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.
Labor Day weekend is one of the most anticipated times for music enthusiasts across the United States. In 2023, however, many music festivals encountered an array of challenges that left attendees disheartened. Inclement weather, transportation hiccups, supply chain struggles, production mishaps, and overall mismanagement plagued several events. Yet, amid such turmoil this Labor Day weekend, Chicago stood out as the place to be, hosting two legendary festivals: North Coast Music Festival and Arc Music Festival. These festivals have earned praise and recognition for being some of the country’s best electronic dance music experiences. In this review, we explore North Coast Music Festival, a three-day extravaganza that showcased the best of EDM and left a lasting impression on fans of all genres.
Drawing nearly 70,000 attendees to the sprawling grounds of SeatGeek Stadium in Chicagoland, North Coast Music Festival transformed the venue into a vibrant and interactive hub for EDM enthusiasts. As a third-time attendee, this is the best version of North Coast that I have seen to date. From the stellar lineup to the additional stages, countless vendors, and diverse food options, this festival had something for everyone.
Unforgettable Main Stage Performances
The festival’s main stage, The Stadium, hosted a diverse range of acts throughout the weekend. Friday’s kickoff featured sets from Valentino Khan, Zomboy, Jauz, Alesso, and ended with a sensational closing performance by Marshmello. The day’s most memorable moment was when the crowd joined Jauz in celebrating his 30th birthday on stage by singing “Happy Birthday” to him.
Saturday at The Stadium was every bass lover’s dream, featuring artists like Maddy O’Neal, Esseks, Inzo, Of The Trees, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Ganja White Night, and Zeds Dead, who delivered one of my personal favorite sets of the weekend. The final day at The Stadium showcased Rossy, EVAN GIIA, Dabin, Alison Wonderland, and a closing set from Flume. Most of the crowd gathered at The Vega stage earlier on Sunday, but Rossy’s set at The Stadium was easily one of my weekend favorites, and I’d be remiss had I not been there to see it!
North Coast’s second largest stage was The Vega, which has expanded and improved every year I’ve been there. The production level at this stage was nothing short of jaw-dropping. It brought a new and unique vibe for each day, with a WAKAAN takeover on Friday, tons of fun house sets on Saturday, and some energetic dubstep on Sunday. Over the weekend, many big names performed on this stage, such as Liquid Stranger, Champagne Drip, DJ Snake, MK, Chris Lorenzo, NGHTMRE, and Big Gigantic. A few of my favorite sets at this stage included Liquid Stranger on Friday, Sherm on Saturday, and NGHTMRE on Sunday.
A new addition to North Coast Music Festival in 2023 was The Shipyard, which replaced what was known as The Canopy stage during previous years. This stage featured a revamped design with stacked shipping containers, creating a visually stunning backdrop for performers. The Shipyard hosted captivating sets by Gordo, Duke Dumont, Lane 8, Elderbrook, Chris Lake, and Cloonee throughout the weekend. Saturday showcased Lane 8’s This Never Happened label, featuring a stacked lineup of melodic house tunes. Sunday belonged to Chris Lake’s Black Book Records imprint, with standout performances from Kyle Watson, Miane, Cloonee, and more. Chris Lake’s set at The Shipyard was a personal favorite, although Saturday, with its dream lineup of Lane 8, Elderbrook, Sultan + Shephard, Le Youth, and Jerro, stood out as an exceptional day.
Other Highlights
North Coast Music Festival also reintroduced popular experiential areas, including The Fire Pit and The Chill Dome. The Fire Pit delivered fantastic house and bass music sets paired with mesmerizing fire displays. The Chill Dome provided refuge from the summer heat, featuring artists like INZO, Champagne Drip, and Surf Mesa, who set the mood with chill vibes.
Other unique festival elements, such as The Giant (a tree man sculpture) and The Rainbow Lounge (offering festival-goers hammocks for relaxation), added to the festival’s charm. The NCMF Yacht Club, a festival boat with various amenities and incredible views, also returned. New additions like Club Coast, a hidden speakeasy that required a spoken password found only in the festival’s app, and a Ferris Wheel offering panoramic views further enriched the festival experience. With so much to explore, my only complaint was that three days hardly felt sufficient to savor everything North Coast had to offer.
Unwavering Legacy
North Coast Music Festival’s 13th edition cemented its status as the premier Labor Day electronic music festival in the United States. In stark contrast to the challenges faced by other festivals, North Coast delivered a seamless and memorable experience for its attendees. With its outstanding lineup, immersive stages, and unique experiential elements, North Coast Music Festival undoubtedly stood out as the place to be this past Labor Day weekend. As someone fortunate enough to attend and experience North Coast firsthand, I cannot make a stronger event recommendation to anyone making Labor Day plans in the years to come.
