Wax Motif has been red hot since the start of 2026, working on multiple projects and teasing songs from his sophomore album, House of Wax II, before its full release on May 8. He followed that up with a few appearances in Las Vegas before his performance at Electric Daisy Carnival. Now, Wax Motif is getting started on his House of Wax II tour, with 20 shows planned for the first phase spread across some of North America’s biggest markets.
Image Courtesy: @MP3Labs
The House of Wax II album puts Wax Motif’s versatility and mastery of production across multiple genres on full display, blending house, hip-hop, R&B, Brazilian funk, Latin, and more. After working with Ty Dolla $ign on his album TYCOON, which debuted at #1 in 80 countries, Ty$ returned the favor, collaborating on multiple tracks on House of Wax II. Wax Motif even kicked off promotion for his album with one of his tracks with Ty$ called “Bad & U Know It.”
The first track on the album, “You Forget,” features MAETA and starts with R&B vibes. The pair of “Touch It” and “Gimme That Money” stand out as club-ready grooves Wax produced on his own. Three-time GRAMMY-winning artist Jozzy features on “What You Want,” and Brazilian funk pioneer MC Lan features on “Bota.” The other two standout tracks for me are the last two tunes on the album, “Sun Goes Down” and “Girl on Girl.” The former features vocals from Camden Cox and production from ZHU, while the latter features the sultry sounds of Sarah De Warren.
Photo Courtesy: @MP3Labs
Wax Motif followed up on the success of House of Wax II with another song release via Insomniac Records at the end of May titled “Bite Down,” which got big fan reactions when he played it out during EDC week. You too can hear “Bite Down,” House of Wax II, and a load of new IDs at one of his tour stops this summer.
Here in New York City, we’re looking forward to his performance at We Belong Here Festival in Brooklyn this Friday, June 19, at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. After a stop in San Diego on July 3, The House of Wax II Tour really heats up with four shows in the second half of July and another eight shows in August. To check on ticket availability for the remainder of the tour, a quick click over to the Wax Motif website has got you covered, and for everything else, use the handy social media links below.
Beyond Wonderland Chicago succeeded with its return to the Windy City. Insomniac got the whole city dancing with a wide variety of talented artists playing across four unique stages. The Caterpillar’s Garden and Cheshire Woods stages were set up in large tents again this year, which really came in handy during Day 2 when it started to rain. Each tent featured a spacious dance floor along with a VIP viewing section. This was a great way to escape the weather and see some great performances.
Sonny Fodera had the crowd dancing on Day 1 at the Caterpillar’s Garden when he played his popular songs like “Somedays” on the stage. Caterpillar’s Garden was hosted by Insomniac Records on Day 1 and Day Trip on Day 2, featuring a mix of talented house artists throughout the weekend. While Cheshire Woods also featured a large tent, it featured a melodic bass lineup with artists such as San Holo and Adventure Club.
The Queen’s Domain was located by the entrance and hosted massive headliners such as Tiesto, DJ Snake, and Alan Walker. It featured a large general admission section with VIP viewing sections on both sides. There was a 3-story VIP tent on the right side of the stage with seating and tables, a private bar, and complimentary treats and trinkets. This helped guests stay covered during the rain while still being able to watch their favorite sets. There was also an additional VIP viewing area on the left side of the stage with hundreds of stadium-style seats.
Zedd performed an absolutely legendary headlining set here to close out Day 1. The energy was unmatched as the entire audience came together to scream the lyrics to his iconic songs. He ended the night by playing his timeless hit “Clarity” while amazing fireworks lit up the sky.
Mad Hatter’s Castle brought so much energy to the festival, showcasing upbeat, heavy dubstep and trap music. LAYZ and Kai Wachi absolutely crushed it on Day 1 with the stage hosted by Bassrush, while Zeds Dead closed out the night with an amazing set ahead of their summer tour. There was a very spacious general admission area with amazing views of the lasers. This stage also featured a special VIP section on the side that offered a lot of space for attendees to see their favorite artists.
