Last Friday, November 8, ALLEYCVT took over New York City’s historic Webster Hall for an epic show on her current “Feel It” Tour. The budding dubstep star brought along Capochino and Sharlitz Web for support.
Capochino got the party started at midnight and the NYC crowd quickly filled up the dance floor. Clearly, ALLEYCVT made some strong choices for support on this show because Webster Hall doesn’t typically fill up so quickly for the opener. Capochino slayed his set, playing a bunch of his signature flips as well as some familiar dubstep anthems from Subtronics. He finished with a few tunes featuring live vocals from a talented MC whose name I was not able to confirm in time for release.
Sharlitz Web took the stage at 1am, and the hall was nearly packed. Despite her more downtempo sound, she had the crowd whipped up in a dancing frenzy. There were even a few mosh pit sightings during Sharlitz’s set, which surely came as a surprise to me. I’ve rarely seen Webster Hall so engaged and excited for an EDM show, which is a testament to the talent and prowess of ALLEYCVT’s NYC lineup.
The star of the show took centerstage around 2am, and ALLEYCVT played hit after hit for her adoring fans. Her tour production looked great with rainbow-colored lasers complementing her LED graphics. She even teased a few new tracks and IDs from her upcoming debut EP. The crowd went completely bananas during her set, and the energy was electric. Not only were there multiple mosh pits throughout the set, but the crowd also opened an all-girls mosh pit.
Even when ALLEYCVT finished her 90-minute set at 3:30am, the New York crowd chanted for more. She played an encore before dashing off the stage. But those fans who stuck around a little bit longer were able to catch up with ALLEYCVT when she popped out of the green room at 3:45am. She met with dozens of fans, taking pictures, signing merch, and answering questions. She even received a few gifts, including a gorgeous pendant which was synced to an internet ID for authenticity.
ALLEYCVT still has another five weeks left on her “Feel It” Tour this fall, including two shows at Denver’s Ogden Theater to finish. Limited tickets are still available, so get yours now if you want to feel it, too! For all the latest news and announcements from ALLEYCVT, including updates about the release of her debut EP, be sure to follow her on social media using the links below.
Last weekend The OUTLAW, DJ Snake‘s new alias, sold out the historic Shrine in Downtown Los Angeles and turned it into a unique, immersive European style rave. With a 360 caged stage, dark techno beats, trap, and a slew of special guests, The OUTLAW’s LA debut was a pinnacle experience.
A stark difference from his typical DJ Snake sets–The OUTLAW set out to make his own name last weekend. The night was filled with heavy, dark techno beats, hard trap, lasers, and crazy lights. The crowd energy was unmatched from the opening song to the final epic b2b2b2b2b. The OUTLAW showcased his diversity throughout the night with flawless transitions from one style to the next and from drop to drop. At points he even remixed his own songs like “Let Me Love You” into a heavy techno beat that had the whole crowd shook.
The OUTLAW came out walking through the crowd like a UFC fighter on his way to the 360 caged stage in the middle of the crowd, giving the sold out crowd a great view of OUTLAW doing his thing and the ability to interact, party, and at times mosh with each other. He had what looked like medieval-era banners hung throughout the venue and above the DJ booth was his new logo, which features a red snake in the shape of an O with a sword through the middle.
Photo Credit: Arno Partissimo
In addition to The OUTLAW’s insane almost 2 hour set, he also brought surprise guests with him. He debuted a new song with the trap legend Flosstradamus that was absolute madness and we will be counting down the days until it is released. He then played b2b with the hard trap godfather himself SAYMYNAME for roughly 20 minutes, setting the crowd off to a different level. OUTLAW and SAYMYNAME both got on the mic to pump the crowd up for the epic finale. The 20 minute finale was a treat for everyone in the crowd. An epic b2b which featured The OUTLAW, SAYMYNAME, Flosstradamus, Wuki and more took over.
The OUTLAW has also announced his tour going from LA to NYC, Denver, Amsterdam, Berlin and many more cities throughout the country and world. You can now RSVP for the tour stop nearest you here. Do not miss this one of kind, immersive hard techno legend in the making and be prepared to use every ounce of energy you have. Follow along using the links below.