There is no end in sight for the bad publicity stemming from the epic failures of Electric Zoo 2023, and rightly so for the countless people who suffered financial loss and emotional distress. Even the New York City Mayor has gotten involved by making a statement about the debacle that included Day 1 being canceled, Day 2 plagued by endless lines at will call, and Day 3 having festivalgoers storm the gates when attendance was capped around 7 p.m.
If you want to read about the details of what went wrong and find people to blame, this is not that article. It is simply my story and my experience. I’m a New York City local who’s been to this fest for four years, so my partner and I were some of the lucky ones — we managed to have a great time at our home festival over Labor Day Weekend despite all the difficulties and setbacks.
Friday
Rave day started as it typically does, with my partner braiding her hair three hours early while I went through social media dropping hype posts for the artists I was excited to see — Adventure Club, Ghengar, and The Chainsmokers. When we got the call from someone in our rave family, we couldn’t believe it — “EZoo Day 1 is canceled!” We rushed to social media and saw the post confirming the bad news.
Dear Electric Zoo Family,
It is with a broken heart that we deeply regret to inform you that, despite our tireless efforts and round-the-clock commitment, we have made the painful decision to cancel the first day of Electric Zoo.
Luckily for us, we had secured guestlist tickets for the Adventure Club afterparty on Wednesday, because I had to see my favorite superheroes visit one of New York City’s most iconic music venues, Webster Hall. But for many, afterparty tickets sold out almost immediately after news of the cancellation broke and they were not able to buy reasonably priced third-party tickets to the numerous afterparties that Avant Gardner had scheduled.
We briefly considered some of the renegade events popping up at open venues and empty alleys all over lower Manhattan and Brooklyn but ultimately decided to focus our efforts on bringing our displaced friends together and making the most of the situation. We made it happen instead of worrying about things out of our control. Likewise, it was encouraging to see the NYC EDM scene come together to throw some epic events last minute, such as the sold-out BASSLAND by EDMTrain and Bass Command.
We got to Webster Hall promptly at 11 p.m. for doors and the line for general admission was already down the street and wrapped halfway up the next block! We enjoyed NYC local Squired starting the show. Steller and Blanke were welcomed additions to the lineup due to the Day 1 cancellations and slayed their sets as well. Then came the main attraction — we witnessed an amazing Adventure Club set jam-packed with so many classics: “Retro City,” “Youth,” “Do I See Color,” and a personal favorite — their remix of Britney Spears’s “Till the World Ends.”
Ghengar was another bonus added to the lineup and Ghastly brought the energy for this alt-persona set. At one point, he split the crowd and came down from the decks to mosh with the fans on the dancefloor. When I got tripped and pushed over, Ghastly was the first person to help me to my feet and we both proceeded to continue raging.
Credit: Adventure Club Instagram // @druenotdrew
Modern Machines, another NYC local, wrapped up the unforgettable night at 4 a.m. We all headed home hoping for good news regarding Saturday and Sunday since there was no definitive statement made about the future of the festival. Our alarm was set for noon, and fingers crossed for good news.
Saturday
I was up Saturday morning at 10 am, as is routine during the English Premier League season, and still no word from Electric Zoo. Halftime came and went. Finally, around 11:30 am the news we were all waiting to hear was announced — “EZoo is on!” Even Chelsea’s unfortunate home loss to Nottingham Forest couldn’t dampen my spirit, rave day had arrived at long last.
Dear Electric Zoo Family,
First and foremost, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and understanding in the face of yesterday's unexpected challenges. Your patience and dedication mean the world to us, and we cannot thank you enough for being… pic.twitter.com/n5SeRZsbYY
We had to get to Randall’s Island in time for So Tuff So Cute at 4:30 p.m. and credit to my partner for pulling it off. We left our Bushwick apartment just before three, and made good time on the subway to Harlem, walking over the RFK Bridge (New Yorkers still call it the Triboro), and getting through a short security line at the North entrance all in under 90 minutes. Victory!
It was evident that the stages were not completed, but that didn’t stop the artists from showing off their skills. Besides the minimal decor around the stage structures, everything felt familiar like the EZoo of years past, albeit with new stage names. The bass stage, dubbed The Continuum, only had a few of the central LED panels working for Day 2, but So Tuff So Cute (the joint DJ project of GG Magree and Mija) got our EZoo experience started with a memorable performance. They dropped some heavy bass and sang along to some sexy tracks, including closing with their newest single “No Bra No Panties,” which releases Friday, September 8.
We then filled up my hydro pack and took a quick trip to the restrooms at the right rear of the main stage (The Convergence) without issue. After consulting the handy app for the multitude of food options, we decided on a Viet pork sandwich from the aptly named “Bahn Mi Daddy.” It was a filling footlong sando with tasty BBQ pork and tangy pickled veg that hit the spot.
