Suwannee Hulaween Preview: Decade Edition

September is only a few days away, meaning spooky season is right around the corner! What better way to celebrate than by attending a Halloween-themed festival? Those looking for a mystical camping festival loaded with talent should look no further than Hulaween Music Festival. The breathtaking scenery of Spirit Of The Suwanee Music Park comes to life for four days in a unique and immersive experience of music, art, and enchantment. This year is set to be the best yet, as the Florida festival looks to kick things up a notch in celebration of its 10th anniversary this October 26-29.

Photo by Tara Gracer

Nestled halfway between Tallahassee and Jacksonville, the Spirit of the Suwannee Park is a picturesque escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Surrounded by Spanish moss-draped trees and the gentle flow of the river, Hulaween creates a seamless blend of music and nature. At the heart of the festival is the magical Spirit Lake experience. Here visitors are engulfed in a sensory spectacle of captivating light displays, interactive sculptures, dazzling performers, and mesmerizing visual art. Expect major upgrades this year as the festival looks to bring its origin story to life and “weave Spirit Lake into an elegant tapestry of mini worlds.”

Photo by Jay Strausser

Each year, Hulaween commits itself to a transformational theme that infuses every corner of the festival’s decor and atmosphere. This year’s theme is Full Moon Family Reunion—unsurprisingly the Moon Fvm is thrilled! Many visitors go all out for the annual theme, bringing costumes and camp decorations. The festival is known for fostering a sense of community beyond the music stages, featuring activities like yoga, poetry, meditation, and workshops. That being said, Hulaween also knows how to party!

When it comes to music, this festival brings the heat. Hulaween features an array of diverse musical talent, with the biggest headlining DJs and jam bands all in the same place. The String Cheese Incident plays host as usual, with three nights of unique performances that will surely leave their followers in awe! It will be joined by prominent jam bands, including Trey Anastasio Band, Goose, and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead to name a few! The festival hosts indie bands like MT. JOY, rappers like Smino, and defintely has no shortage of variety when it comes to electronic music.

The artist drawing the most attention this year is legendary producer Pretty Lights, who announced this show as part of his comeback tour after a five-year hiatus. Tech-house star John Summit makes his way to the swamp— hopefully with some Johntronics head-bangers in tow. British luminary Elderbrook will provide a dynamic live performance showcasing his electronic, house, and pop influences. Another artist known for his live performances, Big Wild, will grace the stage with his blend of electronic and indie sounds. For a raw hip-hop feel and hypnotic house beats, check out songwriter, producer, and rapper Channel Tres. On the other end, Boogie T’s infectious live performance mixing dubstep, funk, and reggae influences is sure to set the stage on fire! These are just a few of the 90+ artists who encapsulate Hulaween’s ultimate genre-blending lineup.

Last year’s edition saw five official stages and the unofficial Incendia Stage, renowned for its fiery geometric design and immersive projection mapping. Though we are still waiting on news and a site map, Hulaween’s retweets point to Incendia’s return. The festival is known to surprise attendees with late-night secret sets and unexpected collaborations under the flames of this iconic stage.

Prepare yourself to be immersed in a magical realm this October at Hulaween Music Festival. A community that celebrates music, art, and togetherness awaits you. With its jaw-dropping art installations, beautiful natural scenery, and stacked lineup, Hulaween promises an experience that will leave you spellbound and yearning for more. Round up your closest fairies and ghouls to join us under the full moon for this one-of-a-kind experience! Tickets

Courtesy of Elements Music & Arts Festival // Jake West

Elements Music And Arts Festival In Review

After a fantastic four days in the Poconos, it is clear that Elements Music and Arts Festival is still the premier camping festival in the Northeast United States. The event organizers put time and effort into crafting thoughtful details throughout the festival grounds to create experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

First and foremost, the event site was decorated well and logically organized. Bright neon colors were everpresent at all five stages inside the festival grounds. Upon entering the festival, the sounds of the Water Stage greeted the crowd, and festivalgoers could easily access concessions and one of the many hydration stations. The Fire Stage was shaped like a triangle and adorned with on-theme pyrotechnics. The Earth Stage had light projections overlaying the perimeter of the stage, making the surrounding art look more trippy at night. Finally, the Air Stage and the Wub Hub were both set back in the woods, giving them an enchanting forest feel.