If you like horror movies, Kruelty’s music is the hard dance equivalent. He just released his debut album BLOODBATH MACHINERY this week on Theracords Records. BLOODBATH MACHINERY is a 13-track, 35-minute horror journey where Kruelty combines elements of hard dance, hard techno, and industrial hardcore.
The masked Dutch producer calls himself the “Death Seeker” and the first track on the album gives listeners the feeling that he is coming to get them. It isn’t a musical track—it’s more of an intro—but it sets the tone for what’s to come. “BALACLAVA” showcases Kruelty’s love for hard techno with a booming kick covered by screams and a screech that sounds like an alarm going off.
“REVELATION_13” is a short and more synth and melody-driven track, but is still filled with kick rolls. It was released earlier this year as a single to announce the album. “EXODUS 20_14” is a collaboration with like-minded producer Mortis. The kick is especially punishing and the screeches are well placed. “CHOOSE VIOLENCE AND WIN” is all about the kick, which changes multiple times over the two-minute span of the track. Here Kruelty states, “You are not the first to feed the bloodbath machinery and you will not be the last.” “THE KULT” is an interlude of Kruelty speaking to his followers, welcoming them into the “Kult of the Kruel, rulers of the Bloodbath Machinery.”
The second half of the album includes more collaborations, including the title track “BLOODBATH MACHINERY.” This song is a collaboration with Qoiet, a German bass music producer and vocalist. It has a more Kayzo-esque feel to it with screamo vocals, chugging guitars, and a downtempo beat. Even with all of these other elements, there is no shortage of screeches and kicks. Kruelty leans more into the rawstyle genre with “SCREAMER,” a collaboration with German extreme rawstyle producer The Smiler. This track is aptly named because the screeches in it are more reminiscent of a scream. “WAR IS INEVITABLE” would be the perfect soundtrack to a battle between the Kult and the humans. “DAMNATION” with Gearbox regular Exproz lets the humans know they will never escape the Kult and the Bloodbath Machinery. “HUMAN SUBJECT EXPERIMENT” was originally released as a single in 2023 but was remixed by Luminite for the album. Luminite takes the previous hard techno version in a more rawstyle direction by removing some of the melodic elements and heavily distorting the kicks and adding in more screeches.
If you thought the album was already pretty distorted, “STUGNA-Z” cranks the distortion all the way up. Paired with descending synths and metallic snares, it causes an almost dizzying effect. The final track on the album “MEATGRINDER” finishes strong, combining everything we’ve heard throughout the album all at once.
Overall, BLOODBATH MACHINERY is a well done concept album that brings Kruelty’s artistic vision to life. I’m very excited to see what a live show for this will look like after last year’s This Is Kruelty live set at Trinity: The Extreme Society. Keep up to date with everything Kruelty has going on by using the links below.
British house duo Prospa dropped a new single last week on CircoLoco Records that grabbed my attention. “This Rhythm” featuring RAHH shows their ability to blend classic disco sounds with a modern house backbeat and catchy lyrics to make another successful tune.
“We were yearning to make something simple yet vocal-filled and groovy,” say Prospa. “With RAHH from Manchester and us from Leeds, the connection was instant. This song is about the relationship between music and the body, how rhythm and the passion of dance bring us together.It’s a testament to working with such a wonderful vocal. This rhythm is my heartbeat. Enjoy!”
Moon Lvnding was on hand to enjoy this new single as well as the hit tracks from their summer EP If You Want My Lovin’ at an exclusive basement boiler room pop-up event in Brooklyn on Wednesday, October 30. Presented by Brooklyn’s RAW CUTS, Prospa had the packed crowd grooving to their engaging house beats for the full 90-minute set without a mobile phone in sight. The vibes were immaculate!
With the success of fan-favorite single “Motions” and the ability to pack out a Brooklyn basement on a random Wednesday night, Prospa looks poised to prosper in 2025. To keep up with all the latest music and news from the Leeds duo, be sure to follow their social media channels below.
Could we see more sober raves in the future? Patrick Topping threw his first back on October 27 at World Headquarters Club in Newcastle. Back in September, he announced on Instagram, “I’m putting on a Sober October Rave! No alcohol will be served, and it will be during the day. I started playing sober in 2017, and it changed my relationship with music and partying and improved my mental and physical health so much.” Bringing the focus to health and support at a rave isn’t the status quo, and yet it was a massive success!
