Spooky season is here ladies and gentlemen, and that means it is finally time for this year’s biggest Halloween event — Escape Halloween 2023 — happening at NOS Event Center October 27 and 28! Here are four artists early in the day to start your Escape off right.
Credit: Insomniac Events // @Kristina Bakrevski
The first artist recommendation to check out on Day 1 is a drum and bass (D&B) artist out of the UK, Wilkinson. He has sold 4M singles, has been streamed over half a billion times and has a double platinum banger “Afterglow.” On top of winning four awards, including “Best Single” and “Best Producer” at the National D&B Awards, his debut album Lazers Not Included went #1 on the official dance chart. He’s played in venues and festivals around the world, in places like Glastonbury, London, Las Vegas, and Ibiza. He blesses the Feeding Grounds stage Friday, so make sure you are there to get your day started with some amazing D&B. Get familiar with some of his hits before you get there, like “Illuminate,” “Used to This,” and “Here For You.”
Another awesome Day 1 artist to hear is a SoCal native, and is quickly becoming one of the biggest up-and-coming artists of the year, Taylor Kade. In 2020, he released his first EP on Circus Records, Back to Life, and ever since, he has been on a roll, including having his own radio show on Insomniac Radio — “Happy Hour with Taylor Kade.” He bring his energetic and unique future bass vibes to the Wicked Woods stage on Friday. Check some of his hits below to get you ready to sing along. “Lonely,” “Love You Like That,” and “Want You Back.”
The first artist on Day 2 I want to highlight is a melodic bass DJ that you need to start to familiarize yourself with, YETEP. Releasing his first debut single in 2022 on Monstercat, “First Place,” he has been on a nonstop climb ever since, while receiving endorsements from giants like Excision, Adventure Club, and Illenium. Amassing a huge following in the few short years he’s been performing, you’re not going to want to miss your chance to catch him and join his already huge fan base Saturday on the Grimm stage. Here are some of his tracks to get you ready to rage: “Petals From A Rose“, “Gravity,” and “Mistakes.”
The second artist on Day 2 is bringing the vibes from Cleveland, DJ TopGun. Releasing his first EP in 2021, Cheap Thrills, and his 2nd EP earlier in the year, City of Freaks. Prior to starting his solo project, he was on tour opening for Lil Xan. Looking to bring his housey vibe to the Sanitarium stage on Saturday, get there early. Check out some his songs and make sure you get there early to check him out. “Took Some,” “Low,” and “The Hangover.”
Remember to prepare ahead of time to make it easier to get to the festival for these awesome early artists. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, eat some tasty food, and most of all, have fun! Experience all that Escape Halloween has to offer and explore the full festival grounds. Check out some new amazing artists that you may not have heard of yet and enjoy the best Halloween party of 2023!
Can you believe it has been over two weeks since Imagine Music Festival 2023? It feels like just yesterday as time has been flying by, and one set from Imagine has been stuck in my head since that wonderful weekend in Kingston Downs, Georgia — Leah Culver rocking out Saturday on the mainstage!
After starting the set behind the decks and treating the crowd to heavy bass mixes, Culver took to the mic and brought out a live band to back her up — including Sum 41’s Frank Zummo on the drums to close out the set. There is something special about getting to see a live band set at an EDM festival, so I spoke to this Atlanta native and Imagine veteran about the 2023 festival.
Sam Wolloch: Nice work at Imagine last weekend! So being from Atlanta, tell me more about your home festival, Imagine.
Leah Culver: Thank you so much! I love Imagine Festival! I’ve played every year since the very beginning and it’s always my favorite thing to come home from LA and see it grow bigger and bigger every year! So proud of [owners] Maddy and Glenn, who have been family to me since I started! It’s so cool to see it all become what it is!
SW: Seeing you perform with a live band made your set stand out! Talk about your band members who played with you.
LC: I love the members of my band. James Tiernan played violin and electric guitar, Lance Mapp played electric guitar, Zach Deloach played drums on half the set, and Frank Zummo on the other half. I also had mmmCherry out to sing as well.
