Lately, I’ve been thinking about those first few months of my raving life, and trying to pin down exactly what it was about the whole culture that caught my attention. I’ve come to realize that there wasn’t just one thing that grabbed me, but more the combination of many things that all worked together to create this alternate universe not bound by 9-to-5-jobs, pantsuits, and societal norms. Here are the top three things that attracted me to rave culture when I went to my first event a few years ago.

Okay, confession time. Before I really got into electronic music, I was one of those people who grouped it all together as one genre. In high school, I literally could not have told you the difference between Skrillex and Deadmau5 if my life depended on it. I went to my first EDC only having heard of a few artists on the lineup, and it was because they had popular songs on the radio. However, the more I’ve immersed myself into different genres and subgenres within the electronic umbrella, the more I’ve seen how wide the term “electronic” can really span. I really do believe there is something for everyone in the electronic world. Though I wasn’t always this way, I’ve come to love pretty much all genres. Since there are infinite possibilities in electronic music, there is a genre that can perfectly fit any situation. I love blasting tropical house when I’m laying next to the pool, and I love cranking dubstep when I’m getting ready for a night out with friends. Nothing pumps me up to be productive like psytrance, and nothing helps me wind down at the end of the day like techno. I really do believe that people who say they don’t like electronic music just need to explore some of the different subgenres a little more.

 Photo Credit: EDC/Insomniac Events

2.The Self-Expression

The over-the-top costumes, totems, flow art, and everything else creative that comes with electronic culture is certainly a huge part of what grabbed my initial attention, and I know I’m not alone. Walking around at your first rave can feel like you’re on another planet completely. The freedom that people feel to dress however they want is a truly beautiful thing. And it goes beyond just fashion -- watching people perform with their hoops, gloves, poi, or whatever it may be, is truly astounding and takes multiple levels of skill and creativity as well. There is something infectious and freeing about being able to dress as ridiculous (or as reserved) as you like on that specific day. I love spending lots of time preparing my outfits for festivals, and I love that I can get away with wearing crazy and amazing clothing that I couldn’t just wear walking down the street. Well, I technically could...but I would definitely get some funny looks. Raves are just such judgment-free zones in terms of style and appearance.

Photo Credit: EDC/Insomniac Events

3. The Whole Scene Is Based On Love

We hear this one all the time, don’t we? Love, as well as peace, unity, and respect. Some will argue that “PLUR” is dead, and maybe at times it isn’t as strong as it used to be. However, as someone who’s been immersed in multiple other music scenes before I was ever exposed to rave culture, I think the difference is rather obvious in terms of how people treat one another. The friendliness and overall respect of people I meet at raves is completely out-of-this-world compared to any other concert or music event I’ve ever attended. Sure, there are always exceptions, but a vast majority of my social encounters at raves are not only positive, but rewarding. Whether it’s a random person running up to hug you, or a group of people adopting you when you get separated from your group, I bet if you’ve been to a lot of events you’ve experienced this too. This is one of the reasons why I stopped going to pretty much any other type of show that isn’t an electronic artist. Not because I don’t like other types of music, but because the vibes and the way people treat each other doesn’t even begin to compare to the overwhelming positive energy that ravers have.

If you’re a raver yourself, I’m guessing you can relate to some of these points. Some or all of these things might be what attracted you to the scene, and maybe you have other reasons as well. If you haven’t been to any raves or festivals, maybe after reading this you’ll see a glimpse of what it’s all about. The music, love, and creativity of an EDM event are on another level entirely, and everyone deserves to experience it at some point in their life.

Okeechobee took place this year from March 5-8 at Sunshine Grove in Okeechobee, Florida. This was a big year for this festival for multiple reasons. First of all, after a wildly successful first few years, Okeechobee had announced that there would be no festival in 2019. Then, last year, Insomniac CEO Pasquale Rosella gave us some great news — not only would the festival be returning in 2020, but Insomniac would also be partnering with the original festival founders to make this the biggest and best Okeechobee yet.

This festival was absolutely amazing in every way imaginable. It was a camping festival, which is always more fun in my opinion. Something unique about this event was the setup. While most camping festivals set it up to have the campsite on one side and the festival on another, this festival had a very different format. The main festival was in the very middle and was surrounded on almost all sides with different campsites. In addition to this unique setup, there were big pieces of the festival that weren’t actually inside the festival grounds at all, but in this area between the campgrounds and festival grounds that became one of our favorite spots to hang out throughout the weekend. One of these amenities was called the Aquachobee Stage. 

The Aquachobee Stage was easily one of the highlights of Okeechobee as a whole. This stage was literally on a beach next to a beautiful lake. As soon as we got to the festival and set up camp, we ran straight to Aquachobee just in time to catch Supertask, Huxley Anne, and Yheti. Watching the sunset here was absolutely breathtaking. On the first full day of the festival, I had a blast running around during a few of the sets and finding friends from different states and introducing them and vibing in the sun on the beach. G-Space and Eazybaked both put on amazing sets and this definitely set the stage for an incredible weekend.

