Happy fifth birthday, Brokechella! For those not at Coachella this weekend, we got to experience that same hippy-dippy festival vibe with an urban twist in industrial Downtown for just twenty bucks. What started as a monthly art party in 2011 by cARTel: Collaborative Arts LA, Brokechella has turned into a festival and celebration of local talent with a mix of LA's diverse music scene, artists, creators and brands.
Here's Brokechella by the numbers:
4 stages. Downtown LA served as the backdrop for the main stage outdoors—with the 6th street bridge towering behind while trains came and went in the background. Warehouses housed three additional stages, and the layout made it easy to go from a singer-songwriter's sweet tunes one minute to intense EDM dance parties the next.
8 artists. "Art Alley" was made up of collaborative, interactive installations, paintings and photography. The main room featured head to toe art, quite literally, with some of artist Frank Rozasy's 800 pieces lining the ground under your feet. This room was also home to the Ladies Arm Wrestling League tournament, which raised money for charity.
50+ acts. From garage rockers to folksy singer-songwriters, underground EDM to rising rappers, the eclectic lineup had something for everyone. Local acts like Oyls, Battle Tapes and Smoke Season (personal fave) were among the headliners on the main stage, with a variety of electronic sounds and beats inside. There were even comedians! Though, it was a tough crowd for them....
25+ vendors. The Marketplace featured an array of fashion from 90s-inspired tees to kimonos in every floral print imaginable. There was minimalist jewelry with druzies and gemstones, and you could even find something for Fido in the "Puppychella" corner. Foodie Row spanned specialty coffee to Lagunitas (the official beer of Brokechella) and food trucks that dished out plates of Greek, Chinese, tacos and even pudding. You guys, I ate a lot of pudding.
10+ crushes. With endless beards, mustaches and man buns (I tried to keep count, but lost track within the first hour) my heart was aflutter for some of the artsy, creative types I spotted. It was the ultimate hipster's delight.
Brokechella? #Nochella? Check out our best photos from Coachella