I implore anybody reading this to take the time to check out their projects. James Tiernan goes by Jet and is an incredible instrumentalist and producer. Lance Mapp goes by Tavis and makes really great pop and country music! I always love the way Zach Deloach plays drums and he’s always been such a fun and incredible energy to have around. Zach is also an incredible photographer.
SW: So how did you line up Frank Zummo to play with you at Imagine?
LC: Chelsea Shear is a great and wonderful supporter of mine at Monstercat. She connected Frank and me because she knew our sounds are so similar with our influences coming from a lot of alternative and pop punk music, as well as electronic. We immediately knew that we were going to have such a great time making music together!
SW: He brought some great energy to close out the set! Now I’m curious how you balance your desire for a live performance with being behind the decks for a DJ set.
LC: When I’m planning a big set with a lot of moving parts like this one, I like to divide up my original songs that all have my vocals on them and other fun songs I like to DJ. I have so much love for producing music, playing drums and guitar, singing, songwriting, and performing! I’m always working on new music and that’s where I’m happiest! Getting to perform it is a whole other love and passion and I couldn’t be more grateful to get to do what I love every day!
SW: That passion definitely shows in your sets. Your visual production was stunning too. Can you share your inspiration for the visuals and the white outfit you wore on stage?
LC: My inspiration for my white outfit was angels and light. I love making new visuals each year and this past year I decided that I wanted to make my visuals about getting through darkness while holding on to our light.
On stage at Imagine 2023 // Credit: Zach Deloach
My visuals had a lot to do with angels and fighting through our demons. I was crawling through the grass, moving through a white veil, and wore both white and black angel wings to represent some of my life experiences and pushing through the darker times to spread and push my own light. We all have light and I wanted to push the idea that we can always get through anything and keep shining our light that we all have in each of us.
Michael Shapiro does an incredible job teaming up with me to make my visions come to life for my visuals. He is an incredible videographer and did such a great job making the vision happen this year!
SW: Some of us Imaginers were lucky to catch you play a second set at an afterparty on Sunday. Was that planned?
LC: The renegade was so fun! This was a spontaneous decision brought to me by Hunter and Abel who run the renegade! It reminded me of earlier shows in Atlanta when I was first coming up and throwing down! I love how intimate a surprise popup set can feel! I had a blast!
SW: It was a nice way to end the weekend! Looking to the rest of 2023, what new music do you have in store?
LC: I had a release with Funtcase that came out September 22 on Circus Records! I have a Lights remix with Synymata coming out on Insomniac in December and I’m also looking at some of my favorite unreleased songs with Insomniac, Create Music Group, and Monstercat.
SW: How different is it producing your own songs compared to collaborating on songs with other artists as a vocalist/singer?
LC: They’re both so different and fun! My flow states for singing and writing are different from my flow states while producing and mixing. I get a high from each part of the process in different ways.
Singing and songwriting, because it’s the human element of the song people connect with the most can be both an opportunity to heal and feel cathartic. You can also very actively be writing to help others have words they can belt in their car or with friends that they may need in their lives.
Production is fun because it feels more quiet and inward to me. I can be alone and get in a flow state without exerting any physical part of me like singing does. It works a different part of my brain that feels really safe and personal to me. It’s always fun for me also to learn new tricks on YouTube and I get a lot of serotonin from that.
SW: Which artists would you like to collaborate with and why? And who are some artists that you look to for inspiration?
LC: I’d love to collaborate with Finneas. I love his production style. Hayley Williams of Paramore is a huge inspiration for me and I would be so happy to have her on a track! I’d love to collaborate with Rezz because I’ve always loved mid-tempo and I love her sound! Her use of downsampling inspired a lot for me.
I’m inspired by Pink Slip, Finneas, Hayley Williams, Harry Styles’ past two albums, and all of my talented friends like AARBORNE, Chandler Leighton, MmmCherry, Brennan Loney, Randy Urbanski, my band James Tiernan, Lance Mapp, Zach Deloach, and my friends in the band Orgy, Jay and Ilia!
SW: What about some festivals you are looking to play at in 2024?
LC: I can’t wait to play Coachella, EDC, Lost Lands, and Lightning in a Bottle!