Courtesy of Elements Music & Arts Festival // Jamal Eid

The musical artists booked for Elements were deep and diverse, offering a variety of EDM genres for people to enjoy. To me, the standout sets from the weekend included Tinlicker at the Air Stage, LP Giobbi at the Water Stage, Skrillex at the Fire Stage, and Level Up at the Earth Stage. Another highlight of the weekend was LSDREAM’s much anticipated Lightcode set Sunday morning, incorporating meditation and breathwork into the calming musical backdrop. Check out MoonLvnding’s Instagram to see daily recap posts with videos from assorted artists.

In addition to the music, there were many other performers that heightened the experiences at each stage. Sticking to the theme of the elements, both the Fire and Air Stages featured fire spinners moving to the music. During the midday heat, the Water Stage had dancers spraying cooling water into the crowds. Over at the Earth Stage, DAM Circus brought a slew of talented aerialists to perform acrobatics near the back of the stage, and on Saturday there were even skydivers raining from the clouds at dusk during Daily Bread’s set. After dark, there were illuminated art installations along the trail through the woods, adding to the ambiance of Elements.

Courtesy of Elements Music & Arts Festival // Jake West

Complementing the fabulous music was an action-packed schedule of seminars and sessions aimed at helping festivalgoers better themselves and learn new skills. To name just a few, there were presentations on breathwork, self-massage, tantric meditation, jewelry making, and plant medicines. There was a plethora of physical activities available too, including yin, acro, and partner yoga, shuffle class, and hip-hop twerk fitness. If only there was more time to be able to attend all the awesome presenters!

One area where Elements truly excelled from other camping fests was the after-party options. By working directly with group camping through its unique Vibe Village setup, the team at Elements allowed groups to set up after-party stages throughout the group camping area. These group-run stages were great for enjoying the afters more intimately with other festivalgoers and hearing music from both underground artists like DiCEMaN and headliners like John Summit.

Courtesy of Elements Music & Arts Festival // Adi Adinayev

For those interested in the VIP experience, it was well worth it! Both the Fire and Earth Stages had designated VIP areas off on the sides with a good view of the stage. Even more impressive were the freebies and premium services available in the Vinyl Wellness tented area at Earth Stage. In addition to complimentary coffee, tea, snacks, and a nightly meal served around 7 p.m., there were also wellness offerings including vitamin shots, IV therapy, massages, light therapy, compression therapy, and an oxygen bar.

The fact that this festival is powered by green energy from the adjacent solar power station and gets fresh organic produce from one of the Northeast’s largest organic farms means that the team at Elements puts a high priority on sustainability efforts to protect the environment. It is a very manageable drive from the major airports in New York City and Philadelphia, and the logistics around the event site at the Poconos Raceway in Long Pond, PA were top quality.

Good news for those looking to attend Elements in 2024, presale passes are now available for Elements Music and Arts Festival 2024 at their lowest possible prices. Everything is up for purchase from festival passes, Vibe Village group camping, and premium camping options to Elements hotels, RV passes, and early arrival add-ons. Next year’s festival will take place August 9 – August 12, 2024, at the same wonderful location in the Poconos at Long Pond, PA.

Moon Lvnding had an incredible experience at its first Elements Music and Arts Festival, and we would enthusiastically recommend this fest to anyone looking to try something new during the Summer festival season. If you need any more convincing, just check out this newly released aftermovie from Elements 2023!

Can You “Envision” Yourself Here? A Look Into The Beloved Envision Festival In Costa Rica

At the start of each festival season, my process for deciding which events to attend during the year involves careful planning and consideration. Envision Festival has held a top spot on my list for several years now, and 2024 might finally be the year I embark on the tropical trek. Envision offers a number of must-haves, including its exotic destination, incredible lineups, and an abundance of activities to make the most of its prime location. However, attending an international festival, especially one spanning seven days, requires careful consideration and preparation. To help me decide, I’ve thoroughly explored all aspects of Envision — so let’s delve into the details!

