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In 2021, Been There launched as a private party among supporters and residents of the Esperanza Community, a complex of emergency housing located off Highway 183 South. This year’s fest welcomes the public to The Other Ones Foundation’s innovative complex, which has since upgraded from tents to climate-controlled mini shelters. Alongside former Beyoncé drummer Nikki Glaspie & the Homies, Talking Heads tributers HeartByrne, Como Las Movies, and Croy & the Boys, the noon-to-10pm lineup centers a team-up between homegrown Latin-funk sustainers Brownout and unsung Los Angeles alt-hip-hop pioneers the Pharcyde, who provided an early launching pad for J Dilla’s beats. Founding members Slimkid3, Fatlip, and Imani will perform. Aaron Brown of organizing Onion Creek Productions made the connection, having already linked Brownout and Grupo Fantasma’s shared members with the likes of Bernie Worrell, Chali 2na, and Gene Ween for past UtopiaFest collabs. Grupo/Brownout guitarist Beto Martinez emails: “[Aaron] pitched the Pharcyde collab to us, he worked with [Slimkid3] on a song for his recent film, Home Free. We all got on a call a couple months ago and after some introductions and discussion, we decided this would be a fun undertaking and we set to work on the music.” Brownout vocalist Alex Marrero adds: “It is always a great deal of fun & an honor to collaborate with legends from different genres … We always grow as a band when we do things like this. It’s special.” Find $50 tickets at toofound.org.

Happen Twice and Brendan Tyler of Brides put together an event with all proceeds going to local charity Street Forum Mutual Aid. Bands set to play include Daydream Twins, EXOTIC FRUITICA, and Oklahoma rockers Heavytrip.