In addition to these four amazing stages, the VIP experience was elevated even further with a dedicated concierge table. It was loaded with everything you could ever need, with items like mini mirrors, sunscreen, candy, and much more to keep everyone fresh and energized. Right next to it, there were large kandi-making stations that were a huge hit, allowing guests to create custom bracelets.
Overall, Beyond Wonderland Chicago 2026 was a massive success. From the stage production to the amazing performances, Insomniac truly brought the magic back to the Windy City! Moon Lvnding is already looking forward to preparing to launch at Beyond Wonderland Chicago in 2027. Stay locked into Beyond Wonderland socials for announcements about next year’s dates!
This summer, the bass music scene is heating up as two of its most electrifying forces, EAZYBAKED and Distinct Motive, unite for a stunning 7-date co-headline tour. The Phoenix edition was a Mission Success! The energy reached a fever pitch when they performed at the iconic Walter Where?House on May 30th, where the venue’s unique vibe was simply irresistible. The pairing of EAZYBAKED and Distinct Motive is nothing short of magical! Both artists have established impressive legacies in the underground music scene. The crowd was buzzing, soaking in the electrifying atmosphere, good vibes, and pulsating energy throughout the venue.
Photo Credit: Taylor Clamon
EAZYBAKED lights up the stage with an unmatched presence, cutting through the noise and guiding fans into a world where the music redefined the moment. Each performance isn’t just a repetition of their tracks; it’s a thrilling re-imagination that demands you to live in the here and now. Their shows are designed for close encounters, amplifying the shared energy and making every heartbeat resonate with the bass. You can’t miss the unity and connection that unfolds every time EAZYBAKED steps into the spotlight!
Photo Credit: Natalie Wegiel
On the flip side, Distinct Motive has made waves as one of the heaviest-hitting producers in bass music. His razor-sharp sound design has made his tracks and live sets celebrated staples that shake the very foundations of any venue. During his performance at Walter Where?House, he unleashed pure awe; the bass was so intense it intertwined with the crowd, pulling everyone into an ecstatic experience that was impossible to ignore!
Get tickets for the EAZYBAKED x Distinctive Motive tour here.
There’s so much more in store as this dynamic duo continues to expand beyond the bass circuit! Keep up with EAZYBAKED and Distinct Motive through the links below.
Stepping into the next phase of his career, GRiZ continues his Funk-a-delic roots with his latest album. Evolving as every great artist should, Future Funk Volume 1 delivers groove-heavy bass, funky basslines, and hard-hitting drops laced with ProbCause swagger. Teaming up with industry heavyweights Effin and Big Gigantic, this new body of work only further cements the fact that GRiZ has gotten his second wind and is ready to reach new heights.
Opening with “Outlaw,” this funky groove-laden track eases the listener into the journey of the LP. With hip-hop attitude and that delicate GRiZ touch we know and love, this one is a head-bobber. Intertwined with engulfing wubs, I love these salon-esque samplings draped within the background. These first two tracks really set the tone for the new LP.
Following the opening track is “Rump Shaker,” a much-needed, up-to-date Big Gigantic collab the world has been waiting for. Starting as a slow burner, the intro delicately builds pressure as the hypnotizing saxophone fades. This one cooks into a massive sax drop as the track explodes around the 40-second mark. Designed for peak festival moments, the boys clearly went all gas and no brakes on this one! One part that really sticks out to me is the playful sax interlude near the middle of the track, before a massive second drop.
“When It Rains, Baby, I Don’t Mind”
Then comes “Rainbow Machine” laced with western undertones. ProbCause graces us with his vocal chops on this track. Like a breath of fresh air, this track screams backyard vibes with the homies. I absolutely love the vibe of this track. A cross between spoken word and singing, it’s unique in every way. Driven by GRiZ’s groove-filled bass lines, this one is sure to be on everyone’s summer playlist at their next cookout. The world needs more ProbCause singing tracks, that is for certain.
