Joshua Tree’s hotly contested music scene gets a new gem in Mojave Gold

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On the stormy, fiercely lit porch of Mojave Gold, located in Yucca Valley, the couple, Ryan and Alexis Gutierrez, attended their inaugural goth concert in their newly adopted area.

After relocating from the Inland Empire to the high desert, the pair were on the hunt for like-minded spiritual companions due to their extensive collection of facial tattoos that leaned towards the mystical or occult.

Following the energetic performance of Tantra Punk’s electro set, where a singer roamed the stage amidst blood-red light fog, the couple stumbled upon a booth selling fresh herbs neatly arranged in small metal pots. Delighted, they realized they had discovered kindred spirits at this event.

Alexis remarked, ‘I hadn’t realized there was a spot like this around here.’ I stumbled upon it just now while driving by, and it seemed trendy. Previously, we would travel to San Diego to find something similar.

In a simpler, more conversational manner, Ryan stated, “Out here in the desert, things move at a more relaxed pace, but there are moments like these that add excitement. As part of the alternative music scene, events such as this one are crucial for us.

In the arid music landscape recently marked by tumultuous ownership issues at establishments such as Pappy & Harriet’s and the Alibi, the six-week-old Mojave Gold emerges as a promising newcomer. Its owners envision a more enduring, self-governing scene that caters to local talent and fosters a grittier nightlife experience.

Cooper Gillespie, one of the venue’s co-owners, mentioned that one reason we relocated here a decade ago was because of the abundance of talented musicians. He added that the population has grown since then, and he welcomes even more music venues and opportunities for the local music scene to thrive.

Although Joshua Tree is well-known for its rugged roadhouse charm, which can occasionally be movie set-like, Mojave Gold appears to deviate in a different direction, moving northward along the 111 from Palm Springs. The venue exudes a sleek black and gold disco ambiance, as reflected in its 500-seater capacity. This atmosphere is evident in details such as the undulating ceiling crafted from reclaimed Hollywood Bowl seats, plush velvet booths, and a playful poster advertising Quaaludes.

Brookelyn Fox, the interior designer for Mojave Gold, subtly indicated towards the back of the establishment, ‘We’ve created a designated area for intimate moments,'” she said with a knowing smile.

Music

The decision made by the Los Angeles Superior Court puts an end to a long-standing dispute concerning one of Southern California’s most recognized music venues – a vintage roadhouse located on an old film set.

The restaurant connected to Mojave Gold is definitely worth checking out, with dishes like cactus and citrus ceviche, charred cauliflower steak, and chocolate mole custard that are hard to miss. Given this small town’s significant influence on the local music scene, it could attract visitors year-round and potentially establish itself as a regular stop for tourists. Furthermore, during festival season, it might even become a well-known hotspot.

Dale Fox, managing the finances for that venue, pointed out that since multiple bands play Coachella each year, it’s impossible for all of them to perform at Pappy’s on Saturday night. He added, ‘Another option is available now.’

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I used to work alongside Gillespie and Greg Gordon at Pappy’s. Over the years, we were under the guidance of longtime owners Robyn Celia and Linda Krantz. We began to wonder if there was potential for more live music events than what that cherished yet contentious venue could accommodate throughout the year. Since the closure of the AWE Bar in 2023, we’ve had our sights set on that space, with dreams of transforming it into a venue primarily catering to locals.

Gillespie remarked, “The time and room we’ve enjoyed is far beyond what we could have managed in L.A. Here, everything requires a considerable amount of time and resources, but it seems there’s more freedom and space in every aspect of life for creation. We aim to host both national artists and nurture local talent, providing them with opportunities to establish their own spaces.

In a fortunate turn of events, Liz Garo, who was previously the talent buyer for the closed Alibi in Palm Springs, found herself available and seeking new projects locally, following years of booking shows at venues like the Echo, Regent, and others in Los Angeles. The variety of shows since then has encompassed a broad spectrum of Palm Desert’s diverse scenes, including country dance nights, punk performances by Throw Rag, cabaret drag acts, and gothic folk music from Blood Nebraska.

Music

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This Palm Springs venue was a hot spot for music. Then came the pandemic and a bitter legal battle

The proprietors of Alibi claim that well-known investors concocted a scheme to take advantage of the independent music scene. These investors, in turn, branded these allegations as scandalous and completely unfounded.

Gillespie mentioned that this spot was a part of various music circles where one wouldn’t recognize the performers, but still attended because everyone they knew would be present. That’s the atmosphere we aim to create here.

Mojave Gold marks its appearance as a fresh wave of entertainment venues emerge in the small towns surrounding Joshua Tree National Park, catering to both long-time residents and new visitors. Establishments like The Red Dog Saloon, Más o Menos, and the makeshift gay bar Tiny Pony Tavern have established themselves as popular spots for a more vibrant desert nightlife scene. There’s certainly potential for additional offerings, according to Gordon.

In an unexpected turn, upon our opening, I didn’t experience a single instance where I felt competitive tension, Gordon shared. Unlike other restaurants and establishments nearby, this place doesn’t carry the usual cutthroat attitude. Instead, it seems more about collaboration rather than competition. Given our youthful environment, everyone seems to contribute uniquely to the market, making it richer and more diverse.

Deep-seated enthusiasm for growth persists in this place, further ignited by the property flipping surge following the pandemic. The closure of Alibi, the legal battles over Pappy’s, and the Acrisure Arena, which secured Paul McCartney’s tour’s opening date and the sole Southern California stop, show that wealthy entities continue to focus on this area’s real estate and cultural landscape.

Currently, these small desert towns are rejoicing as Airbnb flippers have faced setbacks. Long-term aspirations for local culture are now blossoming. “Kudos to the city administration in Yucca,” Gordon acknowledged, tipping his hat. “They’re consistently brainstorming ideas to enhance the area, preserve Old Town, and foster thoughtful development.

The Mojave Gold team dreams that this intermittent surge of desert-based independent music could grow into a community akin to Silver Lake’s scene in the 2000s – large enough to have a significant impact on a national scale, but intimate enough to visit regularly and experience the unexpected. It might even lead you straight to a goth night, if that’s your thing.

Gillespie stated that many of those scenes were affordable or practically free, allowing people with limited funds to still enjoy an excellent night out. He emphasized that the aim should be nurturing the local artistic community rather than solely making a profit.

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2025-07-21 21:31