As 2024 comes to a close, the Moon Lvnding Fvm is reflecting on all the unforgettable sets that defined our year. From major festivals to hometown shows, we’ve danced, headbanged, and grooved our way across every corner of the US. Here’s a look at some of our staff’s favorite sets, festivals, and b2b performances from the past year.
What was your favorite set? Where was it and why was it your favorite?
Jessica Duncan – Assignment Director
“Odezsa at Fulsom Field in Boulder, CO. This was the first time I was able to catch an Odezsa set since 2015 when they first began to blow up. The production was amazing, from fireworks to the full drum line and all the vocalists featured on their tracks. The set list covered every song I wanted to hear. The rain couldn’t stop us!”
Sam Wolloch – Chief Editor
“Wooli at Electric Forest. I really enjoyed it because I was with my closest rave family on the grass field of Tripolee and Wooli played a ton of amazing new IDs. He was pumped up the entire set, and you could tell how much of his energy and passion went into its production.”
Troy Andrea – Staff Writer
“Levity at Sunbar! Those boys bring such awesome energy to the stage. Their rapid blow-up this past year really just shows how success can find anyone. From having a USB at EForest to almost headlining festivals, they deserve all the hype, and their shows prove it.”
Grant Soffer – Staff Writer | Event Staff
“Like many people are probably going to say, Tiesto at Groove Cruise was my favorite set of 2024. He played the headlining spot on the beach in the Bahamas and delivered the best hour of music I have ever experienced in my life. All of his song choices and transitions were immaculate, and the backdrop of the beautiful ocean and cruise ship made the setting even more beautiful. Being surrounded by 20 close friends, all smiling ear to ear and dancing our hearts out, made it even more special. That will be a set I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Kiana Kraft – Staff Writer
“Kygo‘s headlining set at his own Palm Tree Festival in Oahu. Kygo is, and has been for a long time, my favorite artist. To finally get a chance to go to his festival in the perfect tropical place (he is the tropical house king) was so magical.”
Shae McCormick – Social Media Coordinator
“Subtronics at Lost Lands. This was the final boss of Subtronics sets (so far). Old music, new music, all at Wompy Woods for sunset. He had the Cyclops Army going absolutely feral.”
Kate Nelson – Public Relations Director
“Andrew Bayer at Sunbar in Arizona. He was touring his new EP, which has my all-time favorite song, ‘Places I Belong.’ It was a super high-energy set that flowed effortlessly between trance subgenres. I have a ‘Places I Belong’ tattoo, and I got to meet him and show it to him right before he went on!”
What was your favorite festival you attended?
Jessica – “I didn’t go to too many festivals this year; the only EDM festival I attended was Global Dance. For my full thoughts on it, check out my review from earlier this year.”
Sam – “Despite (or maybe because of) all of the weather difficulties, Elements 2024 was my favorite festival of the five fests I attended this year (Glow, Electric Forest, Secret Dreams, Elements, Lost Lands). The lineup was tremendous from Thursday to Sunday, and the vibes at the Friday renegades for those who weathered the storm were off the charts. The new layout at the Water Stage was outstanding, and I always love festivals that allow LSDream to have his Lightcode session on Sunday morning.”
Troy – “Lost Lands was awesome this year. The new Crater stage was so cool. I love how they bring the 360-experience to a new scale!”
Grant – “North Coast Music Festival in Chicago was and probably always will be my favorite festival. The layout of the venue is so well thought out, and there are endless activities and hidden adventures throughout the festival. Couple that with the amazing talent they always book on the lineup, and this becomes the perfect festival. All other festivals should be taking notes and copying their playbook.”
Kiana – “Coachella is my favorite festival and probably will be for a long time. I look forward to it every year. There’s nothing I look forward to more than dancing on the polo fields in the desert with the best music and the best people and planning fun outfits, of course.”
Shae – “Elements, Poconos PA. While the weather was a crazy experience, our group, Camp Happy Feet, came prepared for the unexpected and braved the storm with minimal damage. We made it out to the renegades night one to make up for the missed Friday of the fest, and they did not disappoint. Seeing Tape B three times in one night was a highlight; his b2b with Disco Lines, classic Car Tunes-Essie festival set at Club Renegade, and a special downtempo afters at Corporate Wooks. I also loved the art cars they had at the fest, like Harvey Disco Kitty at Fire Stage.”
Kate – “Dreamstate! The vibes are always incredible, and it has the friendliest crowd.”
What was your favorite b2b set you saw?
Jessica – “Worship (Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock, 1991) at Mission Ballroom. This night was the epitome of drum and bass. I went with one of my good friends, and we absolutely lost our minds the entire time.”
Sam – “My favorite b2b of the year had to be the world debut of the 4+ hour extended club set by Waxtroda (Wax Motif b2b Matroda) at the world-famous Brooklyn Mirage. They kept the vibes high for the entire set, and the whole crowd was grooving to their sexy house beats.”
Troy – “Heritage b2b Drinkurwater at Bass Canyon! Their sound designs just complement each other so well, and it was such a fun set to be a part of.”
Grant – “My favorite b2b from this year was probably Subtronics and Level Up at Beyond Wonderland in California. Zeds Dead had a last-minute cancelation, so the couple stepped up to fill the spot. It was a much smaller crowd than a normal Subtronics set, but that didn’t stop him from giving one of the best performances I have ever seen. It was a great way to close out night two of Beyond Wonderland.”
Kiana – “IsoKnock (ISOxo b2b Knock2) at Coachella Sahara tent. These two were the most incredibly perfect duo to go b2b at Sahara, and the energy was insane for the entire set. Safe to say people were dancing and partying at that set.”
Shae – “Excision b2b Wooli, Lost Lands Prehistoric Stage. They served dubstep at Dubstep Disneyland, and I successfully coordinated the rave fam meet-up with friends from all over the country. We had everyone in the right place at the right time, and the drone show was so cool! They even did Becky’s (one of the dinosaurs) butthole in drones! Shoutout to Crater Stage though: the star of Lost Lands this year.”
Stay tuned to Moon Lvnding for more content as we close out the year. For those located in Arizona, Decadence 2024 is just around the corner, and it’s sure to bring some unforgettable sets. We’re hyped to be there and can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for dance music!