His next three tracks, “BBFL,” “Funk You Up,” and “Found Your Love,” are current singles you know and love. Continuing the foundation of GRiZ’s new sound, “BBFL” and “Funk You Up” deliver dome-splitting bass lines, funk-driven wubs, and sax grooves that let you know exactly who the f*** you’re listening to!
Next is his much-anticipated Effin and ProbCause collab. This one goes balls out! Using Effin’s textures and jarring bass design, this one is purely heavy bass and is not playing around. Undeniably the hardest track on the album, this one is packed full of attitude and hard-hitting wubs that will leave you scratching your head, wondering what just happened.
Heroes Get Remembered, But Legends Never Die
Rolling into another ProbCause collab, “iLLest in the Game” brings that fresh hip-hop attitude of “I’m here to stay, whether you like me or not.” Known for his multifaceted approach to sound design, his production on this album is beginning to come into focus as it progresses. A hip-hop attitude, laced with funkadelic vibes, hard-nosed bass drops, and pure, unapologetic basslines that let you know GRiZ is here to stay and doing things his way. It might not be what you know and love, but it’s the direction we’re headed, bish. Get in or get out the way!
Next is the surprise single he dropped a few months back, “555.” Again, I feel a very hip-hop style attitude with this one, with the “gangster til I f**kin’ bleed” samples and heavy bass lines. This is a great driving song, seat laid back, sunglasses on, blaring through the speakers as you screech up to the stoplight like a G. Chock-full of poise, this one has been on my playlist for months already and needs no further description.
Closing out this new era of GRiZ is “Back To Me.” A spacey curtain close, this one feels like a vintage GRiZ track, some long-lost single from Mad Liberator. A total vibe of its own, this one brings you back down from the supersonic journey and eases you back to reality with its delicate melodies. Soft vocals and calming, funky, groove-driven beats drive this track home. An immaculate way to close out the album, “Back To Me” is the perfect temperament.
With this new album, it is clear GRiZ is back on his game after his hiatus from touring. From what we heard on Future Funk Volume 1, one can only hope we don’t have to wait too long for Volume 2!
Set beneath the backdrop of a warm Texas weekend, this year’s Ubbi Dubbi festival, Into The Abyss, lived up to its dreamlike, aquatic roots. This year’s intillations were top-notch with the ever-popular portal ring leading into the underwater world. My personal favorite was the giant Ubbi Dubbi fan spread open, providing the perfect picturesque background for you and your rave fam!
While wandering through the festival grounds, it was nice to see so many crews embrace this year’s aquatic theme. I saw a plethora of top-notch jellyfish outfits that looked so intricate they must’ve taken months to sew. I was even pleased to see a few Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy from the hit series, SpongeBob. Outfits aside, it was time to set coordinates for Dubbi’s Stage and go find the music!
Day One
I decided to kick off day one with local favorites Deluluz, and let me tell you, I see why they have been making major waves within the scene lately. Chock-full of charisma and big, bouncy dubstep drops, they got my blood pumping instantly. After enjoying their set, I cruised around for a bit, grabbed a quick and easy slice of pizza, and made my way to the Zoom Room. I stumbled upon SLAMM performing and was stopped dead in my tracks. Groove-laden house beats filled the air, and I began to enjoy my food with a soft bounce. Not on my radar for the day, they are a playlist add for all my house heads!
Making my way towards Ubbi’s stage (main stage), I wanted to get in a good position for Alesso’s sunset set. Not before being caught off guard by OMNOM’s performance first. OMNOM brought the heat to Texas! His set was powerful and sexy, main stage vibes with a warehouse feel. A wonderful precursor to Alesso’s set. Transporting me back to the golden era of 2010’s dance music, Alesso’s sunset set was sick! Tons of pyro and a spectacular firework show to match, this jam-packed performance had us dancing into the night full steam ahead!
Land Ho!
