Music
The Burning Man Experience: Ash Roy
DJ + producer Ash Roy was a first time Burner this year. He puts together a handy festival guide.
Hug, Anyone?
© Ash Roy
Top class DJ and producer Ash Roy went full tilt with the Burning Man experience, lending cred to our scene by playing on one of the art cars, even. He puts together a Burning Man retrospective guide, complete with first-hand snapshots, should you ever decide to check the festival out next year for yourself.
1. This is not a festival you can just buy a ticket for and show up. You need to plan at least six months in advance because you have to be part of a camp at Burning Man, of which there are many. That’ll be your spot, where you’ll park your RV or tent, and where you’ll live during your time there. Do your research and read about them. You’ll have to write to a camp and apply, which involves giving them your background and what skillset you have to contribute. Everyone has a job to do at their camp. We were part of Camp Mystic, and we cooked – each cook makes food for 16 people each, so the whole camp gets to eat. I made chicken curry and rice, in case you’re wondering! If the camp accepts your application, then you get to register.
2. Make sure you shop for gallons of water and food. Your camp feeds you two meals a day and the rest is up to you. Lots of camps have bars and food counters across the playa, but it’s more convenient having something with you. Since the festival works on the barter system, you’ll have things to exchange then as well. You don’t have to give something, but get into the spirit of it and give, just as people are sharing with you. That’s the ethos of Burning Man. The water is absolutely essential though, because you’re in a desert, remember. The only place money is accepted is at counters for coffee and ice.
3. Bikes and lights are essential as well. The bikes will get you across the huge festival area. The lights are mandatory at night. You have to have them on your person or on your bike. If you start wandering around in the dark, people will tell you to get lights immediately. It’s pitch dark at night so it’s dangerous without them. People bring flashlights or colourful LED string lights which they either wrap around themselves or on the handlebars of their bikes.
4. When you’re getting into Burning Man, know there will be a large traffic jam when you turn off the highway towards the playa. We were in two RV’s, amongst many and were stuck for a couple of hours. Do not be impatient and switch lanes or try anything because there are rangers everywhere and will bust you.
5. If you haven’t printed out your tickets, go to an area called ‘Will Call.’ If you show them your confirmation, they’ll give you your tickets. Note that you can’t show up and buy one because there won’t be spare ones there.
6. If you’re a first time Burner, the Welcome Committee at the entrance will greet you with big hugs and make you do a little ritual. You have to roll in the sand and then a ring a bell that they give you, loudly. That’s your initiation. They will also brief you, give you a booklet and give you tips about how to get to your camp and other information.
7. As a musician you need to do your research and check out what all the camps and art cars are doing. Lots of music is represented, from deep house, to bass, to techno … find your sound. There are boards and spaces you can put up your links and bios and then if a camp or art car likes your stuff, you get to play. So, be wise and pick places that your sound fits in, through research. Also make sure you have print outs of who is playing where, at what camp, at what time. The playa is massive and you’ll just get lost if you don’t know what you’re doing and end up missing out on some great artists.
8. Leave no trace. Everyone is very aware of sustainability and the playa is kept absolutely clean, and when Burning Man is done, all traces are removed. Carry portable ashtrays with you. People will tell you to pick up after yourself if you litter!
9. Be responsible while having fun. Lots of rangers are undercover as festival goers, so be intelligent, or you may be in for some lawful surprises!
10. Leave early, after the Man burns otherwise you’ll be in a huge traffic jam getting out. We left at 5 AM and avoided being stuck for hours.
The Driving DJ
© Ash Roy
Brotherly love and a big yellow duck
© Ash Roy
Sunrise Burning
© Ash Roy
The Playa Temple
© Ash Roy