Lightning in a Bottle announces 2023 lineup for 20th Anniversary

Returning to Buena Vista Lake in Southern California Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-29

Lightning in a Bottle stage
Lightning in a Bottle stage

The musical lineup for the 20th anniversary of North America’s first boutique festival, Lightning in a Bottle, which will take place Memorial Day Weekend at Buena Vista Lake in Southern California this May 24-29, 2023, has been revealed by Do LaB. LIB will present an array of top-tier music curation, creative art and immersive environments, and educational classes and workshops — a furthering of its 20-year mission to inspire creativity and foster interconnection.

Do LaB, who is only 20 years old, is officially almost ready to leave her parents’ home and into young adulthood. If only they knew how they would be prepared to begin taking life a bit more seriously. But let’s face it, Do LaB has always been the fiercely independent, prank-loving band of misfit experience designers that their community knows and loves, overcoming obstacles to produce events that helped create the modern festival scene. Now, Lightning in a Bottle, Do LaB’s vibrant hangout for misfits and music fans, artists and adventure seekers, is prepared to keep having fun and to fulfill its ambition of providing more enjoyment, more crazy situations, and more music than ever before.

Lightning in a Bottle lineup: Tale of Us, Stephan Bodzin, BLOND:ISH, Giorgia Angiuli, LP Giobbi, TSHA, Logic1000 + More

The roster for LIB 2023 will be the biggest and most ambitious to date, featuring some of the most captivating and in-demand performers in electronic music on its renowned Lightning stage. Headliners such as Grammy-nominated electronic producer and singer ZHU, fun genre-defying production duo SOFI TUKKER, and HypnoVision label president REZZ strike lightning. Genre-blurring live acts include multi-instrumentalist and vocalist duo Phantogram, heartfelt Canadian composer and recording artist Caribou, the fully imaginative performance of Beats Antique, and singer-songwriter and producer Mindchatter. With appearances by rising Houston star Tobe Nwigwe, versatile rap and R&B vocalist 070 Shake, Zambia-born vocalist and visual artist Sampa the Great, Ozomatli with Chali 2na & Cut Chemist and the full original ensemble performing their first classic album, and electronic R&B live duo Drama, R&B, soul, and rap flavors also take center stage.

Lightning in a Bottle 2023 lineup
Lightning in a Bottle 2023 lineup

Thunder stage

The Thunder stage showcases everything from the darker shades of electronic with artists like Liquid Stranger, LSDream, and Deathpact, to electronic trio and Do LaB regulars The Glitch Mob, multi-genre producer and Young Art label head TOKiMONSTA, pioneering drum & bass legend LTJ Bukem with MC Armanni, and 90’s rave revival production duo Prospa. The influential electronic prodigy Moore Kismet, the all-empowering queer bass artist Wreckno, and the Jersey club UNIIQU3 are leading a diverse and representative next generation. The eleven-piece techno marching band MEUTE, the creative beatmaker The Polish Ambassador, the lighthearted electronic duo The Floozies, the up-and-coming South African producer Jon Casey, and more acts all contribute to the strength of the Thunder roster.

Woogie stage

The Woogie stage at LIB is a vibrant house and techno haven filled with top international talent. Titanic Afterlife leaders Tale Of Us, Higher Ground, and Mad Decent superstar Diplo are leading the charge. Fan favorites like German disco and house producer Purple Disco Machine, vivacious DJ/producer and label head BLOND:ISH, world-renowned techno powerhouse Stephan Bodzin with a live performance, piano house queen LP Giobbi, up-and-coming UK house and techno talent Logic1000, underground icon and Ninja Tune favorite TSHA, and Afro House sensation Layla Benitez round out the depth. Artists like Berlin-based producer and live performer Ben Böhmer, classically-trained musician and multi-instrumentalist Giorgia Anjiuli, and skilled mixing engineer Cassian will all be on full display, showcasing their melodically driven talents. Rounding out the Woogie bill is emergent production duos Major League DJz and Sabo & Goldcap, West African DJ and producer AMÉMÉ, and a slew of next-gen risers like Rinzen, Desiree, Nala, Deer Jade b2b Elif, and Mary Droppinz.

It’s only fitting that some of the community’s old favorites return for this significant edition in honor of LIB’s 20th birthday. In addition to aforementioned artists like The Glitch Mob, TOKiMONSTA, Beats Antique, and The Polish Ambassador, fans can expect the return of the psychedelic and sonically diverse productions of Random Rab, Argentinian bass sensation El Papachango, live electronic duo Dimond Saints, pioneering bass producer David Starfire, and a special performance by William Close & The Earth Harp Experience.

Lightning in a Bottle 2023 programme: yoga, workshops and more

The true five-day experience of LIB 2023 will begin with a range of programming on the first few days of the festival. On Wednesday and Thursday, there will be interactive yoga and movement classes, as well as talks and workshops at the Compass and Learning Kitchen on Thursday. Fans might anticipate the comeback of the well-known 1980s prom. The Woogie Stage’s music programming will start on Thursday afternoon, giving visitors a full extra day to see the immersive stage’s new layout in person. Additional opening music programming includes a special performance from lineup artist LSDream under his project Lightcode, more details to come.

The immersive stage designs at LIB, as well as the top-tier performer lineups and musical genres that fill them, have long been celebrated. The Lightning and Woogie phases as well as the updated Thunder design will return for the 2023 edition. The Grand Artique stage, a distinctive setting renowned for its fusion of wild west aesthetics, unorthodox activity programming, and eclectic live acts with an Americano edge, will also be new this year.

All of these components work together to support the festival’s multi-decade commitment to showcasing cutting-edge music on numerous distinct stages, engaging programming from longtime favorites like the interactive Bark Kitten townscape, the Jive Joint, Unicorn Palace, The Mixtape, Rink-a-Dink Roller Rink, Big Leroy’s Karaoke, and much more.

Tickets and VIP experience at Lightning in a Bottle 2023

LIB will bring back the VIP packages first presented at the 2022 edition for those wanting for the fun of a camping event with an enhanced experience. The Atlaswyld Beach Club & Bar is available to VIP pass holders, who can also relax in backstage lounges at Lightning, Thunder, and Woogie, enjoy special pop-up interactive experiences, and watch headlining acts from elevated Lightning Stage or private Thunder Stage viewing spaces. Please visit LIB website for more information about VIP tickets.

A lightning strike 20 years ago ignited a phenomenon that was much bigger than anyone could have ever imagined. Since then, Do LaB have built a tradition, one with a devoted following of free spirits seeking the creative, boundary-pushing exhilaration experienced at its very first celebration. Now it’s time to come together to set the tone for the next 20 years.

Lightning in a Bottle 2022 Recap Video