SW: That is a solid list of fests! Anything else you would like to share with us and your fans?
LC: If somebody else can do it, so can you, and I hope that you find all that makes you happy in this life! Go get it!
Thanks again to Leah Culver for taking the time to speak with us at Moon Lvnding and sharing her unique perspective of Imagine Music Festival. To keep up with all the latest about her newest releases and announcements, use Leah’s links below.
Basscon, Insomniac’s home for hard dance, released a cryptic video showing a ghost town with a “Coming Soon” banner in a bullseye on social media on October 1. The next day, October 2, Insomniac announced a new hard dance festival, Bullseye, coming to the National Orange Show in California on December 8+9, 2023.
Bullseye seems like it will be Western-themed from the name and advertising so far. It remains to be seen if this new festival will replace Project Z or Wasteland. American hard dance artists who’ve previously released on Basscon Records and played Basscon events like Death Code, Hartshorn, KAMI, and Water Spirit have all been confirmed to play. In a surprising turn of events, American hardcore artist Lil Texas will be performing as his techno alias, Diamond Dallas Tex. SCND CRCL, the techno side project of Darksiderz and CGK, will also be performing.
Insomniac loves a good B2B and there have been a few announced so far. The first is Atmozfears B2B Sound Rush, which is quite fitting after their take on “Country Roads” was released in 2021. Other B2Bs include Gammer B2B Yultron and KAMI vs. Death Code (Live). Check out the rest of the first phase of the lineup below as we eagerly await additional artists to be announced at a later date.
Both GA and VIP Tickets for Bullseye go on sale this Thursday, October 5, at 12 pm PT. GA tickets start at $130 and attendees must be 18+. Follow Basscon using the social media links below and sign up to receive text updates from Basscon to be the first to know when more details are released.
Where were you when GRiZ announced his impending hiatus? I remember reading his heartfelt post on Instagram, knowing that I would not miss the last curated event to be announced later that week. Fully prepared to buy a plane ticket or make a cross-country road trip, I was SHOCKED when he announced Ursa Major, a three-day festival that would be held in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona. As a long-time GRiZ fan and a former Flagstaffian, I was ecstatic that he chose this intimate send-off event.
Despite my excitement, I was cautiously optimistic. In my years of festival experience, I have come to understand the challenges that first-year festivals can encounter. It delights me to report that my three days at Ursa Major were everything I hoped for and more! Let’s explore five ways in which GRiZ successfully cultivated one of the most magical festivals in electronic music to date.
The Perfect Setting
Nestled away in the Coconino County Forest, Fort Tuthill Recreation Area is a property that serves year-round entertainment for locals and tourists alike. The space is home to zip-line and adventure courses, an equestrian arena, and hills for tubing in the winter. Pulling into the Fort Tuthill campgrounds early on Friday, the process to enter the grounds was streamlined and straightforward. Within thirty minutes, we had driven through the sprawling area and gone through the vehicle security checkpoint. Ursa Major festival-goers had two camping options to choose from within Fort Tuthill, car camping or walk-in camping. I opted for walk-in camping and the trek from car to campsite was extremely easy. As we walked up, our camp hosts invited us in to orient us and point out where bathrooms, medical, and venue would be. The free-range feel of the camp was amazing and many took the opportunity to hang their hammocks up between the pines for a place to lounge or sleep.
The Pepsi Amphitheater itself is an intimate venue that holds a maximum of 3,000 people. The grass lawn was a perfect place to groove and the pit was only a short walk down the stairs. The mountain air, trees, and cool weather made the entire experience feel incredibly refreshing and authentic.
Photo from Pepsi Amphitheater
Unforgettable Performances
With a stellar mix of electro-funk, bass, and jam bands, the lineup offered something for everyone. GRiZ also provided a set forecast for the weekend so fans could prepare.
Day 1 was a thrilling kick-off, sporting talented artists including Of The Trees, Justin Jay, and Black Carl. GRiZ didn’t disappoint, playing old and new bass bangers that had the crowd bouncing. Day 2 was super groovy, with vibes facilitated by Sunsquabi, Freddy Todd, and GRiZ’s infamous Chasing the Golden Hour set. The night closed with powerhouses Daily Bread and Opiou, which were some of my favorite sets of the weekend. Day 3 offered brilliant performances from the likes of Motifv, Maddy O’Neal, Inzo, and Flamingosis. The journey between jazzy sets and funky bass was a great preamble for GRiZ’s final set of the weekend. Beginning with an open-ended love letter to his supporters, the set was beautifully crafted with old soulful favorites and new unreleased music alike.
The Crowd
While the electronic music community is often filled with kindred spirits, we can all think of a time when the crowd at an event failed to meet expectations. Whether it is a negative experience with a specific person or simply that the event is severely overcrowded, this situation can be disheartening when you have looked forward to seeing a favorite artist. However, the atmosphere at Ursa Major felt like being surrounded by 3,000 of your good friends. Walking through the crowd, you were met with smiles and great conversation. The event was also supported by the Harmony Project, which can be found at all GRiZ-headlined shows. Partnered with Good Night Out Vancouver, the project is aimed at promoting safety at events and offers assistance to those who are made feel uncomfortable or who have had boundaries violated. It was wonderful to see and feel the love and compassion within the community, a sentiment that was consistently shared by many throughout the weekend.
Opportunities to Feed the Soul
Ursa Major offered a variety of workshops and activities, with events like morning yoga, nature walks, meditation, and art-making. I thoroughly enjoyed the Altered States: Gong Journey, a meditation experience that emulated a sound bath. The sound of the wind in the trees and the low humming of the gong was cathartic. Something unique to Ursa was a workshop titled Bystander Intervention Made Easy, which helped equip attendees with intervention techniques to be used when witnessing harassment. There were also daily workout sessions led by GRiZ’s friend and personal trainer Oli Beardshall, to which GRiZ even made an appearance. The workshops were held in different areas around Fort Tuthill, and each offered participants a time and space to connect with one another and with nature.
GRiZ Culture
What made Ursa Major so special boils down to the culture GRiZ has built over the years using his music and platform. Regardless of race, age, or sexual orientation, all are welcome within the GRiZ community. His long-standing motto “Show Love Spread Love” was the theme of the weekend and set a precedent for the way music events should be. On the last evening, there wasn’t a dry eye in sight. Hugs were shared and tears were shed as GRiZ gave his final thoughts. I found it admirable that he took a moment during this last set to have all attendees swear to leave no trace in the campgrounds and to ensure that we left the space as pristine as we found it. As we packed up camp Monday morning, it was clear that everyone took his words seriously and worked together to preserve the campgrounds.
After this weekend, I can confidently say that we should not feel sadness toward GRiZ’s hiatus. Instead, it should inspire a sense of hope. Hope for a future that is bright, for friends that love you, for music that always makes you feel good, and lastly, hope to eventually cross paths with GRiZ once again.
From humble beginnings as a local DJ in Phoenix, AZ, to his first show at Red Rocks, Ben Dorman, better known as Bijou has been on quite the journey as he shares his passion for G-House with the world. Tonight, he gears up to take the stage at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO, opening up for Big Gigantic. Within the last year Bijou has been on multiple solo tours as well as the Stay Fly Tour with MARTEN HØRGER in addition to headlining stages across the country. Follow along as we dive into Bijou’s road to Red Rocks.
To kick off this journey lets take it back to Fall ’22 – Bijou and MARTEN HØRGER are mesmerizing crowds on the Stay Fly Tour, which included 25 shows across the U.S. and Canada and the final four shows being sold out. After the final show, Dorman didn’t skip a beat and went straight to the decks of Groove Cruise playing alongside friends and artists alike such as Ekonovah and Nostalgix. Once he was done with his main voyage, he started touring immediately and hasn’t stopped since! Just this last weekend he played a set for all of the headbangers up at Lost Lands and the crowd danced their hearts out to the bouncy bass lines.
Image Credit: Florian Frahm / @florianfrahm
Bijou has simultaneously toured nonstop while also dropping tracks with some of the biggest names in dance music across multiple labels. He started off the year strong with “Saint Tropez“, a collaboration with Zaerd on Do Not Duplicate Recordings. Shortly after this release, Bijou and MARTEN HØRGER’s banger song “I Know” was awarded Bass House Song of the Year by EDM.com during Miami Music Week. Not even 24 hours later, the highly anticipated collab with Michael Sparks called “Back It Up (ft. Young Lyxx)” was released on House Call Records and was an instant hit. The following months were then filled with funky beats only the king of G-House could provide. Ben is now finishing up the summer with his latest release “2 Step” on Night Bass Records.
Image Credit: Khang Nguyen / @khangarooo
With the show tonight fans are to expect all of these amazing songs, along with plenty of unreleased ones as well. He brings an insane energy to the stage so he is sure to deliver for his Red Rocks debut! To see what’s next for Bijou follow him on all socials linked below.
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!
🎉 #HulaFam, swipe to view your 2023 music schedule! Passes are 95%+ gone, and Hula is gonna sell out in advance! Act accordingly and get hyped by planning your musical adventure with us, now! It's time to once again come home together under the Spanish Moss & Suwannee Stars! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/B2itSPdtIg
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.
String Cheese Incident at Hulaween 2022
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.
Pretty Lights at Red Rocks Amphitheater – Photo by Sam Silkworth
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.
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.
John Summit at Factory Town Miami – Photo by Alex Enescu
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.
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.
Apashe
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.
Manic Focus at Hulaween 2022
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.
Lucati
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.
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.
CHYL Speedway Series
For more on what to expect from Suwanee Hulaween 2023, check out our preview.
Nocturnal Wonderland returned to Glen Helen Amphitheater in 2023 for its 28th anniversary, making it the longest-running festival in North America and a staple for the California scene. This year had a stacked lineup featuring names like Seven Lions, Subtronics, Claude Vonstroke, Ghostryder (Ghastly b2b Joyryde), and Dombresky — there was truly something for everyone’s music taste. With two days of music, three days of camping with pre and afterparties, three main stages, and two hidden stages with amazing vibes, it was another wildly successful festival. Based on my personal experience, I scored the production, music, and venue, plus I gave an overall grade with a brief reasoning for the scores.
The Production: 8.5 out of 10
With every Insomniac event, the production level is going to be next level. The staple stages — Wolves’ Den, Labyrinth, and Sunken Garden — all had great visuals, fireworks, lasers and pyrotechnics. Cave of Rave was moved to a new bigger space and a new 5th stage, Camp OG Stage was added next to Labyrinth this year.
The biggest issue last year was the sound bleed between stages, which was much improved this year, even with the addition of the 5th stage. Insomniac did not sacrifice sound quality, as you were able to hear the music from all angles of the stage. The only true sound bleeding issue was between Wolves’ Den and Sunken Garden, which seemed almost inevitable with them being right next to each other. However, it was not nearly as bad as last year, so kudos to Insomniac for remedying that.
The main stage, Wolves’ Den, was closed out by Seven Lions and Gryffin on Day 1, and Alison Wonderland and Subtronics, on Day 2. The production at this stage was next level. The visuals were crisp and spectacular, the lasers were beaming, and pyrotechnics and fireworks lit up the stage. Despite hosting some of the biggest names of the weekend and having no VIP area, the stage did not feel too crowded. There was space throughout the crowd to dance, sing, and headbang. With the moving of the Cave of Rave to the opposite corner of the venue, there was minimal sound bleeding, and the sound bleed from Sunken Garden was down as well. The main stage Wolves’ Den did not disappoint!
Labyrinth was home to the bassheads for the festival once again with acts like Black Tiger Sex Machine, Wooli, Phaseone, and Eptic. This stage sat on top of a hill and had a plethora of lasers, fireworks, and pyrotechnics to keep people headbanging from 3 pm to midnight. Insomniac also amped up the bass and the lasers this year, giving festivalgoers maximum hype to keep moshing and headbanging throughout every set.
