Many enjoyed High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy, California, which held its 32nd annual event from July 4-7, but the future of the festival is uncertain. The festival released a statement earlier in the year explaining the hardships and that there could be significant changes to the festival in 2025 or become extinct. Festival co-producer David Margulies said there are no concrete decisions currently being made, and the team will possibly know better by September.
“It’s a little too early to tell now. We’re waiting for the dust to settle and see where we land financially,” he said. “We’ll take a good hard look at everything about the festival and its sustainability. By then (September) we should have a clear picture of what the future looks like.”
He said it was the lightest crowd that they’ve seen pretty much ever in Quincy and heat was a big factor, with four days of 100-plus degree weather topping out with a high of 106 degrees on Sunday. Although it was hot, Margulies said there were very few problems due to the temperatures and that people did a good job of taking care of themselves and each other or opting to go to the river to cool off. He said people responded very well to the challenges and the hot days made for really great nights.
“That’s a testimony to our crowd and the caliber of people who make this community,” he said. “They are seasoned professionals and know how to take care of each other and themselves. I was impressed with that.”
He said overall the festival was a great time.
“I thought it was an amazing weekend,” he said. “I just thought the amount of love and passion that everybody brought to the event was unapparelled, with all of the challenges of the heat and all of the emotions.”
There were many heightened emotions throughout the weekend due to the passing of Roy Carter, who was also one of the festival founders. There were memorials set up, a private ceremony in the Mineral building, and many musicians mentioned Carter during their sets.
“He left an enormous legacy,” Margulies said. “Roy had some of the best ears in the business and his ability to spot talent at an early stage in their career was unapparelled in the business.”
Margulies wanted to thank everyone involved with the festival.
“I would just like to thank everybody for showing up the way they did,” he said. “And for the love that they bring to High Sierra each and every year. It truly is the best festival crowd in the world and we’re so grateful for that energy and love.”
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