After this beautiful time capsule concluded, I made my way to Dubbi’s stage, located at the back, to catch Whethan’s performance. Jam-packed with gritty hip-hop bangers, Whethan did not disappoint! I’ve been trying to catch his set for quite some time now. Finally, the barnacles aligned, and I got lost in the euphoric wubs and gritty baselines that are Whethan. After washing back up on land, it was time to make a mad dash back to the main stage for Tape B. X marks the spot as Dubbi’s stage came into view.
With huge LED cassette tape aesthetics surrounding the decks, this bass master consigliere began his work. Ripping through heavy-hitting collabs and signature Tape B tracks, this Florida native commands the center of attention. I’ve noticed at other multi-genre events that it doesn’t matter who you are or what genre you’re primarily into; fans always flood a Tape B set. “Yo Tape B” screeches through the speakers as massive green lasers blast through the night sky. The city skyline was illuminated when a blast of lasers and/or pyro exploded with the beats. This set was headline material for sure.
Lastly, I remained in place to catch Kx5 (Deamua5 & Kaskade ). A pleasant nightcap to a wonderful evening of bass, wubs, and beats. Their set was magnetic. Witnessing these two legends of the game was a perfect way to end night one!
Day Two
After a hearty breakfast and plenty of electrolytes, I was off to the races on Day two! Making a mad dash to Dubbi’s stage, I wanted to check out Tinykvt first and see what this cvntstep was all about! Her performance was legendary, from ripping open Pokémon packs on stage to grabbing the mic and singing her own edits and remixes. Tinykvt opened up day two with precision. After that, I enjoyed half of Canvas’ gritty ATL-driven bass set, then made my way back to the front of the venue.
After wading around in front of the venue for a while, I cast my line towards Dubbi’s stage to catch Blanke. I love his drum and bass stuff, so I just had to see what “normal” Blanke set was like! Melodic and packed with heavy bass, Blanke was a pleasant surprise for me on day two. One could only reach for a buoy from all the waves he was making on Dubbi’s stage. Then came LAYZ…
Watch out for the Aftershock!!!
LAYZ has been on my radar to catch live for quite some time now. I was super stoked to witness her glory in person for the first time! Known for massive hits like “Shockwave” and lightning-style graphics, she began to fit the backdrop a little too well. Her commanding riddim and high-energy set blazed an illuminating trail in the beckoning thunderstorm overhead. Getting hungry, I decided to go grab some Island Noodles from the nearby food truck when the announcement struck. “Please make your way to the parking lot and safely evacuate the premises.”
Alas, the party was over. As some attendees remained bitter, I didn’t mind leaving early. The safety of the festival-goers, artists, and everyone involved is always number one. A Texas spring can be finicky, with hail, heavy winds, and even tornadoes. Disco Presents made the right call in closing early; no amount of music is worth risking people’s lives. I said goodbye to some friends and made my way back to my truck. Until next year, Ubbi Dubbi!
When it comes to building a mythos to bring an album to life, few do it better than Seven Lions. Those skills were on full display this past Saturday, April 11, as he and his team brought his new album on tour at Brooklyn’s newest premier club destination, Brooklyn Storehouse. In addition to his December 2025 album, Asleep in the Garden of Infernal Stars, Seven Lions also featured his two new singles from the follow-up EP, The Dreams Strange and Eternal, which is set to be released on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Joining Seven Lions for the tour stop in Brooklyn was Quackson, who got the party started at 10:20 pm. Nurko played next, featuring his sweeping melodic bass drops and some tasty new IDs. YDG was on duty as direct support, getting the crowd worked up with his take on some classic hip-hop and trap remixes. Then, after Seven Lions, Oliverse closed the night out from 3 to 4 am with some dubstep and DnB.
Seven Lions’ set ran 90 minutes from 1:30 to 3 am, and it was a non-stop trip through the Seven Lions mythos. He came right out of the gates firing with the gorgeous new song and video, “Free,” from his upcoming EP. To add to the ambiance, multicolored light fixtures hung from the ceiling and dropped down close to the dance floor, creating a dramatic effect throughout the cavernous 105,000-square-foot venue. In classic Seven Lions style, he seamlessly transitioned across his multi-genre catalog without ever saying a word. It was truly a work of art to hear him weave together his influences across melodic dubstep, psytrance, and black metal, which are noticeably forward in tracks like “Thrice Woven.”