Photo Credit: Patrick Topping Facebook
Topping reflected on the event, posting on his Instagram, “This isn’t about taking away people’s choice, it’s about providing an extra choice. Also some people need this type of event. It was nice to speak to people who told some of their sobriety stories. Such a mix of people there, fitness fanatics, people in recovery, but mainly sober curious ravers who didn’t want to feel like shite the next day for change 😂 It was amazing to see the energy and everyone proper going for it! I was so nervous for this, but I had a massive feeling it would work and thankfully it did, I’m f*kin buzzing! It was so important to me that it felt proper and it did, so going to have to do a dry Jan one now 💥 More info incoming asap ❤️”
Photo Credit: Patrick Topping Facebook
If you would like to stay informed, Patrick Topping has set up a link here for more. Those looking to stay up to date with everything Patrick Topping can follow along through the links below.
Zingara recently dropped For The Crystal Children EP as a follow-up to her debut album The Code of Dreamz. Known for her signature blend of bass-heavy beats and dream-inspired soundscapes, Zingara’s latest project delves into themes of self-discovery, manifestation, and spiritual healing, capturing her vision of music as a transformative experience.
“When it was time to start brainstorming new ideas, this concept popped into my head,” said Zingara. “The Crystal Children are souls that volunteer to come to Earth to help the collective learn to love and heal.”
This four-track EP draws inspiration from Zingara’s childhood dreams and journey of manifestation and self-discovery. The opening track, “For the Crystal Children,” begins with ethereal themes, as the lyrics describe Crystal Children as enlightened beings on a mission to heal the Earth. As the vocals fade, a deep bassline joins the melody, setting the tone for the rest of the project.
The second track, “Move With the Sound,” features trumpeter Maurice Brown and explores darker themes with a powerful bassline, creating a tribal vibe. The third track, “Shape Shift,” showcases Zingara’s versatility, beginning as a bass house track before transforming into a deeper, wonkier bass sound. Her vocals describe someone being given a drink that causes them to shape shift, evoking euphoria and loosened inhibitions.
The final track, “Rhythm of Life,” features producer Steller and Maurice Brown, offering an otherworldly melody fused with Brown’s jazzy trumpet and the lyrics “Dance to the Rhythm of Life.” This song rounds out the album’s theme of living in the moment and celebrating life in a vibrant, uplifting close.
“The Crystal Children is a concept and belief that our souls have lived many past lives and are currently incarnated onto Earth to gain knowledge, life experiences and act out of love in the present moment,” said Zingara. “The music I created is here to suggest to you to enjoy every emotion that comes with life because you have a long unique journey ahead and only you are in charge of giving yourself permission to let loose, live in the moment, and feel the music that is here to help you do so. It is a reminder to myself and my listeners to allow yourself to be free. Nothing is your fault but everything is your creation so let’s have some fun and celebrate the time we get to share together.”
With the release of her new EP, Zingara has kicked off a North American fall tour running through December 14, with stops in cities she’s never played before. This tour promises captivating, immersive performances with fresh visuals, new music, and a stellar lineup of support artists including Gardella, Sippy, Steller, and Super Future. Check out her links below to stay updated with any new tour announcements and music releases.
After unveiling Hulaween’s 2024 “Weir’d Science” theme, it was clear this year’s festival would be out of this world. With performances from electronic music favorites like Bou, Chase and Status, Zingara, Of The Trees, AK Renny, and Phyphr, alongside classic Hulaween acts like Sublime, The String Cheese Incident, and The Bobby Weir Incident, this year’s festival was truly one for the books. Aside from the electrifying music performances, Hulaween is filled with mesmerizing art installations, enlightening workshops, and countless opportunities for attendees to embark on the ultimate side quest.
OFF LIMITS Stage // Photo Courtesy of Tara Gracer
Spirit Lake Wonders and Workshops
Walking into Spirit Lake on the first day is a magical experience, with the entire area brimming with art, music, and nature. It’s one of the best—and most shaded—spots at the festival, perfect for enjoying the incredible workshops and art installations scattered throughout or simply relaxing by the lake. For those seeking a fulfilling morning before going into full wook mode, The Oasis and The Deliberate Creation Station offered vibrant workshops throughout the festival.
