Lost Lands, often hailed as the Disneyland of dubstep in the bass community, lived up to its reputation this year with a touch of magic! The festival saw noticeable upgrades, from enhanced campsites to the introduction of a brand-new 360-degree stage, leaving bass heads in awe.
Highlights:
The Crater Stage – As 360-degree stages and Boiler Room-style setups have grown in popularity, it was only a matter of time before Lost Lands joined the trend. When the Crater stage was announced, there was initial skepticism about how it would handle large crowds. However, those doubts quickly vanished after its first live appearance this year. With multiple entrances and a rotating DJ booth in the center, every attendee enjoyed an intimate, front-row experience, no matter where they stood.
The real magic came at night. As the lasers shot through the sky, it felt like a galactic battle straight out of Star Wars. Each drop reverberated through the crowd, eliciting gasps and cheers as the crowd gazed up in awe.
The Tunnel – With 40,000 people transitioning between the campsite and the festival grounds, moving the masses is no small feat. The addition of the tunnel was a game changer, providing a smooth, stress-free transition into the festival. No more waiting for traffic or cramming together on a scaffold overpass—the addition of this vibrant tunnel will be appreciated in Legend Valley for years to come.
The Music – Lost Lands wouldn’t be complete without four days of face-melting, head-banging bass. From the moment the gates opened at the main stage until the sunrise at the silent disco, the energy never wavered. Early sets by UsayBflow, Levity, Sanzu, VKTM, and Emorfik were relentless, pushing the sound systems to their limits and putting attendee earplugs to the test!
Legendary back-to-backs lit up the weekend, from a house set by Wooli, Svdden Death, and Subtronics to a filthy riddim showdown with Hamro, Sqishi, and BLVNKSPVCE. Smoakland and Sippy’s wompy hour and a day-four closing set by the undisputed kings Wooli and Excision wrapped up a weekend of pure bass heaven.
Bummers:
THE DUST– A little bit of dirt and dust is unavoidable at most music festivals, but this year’s conditions were truly brutal. Ohio’s summer drought meant thick clouds of dirt followed festival-goers everywhere, turning mosh pits into mini sandstorms. Even with masks or pashminas, the dust found its way into every breath.
No Pyro – A last-minute fire ban by local authorities put a damper on one of the festival’s signature elements—pyrotechnics. No gas stoves, lighters, or fireworks were allowed, leaving stages without their usual bursts of flames. However, the production team made up for it with extra lasers, CO2 cannons, and nightly drone shows, keeping the energy alive.
Final Thoughts:
Excision and his team deserve major credit for pulling off a safe and exhilarating Lost Lands despite the challenges. From the prehistoric vibe to the community energy, Lost Lands 2024 was both gnarly and breathtaking, and fans are already counting down the days until 2025!
