What’s the appeal of living in a commune-like campsite with thousands of other dirty, smelly people for four days? Great music. For generations, great music has drawn people together. As I entered the gates of Lockn’ Music Festival this past weekend I found myself surrounded by music lovers from across the country. Now if you have ever been to a music festival you are sure to see some interesting people. These free spirits were born in the wrong generation. They seem to have missed out on the period of time when the rock and roll world was peaking, when Legends like Zeppelin and Garcia traveled by van and made music that spoke to the soul. These people are not just Birkenstock wearing dead heads; to them, the music means something. In some way music has changed their lives. As I looked around, thought to myself, are these people our modern day hippies?

Ladies and gentlemen, the hippie era has not ended. We are still living among those who still protest peace over politics, who recycle, and fight for equality. They are those free spirits who most definitely listen to the music play.

Hippies today love good music, specifically jam bands like Phish, Widespread Panic, String Cheese Incident, and Umphrey’s McGee to name a few. The modern day hippie spends much of their life following favorite bands, seeing them live as much as possible. Coachella is the new Woodstock (just with a little more Free People clothing). The music acts as a common ground, binding the crowd together, and there is nothing but good vibes from head to toe. With a love for music comes a love for the earth, for each other, and a longing for peace.

They have marched for same-sex marriage and protested over climate change; they are the first generation to look at tattoos as an art form, and the last generation to put plastic to waste. Hippies scream revolution and equality. They are living among us and teaching Buddha’s words of world peace, all while maintaining a strict vegan diet.

In conclusion, I encourage you to Groove to your favorite band, join a protest for something you believe in, practice a little yoga, and always, always, eat organic.