After lunch, we headed over to The Landing (former Riverside) to digest while listening to some Deep Dark & Dangerous bass from Truth. Again, the stage design was not complete, but the LED screen worked and the bass was booming so there was nothing worth complaining about. Rusko followed next and played my favorite set of the day with his trademark MC skills complementing his mix of modern day drum and bass bangers and old school dubstep classics.
Credit: Shaelyn McCormack // @shaelien111
We caught the first few songs from Jantsen before bolting across the island to make our main stage debut and hear the last few songs from Gryffin. The Convergence was also incomplete, with only the center hanging display constructed and limited LED displays working, but the sound was fine even towards the back of the stage without any sound bleed due to the dividers constructed between the stages. We didn’t trifle with the crowd and stayed near the right rear of the stage over by the water stations and restrooms. Again, we topped off the hydro pack and relieved ourselves without any crowding issues to speak of.
As the bassheads we are, my partner and I finished Saturday at The Continuum with sets from Big Gigantic and GRiZ. Both artists got saxy with it. Big Gigantic brought out NGHTMRE for their Gigantic NGHTMRE collab and GRiZ had his full cast of characters on hand for his solo live set, including two vocalists, a trumpet player, and a trombone player. Another sign that fate was actually on our side this weekend, we miraculously ran into our local Electric Forest family right in the center of the stage without so much as a text. After all, it is the people you surround yourself with that can elevate the vibes of the festival and our crew was optimistic and upbeat all weekend long.
Credit: Shaelyn McCormack // @shaelien
Getting off Randall’s Island and back to Brooklyn was the one place where I noticed the impact of the larger crowd and felt that the event organizers could have done a better job with crowd control. Due to the narrow ramp to get from ground level up to the RFK bridge, there was a huge bottleneck walking back to Manhattan from the North exit to 125th Street.
It took us over an hour just to walk from the exit to get onto the bridge since they had to completely halt pedestrian traffic at times to manage the growingly frustrated patrons trying to leave. Mind you, this is something that only took 10-15 minutes in years past. All told, we left EZoo at 11 p.m. and didn’t make it to the afters until 2 a.m., turning our 90-minute trip to the island into a 180-minute return back to Brooklyn.
Credit: Shaelyn McCormack // @shaelien111
While we did get to see afterparty sets from Liquid Stranger and Jantsen that we had missed during their Day 2 performances, I missed the encore set from Rusko that I was most looking forward to. Tired but grateful, we walked back home from The Great Hall at Avant Gardner to prepare for Day 3.
Sunday
On Day 3, we overslept by an hour and my partner furiously rushed to get her outfit prepared while I prepped the rave bag and watched the thrilling conclusion to the Arsenal-Manchester United match. Our commute to Randall’s Island took the same 90 minutes, but instead of walking over the RFK Bridge from Manhattan, we finessed our way onto the express X80 bus and rode the MTA in air-conditioned comfort to the festival gates.
Although we missed the beginning of her set, we still made it in time to see most of Alleycvt’s performance, which was a very promising display from the young, talented dubstep producer. Speaking of displays, The Continuum seemed to be fully functional for Sunday, with a more robust sound and all nine screens illuminated. Black Carl! and Saka took the stage next with a back-to-back collaboration dubbed “Rush Hour.” While I went to secure hydration, my partner hung out by the VIP side rails and got to speak with Alleycvt. I made it back just in time to snap off a few pictures of the two bass lovers.
Credit: Sam Wolloch // @samwolloch
After the photo op, we had about two hours of free time to check out the other two stages before I left to see Tiesto at the main stage and she went to rage with Kai Wachi and her bass babes. We secured another round of tasty snacks from the concession area at the back of The Continuum — I got fried Oreos and a boba tea while my partner munched on a lamb gyro — and peacefully ate our lunch in the shade of the hill before making our debut at The Morphosis stage.
We got to spend about 20 minutes listening to the smooth sounds of Frankie Wah, who was part of Nora En Pure’s Purified Records stage takeover. From what I could tell, this stage was also in good shape with good-looking LED displays over a series of five alternating freestanding platforms. The energy at this stage was chill and there was plenty of space for everyone to dance freely. Everyone at The Morphosis was seemingly having a great time.
Credit: Sam Wolloch // @samwolloch
At long last, halfway through Day 3, we made the trek to the newest stage addition to EZoo, the Mega Mirage. Unfortunately, this stage was kind of a sh*t show — like it literally stank like sh*t. Rumor has it that manure or compost was used to cover the deep tire tracks left by the setup crew, and the 90-degree heat of Sunday afternoon supercharged the stank. Fortunately, we spent all our time dancing on big plastic slabs or metal rail plates, so we weren’t kicking this foul dirt up in the air.
