Concert in the desert, BaseFest brings artist to Combat Center

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center -- Music filled the nighttime sky as four bands performed at the USAA sponsored BaseFest, which gave service members, their families and the local community the opportunity to connect and bond over live music aboard the installation, Sept. 22, 2018.
BaseFest, a music festival held across the country at different bases, had live music, food and drinks and many other activities available for attendees, giving them an opportunity to unwind at home.
“We try and bring as many different special events as we can, here to Twentynine Palms,” said Rachael Pennington, special events coordinator, Marine Corps Community Services. “Everyone says that we are three hours from everything, but why not bring things here?”
The crowds grew with life as each artist came onto the stage, starting with Ha Ha Tonka, followed by Carlton Zeus, then Nombe and the main act, The Offspring.
“Being on tour is one of my favorite places to be,” said Nombe, an electronic soul artist. “It gives me the opportunity to see different parts of the country. I love seeing my family, like my music family.”
While Marines seemed to enjoy all the artists, they also fortified the relationship with the Morongo Basin community.
“We had a great turn out with it being a full house for an all day music festival in the desert,” Pennington said. “Fourth of July was the first time in eight years that we opened the gate to the local community. This has been the second event, and it had an even bigger turn out. We had no complaints and everyone seemed to have a good time.”