Speaking of his new single “Free,” Seven Lions and Ophelia Records teamed up with EDMTrain and FL Studio to announce a remix contest for the track. The stems are available for download, and the contest runs from April 14 through May 8. The contest winner will be announced on May 12 and will receive access to FL Studio software, the remix released through Seven Lions, and a merch box from Ophelia Records. It is great to see artists giving back to their community, especially after Seven Lions famously won a 2011 remix competition for Above & Beyond’s “You Got To Go.”
With so much going on in the mythos of Seven Lions, Moon Lvnding took the occasion to speak with him before he got on the stage in Brooklyn.
Moon Lvnding: What’s it like to get back out on the road?
Seven Lions: It’s cool. Happy to see all the energy!
ML: What was it like to build the dreamstate of the new album Asleep in the Garden of Inferna Stars?
SL: This one has been really cool. We spent a lot of time on the artwork, and really incorporating my roots as a metalhead into it, which has been cool. I’m always pulling from my background, but this album in particular feels very much like a culmination of a lot of things that I love, like horror movies and fantasy.
I did pick and choose the songs. There were a few that ended up getting pushed to the EP, which didn’t feel like they fit the album because they were a little more pop-leaning… [it’s] part of the reason why there was an EP because songs like “Hurricane” and “Free” didn’t quite fit what I wanted on the main part of the album.
Seven Lions at Hijinx // Photo Credit: @pitcrewproduction IG
ML: What was it like building the production for a huge venue like Brooklyn Storehouse?
SL: It sounds like it’s this glorious creative thing, and it is in some sense, but a lot of it is calls and diagrams. The fun part is building the show, though, once you have the stage part dialed in, then you’re gonna figure out what to put on the stage, that’s been really cool!”
ML: I know as a gamer, you’re a big fan of creating easter eggs in your mythos design. Are there any in the album or artwork you’d care to share with us?
SL: Mainly, the metal logos and things like that are really just a callback to growing up in the metal scene and really wanting to capture that aesthetic.
ML: Speaking of metal, you mention in one of your videos that your mom had a strong reaction to your new music. What songs did she really like?
SL: “Cold as Snow” for sure, she hit me up right after she heard that one and was super stoked on it. Anything that has metal-related stuff, I think she knows me well enough.
ML: Finally, here at Moon Lvnding, we have the motto of “uniting the world through music.” What does that mean to you?
SL: It’s just community building… that’s always been the goal with Ophelia [Records], and getting people together in a cool environment and listening to music that’s positive. Even though there’s moments of light and dark in the set, I think generally the crowd and the people that we bring are a really eclectic, interesting, kind crowd of people. I’m really proud of that, I love our community, and I think we’re doing a good job in our little corner of the world of bringing people together… that’s what I’m most grateful for, as far as what I get to do every day.
Likewise, the EDM community is grateful for everything Seven Lions has contributed over the year. There are still five more dates on this first phase of the Asleep in the Garden of Infernal Stars Tour, including stops in Texas, San Francisco, and Red Rocks in Colorado. In addition to his album tour, Seven Lions has a huge run of festivals planned for 2026 with heavyweights like EDC Las Vegas, Rampage, Tomorrowland, and Shambhala, to name a few. For the full list of Seven Lions tour stops and festival appearances, check out his website, and for everything else, use the handy social media links below.
Closing a room without losing it is harder than building one up. On his recent ‘Toxic’ Tour, Roddy Lima showed Brooklyn’s SILO Nightclub how to execute closing duties in style. On March 20, before his Miami Music Week appearances, he took over a dancefloor that was already moving and elevated the vibes, working through slow grooves and steady buildups that kept the room locked in from 2 am to close.
