Willamette Week (01/21/20) Singer, Matthew

Vortex2020, a sequel to the only state-sponsored music festival in U.S. history, is scheduled for Aug. 22-23 at Milo McIver State Park in Oregon — the same venue as the original festival in 1970. The first Vortex was a partnership between then-Oregon Governor Tom McCall and counterculture activists. About 100,000 people attended the festival, with police mostly ignoring drug use and public nudity. This year's 50th anniversary follow-up will not be state-sponsored. Admission will be granted not by ticket, but "through meaningful volunteer work on a designated Vortex2020 project." Organizers are expecting 10,000 attendees, with the park to be closed for 10 days leading up to the festival to help prepare the site. The concert will include three stages for music, and artists slated to appear include Pink Martini, the Dandy Warhols, Blind Pilot and filmmaker Gus Van Sant.

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