Friday Workshops
Friday morning kicked off with Liquid Space Disco Yoga at the Oasis, led by Alic Higgins and Damen Sarceno, where attendees could start their day with a relaxing yoga session to stretch and prepare for the weekend, followed by funky beats to dance to. Next up was Art for Your Heart, an emotional painting workshop led by Calypso at The Deliberate Creation Station. This session began with guided meditation to help attendees enter a safe space and reflect inward. Participants were then provided with painting supplies and encouraged to express what they felt in their hearts on a piece of wood, creating a hanging ornament to take home.
The day continued at The Deliberate Creation Station with Crystal Jewelry Wrapping for Beginners, led by Sara Carreau of Soul Sunshine Goods. A talented artist and holistic healer, Sara creates her own crystal-wrapped jewelry and other forms of art. She provided each participant with a crystal and demonstrated how to effectively wrap it into a beautiful piece of jewelry. Following this creative session, Slinky Josh led an exciting Slinky Manipulation 101 workshop at the Oasis, where participants each received a slinky and learned crowd-pleasing tricks. To close out the day before the evening’s music, Sara and Skye guided attendees through an enlightening Chakra Yoga and Reiki Circle, helping set positive intentions for the weekend.
Photo Courtesy of Sara Carreau
Saturday Workshops
Saturday morning began with a peaceful Psychedelic Sound Bath led by Mady Jane, offering a soothing start to ease the chaos from the night before. This was followed by a Good Morning Stretch into Nidra Nirvana with Barbara Alfonzo, both experiences designed to clear out any lingering negativity and foster a sense of belonging and relaxation among festival-goers. To spark creativity, The Deliberate Creation Station hosted a black-and-white forest painting class led by Ania Amador. Set in the heart of Spirit Lake, the natural landscape provided the perfect inspiration and backdrop for the workshop.
To round out the day, attendees joined the Women in Production Panel with Art in Session, where industry professionals shared insights and tips on navigating creative careers. These inspiring women discussed their journeys, sharing both the challenges and triumphs of pursuing their passions, and offered advice on finding success and fulfillment in creative work.
Spirit Lake Show // Photo Courtesy of Steph Port
Sunday Workshops
The final day of Hulaween was as thrilling as the first. The day began with an opening Cacao Circle and Higher Self Activation led by Ursa Collective. This activation included a guided meditation to help participants achieve clarity, followed by a cacao ceremony honoring the environment and the world around us. Participants savored their cacao while setting intentions for the final festival day ahead.
This was followed by Yoga: Everything All at Once with Kendall Barker, an energizing yoga session that stretched every part of the body—much needed after a long weekend of walking and dancing. Participants left feeling rejuvenated and ready for the day. Immediately afterward, Spirit Lake’s creative director Justin Bolognino led a session at The Deliberate Creation Station, sharing insights into the planning and implementation of Spirit Lake’s elaborate art installations. He discussed what he looks for in artists, the creative vision, and the late-night projection shows that have become Spirit Lake’s signature.
Photo Courtesy of Josh Skolnik
Later, Sara Carreau returned with Soul Painting DIY, a workshop that guided participants through a meditation connecting them to their inner selves. Using colors and words, they painted pieces that represented who they are and who they aspire to be. To conclude the weekend’s festivities, Art in Session hosted a closing Cacao Ceremony at The Deliberate Creation Station. This reflective session allowed participants to look back on their experiences and the connections they made throughout the festival. With a final cup of cacao, attendees left Spirit Lake feeling fulfilled and proud of their time spent at Hulaween.
Artistic Wonder
Aside from the incredible workshops and activations, Spirit Lake offered even more to explore. One of the most captivating attractions was a live painting mural maze, located in the heart of Spirit Lake between the Oasis and the Deliberate Creation Station. Throughout the weekend, various artists painted murals in real-time, allowing attendees to witness the creative process up close. Many of these artists also showcased other creative pieces for sale in an artist collective near the Oasis stage, displaying a wide range of unique artwork.
Photo Courtesy of Steph Port
This area of the venue also featured three main stages: House of Lost, OFF LIMITS, and Spirit Lake. While all were visually stunning, those who caught a set at the House of Lost experienced not only incredible music but also a meticulously designed art installation that left attendees in awe. The stage area included cozy church-style seating and breathtaking stage design, with both indoor and outdoor areas furnished with couches and tables—perfect for relaxing or capturing the ultimate festival photo. Toward the back of the seating area stood a small wooden shack where attendees could overlook the stage. At its entrance, Poet Juan Lli offered emotional, heartfelt poems on any topic or for any person attendees wished, adding a unique touch to the experience.