We met up with a few friends to enjoy the last few tracks from the groovy Chelina Manuhutu and the beginning of Green Velvet’s set. Although it was still sunny out at 6 pm, the visual displays looked sharp and the production at this stage sounded good. No complaints from me except for the putrid smell and the lack of a Red Bull + water station anywhere at this stage. 6:30 hit and I was off for my solo adventure to the main stage for a sunset set from Tiesto and a rare performance from Major Lazor.
I’ll admit that the crowd at The Convergence for Tiesto was thick and deep. To get to the front right of the elevated VIP section, I maneuvered my way along the right side of the stage by the concessions and reached my destination without much trouble, despite the big crowds. I found some fellow colorful cowboy hat-wearing folx and they happily adopted me into their crew for the next couple hours of revelry. It appeared that more of the LED screens were operational on Sunday, but having only spent 10 minutes here on Saturday, I was not the best to judge. Truth be told, it was the music and the people with me that made the moments magical.
Credit: Sam Wolloch // @samwolloch
Tiesto played a well-rounded set, mixing in modern hits with old classics as the sun set on the final day of the festival. His memorable remix of “Silence” blared as the setting sun illuminated the New York City skyline with shades of orange, pink, and blue. All the while, madness was unfolding at the gates as festivalgoers rushed past the security check after the announcement was made that the attendance cap was reached. But I was none the wiser until reading about that calamity the next day.
After Tiesto finished, I pulled back to the grassy ramp area directly in front of the ADA platform near the back of the main stage. It was the perfect meetup spot to reunite with my squad for the first half of Major Lazor. We were able to find room to sit down on the grass and took some time to get stretched out before the final few sets of the weekend. With all the hysteria about a cramped main stage, I had no problem laying out and flowing through a few chaturanga dandasana to keep me feeling fresh.
We ended the festival just like we started it, getting to witness some of our favorite bass artists at the best stage on the island — The Continuum. Boogie T went back-to-back with Dirt Monkey, showcasing their wonky, deep bass proclivities with trippy pastel-colored backdrops. They set the stage perfectly for the big finale, another back-to-back featuring Zeds Dead and GRiZ adorned in cowboy hats.
The set was a special experience I got to enjoy with many of my closest festival friends. Having listened to Zeds Dead faithfully for over ten years, it was a revelation to hear GRiZ riffing on his saxophone to classics like “Collapse” and hits like “Shady Intentions.” In these moments, the calamity of the weekend melted away and left me in soulful ecstasy. Despite all of the setbacks, we had an amazing end to our time on Randall’s Island.
Credit: Shaelyn McCormack // @shaelien111
Once again, we got stuck in the mass exodus from the island over the RFK Bridge to Manhattan. Security seemed to be in better control on Sunday until someone hopped the fence and tried to cut ahead of the crowd by running along the staff side. Security barked at him to halt, and when he did not, one of the guards knocked him out cold with a punch to the head. It was the only act of violence I witnessed all weekend, and it was easily preventable if people had just followed the rules and the barriers in place.
It still took us about an hour to cross over the bridge on Sunday, but with our friend driving us back to Brooklyn for the afters it only took us two hours to get to our desired destination, my favorite club in the city — Elsewhere. Although not an official EZoo afterparty, Blossom and Valentino Khan each played a high-energy, bass-heavy, house set. The crowd there was great, a fun mix of Brooklyn locals enjoying their 3-day weekend and festivalgoers looking for an alternative to the sold-out shows at Avant Gardner. We left the club at 3:30 a.m. with our hearts full and our gas tanks empty.
Credit: Elsewhere Instagram // @nietodickens
It wasn’t until Monday morning that I finally got caught up to speed with all of the struggles other people encountered at Electric Zoo 2023. It was sad to see my hometown festival which I care for and support yearly fail so miserably. It seems that so much of what went wrong could have been prevented with less ambitious planning and tighter logistics in place. Aggressive, violent security continues to be a problem for EZoo, and the added stresses of this year’s difficulties only made a bad situation worse.
It is still unclear what the future holds for Electric Zoo, its organizers, and the disgruntled patrons in its wake. Refunds for the canceled Day 1 Friday should be refunded back to the credit card used at the point of sale, but there is still no word about the situations for Saturday and Sunday. I can only imagine the chaos for people who bought hard-copy tickets, so my thoughts and prayers go out to all the local promoters having to deal with this nonsense.
Will there be another Electric Zoo in 2024? Only time will tell. Lawsuits seem to be piling up for Avant Gardner, the company that runs the mega club complex in Brooklyn that bought the NYC festival from Made Event in 2022. People are calling for its demise, but I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt to make the situation right and correct its mistakes for 2024. If there’s another Black Friday presale, I will continue to support my hometown festival with the hope that it gets the opportunity to make things right next year.
