KAABOO DEL MAR NOMINATED FOR POLLSTAR “MUSIC FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR”

As the youngest festival in its nominating category, KAABOO has shifted the festival paradigm for the festival experience and has featured performances by some of the biggest names in music, comedy, food, and art while receiving critical acclaim from the likes of Billboard Magazine, Consequence of Sound, Forbes, Huffington Post, Paste Magazine and Pollstar. “In its third year, KAABOO Del Mar has thrown away the playbook that other fests use to find success,” reveals Consequence of Sound, “the San Diego festival manages to put a unique spin on what a festival can be in a time when few are attempting to do that.”

The September 15-17, 2017 event, conveniently located at the Del Mar Racetrack just north of San Diego, CA, attracted fans from all 50 states and over 30 different countries around the world. In addition to a top-tier lineup of world-clasS music which included Red Hot Chili Peppers, P!nk’s aerial acrobatics, a rare performance by DJ Diesel (a.k.a Shaquille O’Neal), and a standout set by UK arena rockers Muse, patrons were treated to live contemporary art installments in ARTWORK; a Las Vegas style pool club at BASK; culinary exhibits at PALATE; belly laughs at the indoor, seated comedy club, HUMOR ME; spa services at INDULGENCES; topped off with an after-hours nightclub at CLUB ELEVATE.

KAABOO’s art exhibition is one of Southern California’s largest with over 100 galleries and featured artists.

For the closing event on Sunday night, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers performed a two-hour set spanning four decades of hits. Petty’s memorable appearance turned out to be one of the iconic musician’s final shows before his untimely passing.

With headlining performances ranging from No Doubt, The Killers, Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett, Aerosmith, Jack Johnson, Fall Out Boy, The Chainsmokers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, P!nk, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Muse and Weezer, KAABOO has quickly risen to the top of a densely populated festival scene. Along with top-tier musical acts, the event has also hosted comedy performances from the likes of Lewis Black, Sarah Silverman, Dana Carvey, Cheech and Chong, Sebastian Maniscalco, David Spade, Patton Oswalt, Norm Macdonald and Arsenio Hall.

KAABOO’s art exhibition is one of Southern California’s largest with over 100 galleries and featured artists. Internationally renowned artists from over 15 countries, including China, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, New Zealand, and South Africa, have exhibited at KAABOO Del Mar. The live painting experience is often noted, as artists work from scaffolding throughout the course of the event, transforming blank canvases into large-scale murals by the weekend’s close.

PALATE, KAABOO’s culinary program, offers guests a large range of eats from poke bowls to prime rib. Craft cocktails, local craft beers, and wine flights are also available. The event has presented well-known and innovative chefs including  Brian Malarkey, Robert Irvine, Richard Blais and Michael Voltaggio as well as musician-turned-chef, Kelis. Unique to KAABOO, the Rock ‘n Chef Competition attracts up-and-coming regional chefs.

Pollstar voting is open now to Pollstar subscribers. The winners of the 29th Annual Pollstar Awards will be announced on Feb. 8 at the Wiltern Theatre in L.A. following the Feb. 6-8 Pollstar Live! conference at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown.