Imagine Music Festival lived up to the hype and exceeded expectations this past weekend, September 14 – 17, 2023. As a first-time Imaginer, it was thrilling to explore a festival that was new to me. After three days filled with music, dancing, and revelry, Imagine lived up to its reputation for being the best immersive electronic music festival in the Southeast.
The Kingston Downs property used for the event the past two years is expansive and provides a grand setting for the festival grounds as well as the surrounding campgrounds. Imagine featured four large stages inside the festival grounds and the production was incredible! While they weren’t the biggest stages I’ve seen, the designs were captivating with the most jaw-dropping laser and pyrotechnic displays I’ve ever seen.
The largest stage, Oceania, was home to many of the B2Bs we discussed in our preview article, and they were among the best sets of the weekend. From the multitude of Imaginers I spoke to, Subtronics B2B Ganja White Night was the most anticipated set of the weekend — and they both delivered. However, the Dillon Francis B2B Knock2 performance stood out for me. Knock2’s excitement to be playing alongside one of his idols and Dillon Francis’s goofy antics on the microphone made the vibes of the set extra special and brought the crowd back to life on Sunday.
I spent more time at Oceania than at any other stage and for good reason — there were just so many great artists scheduled to play there. From Squired and Leah Culver getting the party started to international superstars Dom Dolla and Zomboy bringing the heat as the sun went down, Oceana was the place to be on Saturday. Dab the Sky and Slander closed it out for a spectacular second day.
The bass stage, Amazonia, had the most spectacular stage design despite its more compact design. It had the most magical laser effects of the four stages, and the angled 4×4 LED panels above the artists provided a new viewing experience. The artists that shined the brightest at Amazonia include Big Gigantic, Mersiv, A Hundred Drums, and Tripp St.
The Disco Inferno, home to many of the house acts, had two levels of pyrotechnics and LED boards. Kasablanca and Cloonee were both in their element at this stage, bringing out big crowds for their distinctive sets. Finally, the Aeria stage was the most minimal of the four, but it fit the vibes perfectly for the dark techno and trance sets from Slander Presents: Before Dawn and the 25th-anniversary performance by Infected Mushroom.
Outside of the music, I enjoyed many memorable moments at the Imaginarium — the activity and workshop space on the main drag with stages and concessions outside of the main festival grounds. Megan and Sydney from Highland Yoga facilitated much-needed vinyasa flow practice on Saturday and Sunday to help me stay loose. I also learned a few lessons that will last a lifetime: the power of sigils taught by David and the art of maintaining conscious relationships taught by Sonali.
I’m thankful that Imagine made space to allow for these teachers and practitioners to share their knowledge with us at the Imaginarium because expanding my consciousness and growing as a person is a vital part of my valuable festival experience. One of my core memories of Imagine was sharing Saturday’s noon yoga practice with two other Imaginers as the rain began pouring down all around us. Even as the heavy rain brought trickles of water under the Imaginarium tent, we went happily along with our yoga flow on little foam mat islands provided to us by Celsius fitness drinks.
Two other notable details that the team at Imagine provided for its festivalgoers that made the event stand out from the pack — the pool party and the painters’ plateau. Before the main festival gates opened on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, there was a pool party inside the main festival grounds available for an additional fee and it was well worth it. Disco Dom headlined on Saturday and Kai Wachi headlined on Sunday.
While not officially named the painters’ plateau, there was an area at the top of the hill looking down at the Amazonia stage that was lined with artists painting different festival scenes. It was magical at night, with the artists’ lamps illuminating their artwork while they toiled at their craft. It’s these little details that bring a big festival to life and Imagine exceeded expectations.
Southern hospitality was in full effect all weekend. People were courteous and kind, and I immediately felt welcomed by all the Imaginers I interacted with. I came down to Georgia with only a backpack of clothing and returned to Brooklyn with a smarter mind, a stronger body, and a soul radiating with positivity. While I would never recommend my hometown NYC festival to anyone, after my experience at Imagine Music Festival, I would wholeheartedly recommend this festival to anyone looking for a good time down South. I’m already looking forward to IMF2024, so if you’re like me, then you’ll want to connect with Imagine’s social links below.
