About Live Oak
Live Oak is held every June to benefit KCBX Public Radio and features musicians performing a variety of genres, including funk, soul, folk, gospel, roots rock, Americana, jazz, bluegrass, blues, world music and more.
Nestled in the beautiful El Chorro Valley that runs between Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo, the temperate climate, the trees, the early summer setting, and the slow-moving pace create a pastoral backdrop for relaxing and listening to great music with family and friends. It's hard to imagine a better way to kick off the lazy days of summer.
Photo by Gary Robertshaw
The focus of the Live Oak Music Festival is the KCBX Stage, featuring some of the finest musicians from all over the United States and across the globe. The KCBX Stage provides cultural entertainment and education with music that is engineered by a top-notch crew.
From the opening of the Live Oak Music Festival gates to the closing of the same, this three-day event provides basic camping accommodations, many under the shade of oak and sycamore trees. There are limited reserved sites with hook-ups available for an extra fee.
Adding to the fun of the music on the KCBX Stage are two additional stages, plus a collection of maker booths, music workshops, fireside jamming, late night sets on Friday and Saturday nights, and entertainment for children of all ages.
A variety of daytime activities for children (check out our Activities page for more information) means there are plenty of ways for the whole family to enjoy the festival.
The Live Oak Way
Each year, for three days, we create a magical community at Live Oak. Aside from the fun, the music and relaxation that we all experience in this wonderful place, what makes this community special is the way we are sensitive to and respectful of our neighbors. The spirit of the Live Oak Way relies on each of us being conscious of how our actions affect those around us."The only rule you need is ‘please keep your space clean and be courteous to one another.'" —Mr. Jamason, 11-year Live Oakie
We agree. But just in case anyone might need some reminders:
- Be considerate of your camp neighbors, especially after midnight
- Be considerate while in the audience area: quiet during performances, maintain the smoke-free zone (entire audience area), and move from or to your seat between songs, as you would at any other venue
- Parents, supervise your kids, and even the teens
- Respect the camp boundary, as infringements jeopardize use of the site
Please help us protect the future of the Live Oak Music Festival, for all of us.
Live Oak Music Festival Code of Conduct
The Live Oak Music Festival/KCBX public radio is committed to providing a safe, entertaining, and welcoming environment for all festival participants. Everyone, including, but not limited to, attendees, performers, volunteers, sponsors, staff members, service providers, and all others are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct.
Disruption of performances is prohibited. Anyone disrupting a performance will be given a warning and, if necessary, will be escorted out of the performance area by security.
In addition, participants should refrain from the following types of unacceptable behavior:
Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
Verbal or written abuse of any festival participant.
Examples of verbal abuse include but are not limited to: verbal or written comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, or national origin; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images; or threatening or stalking any festival participant.
Live Oak/KCBX has zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment at our events, including but not limited to sexual harassment by festival participants, including our staff. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, Live Oak/KCBX asks that you inform one or both of the people listed below so that we can take the appropriate action:
Marisa Waddell: Live Oak Music Festival Artistic Director, KCBX Programming & Content Director (marisa@kcbx.org).
Frank Lanzone: Live Oak Music Festival/KCBX President & General Manager (frank@kcbx.org).
If you need immediate assistance, please call the Live Oak Dispatch number during festival hours at (805) 234-9725. After the festival you can call the KCBX office line at (800) 549-8855.
The Live Oak Music Festival/KCBX reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the festival without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and Live Oak/KCBX reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future events, in person or virtual.