Check out some of the amazing artists and creators who contributed to this year’s workshops below!
The Hulaween team outdid themselves in 2024, conjuring a layout that perfectly married the familiar with the fantastically new. Outside of Spirit Lake, the festival’s larger stages—including the Meadows, Hallows, and Amphitheatre—were laid out in their usual prime locations. These all brought incredible sound and performances but Spirit Lake stole the show, revamped with an imaginative reconfiguration of over 40 mesmerizing art installations and interactive spaces. There, the eerie yet entrancing House of Lost transformed into a soulful live performance venue at dusk, while the Oasis doubled as a comfy late-night house music lounge. The Incendia stage was not its former self as it was downsized to a performance stage for fire dancing. This is because Incendia teamed up with Atlanta’s women-led collective DEF (Define Everything Future) to introduce OFF LIMITS—a 360-degree stage experience powered by extensive pyrotechnics, making a fiery impact that took the place of the previous Campground Stage. This electrifying addition was a central highlight, merging sound and spectacle in a truly unforgettable way.
Meadow Stage // Photo Courtesy of Aaron Bradley
Meadows & Hallows Stages
The Meadow and Hallows stages anchored the weekend’s jam-band and rock lineup, featuring legendary acts like Sublime, The Bobby Weir Incident, and The String Cheese Incident. Unfortunately, Tash Sultana, one of the most anticipated performers, had to cancel due to health issues but recently posted an update on Instagram, “I’ve been a bit quiet on here lately intentionally. I’ve been navigating a little bit of health stuff and realigning my priorities as a human being and as an artist. I’m getting fit, I dyed my hair, I’ve spent time with my favorite people and I just am not allowing the time to feel like shit.” Fans of bass were well rewarded on the Hallows stage the first two days, with exhilarating sets from Levity, Of The Trees, CloZee, and Tipper, who delivered one of his final festival performances—a bittersweet but powerful send-off for fans of his transcendent soundscapes.
Amphitheatre Stage // Photo Courtesy of Tara Gracer
Amphitheatre Stage
Set cozily among the trees, the Amphitheatre stage provided an intimate yet expansive space that bridged Spirit Lake’s mystical energy with the larger open-air zones. With its bowl shape, this stage offered fantastic views from almost every angle—though this year, the slight left turn of the setup meant a side view for much of the right section of the crowd. Any minor inconvenience was quickly forgotten, thanks to stunning sets by the highly anticipated Chase & Status, who unleashed relentless energy, Liquid Stranger’s sonic odyssey, and Maddy O’Neal’s funky bass grooves. Phyphr brought his blend of electro-soul and live guitar, while The Sponges soaked the early birds in their signature disco-infused beats, turning the Amphitheatre into an all-out dance party.
Spirit Lake Stage // Photo Courtesy of Tara Gracer
Spirit Lake Stage
At the heart of Spirit Lake, the projection-mapped Spirit Lake stage delivered an eclectic mix of genres and visual artistry. Performances by LP Giobbi, Walker & Royce, and Kyle Walker pumped energy into the crowd with groovy, house-driven beats, while Township Rebellion, &Friends, and Cassian explored deeper, melodic soundscapes. Kyle Walker’s driving tech house basslines and G Jones’ trappy experimental sunset were major highlights, pulling crowds into a kaleidoscopic experience that was both visual and auditory bliss.