The Sunken Garden was where attendees went to get groovy and catch a house vibe. Featuring most of the house sets for the weekend from Claude Vonstroke and Biscits to Dombresky and Black V Neck, the crowd there was dancing and shuffling like crazy. The design of this stage, like last year, was probably my favorite setup and the most unique. Last year there was the issue of sound bleeding, especially on the left side near Wolves’ Den, but this year, however, the sound bleeding was minimal in the stage area. Kudos again to the Insomniac team for fixing the issue from last year.
Tucked away in the back of the venue was the Cave of Rave. This awesome hidden gem of the festival was bumping music all day long for those lucky enough to find it. This year it was moved to the back left of the festival instead of directly next to Wolves’ Den. This helped not only the sound quality at both stages but it allowed the Cave of Rave to have a bigger space. It gave European vibes with hanging greenery everywhere and music to keep people dancing and vibing.
The 5th and newest stage was the Camp OG Stage. This stage was up the hill next to food vendors in the back of the festival near Labyrinth. This newest stage was surrounded by awesome sculptures and was perfect for those wanting to grab a bite to eat while listening to music. It was a throwback to the rave culture of the 90s and featured an underground lineup.
Credit: Insomniac Events // Ivan Meneses
Music: 8.5 out of 10
This year’s Nocturnal Wonderland, like every year, was stacked with talent. There was something for the bass heads like myself, house heads, and everyone in between. Both days had a slew of must-see acts, and from 3 pm to midnight it was hard to find time to sit down and eat without missing a set. It is hard for me to give a perfect score, but Nocturnal earns an 8.5 for being loaded with talent from multiple genres.
Venue: 7 out of 10
I personally love Glen Helen Regional Park, it is one of my favorites in Southern California. It has beautiful scenery, the venue itself is easy to navigate, not too large, and it’s comfy to sit when needed. From what I saw and heard, the camping also looked lit and there wasn’t much negativity coming from the campers. Parking, however, was an ordeal just like last year. One has to walk about a mile to the venue which is something Insomniac cannot do anything about due to the setup of the venue.
Walking into the venue was easy, but walking out of the venue was difficult since it was congested due to everyone leaving at the same time. From the exit all the way to the parking lot, the crowds made the walk seem like an eternity. The worst part, however, was trying to leave — Day 1 it took me two hours to leave the parking lot. I even saw people napping in their cars waiting for the traffic to die down before trying to leave. This was the same issue as last year, which needs to be fixed. I’m not sure if Insomniac needs to add parking attendants to direct traffic, but something needs to change.
Due to the parking situation and the sound bleeding, the venue only gets a 7 rating.
Overall Grade: 8 out of 10
Vibes, music, and production were at an all-time high this year at Nocturnal Wonderland. As a raver’s favorite, and the longest-running festival in North America, it rarely disappoints, and this year was no different. With top talent at every stage, top-of-the-line stage design, and one of the best venues in SoCal, it is hard to go wrong. Nocturnal is an event that my fellow ravers and I look forward to every year. I am already looking forward to the 29th anniversary next year to see what Insomniac has in store for what is sure to be another epic weekend. See you there!
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.
Courtesy of Imagine Music Festival // DVPhotoVideo
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.
Courtesy of Imagine Music Festival // DVPhotoVideo
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.
Courtesy of Imagine Music Festival Facebook
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.
Courtesy of Imagine Music Festival // DVPhotoVideo
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.
SoCal’s favorite festival is back this week! The wait is over; Nocturnal Wonderland 2023 at Glen Helen Regional Park is upon us. While most people are familiar with headliners like Subtronics and Claude VonStroke, the lineup is stacked with talent from top to bottom. Here are four must-see artists with early sets to get you moving, grooving, and hyped for the day.
The first artist highlight for Day 1 is the melodic bass duo from Seattle, Gem & Tauri. Courtney and Emma have been in the electronic scene for 10 years but found their passion for performing during the 2020 pandemic when they kept us sane with their livestreams. Gem & Tauri release their music under the legendary Seven Lions’ label, Ophelia. They have sold out shows at both Midway and the EOS Lounge and just released a new EP Crownless this year. Start Day 1 at Wolves’ Den with an invigorating melodic bass performance! Get ready to sing and headbang with a few of their songs: “Miss You Remix,” “Crash Into Me,” and “All You Need.”
