That other desert jam fest

For music fans, the Joshua tree is monumental. It evokes thoughts of U2’s 1987 Grammy-winning album named after the odd-shaped desert plant, or perhaps alt-country forefather Gram Parsons, who died in a hotel bearing the name. But to hundreds of children who will accompany their parents to the third annual Joshua Tree Music Festival this weekend, it could be the place where they witness their first live music performance.

Unlike the recent Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Southern California’s other music festival encourages families to attend. Whereas Coachella has made a name for itself by showcasing the latest buzz bands and reunions of alt-rock heroes, the Joshua Tree festival won’t feature anything too avant-garde. Instead, it strives for a variety of sounds and a diversity of attendees.

The fest was born after Barnett English decided he wanted to stage an event for himself and his friends. And English and his wife, Kris, have plenty of experience to draw from. The pair runs Javagogo Coffee Co., which sells organic coffee drinks at more than 20 music festivals a year, including Coachella and the San Diego Street Scene, Monterey Bay Reggae and Wolf Mountain Bluegrass festivals.

“The most fun we have at festivals are at the ones where there is a variety of people, including families, as opposed to an all-day reggae show or a show geared to young adults,” English says. “I’m 42 years old, so nearly all my friends are at the age when they have families.”

The festival will showcase rising Australian act the John Butler Trio, Joshua Tree resident Victoria Williams, acclaimed alt-country singer-songwriter Tim Easton and world music sensations the African Showboyz. But it will also feature Kidsville, a special area for youngsters run by “the committee of full enjoyment, skilled funsters and frivolity engineers.” Activities will include arts and crafts, storytelling, face painting and a daily parade.

Also performing at the festival will be the Reallyshoos, who will host an interactive “playshop” in which children can learn to play instruments, dance and sing. In addition, world beat artist Ganga Giri will host a didgeridoo and percussion workshop.

The fact that the Joshua Tree Festival is a family event drew Matt Brumley, his wife, Julie, and his two young sons to last year’s event from the San Diego area. “There are very few events like this one that are kid-friendly,” he says. “I want my kids to be able to learn and hear all different kinds of music, so it was a great opportunity for that without having to worry about it being appropriate for them or not.”

Brumley has fond memories of a spontaneous jam in the festival’s drum tent. “My oldest son, who was 3 at the time, absolutely loved it,” says Brumley, who wrote about the experience on his family blog. Julie, however, found the festival environment hard for the family, which includes another son who was 8 months old at the time. “It was so hot my kids couldn’t sleep, and they didn’t enjoy themselves because of that,” she says, “but I think children older, 6 and up, would be fine.”

Even though the festival does have activities for kids in place, parents are encouraged not to drop off their children in Kidsville and roam the festival grounds. “We haven’t taken it that far,” English says. “Some folks are not completely comfortable leaving their children, so we do encourage parents to stick around.”

The family-friendly nature of the Joshua Tree festival is just fine for John Butler, who plans to have his wife and young daughter with him at the event. “Peaches & Cream,” an intimate acoustic track on the trio’s U.S. debut, “Sunrise Over Sea,” was inspired by his wife, Danielle Caruana, and young daughter, Banjo, who each can be heard on the recording.

When told of the Joshua Tree Music Festival’s family oriented-nature, Butler says, “It sounds like my kind of festival. I’m really looking forward to playing to virgin ears.”

Although Butler and his family won’t be camping at the festival (the rigors of touring require a good night’s sleep in a hotel, he says), he plans to enjoy the environment if his schedule allows. “I do have very good memories of camping out there once and going rock climbing,” says the California-born, Australian-bred singer-guitarist.

“It’s beautiful country. So I’m looking forward to going out there just for that. I’d love to go out there and climb on those big boulders again. That would be cool.”

Craig Rosen can be reached at weekend@latimes.com.

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Joshua Tree

Music Festival

Where: Joshua Tree Lake Campground, 2601 Sunfair Road, Joshua Tree

When: Friday through Sunday

Price: Three-day pass, $75; Friday only, $24; Saturday or Sunday, $28; additional charges for camping.

Info: (877) 327-6265 or www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com