Taking place March 4 – 11, 2024, in Uvita, Costa Rica, Envision welcomes those from all walks of life to share an eye-opening experience that connects mind, body, community, and spirit. The festival emphasizes healing and spiritual connection, guiding attendees on a journey of self-discovery. Envision offers a diverse range of activities, from yoga, spiritual workshops, and guided meditations to live art performances, classes, and sessions with inspirational speakers — all geared toward providing festivalgoers with more than just a party. Other activities include surfing lessons, waterfall hiking, nature tours, spa treatments, and much more! For those seeking low-key, chill vibes, the beach is a stone’s throw away! With so much to do at this destination festival, Envision stands as the ultimate bucket list event.

Besides its diverse range of activities, Envision maintains an impressive lineup of artists. Previous editions have featured renowned acts like Rufus Du Sol, Tipper, CloZee, Bonobo, Daily Bread, Zingara, Bob Moses, Troyboi, Amémé, and many more. The well-curated lineups strike a perfect balance between well-known performers and talented newcomers, complemented by astonishing stage setups. Artists are yet to be announced for 2024, but I am confident Envision will deliver yet another remarkable lineup.

Another notable aspect of Envision is its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation within the jungle it calls home. Green initiatives at the festival are taken seriously, ensuring the absence of single-use plastics and promoting the use of reusable or compostable materials. Hats off to Envision for its dedication here!

While the festival sounds like a dream come true, attending requires careful planning. Securing tickets, which are available during specific time windows, is the first step. The waitlist for 2024 tickets is available on Evision’s website. Prices can be steep, but the festival offers various bundle deals that include extra amenities and excursions. Travel arrangements to Costa Rica, the festival site, accommodations, and camping gear are key items to consider. Costa Rica’s weather is mostly sunny during March, but the tropical region comes with high humidity, so appropriate packing is crucial. Consider checking an extra bag with your flight to hold camping gear, or opt to purchase a Ready-Set-Camp pass which includes a prepared tent with all of the sleeping essentials.

Despite the planning involved, the overall experience of a 7-day festival on the beach in beautiful Costa Rica, with its spiritual and communal focus, makes it all worth it. Envision looks like the festival experience of a lifetime. With so much appeal, I’m certain I will attend Envision, and if not in 2024, surely soon after. As someone who loves to travel, the festival calls out to me, offering a unique blend of music, art, and soulful experiences. I can’t wait to be part of this community and witness the magic myself. See you there!

Sacred Acre Puts Nature First

Alaska’s wild frontier is one of the few places left on Earth where nature’s beauty can be seen and experienced in its rawest form. Here, amid schools of salmon and wild grizzly bears, a diverse, yet fragile, ecosystem finds its sacred abode. On September 8 – 10, 2023, for the second consecutive year, Ninilchik will host Alaska’s environmentally focused bass festival, Sacred Acre.

Sacred Acre’s core mission is to bring awareness to trawling, a highly destructive industrial fishing practice. Trawling uses a colossal net and drags it across the ocean floor, capturing all in its path and leaving behind a trail of devastation, as the nets, equipped with heavy weights, obliterate coral reefs and seaweed habitats upon which many aquatic creatures rely. Non-target species with little to no market value, are trapped and killed needlessly during this pursuit of higher-value fish; the animals and plants killed this way are known as bycatch.

Emerging during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, trawling proved to be so effective that within a decade, it became the standard fishing practice along the Pacific Northwest. Sadly, this efficiency came with severe environmental costs. By the mid-19th century, environmentalists noticed a significant decline in fish populations, mostly due to trawling net bycatch. The Sacred Acre project aims to provide a platform to educate and advocate for less destructive industrial fishing practices by offering a space where people come together to share information about trawling and other critical issues affecting Alaska’s oceans, wildlife, and waterways.

