The fourth annual Beach Goth festival at The Observatory in Santa Ana featured more than 50 performers — as varied as Wanda Jackson, FIDLAR, Grimes, Warren G, Mac DeMarco — but like any music festival in California, the fashion was at the forefront. Hosted by Orange County psych band The Growlers (who use “Beach Goth” to describe their sound), the two-day festival’s eclectic lineup brought in a sizable crowd, who liberally interpreted the Beach Goth vibe to varied results.
For many, the highlight of the two-day event was Grimes’ Saturday evening set, during which she debuted a handful of new tracks from her new album Art Angels — she would release a video for “Flesh, Without Blood” and “Life in the Vivid Dream” the following Monday.
Click through for photos of the diverse group of artists playing the fest and the inventive costumes of the festival-goers.
All photos by Jeanette D. Moses.
The Adicts, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
The Growlers, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
A surprise cameo from Warren G at Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Allah Las, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Night Beats, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
No Bunny, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Sunflower Bean, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Mosh pit in the beer garden during Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Kids losing it during FIDLAR, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
This guy was comitted to showing his Beach Goth 4 love, October 2015, The Observatory.
Fan during The Coathangers, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
The Coathangers, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
FIDLAR, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
The Shrine, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Eagles of Death Metal, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Wanda Jackson, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Mac Demarco, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Ghost, Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Another epic costume at Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Subhumans at Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Rhinestone Cowboy backstage at Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
SWMRS at Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Slanging cassettes at Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Hanging out in the graveyard between bands at Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Discarded Props at Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Quail Man at Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.
Dancing in the crowd at Beach Goth 4, October 2015, The Observatory.