Wasteland Weekend: See Insane Photos From Epic 'Mad Max' Desert Party | Page 3 | Revolver

Wasteland Weekend: See Insane Photos From Epic 'Mad Max' Desert Party

"The future of Wasteland Weekend is looming large and bright — like a mushroom cloud"
wastelandweekendfeatured_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
Wasteland Weekend, 2018
photograph by Preston Yarger

There is a party at the end of the world and it is called Wasteland Weekend. Over five days in late September 2018, over 4,000 Mad Max fans came together in the Mojave Desert in California for the ninth edition of the post-apocalyptic music and arts festival. As always, the event was full immersion, with no one allowed on the grounds unless they were in costume. There were live bands, DJs, car cruises, a film festival, fire performers, a bounty-hunting game and Thunderdome battles.

After almost a decade, Wasteland is more than a destination; it's becoming a full-fledged subculture as self-described "Wastelanders" form "tribes" with fellow attendees and socialize year-round, meeting up at satellite events like the Wastelanders Ball and the Wasteland World Car Show. But the main festival remains the focal point of each year, and its 10th anniversary iteration is on the horizon. In the words of its organizers, "The future of Wasteland Weekend is looming large and bright — like a mushroom cloud."

wastelandweekend_1_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_2_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_3_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_4_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_5_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_6_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_7_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_8_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_9_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_10_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_11_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_12_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Ryan Speth
photograph by Ryan Speth
wastelandweekend_13_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_14_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_15_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_16_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_17_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_18_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_19_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger
wastelandweekend_20_credit_prestonyarger.jpg, Preston Yarger
photograph by Preston Yarger