Background
I’m not sure when I first heard of KGLW, but I remember loving the name the first time I heard it and being very intrigued. It’s been a few years at the very least, especially since Mr. Trey Anastasio himself professed his love for Gizz several years ago. When Trey says jump, Phish fans tend to ask “How high?”
While I can’t remember what song or album I first listened to, I know my first show was in Asheville in 2022 at Rabbit Rabbit. I loved every second of it. Rachel was not quite so sure about the Gizz…
I recall being ready to rage it for the encore only to find out they only played an hour and a half set and that was it. There I was, pumping my fists and chanting for one more song while I saw the tour bus roll away. Sad face.
In the coming months, I started to dive into the illustrious studio catalogue of Gizz. I started with the recent albums and loved just about everything I heard. Sure, they get a bit weird and heavy sometimes, but I’m here for that.
The summer of 2024 provided another chance to catch KGLW live in Asheville. There was just one small problem – they were set to play the same night as my favorite band at my favorite venue – Umphrey’s McGee at Salvage Station.
As a Summer Camp Counselor, I usually get on the list at UM shows and get to cover them. I decided to forego that option for night one of their run and went to see King Gizzard at the arena instead.
I don’t regret the decision at all – the Gizz show was incredible, after all – but Hurricane Helene would soon destroy our beloved Salvage Station, and I was bummed that I missed out on that night of music and reverly there, even if I got to attend the Umph show on night two.
When Gizz announced their 27th studio album (Phantom Island) and their first-ever festival in North America (Field of Vision), I decided to embark on a serious sonic journey. I was going to listen to every single Gizz album. In a row. And take notes.
These guys have been churning out studio albums in an insane manner, sometimes releasing five in a year. They’re all good, by the way. I didn’t quite get to the finish line before Field of Vision, but I sure was close!
I was also prepared for the trio of 3-hour marathon sets the band was about to deliver. While I’m not quite there with knowing all of the song names like I do with other bands, I recognize a ton of the material and felt ready for the festival.
Sending it to Field of Vision
In the lead-up to Field of Vision, I had no idea how I was going to pull it off. I liked to joke that I was going to show up with a finger in the air, a 12-pack, a 10-strip, and a dream. It didn’t end up being that far off from my reality…
While seeing the Disco Biscuits in Charlotte earlier this summer, I made a new friend who shares my love for the Disco Gizzcuits. He told me he was going to Field of Vision in a camper van solo and would love some company.
We kept in touch all summer and made plans to rage Field of Vision and LCD Soundystem a few nights before. It was going to be legendary.
Then he had to back out… the week before…
Refusing to accept defeat, I powered through. I hit the Gizz Facebook groups and Reddit subs and eventually found a crew that needed more riders.
I also reached out to friends and friends of friends in Denver. A good friend of mine has a band out there, and while he couldn’t make it out, his bandmates had plans to caravan there and had room for me. Score!
On Thursday evening, I practiced setting up my friend’s little tent and the sleeping pad I had just ordered online. He drove me to the store so I could stock up on things that didn’t require a grill – potato salad, yogurt, granola bars, beef jerky, hard seltzers – things that would keep me alive for a few days in the mountains of Colorado.
Entering the Gizzverse
We hit the road on Friday afternoon in a caravan of six cars and somehow stayed together. Props to the crew for pulling that one off!
I had been to Buena Vista once before on our Fiercely Colorado road trip, but this was a first in many ways. My first Gizz marathon set and first festival. My first festival without Rachel since we started dating in 2009. It was exciting and a bit nerve-racking at the same time. I don’t think I had ever set up a tent by myself prior to this, to be quite honest.
In the end, I couldn’t have been adopted by a better crew. I only knew a few of the people in the group, but we all became friends by the end. I would soon realize that this is just the Gizz fanbase in general, who lovingly refer to themselves as the Weirdo Swarm.
As far as the music goes, I’m not going to get into detail there. I don’t know the catalogue well enough and I was just the guy head banging like a maniac the whole time. If you want that kind of recap, my friends at Live For Live Music have you covered.
What I can say is that Gizz absolutely delivered on every minute of their 9 hours on stage. It will go down as one of the most impressive weekends of music I’ve ever seen a single band pull off. And that’s saying a lot.
Beyond the KGLW marathon sets, I was happy to see them bring a bunch of friends along instead of trying to pad the lineup with crunchy artists that would sell tickets in Colorado. King Stingray, Babe Rainbow, Gaye Su Akyol, and even the local high school jazz band (Buena Vista HS Red Hots) got to take center stage at Field of Vision.
It was also heart-warming to see Gizz spotlight so many marginalized communities – the Aboriginal community of Australia, children with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community all graced the stage at Field of Vision. These guys are genuinely good people and they actually give a shit about people, no matter their race, sexual orientation, skin color, or religion.
A Perfect Festival Site
As far as a festival site goes, it’s hard to top Meadow Creek in Colorado. The place is just jaw-dropping it’s so beautiful. Surrounded by mountains with a pond and a creek on site, it was a perfect destination for the first Gizz festival.
The Weirdo Swarm is a creative bunch, and they really showed that at the Mirage City market at Field of Vision. I saw so many incredible posters, t-shirts, pins, stickers, and more. I love how Gizz not only allows, but encourages bootleg recordings and merch.
