The pandemic — and the social distancing guidelines that come with it — has forced many major music events to call it quits. Chicago’s Lollapalooza, Atlanta’s Shaky Knees and Colorado’s Folks Fest and RockyGrass — the two largest festivals in Lyons, put on by Planet Bluegrass — have been canceled.
But, Beanstalk — a festival that will celebrate its eighth installment, kicking off on Friday — continues to evolve. Instead of calling the whole thing off, organizers have transformed the summertime event into a two-night happening at the Holiday Twin Drive-In Theater, 2206 S. Overland Trail, Fort Collins.
“As an independent promoter, this annual festival is my largest undertaking each year and really wrapped up into my life,” said Scott Hachey, guitarist for Magic Beans and founder of Beanstalk Festival. “So, the thought of canceling devastated me and we wanted to explore all options for keeping it going, whether it be limited capacity or whatever.”
Rather than just having fans watch performances from the comfort of their living rooms on their laptops, Hachey and crew broke from the oversaturation of livestream performances and have crafted an experience for the times.
“The best idea was a drive-in,” Hachey said. “I’m a problem solver, as is my producing partner, Ryan Noel, and we’re in a unique position as a smaller, more agile company to pivot. So, we started cold calling drive-in theaters across the state.”
The locale of Holiday Twin — built in 1968 and deemed one of the “25 most charming drive-ins left in America” by Architectural Digest has already hosted several live shows as part of FoCoMX Drive and Jive — an ongoing weekly concert series featuring northern Colorado musicians.
“We spoke with Josh (Cisar) and Stephanie (Webb) at Holiday Twin Drive-In up in Fort Collins and immediately knew we could work together,” Hachey said. “Their site is beautiful and overlooks Horsetooth Reservoir. It’s going to be great.”
Joining Magic Beans will be Kitchen Dwellers, Cycles, Envy Alo and The Great Salmon Famine. While bands will perform live at the site, two screens will also display the performances in real time — one above the stage and one overlooking Horsetooth Dam. Audio will be transmitted via short-range FM radio that attendees can access within their cars.
There will be approximately 1,000 people, within 380 vehicles, in attendance.
“It’s a big undertaking and we’re taking it very seriously,” Hachey said. “It’s going to be so much fun, though.”
Beanstalk sold out in just hours and ticketholders who had a pass to the original festival, scheduled to take place the same weekend, get to attend with an additional guest in their car.
For years, the site of Beanstalk was Rancho Del Rio in Bond. The sprawling multi-acre oasis, located on the banks of the Colorado River, offered festivalgoers nearby hot springs, trails and plenty of outdoor exploration. It wasn’t uncommon for folks to go tubing, mountain biking, cliff jumping or even ATVing before artists took the stage in the afternoon.
“Rancho is a hard place to beat and it’s very special to us and everyone,” Hachey said. “This event will definitely be a lot different. It’s an evening drive-in event. We encourage you to stay in your car and enjoy the music. After it’s all done there is no camping or anything, we send you on your way. So, there will be no vendors or other activities that encourage too much social interaction.”
While festivalgoers won’t be able to peruse the heady vended offerings of a “Shakedown Street” or purchase vegan-friendly street food, they will be able to snack on traditional movie theater fare.
“We’re hoping to adhere to all current social distance guidelines,” Hachey said “However, there will be the classic vending that comes with a drive-in movie experience. Popcorn, candy and even some canned beer will be there for purchase.”
To avoid unnecessary contact and lines forming, attendees can conveniently order from their phones and receive a text when their order is ready for pickup.
“It’s a far cry from a traditional festival, but I think the novelty of the drive-in experience alone will be memorable enough for this weekend.” Hachey said.
For Hachey, next weekend’s festival is just the beginning of more live music.
“We’re excited to pioneer this idea, and have more drive-in events to announce,” Hachey said.
Mike Ligon, founder of Homevibe Presents, a Boulder-based concert and production agency said he thinks that the drive-in concert concept is a “perfect” solution.
“At the end of the day, it’s about the comfort of artists and fans and the space needs to be set up in a way that can provide for that,” Ligon said.
Drive-in concerts are swiftly becoming the music industry’s answer to social distancing entertainment.
Garth Brooks, Los Lobos, and Andrew McMahon, of Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin, are set to perform at drive-ins this summer. Electronic musician Marc Rebillet is currently on a drive-in tour.
“I’ve not attended one yet, but plan to check it out this summer,” Ligon said. “Whatever the near future holds it sure will look different, but I’ve been encouraged by the creativity and hyper-focus on guest safety that I’ve seen in the industry as venues and restaurants reinvent how to best come back to life.”
While the upcoming Beanstalk At The Drive-In will not offer morning yoga and there will be no close-to-stage dancing, the merriment that coincides with hearing tunes played live will prevail.
“We are just hoping to provide a memorable experience for people and a little relief from the pandemic,” Hachey said. “I think folks are getting a little cabin fever and it’s nice to have something to look forward too. It’ll be a nice release for everyone to get out for the weekend. I know the musicians are excited to play too. Magic Beans certainly are. Hopefully, we’ll show people that good times and music don’t have to stop. It’s time to get summer underway in a safe way.”
