We are officially a month away from experiencing the magic of Suwanee Hulaween! Excitement is in the air as the festival has just unveiled its daily set time schedule. This announcement marks a pivotal moment for left-brained festivalgoers eager to craft their ideal weekend experience. It is the opportunity to identify can’t-miss performances and challenging decisions to be mulled over in the coming weeks. Fear not, we are here to guide you through this thrilling maze of talent. In this article, we will spotlight some must-see acts and unearth some hidden gems that might just become your new favorites. Be sure to download the Hulaween app to create your own custom schedule!
Jam Bands
We normally focus on electronic music here at Moon Lvnding, but Hulaween is well-known for its incredible jam band performances so it would be a disservice not to mention them! You cannot miss The String Cheese Incident. The band known for hosting Hulaween and Electric Forest will be playing six sets over the course of the weekend. String Cheese embodies the soul of the festival with sets that blend genres including bluegrass, funk, rock, jazz, and electronic. Be sure to check out their Saturday theme night set! One of the hottest bands in the live music scene, Goose, will grace The Hallows stage Friday night at midnight with a harmonious blend of intricate instrumentals and catchy melodies. The band is making waves with their improvisational skills and unique genre-blurring sound.
Believe The Hype
Pretty Lights
The long-awaited return of visionary producer Pretty Lights is by far the most anticipated set of the weekend. After a five-year hiatus, the electro-funk maestro set the world on fire with his announcement of The Soundship Spacesystem Tour back in April of this year. Hulaween attendees are beyond blessed as the set time schedule reveals two sets by the legendary producer. The first is Saturday at midnight and the second is Sunday at 6:30 pm. Tweets from the festival suggest that Pretty Lights admirably took up the second set time after Rainbow Kitten Surprise canceled all tour dates due to an unfortunate medical crisis faced by a band member. Due to the popularity of this artist, we would recommend arriving early for a good spot.
Elderbrook
The versatile British musical artist solidified himself as a major player in the industry with nominations for both a Grammy for Best Dance Recording in 2018 and an Ivor Novello Award. Last March, Elderbrook released his second album, Little Love, an emotive masterpiece that harnesses the infectious dance-floor melodies for which he is renowned. Prepare to groove, hug, and happy cry at The Amphitheater stage on Sunday at 7 pm.
John Summit
This Chicago-born superstar is probably the biggest name in dance music at the moment, and for good reason. He burst onto the scene, captivating crowds with his infectious house grooves and boundless energy. John Summit has been a mainstay on festival lineups, particularly in 2023 when he released his unforgettable track “Where You Are” which has been remixed by the likes of GRiZ, Gorgon City, and Zedd. Summit has also shown his immense range this year, having gone B2B with Subtronics for some incredible bass-heavy performances. Visit The Amphitheater stage on Thursday at 9:50 pm to see if he brings that fusion to Suwanee.
If You Don’t Know, Now You Know
Boogie T
Boogie T, a name synonymous with bass-heavy innovation, is set to unleash his signature blend of dubstep, funk, and riddim on the Spirit Lake stage. This setting could not be more perfect for the bearded bayou boy known for his ground-shaking live sets. Boogie is an artist like no other, often singing, rapping, and playing a slew of instruments including the guitar, bass, and keyboard. Check out his recently released EP, The Archives, for a taste! His set begins Thursday at 10:15 pm, which coincides with the John Summit set, however, it has a completely different vibe. This makes it perfect for those last-minute decisions where you let the music take you.
Apashe
This might be the most unique and majestic show of the weekend. Originally from Brussels, Apashe moved to Canada to study electroacoustics and began making music rooted in classical music. He is known for his avante-garde style that fuses symphonic orchestral compositions with electronic bass and hip-hop elements. In fact, his second album Renaissance was brought to life with the help of the Prague Symphony Orchestra and rapper Tech N9ne. In anticipation of his upcoming Antagonist album set to release in November, Apashe is touring the US and Europe accompanied by a live brass orchestra and will be bringing the whole ensemble to Hulaween. Visit the Spirit Lake stage on Sunday at 6:45 pm to experience the grandeur that is Apashe and his brass orchestra.
Manic Focus
Hulaween veterans will know this producer well, being that he has performed at the festival almost every year since 2015, and for good reason. Manic Focus is a multi-dimensional artist who bridges soulful blues music with modern electronic sounds and heavy basslines. Never Not Blue, his latest album released last March, is a sonic masterstroke that aims to capture the different stages of a manic episode. The inspiring producer said of his project, “I hope that Never Not Blue helps people heal in some way. I want people to know that if you’re having trouble with mental illness, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.” Manic Focus rocks The Amphitheater Saturday night at 8:30 pm.
Discovery Mode
Lucati
This rising star in the dance scene has already played on some of the biggest stages in the US including EDC Las Vegas, Hard Summer, Escape Halloween, Countdown NYE, and Club Space. You may have even heard his electrifying house collaborations with SNBRN, “DMs” or Dombreski, “Like This.” The LA-based producer and label owner promotes an authentic and simple brand of DJing fueled by his passion for creating infectious energy in the crowd. “Music over everything” is the philosophy that permeates all his work as he aims to shed light on the golden age of house music. Start your weekend grooving with Lucati at The Amphitheater stage on Thursday at 4:15 pm.
Khiva
Up-and-coming dubstep producer, vocalist, songwriter, and astral traveler Khiva brings her Dark Dream Tour to The Spirit of Suwanee Music Park this October. Having played esteemed festivals like Electric Forest, Wakaan, Okeechobee, and Lightning In A Bottle, she is no stranger to the limelight. Khiva is known for crafting deep dark soundscapes rooted in 140 beats contrasted by haunting and metaphorical lyricism. Drawing inspiration from atmospheres and the world around her, Khiva attempts to bring the invisible to light through sonic expression. Her Friday set on the Spirit Lake stage is sure to be a spellbinding adventure beginning at 8 pm.
CHYL
This Chinese-Canadian music producer based in LA brings the HEAT with her 150 bpm Speed House. A Columbia graduate, CHYL decided to eschew a promising career in investment banking to follow her passion for music and has flourished tremendously, releasing songs on major labels and performing at festivals like EDC Las Vegas, Hard Summer, and Countdown. Her sets are sure to get you off your feet, characterized by high-octane rhythms, seamless transitions, and supersonic drops. Spirit Lake will be charged up for her 6:45 pm performance on Friday. Learn more about CHYL in our exclusive interview here.
For more on what to expect from Suwanee Hulaween 2023, check out our preview.