In addition to the main stage, there was also a Timeland stage in the campground right by the creek. This was a great place to rock out and cool off during the day.
There was a general store with plenty of supplies, ample food and drink vendors, and plenty of filling stations for water. The band and fanbase constantly encouraged people to drink more water and wear sunscreen – something this aging Millenial fan can appreciate.
Another fun aspect of Field of Vision was the late-night cinema complete with a bunch of comfy seats and weird movies that went late into the night. I ended up there both nights and met some really cool people.
All in all, Field of Vision was like a dream – a dream come true for the band and the fans alike.
Pond Parties
One of the best parts about Meadow Creek is the pond, which festivals can use to have sets where the fans swim and float. Jello Biafra from the Dead Kennedys played on Friday and Saturday, playing “a bunch of weird shit,” and DJ Boogie Bordeaux threw it down on Sunday.
I made sure to get myself a floatie for the occasion and had a blast just bouncing around the pond, bumping into fellow members of the Weirdo Swarm and just goofing around. I even found Jesus there. No, seriously – he was rocking out with a plastic cup of wine!
The DJ sets went from 11 until around 2:30-3 and they were the perfect way to relax before a big night of Gizz while also vibing to the music and meeting people.
On Sunday, a circle pit of tubes appeared out of nowhere and I found myself sucked into that as well. It was so ridiculous and such a fun time with everyone splashing the muddy water around.
They also had Acid Yoga every morning from 10-11 by the pond, but I sadly did not make it there in time as we were on the other side of the campground and I didn’t have a mat. I heard there was plenty of… yoga, though.
Dreams Do Come True
Speaking of dreams coming true, I had a few at Field of Vision. I’ve been going to concerts for over 30 years now (my first was Green Day Dookie tour in ’94). Counting up all the shows and festivals, I’ve been to at least a thousand by this point.
In all those years of rocking and rolling, I somehow had never been in a real mosh pit or crowd surfed. I managed to check both of those off the bucket list at Field of Vision!
On Friday night, our crew had a great spot by the stack behind the soundboard where we all had room to boogie (boogie, boogie). I felt the draw of the front, though, and (rattle) snake’d my way through the crowd.
Next thing you know, I’m getting sucked into the circle pit. Holy shit it was wild down there! I went around a few times then ended up about 20 rows from center stage.
I continued to rage the pit until I was soaking wet and gasping for air and water. What an experience that was!
All weekend long, I was telling the crew that I wanted to crowd surf in my rainbow unicorn onesie. We agreed that drag day on Sunday was the opportune time to do such a thing.
The only problem with Sunday was that it was blazing hot out and the show started early at 7pm. I packed the unicorn up in a grocery bag and put on a decent drag outfit thanks to the ladies at our camp.
As soon as the sun went down behind the mountain, it cooled off 10-15 degrees. I wanted a friend to snap a clip of this momentous occasion, so I knew it had to be during the daylight to really turn out.
It was my time.
I suited up in my unicorn and headed out, barefoot, through the Weirdo Swarm. I was waiting for the right spot and group to toss me up when we stumbled upon some massive Viking men.
“He wants to go up!” My buddy Joe said to the giants.
They tossed me in the air like a toothpick and next thing you know I’m flying above the crowd. Then the song ended, almost immediately, so I surfed over the crowd during some witty Australian banter. Fitting, really.
I almost fell a few times and I definitely booted someone in the face with my wook foot (sorry), but I made it all the way to the rail! It was like a roller coaster and I just wanted to go again. See for yourself in this post on our Insta.
The Swarm Loses a Member
Unfortunately, the weekend also had its share of tragedy. On Friday night, a fan went down in the crowd and the band had to stop the show to make sure medics got to him. The signs were positive as the medics got him out of there and the show went on.
By Sunday afternoon, however, we learned that Matt did not make it that night. He was a huge Gizz fan and his brother was there with him. The band gave a heart-warming tribute to Matt on Sunday and dedicated the end of the final night to him.
Within days of the end of Field of Vision, the Weirdo Swarm had come together to blow past the GoFundMe goal to help his wife and family out. This is a beautiful community and we will all certainly honor Matt at the festival next year. If you’d like to help them out, here’s the link to the GoFundMe.
Field of Vision 2026
About next year… Stu made it official at the end of night three. It looks like we’ll be gathering in the Field of Vision once again in 2026, and hopefully for years to come. I know I’ll be there.
I’ve been to a lot of shows and festivals over the years, and I can just feel it in my bones that there’s something special about this band and this event.
Sure I still love Phish, the Biscuits, Umphrey’s, STS9, Panic, and all those guys, but I’ve been seeing them all for 20+ years now. I needed something new, something wild, and something that made me finally want to mosh and crowd surf!
This Weirdo Swarm is a pretty amazing group of people, too. I’ve met so many kickass people in the handful of Gizz shows that I’ve seen, and I can’t wait until the next time we can all gather.
Thanks to King Gizz, Meadow Creek, all the bands and crew and staff and vendors, the Weirdo Swarm, and everyone who made this event possible. Field of Vision will go down in rock & roll history, and I’m honored to have been a part of it.