Watching him work, what stood out most was his composure. Moving between the CDJs without hesitation, just steady decisions and clean timing. From a DJ perspective, it was clear he understood how to hold a room without forcing it. No wonder his audience in the U.S. keeps growing, and he’s getting booked for the world’s biggest festivals.
Throughout the set, he introduced rhythmic elements that hinted at his Brazilian background, especially in the way he used funk-leaning percussion loops to reset tension before drops. Small adjustments that kept things from feeling predictable without breaking the flow he had already established. SILO’s DJ booth provided an in-the-round setup that changed the dynamic of the night. With the booth centered and the crowd surrounding him, it felt closer to a working session than a stage performance.
Photo Courtesy: @roddylima Instagram
Lighting stayed tight with the music, drops landing with flashes that matched the rhythm. Nothing overproduced, just enough to keep the focus where it belonged. People were there to dance. The dancefloor stayed consistent, the movement constant; not overcrowded, not thinning out.
For most of the night, phones stayed away, and attention stayed with the music, which says more about a set than any reaction video ever could. His sound carried a recognizable bounce-techno structure with funk movement underneath it. Groove first, pressure second. Nothing felt rushed, and nothing felt dragged out longer than necessary.
What started as a bedroom project in Sao Paolo, Brazil, has blossomed into an international touring career. Ever since Lima’s U.S. debut alongside John Summit last year and subsequent hit single “Night Time,” his schedule has been expanding. After his Brooklyn show, he finished a successful run at MMW with Experts Only, MADMINDS, and LALALAND to close out his current ‘Toxic” Tour dates.
This weekend, Roddy Lima will perform at Coachella’s Do Lab on April 11, one of three Brazilians on this year’s lineup. He follows that up with elrow Dallas on April 17 and Breakaway Tampa on April 18, before EDC Las Vegas on May 15, including a second appearance at the Camp EDC Pool Party. To keep up with all the latest announcements and headline show dates, check out his socials below.
Beyond Wonderland SoCal provided another glorious journey down the rabbit hole. In 2026, we enjoyed fireworks, big-name artists everywhere, side quests all around the festival grounds, and Mad Hatter parties on stage!
A few new additions to this year’s Beyond were drone shows every night, along with the fireworks. On theme, the Mad Hatter would bring out Time, Alice, and friends to jump in and DJ for 10 minutes between the final two artists of the night. The crowd loved the Mad Hatter! People were smiling, taking videos, and dancing around for the occasion. Let’s check out the stages of the West Coast’s favorite start to festival season, Beyond Wonderland.
Queen’s Domain
The main stage of Beyond never disappoints in design, hosting the biggest names across multiple genres. On Day 1, Chyl brought her high-octane bpms, and it’s Murph bought the bass and vibes. Alison Wonderland had the crowd grooving before getting closed out with sets from two legends, Steve Angello and Tiesto.
Day 2 started with “Cinema” OG, Benny Benassi, taking a trip back to the classics. Deorro got the people dancing, then Slander had ’em headbanging. Zedd made it happen for the closing set, sending Queen’s Domain out in style and giving everyone some “Clarity” heading home.
This year’s stage design immersed the headliners in the land of Beyond. The huge LED wall behind the DJ and the Queen’s heart centerpiece created an amazing backdrop for the artists. The accompanying lasers, lights, and pyrotechnics made it hard to ever leave.
Caterpillar’s Garden
Lost in Dreams hosted Day 1 at Caterpillar’s Garden with the opening party performed by LA’s own, Valentino Khan. Lost in Dreams is all about the melodic bass music and the label delivered! Performances by Yetep, Trivecta, Armnhmr, and Dabin to close had festivalgoers singing, dancing, and crying together all night.
On Day 2, Caterpillar’s Garden was hosted by Insomniac Records, with a completely different house vibe. Ian Asher played b2b with Wuki for the opening party, and this stage brought non-stop house hits from some longtime label stalwarts like Omnom, Noizu, Sonny Fodera, and Matroda. The green garden vibes made for a beautiful scene as everyone danced the night away.