Moon Lvnding was fortunate to engage with the organizers behind Sacred Acre: Director Chris Miller and Assistant Director Hannah Stearns. They offered valuable insights into the far-reaching effects of trawling on the Alaskan community and how Sacred Acre seeks to spread awareness about the use of more sustainable practices. Stearns describes the consequences of trawling, “We are watching the number of salmon and other animals dwindle to extinction… It’s really prevalent, and so close to home.” The environmental activist and festival director has also witnessed this destruction in his backyard and is using the power of music to inspire change. Having worked in the seafood industry for 15 years, Miller sheds light on the misleading information surrounding the sustainability of industrial fishing, “We are told that this seafood is sustainable, but it really isn’t.”

As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, Sacred Acre is working to become a zero-plastic event. Onsite vendors must use recyclable or compostable supplies, and drinks will be served in reusable metal tumbler cups. “We are also working with a compost company to bring all food scraps to local farms to further reduce our footprint… but eliminating plastic is number one,” Miller shared. He points out that Sacred Acre is a boutique festival, and explains that boutique festivals are more sustainable than larger festivals.

While the music remains the festival’s focal point, Sacred Acre ensures attendees can enjoy the state’s natural beauty and immerse themselves in the Alaskan frontier. In 2023, a range of excursions awaits visitors, from native plant foraging and flyfishing expeditions to helicopter tours and an intimate boat party with some of the performing artists. Everyone will have the chance to explore the beauty surrounding the venue. The organizers aim to showcase Alaska and instill an appreciation for its preservation, stating “We want to be a destination festival and really show the people in the lower 48 why they need to protect these places.”

Looking towards the future, Miller and Stearns envision growth for Sacred Acre, aspiring to establish their own non-profit organization to combat factory trawling. In discussing the first Sacred Acre in 2022, Chris shares, “Last year, both creatively and production-wise, it was a huge success. The movement has started, and now it is time to keep that momentum going.” Until then, Miller urges everyone to “buy conscious” by being an informed consumer and making choices to support sustainable practices.

With the directors’ guidance and the support of all those attending Sacred Acre this fall, the movement against factory trawling will only get stronger. Miller believes that through the power of music, great things can be achieved. Tickets are still available on the festival website, but regardless of whether you can attend, spreading knowledge and information about the perils of commercial trawling is essential. Moon Lvnding has included some resources below for those wanting to read more about the destruction taking place. To protect Alaska’s indigenous communities and our entire aquatic ecosystem, the time for action is now!

Educational links:

Elements Making Strides For Sustainability

Back for its 6th year, Elements Music and Arts Festival is preparing for its biggest and best year yet at its new home in Long Pond, PA from Thursday, August 10 through Monday, August 14. The lineup is packed with legendary artists – Skrillex, Chris Lake, Porter Robinson, Rezz, and STS9 just to name a few – and we’ve already dropped our preview for the Northeast’s premier camping festival. More than just the music though, it is an escape into an immersive camping experience for so many in East Coast metropolises such as New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Boston.

Sustainability and environmental impact are key issues for festival organizers and our community, which Moon Lvnding highlighted a few weeks ago, and Elements is doing its part to make a difference. Take, for example, the new venue site in Long Pong, adjacent to the Pocono Raceway. The venue will be completely powered by an onsite solar farm, meaning the festival will be using clean, renewable energy. Powered by nearly 40,000 American-made panels over 25 acres, the 3MW Pocono Solar Project has been up and running since 2010!

Then consider all that delicious healthy, organic food on offer from assorted vendors and the 24-hour food court. Much of the organic produce used for the event is grown right next door at Pocono Organics, one of North America’s largest regenerative organic certified farms. So instead of the food traveling countless hours in transportation burning fuel, the festivalgoers of Elements will be able to enjoy farm-fresh, organic food harvested close by.

Don’t forget the transportation incentives and benefits provided by Elements. Did you know Elements offers a discount program for hybrid and electronic vehicles? Offering 30% off hybrids and 50% off EVs, the owner just needs to email Elements with a picture of their registration to get the discount code for the car pass. For people flying into NYC’s two biggest airports, JFK and Newark, or those who prefer to bus down from the city, there are shuttles scheduled from Newark Airport and Midtown Manhattan on Thursday and Friday, plus the return trip on Monday.

