Mojave Experience: Yawning Man & Hippie Death Cult Join Lineup
Like a month ago, as the first bands and the what-it-is details were announced for the inaugural Mojave Experience Festival set to take place next March in Joshua Tree, California, if you went to the website, there was a picture of Yawning Man. Fair enough. Even with the likes of Earthless, Dead Meadow, Acid King, John Garcia, Mario Lalli and the Rubber Snake Charmers and Ecstatic Vision on the bill, there would kind of be a glaring hole in the notion of ‘desert’ if Gary Arce and company didn’t take part. If it becomes an annual thing, they could be the house band.
Yawning Man are joined in this week’s announcements by Hippie Death Cult, from Portland, Oregon. The sometimes-sweet-sometimes-gnashing sludge-rocking three-piece (actually they’re always sweet in my experience) represent the second act to be added to the lineup not from California, behind Ecstatic Vision, from Philly. Needless to say, neither will have any trouble making their mark on the weekend, but it does show that Mojave Experience is looking beyond the actual, physical desert as it comes together, and that could be a point of growth for the future, again, should it become an annual thing.
I’ll admit I’m not sure how the ticket sales are working, with the different bundles and all that, but the first two groups of tickets are gone and I’d expect the rest to go as well. If you’re thinking travel plans (and you know I am), the arguments in favor are myriad. Here are two more, from social media:
Yawning Man
Yawning Man are legends — the originators of the desert rock sound and one of the most influential bands to ever rise from the sands of Southern California. Formed in the late ’80s, their hypnotic instrumentals and sun-bleached grooves became the spiritual blueprint for an entire generation of desert musicians. Their sound — part mirage, part meditation — drifts between psychedelic reflection and raw, earth-born power, evoking the endless horizon and the wild stillness of the Mojave itself.
On stage, Yawning Man’s performances feel like living landscapes — waves of tone unfolding with patient intensity, every note soaked in atmosphere and intention. There’s no separation between player and place; the music breathes with the desert wind and glows with its fading light. Their live sets are more than concerts — they’re experiences that transport audiences to the heart of the high desert, where sound and silence trade places and time seems to dissolve.
As one of the godfathers of desert rock, Yawning Man’s legacy continues to shape the scene they helped create. Their influence can be felt in countless bands across the globe, yet no one captures that elusive sense of space, soul, and sunburned serenity quite like they do. When Yawning Man take the stage, it’s not just a performance — it’s a return to where it all began.
Hippie Death Cult
Hippie Death Cult stands as one of the most magnetic forces in modern heavy rock — a band whose sound fuses vintage psychedelia, thunderous riffs, and soulful introspection into something unmistakably their own. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, the power trio of Eddie Brnabic (guitar), Laura Phillips (bass/vocals), and Harry Silvers (drums) has carved a deep imprint on the global heavy music scene, evolving through resilience and reinvention while remaining anchored by an unshakable creative spirit.
Their live shows are a revelation — a hypnotic surge of groove, fuzz, and emotion that moves like a desert storm. With walls of tone and trance-like rhythms, Hippie Death Cult doesn’t just perform; they create a shared space where heavy music becomes spiritual. Each set feels both primal and cinematic — a journey through reflection, rebellion, and release that leaves crowds buzzing long after the last note fades.
At festivals and stages across the world, they’ve earned a reputation for transforming every performance into a wall of sound and connection. Whether under the glow of club lights or the vast open sky, the band channels an energy that feels timeless — equal parts catharsis and communion. Hippie Death Cult doesn’t just play rock; they conjure it, inviting listeners to lose themselves in the hum of amplifiers and the pulse of something bigger than sound itself.
Come ready. Come raw. The Mojave Experience isn’t here to entertain you — it’s here to change you.
See you March 20 & 21.
Next Ticket Bundle, Sun Chaser, goes on sale soon. Early Bird & Dust Rider Bundles are Gone. mojaveexperience.net
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