Photo Credit: Jake West for Insomniac
Mad Hatter’s Castle
The Mad Hatter fittingly hosted the bass heads all weekend. It started with trap beats from YDG, and continued with insane bass in sets by Restricted, Hedex, and Holy Priest. The energy during those three was unmatched throughout the weekend. ATLiens got the crowd even more wound up before GRiZ made his triumphant return to Beyond.
Bassrush hosted Day 2, and once again, the Mad Hatter did not disappoint. Rising solo act, ProbCause came out strong, followed by GorillaT. Then Layz played one of the heaviest sets of the weekend. The bass continued to flow with a b2b from Eptic and Space Laces, then heavyweight titans Sullivan King, Black Tiger Sex Machine, and LA’s favorite big man, DJ Diesel.
Cheshire Woods
Hardstyle found its home in Cheshire Woods as Basscon hosted Day 1. With arguably the coolest stage design featuring lasers shooting out all around a cathedral setting, the energy was non-stop. Legends littered the lineup with Lady Faith, Sub Zero Project, Brennan Heart, and the king of BPM, Lil Texas.
Bringing a completely different vibe, Dreamstate took over the woods on Day 2. Trance’s biggest names were out in force. Cold Blue, Giuseppe Ottavianni + Ian Bluestone, and laser king Gareth Emery all played on the Dreamstate lineup with iconic duo Vini Vici to end the weekend.
The Looking Glass
Factory 93 hosted both days at The Looking Glass, which meant techno all night, every night. Gracing the stage were Trym, Layton Giordani, Klangkuenstler, Lilly Palmer, Hi-Lo, and Nico Moreno playing the closing set on Day 2. The techno vibes were alive and well, with pyrotechnics firing out from all over the stage and a diamond-shaped disco ball made from LED walls behind the booth.
Sea of Wonder
This stage was located between the Queen’s Domain and the Mad Hatter’s Castle inside the hanger. It was unique in that it was the only stage inside, insulating the sound from the other areas. Day 1 was hosted by Night Trip and supplied the grooves with Murphy’s Law, Loco Dice, and Nicole Moudaber.
Day 2 was hosted by RNBW and featured some big names from the drum and bass world. Getting the crowd moving and energy at an all-time high, the likes of Justin Hawkes, Grafix, Delta Heavy, and Shy Fx doing the honors.
Photo Credit: Keiki-Lani Knudsen for Insomniac
The Rabbit Hole
Besides the music, Beyond Wonderland has many more experiences to offer. Inside the Beatbox hangar, there was a full-on tea party. One could sit down and hang out with cast members, take pictures on the throne, and relax under a tree.
Insomniac also brought out the carnival rides like the Ferris Wheel, swings, and the parade of the Mad Hatter and friends. There were notable art installations, like the Mad Hatter’s Hat of Fire. For those lucky to find the correct door outside of the Mad Hatter stage, there was even a secret hidden stage! To help with connectivity, there were two new Wi-Fi centers at the festival, so people could better make plans with their friends.
End Overdose
Another important resource at Beyond Wonderland this year was a tent from End Overdose, next to the main stage. I met with the CEO and got some awesome highlights on how they make the festival safe. They have trained over 700,000 ravers on what to do if they see someone overdosing and have distributed over 750,000 Narcan devices.
At the information booth, they train people on the four-step process of recognizing the signs of overdose, how to seek help, how to administer Narcan, how to perform rescue breathing, and the laws that protect people who try to help. At the end of the training, each person receives a certificate for completing the program.
All things considered, Beyond Wonderland SoCal is a festival that ravers around the world look forward to starting the spring festival season. You can already reserve your spot for 2027. Moon Lvnding is already looking forward to our trip down the rabbit hole next year!
Late into Saturday night, Jeff Mills stepped up to the decks at a sold-out Knockdown Center, the moment the room had been building toward all evening. The crowd felt like a reflection of his legacy — ravers of all ages sharing the same floor, longtime followers alongside a younger generation, both there to witness one of Detroit Techno’s originators in real time.