OFF LIMITS Stage // Photo Courtesy of Tara Gracer
OFF LIMITS Stage
Finally, the DEF OFF LIMITS stage stood as the weekend’s crowning jewel, bringing the most cutting-edge sound and high-energy vibes to Hulaween. Designed as an immersive 360-degree experience with Funktion One sound and Incendia pyro, OFF LIMITS featured some of the weekend’s top moments. Across this stage, house, techno, UKG, and bass came alive, with Azzecca’s dark yet lively house and techno enchanting a massive audience to dance their tails off, and Will Clarke’s gritty, industrial techno driving the crowd into an absolute frenzy. Riordan brought that UK underground energy with his fast-paced basslines, while Taiki Nulight’s trademark blend of bass house and UKG grooves kept the beats pumping relentlessly. Bou hit hard with his heavy drum and bass, while Ayybo infused the stage with funky, bouncy tech-house beats that had the crowd swinging. Know Good’s high-energy bass drops added to the stage’s pulse. Also a hub for the secret sensations, OFF LIMITS hosted surprise performances including Chris Lake, who switched the vibe after his Amphitheatre set and ignited the dance floor with his darker tech house mastery, and a thrilling Levity B2B Eater set that turned up the excitement on night one. With appearances from Ravenscoon and a rare Of The Trees B2B Eazybaked set, OFF LIMITS became an unmissable celebration of genre-crossing talent and high-octane performances.
OFF LIMITS Stage // Photo Courtesy of Tara Gracer
Hulaween 2024 was a masterclass in festival magic, combining world-class music with a truly immersive environment. From the reimagined Spirit Lake art installations to the interactive workshops and multi-purpose spaces like the House of Lost and Oasis, every corner offered something to captivate the senses. The DEF OFF LIMITS stage delivered an unforgettable fusion of high-energy beats, while the projection-mapped Spirit Lake stage and the tree-lined Amphitheatre showcased stellar performances that kept the vibe spooky all weekend. With a crowd that was as vibrant and enthusiastic as the music itself, Hulaween proved once again that it’s more than just a festival—it’s a full-blown, one-of-a-kind experience where art, sound, and community come together in perfect harmony.
Keep up with all things mystical at Hulaween using the links below:
Renowned DJ and Producer Barclay Crenshaw, known for his electrifying and boundary-pushing performances, is back with another track that hits close to home for many. “Goodbye My Friends” features vocals from Crenshaw’s son, Jasper, who wrote the lyrics that inspired this piece. This collaboration is reminiscent of the track “Tiramisu,” a project with his daughter Ella. It highlights Crenshaw’s vision of blending and bending genres to keep his music unique.
Jasper has recently embarked on a new journey at the University of Southern California in the Pop Vocal Performance undergraduate program. In doing so, he is leaving behind his friends and high school memories. This new track “Goodbye My Friends” embodies his mindset during that time period and acts as a farewell to his high school friends. Crenshaw blends these powerful and emotional lyrics with his production skills, creating another masterful bass track.
Barclay Crenshaw is on a roll right now, with over 60 dates scheduled in 2024. Many of those were major festivals such as LIB, Elements, Apocalypse, Movement, Electric Forest, and Texas Eclipse. Don’t miss the chance to catch all of Barclay Crenshaw’s latest releases and upcoming shows. Use the links below to stay in the loop!
BLAAP, the cutting-edge duo formed by Of The Trees and Freddy Todd, recently dropped a sneak peek of their upcoming album with the new track “BLAOWP.” This release undoubtedly sets the tone for their highly anticipated November album, showcasing a refined blend of each artist’s intricate talents.
“BLAOWP” masterfully blends Of The Trees’ bass-driven textures with Freddy Todd’s signature interstellar funk. Opening with cosmic synths and intricate percussion, the track pulls listeners into an otherworld before dropping into powerful, high-energy basslines. Layered with glitchy, psychedelic effects and melodic undertones, it offers a taste of BLAAP’s innovative sound.
“The song BLAOWP is an onomatopoeia and kind of the epitome of what the band BLAAP means. It’s an explosion in space time, an event, and one of our anthems,” said Freddy Todd. “Contrary to most of the other tracks we’ve worked on, where we’re usually in the studio together and using Tyler’s computer with Ableton as the main workstation, BLAOWP saw life beginning on my (Freddy’s) PC on FL Studio in Michigan – consisting of that first massive drop and hectic vocal “scratching.” I sent it to Tyler as a potential BLAAP tune idea with him responding “yes. YES. I would love to work on this” and me replying “Swag. Fantastic. Stems incoming”. After some tinkering and a trip back out to Colorado, we fleshed out the second drop in person but with OTT at the helm – as Tyler was dialing in his signature pockets I paced back and forth knowing BLAOWP was going to be volcanic af. Both drops go so crazy and each one is representative of our differences in being two separate humans with individual styles yet come together in a nice cohesively unique package of a song in a new blaapedelic way. It’s been so fun to play live and I’m stoked to finally release this one proper.”