Another fantastic Day 1 artist you have to see comes from just down the road in Los Angeles. Let me introduce you to Corey Divine. This multi-talented artist is not only a new wave, heavy-hitting DJ but also a well-known geometric tattoo artist. Having just played at Forbidden Kingdom and EDC Orlando this year, Corey must be excited to come home and lay down some heavy bass. Get ready to rage with his tracks “Drill,” “Bussin,” and “40HZ REM.” Hurry in to catch Corey at the Labyrinth stage when the gates open at 3pm.
Imagine by Jake West @ Insomniac
Day 2 brings us an artist who comes from across the pond—the UK—and goes by the name of Chaney. Chaney, whose real name is Theo, has been in music his whole life. He played the drums in pubs with his brother’s band and signed his first solo guitar deal when he was just 18. Soon after signing his singing and songwriting deal Theo fell in love with raves and is now making club-ready bangers like “Love Again.” Having just dropped his latest song, “Don’t Let Go,” last week, Chaney is primed to burst onto the scene. You don’t want to miss this groovy set Sunday at 4pm at the Sunken Garden.
Our final artist highlight for Day 2 is another newcomer from Los Angeles—she goes by Villa. Elisa, aka Villa, is bringing trap back with her unique melodic trap sound. She fell in love with the violin at age six and hasn’t looked back since. Combining her love for live orchestra sounds with hard-hitting trap, her unique style has gained the attention of artists like Zeds Dead, RL Grime, and she even released her remix of Alison Wonderland‘s “Safe Life.” Villa made her festival debut this year at Hard Summer and we look forward to watching her dominate the Labyrinth stage at 3pm this year.
In case you have yet to buy your ticket, they are still available! The gates open this Saturday, September 16th at 3pm. Remember to get to the festival early, drink plenty of water, eat some tasty food, and most of all, have fun! Experience all that Nocturnal Wonderland has to offer and explore the festival grounds. Check out some amazing new artists and enjoy SoCal’s favorite festival!
There is no shortage of events happening on New Year’s Eve, and the team over at FNGRS CRSSD is adding another heater to the list. The PROPER NYE/NYD event will be happening in both San Diego and Las Vegas this year. The Vegas version is a two-day House and Techno festival that will be taking place at Area 15, the immersive entertainment district a few minutes from the Las Vegas strip.
FNGRS CRSSD has put on spring and fall editions of CRSSD Festival in San Diego since 2015. In 2022, it branched out to host the first edition of Proper NYE/NYD at Petco Park, San Diego in conjunction with Framework, who is most well known for curating the Yuma Tent at Coachella and booking shows at Sound Nightclub in Hollywood.
Photo Credit: Daniela Becerra
PROPER Las Vegas will span two days, December 30 and 31, and host four stages with over 50 artists. Below are the artists that have been announced so far:
8Kays
Ahadadream
Ann Clue
Ardalan
Azzecca
Biscits
Boris Brejcha
CamelPhat
Charles D
Chris Avantgarde
Chris Lake
Disfreq
Eddy M
Eli & Fur
EMBRZ
Enzo Siragusa
Franky Wah
Giolì & Assia
Gorgon City
Hot Since 82
Innellea
Jerro
Jimi Jules
Kyle Watson
Layla Benitez
Le Youth
Maceo Plex
Massano
Miss Monique
Moritz Hofbauer
Pan-Pot
Rebūke
Rossi.
Schak
Sidney Charles
Simon Doty
Sonny Fodera
Sultan + Shepard
Tini Gessler
Toman
Walker & Royce
ZHU
Photo Credit: Quinn Tucker
Tickets for both the San Diego and Las Vegas events are on sale now. To attend either festival, you must be over 21. For information on the San Diego event, check out our coverage here.
Tickets for PROPER Las Vegas start at $199 and can be purchased here. You have the option to pay upfront or with a payment plan comprised of 3 installments. Follow the links below to stay up to date on all the details regarding PROPER Las Vegas.