The room set the tone. Dark, raw, and industrial, with heavy bass filling the space while lights moved tightly with the rhythm. The production created an atmosphere that only intensified the vibes that the music created.
The night opened with a 30-minute screening of footage from the original “Live at Liquid Room” along with never-before-seen clips and commentary from Mills. The 1995 recording still stands as one of the clearest examples of techno DJing at its most technical and forward-thinking. Liquid Room remains a defining space in Tokyo’s electronic music history, tied to a period where DJs like Mills were pushing the limits of what could be done with vinyl and instinct alone. Thirty years later, the influence of that era still feels present, not as nostalgia but as part of the foundation the techno genre continues to build on.
Jeff Mills in Detroit circa 1994 // Photo Credit: @jeff_mills_official
Mills played immediately after the screening, building the energy with the kind of patience and control that has always defined his style. Ken Ishii followed with a two-hour set that kept the room locked in, his precision and track selection feeling like a natural continuation rather than a reset.
Mills returned around 3:30 am with a surprise feature from the renowned producer, Beltran. The surprise turned into a quiet display of experience — quick hands moving through records, effortless transitions, and the kind of real-time decision making that shows how physical vinyl is DJing at its highest level.
The dancefloor stayed fully engaged deep into the night. There was a real sense of respect in the room — for the craft, for the history, and for what was happening in front of them. Thirty years after Liquid Room, Mills still moves with the same purpose. Watching that level of control up close felt less like looking back and more like being reminded why his approach still sets today’s standard.
There are still a few tour dates on Mills’ first phase of the Live at Liquid Room 30th Anniversary Tour, with a trip to South Africa before finishing in Strasbourg. Jeff Mills will also play at some summer festivals in Europe, including Neopop outside of Porto, Portugal, and Brunch Electronik in Barcelona, Spain. To keep up with all the latest from this living techno legend, follow Jeff Mills at his socials below.
Viral dubstep producer Heyz brought his biggest headline show ever to Denver’s Ogden Theatre last Saturday, March 14. Highlighting the sold-out event was ingenious Laser Cage production, which surrounded his DJ setup with three walls of floor-to-ceiling lasers. It was by far the most lasers I’ve ever seen in a similarly sized theatre setup with jaw-dropping lighting all night long.
Denver local Solfire got the party started with a mix of deep dubstep and her lyrical originals. Up next, Brainrack B2B Wiley took over the room with a heavy-hitting arsenal of collabs and a boatload of fresh IDs from both artists. Finally, Black Carl! got the crowd pumped as direct support for Heyz, blasting his new tunes “Nonstop” and “Act a Fool” to the energetic crowd. Mosh pits swirled through the dancefloor for the better part of the night.
Photo Credit: Shae McCormack // @shaelien111
Heyz took over around 11:30 pm, and for the next 90 minutes, he commanded the room with his heady blend of viral flips, beloved remixes, and engaging originals. Calls to “Open the Pitoris” were met with a roar from the crowd and renewed energy for the mosh pits in The Ogden.
But it was the laser cage production that kept me engaged from start to finish. In addition to the dozens of floor-to-ceiling lasers surrounding the DJ decks, strategically placed lasers shot across the theatre to the back wall and diagonally from the ceiling to the floor. It was one of the most stunning laser displays I’ve seen at a headline show outside of a festival setting. Heyz brought the action, and the pictures barely do it justice.
Photo Courtesy: Emma Rojo & MP3 Labs
Selling out The Odgen is another big milestone in Heyz’s journey as a Denver producer. As he left the stage, he told the crowd that he would be aiming even higher for his next Denver headline show, with his sights set on Mission Ballroom. Building on his HEYZ’D and Confused Tour, Heyz prepares for the biggest booking year of his career with huge festival appearances at EDC Las Vegas, Beyond Wonderland Chicago, and Electric Forest, to name just a few. Keep an eye on his website and social media pages linked below to stay informed of all his latest announcements and antics.