Denver-based producer Of The Trees crafts rich soundscapes, blending dubstep and hip-hop, with an emphasis on 808 percussion. At the same time, Detroit’s Freddy Todd brings his signature glitch-infused, high-energy performances to the electronic scene. Together, they form BLAAP and release through Memory Palace, Of The Trees’ label. Memory Palace is known for its dedication to innovative, boundary-pushing music across bass and electronic music.
Last weekend, the largest Halloween festival in the world took place at the NOS Center in San Bernardino, California. With a brand new layout, a new stage, and an epic lineup, this year’s Escape Halloween did not disappoint.
Insomniac Event’s production, environment, and lineup for Escape Halloween never disappoint. The new layout included a larger Crazy Town between The Grimm, Feeding Grounds, and Wicked Woods. This helped clear up a lot of the congestion issues from past festivals. Crazy Town also featured The Butcher, which was a haunted house that included dead bodies hanging in body bags, people dressed as zombies, and the DJ stage.
It also had Poison Ivy, which was a 3D spray-painted house fitted with a DJ and a mad scientist who created test tube shots. The centerpiece of Crazy Town was the iconic flaming cathedral with the ringmaster and various carnival shows on stage. In front of Crazy Town was the new CASA BACARDI stage, which had artists like Omnon and Joshwa playing throughout the weekend.
The Psycho Circus remained in its normal position by the front of the venue. It included a poker table where people bet with kandi, performing acrobats, palm readers, and stage magicians throughout the night. Voodoo Ville was a new area added to this year’s Escape, located outside Feeding Grounds and Wicked Woods. Voodoo Ville had one of the coolest layouts of the weekend.
Photo Credit: Jake West for Insomniac Events
When you walked in there was a giant Day of the Dead skull hanging from the ceiling with a jungle theme. There was a section with a broken shed that had a dancer and someone playing a piano which was perfect for taking those perfect pictures. The DJ platform at the front of the stage pumped music and also had a bar. If you did not get a chance to at least walk through this stage, definitely check it out next year.
The festival had five main stages: The Grimm, Sewer District, Feeding Grounds, The Cauldron, and Wicked Woods. I also need to shout out the Beatbox Art Car, located outside Sewer District. Throughout the weekend, the Beatbox Art Car was going off. No matter who was playing at the main stages, the Beatbox Art Car had a packed crowd of people playing heavy bass all weekend. I found myself there headbanging, the vibes were electric.
The Grimm was larger, with the signature Grim Reaper behind the artists moving throughout the night. The lasers were mesmerizing and gave the stacked lineup the production it deserved. The Grimm hosted names across genres like Illenium, Deadmau5, Maddix, and Snakehips, giving everyone a chance to enjoy the main stage.
Sewer District was located in the speedway and housed the bassheads for the weekend. Sewer District felt like Wastelands as it was surrounded by panels and shipping containers. The pyrotechnics and fireworks here did not disappoint. Sewer District was blessed by Wooli, Level Up, Ludacris, and Adventure Club across the weekend.
Feeding Grounds was the first stage upon entering the festival, showcasing its classic spiderweb theme. Day 1 was hosted by Basscon and had artists like Da Tweekaz and Lady Faith. Day 2 was hosted by Night Trip x Insomniac Records with names like Odd Mob and Cloonee.
Photo Credit: Jake West for Insomniac Events
Wicked Woods was expanded this year, and rightfully so with names like Fatboy Slim, Pawsa, Nina Kraviz and Patrick Mason playing throughout the weekend. This dark stage was surrounded by shipping containers and was perfect for techno fans to dance all weekend.
The newest stage, The Cauldron, was hosted by Boiler Room and definitely brought the vibes. Attendees behind the DJ booth were going crazy and the crowd was going even crazier. Names like Justin Jay and Lil Texas brought the house down on the first year of Boiler Room x Escape Halloween.
Escape Halloween is a festival that all ravers look forward to every year. 2024 brought a new layout and new stages, including a Boiler Room stage and a massive lineup that exceeded expectations. From Crazy Town to the OMG production at every stage, it had all of us counting down to 2025. If you’re like me and you’re all ready to run it back, presale tickets are already available. Hopefully, we will see you next year on October 31 and November 1 for Escape Halloween 2025.
