This fall, in the Pacific Southwest, witness the births of two new music festivals. On September 9 and 10, scenic Pioneertown, CA will host the Camper Van Beethoven And Cracker Camp Out, and over Halloween weekend, "Vegoose" will showcase a seemingly random array of bands in Las Vegas along with top-tier acts the Flaming Lips, the Shins, Spoon and the Decemberists. Camping with Camper/Cracker, supported by Pitch-A-Tent Records (appropriate, no?), will showcase the two host bands, the Retribution Gospel Choir and up-and-coming punk talents from California's Inland Empire, among others. It begins Friday at Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace near Joshua Tree National Monument and will run two nights, costing $42 for the weekend, camping spots included. Less cozy but inevitably more party-oriented will be Vegoose at Vegas's Boyd Stadium. Offering such diversities as Lyrics Born, Phil Lesh, Widespread Panic and Primus, the festival will also include performance artists and art installations for visitors with attention spans. Tickets go on sale August 13 on the festival website, and prospective attendees should be sure to check out the separately ticketed late night shows as well. www.pitchatent.com www.vegoose.com