Elements brings the sustainability vibes full circle by curating a well-rounded selection of presenters and artists to share knowledge, skills, and classes on a wide variety of topics. Education is another great way the festival is able to share its ethos and allow attendees to take some lessons with them to their daily lives.

Credit: Alive Coverage

Finally, something I’m most excited to see is the execution of the Vibe Villages, Elements’ progressive concept for planning group camping. By working with the group camp leaders to get the vibes right, each group can plan artistic and expressive home settings for their spaces to bring the festival to the campsites as well. There are even three different themes Villages for group camping:

  • Fire Village – for the truly shared interactive experience like sound camps and art/gift camps.
  • Water Village – for groups looking to express themed costumes, decorations, and performances.
  • Air Village – for the go-with-the-flow homies to set up about 10 minutes from the festival gate.

The hands-on, progressive leadership of Elements has continually improved upon its initial vision from 10 years ago and it is encouraging to see an independent festival organizer prioritize environmentally friendly ways to strive towards sustainability. Limited festival and camping passes remain with only three weeks until the event, so the time is now to plan your escape to Elements Music and Arts Festival.

Credit: Alive Coverage

Elements Is The Premier Northeast Festival

It is less than a month away from the start of the Northeast United States’ best festival – Elements Music and Arts Festival. Taking place in Long Pond, PA from August 11 – 14, 2023, and utilizing its largest layout ever, the 2023 event promises to be bigger and better than before. With over 100 acts across 10 different stages, immersive art production, and engaging health and wellness programming, there is truly something for everyone at this festival.

The four main stages of Elements are named after the four main elements:

  • FIRE – a flaming stage with high-energy tunes of dirty bass and funky rhythms.
    Past artists include GRiZ, Diplo, Zeds Dead, Sofi Tukker.
  • EARTH – a psychedelic paradise featuring bass, jam, and experimental music.
    Past artists include Rezz, Liquid Stranger, Clozee, Rusko
  • AIR – a mystical temple that refreshes the soul with techno, house, and afrobeat sounds.
    Past artists include Nicole Moudaber, Jamie Jones, Bob Moses, Maceo Plex
  • WATER – a sunshine playground to play along with disco, house, and funk music.
    Past artists include Claude Vonstroke, LP Giobbi, Gene Farris, The Sponges

The 2023 Elements lineup is right up there with the best events in the world, featuring some of the top talent in the industry. EDM legend Skrillex takes the festival stage as one of the event’s largest draws. Other notable top-tier artists include a Thursday pre-party set from Seven Lions, a sunset set from Lane 8, and appearances from the young guns of house and dubstep, John Summit and Subtronics.

There will also be stage takeovers by Chris Lake’s Black Book Records, Seven Lions’ Ophelia Records, and Femme House from co-founders LP Giobbi and Hermixalot. Especially noteworthy is special guest LSDREAM, who will share his Lightcode production which is a mindful and meaningful experience not to be missed.

In addition to the monster lineup scheduled to provide the musical backdrop to a magical weekend, there will be plentiful art installations and talented performers to behold, adding to the ambiance of the event. There will also be three full days of health and wellness programming including yoga, dance, comedy, and workshops to allow attendees the opportunity to expand their knowledge and grow into the best version of themselves.

Credit: Alive Coverage

And of course, what festival would be complete without a 24-hour food court that offers vegan and gluten-free options as well as bars, smoothie stands, and water stations? On top of all that, there is also a vendor village that offers craft goods, creative art, unique jewelry, and festival essentials plus the Elements merch tent with exclusive 2023 festival swag.

Tickets are still available, so what are you waiting for? The festival is easily accessible from major urban centers like New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington D.C. For out-of-towners, it is only 100 miles from major airports in Newark, NJ (EWR) and Philly, PA (PHL) or 125 miles from New York City’s JFK. So whether you want a car camping experience, an upscale glamping setup, or off-site hotel accommodations, there is a package to fit everyone’s desire to attend Elements Music and Arts Festival. I hope to see you there!