After leaving Aquachobee on Friday we finally ventured into the actual festival to check out the other stages and vendors. This festival really has it all - in addition to a beach stage there were also stages in the forest. The “Be”, “Here”, and “Now” were all big main stages tucked into the woods of the festival grounds that were lit up by gorgeous lights and art installations everywhere you turned.

There was also a stage called “Incendia” which we called the fire stage because it was such an insane setup with so many pyrotechnics as you’re exiting the festival and heading to camp. Last but not least, another favorite was a stage called “Jungle 51”, which felt like an actual jungle and played tribal house music til the sun came up.  On Friday we hopped around and got to see Papadosio, Lotus, Bassnectar, and Kaskade. The highlight was definitely Bassnectar, who played the best set I’d ever seen from him and even lit off a SpaceX rocket during his set!

Saturday we spent more of our time inside the actual festival instead of the beach. The highlights were Sublime With Rome, G Jones, and seeing my first ever Tipper set. We closed the night out by going to the Incendia stage for the first time and experiencing an insane Goopsteppa set.

Sunday was sadly the last day of sets, but I made sure to get up early and see everything possible to make it an incredible last day. I feel like I accomplished that pretty well by seeing Flatbush Zombies, GRiZ, Glass Animals, San Holo, Mumford & Sons, Sayer, and Tiedye Ky, and Maya Jane Coles. Glass Animals ended up being my favorite set from the entire weekend and I was so glad I made the effort to see so many different varieties of music instead of just sticking to the same artists I can see at any EDM festival.

If you ever have the chance to attend Okeechobee, please do it! This festival is amazing in every way, and is so much bigger and better than I even expected. The vibes, the tropical environment, and so much more make this an experience worth having. I can’t wait to come back next year and share this place with even more people.

If you’re anything like me and you’re going to Okeechobee, you’re rattling your brain on what it is you need to pack. Camping festivals are always a mission-and-a-half to plan and pack for, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! I’ll talk about a few of the necessities for this festival and provide you with my full ultimate packing list at the end. Keep reading to see everything you should bring to have an amazing time at this year’s Okeechobee!

I won’t go into too much detail on this one because most of them are no brainers and are included in the full list below, but don’t forget the most important basic items for any festival or camping fest! Sometimes it’s easy to get so excited about packing fun and goofy stuff for a festival that we can forget one or more items that we actually really need. Your phone, ID, money, ticket, outfits for every day, socks and underwear, shoes, comfortable (and warm!) clothes to sleep in, hygiene products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and shower supplies are all musts. If you wear glasses/contacts or take medications, these are essential as well!

I can’t stress this enough! Make sure to bring bottled water for you and your crew, and hydration backpacks that you can refill inside the festival. Fortunately, this festival offers free filtered water to everyone, so it’s important that you bring something to carry your water in to stay healthy and dancing all day and night long. 

Neon Vibes Hydration Pack

Also very important in making sure you have a safe and fun time at this festival is sunscreen! If you’re like me and from somewhere a little colder like Colorado, this isn’t the first thing that comes to mind in the middle of winter. I’m used to wearing snow boots and a coat in March, so why would I think to pack sunscreen? However, Okeechobee is in a sunny area (the location is even called Sunshine Grove!). The forecast is looking like it’s going to get up to the mid 80’s during the festival as well, so make sure you’re prepared to protect your skin from the hot sun. 

Though you certainly don’t need your phone at a festival, if you are someone who uses it to communicate with your group or take photos and videos, it’s definitely a good idea to have a few of these fully charged in case of a pinch! There are no electrical outlets at the festival, so if you don’t bring a portable charger, you will either have to purchase one or find a way to charge your phone in a car or other device. My group also likes to bring walkie talkies just in case there’s no cell service. This is a great way to communicate without the stress of your messages going through, or outside distractions that take you away from the festival!

Another thing we don’t always think of to bring to festivals but will be great to have at Okeechobee is swimming attire. There is a beach called the Aquachobee Beach where you can go swimming and cool off, and it would be a shame to not be able to participate due to not being prepared! A swimsuit, towel, goggles, and maybe a fun floatie or two will have you ready to splash around and have some good old fun in the sun.

Photo Courtesy of Okeechobee Festival

Now that we’ve talked about a few of the best items to bring to this festival, check out my full Okeechobee packing list below!

• Ticket! (seems like a no-brainer but you never know)
• Water bottle(s)
• Phone
• Phone chargers
• ID
• Cash (bring extra if possible!)
• Debit or credit card
• Fanny pack, hydration backpack, or both
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Ear plugs
• Sunglasses
• Festival clothes for every day you’ll be attending
• Underwear
• Socks
• Bras
• Hat(s)
• Comfortable shoes
• Flip flops or shower/swim shoes
• Swim suit
• Towels
• Sweats and jackets for sleeping/colder nights
• Rain ponchos
• Any medication you take
• First-aid kit with Ibuprofen, bandaids, etc.)
• Vitamins (I always bring a box of vitamin C packets to drink each day of the festival)
• Glasses/contacts if needed
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Mouthwash
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Soap
• Razor
• Deodorant
• Lotion/moisturizer
• Hairbrush
• Hairspray
• Bobby pins
• Dry shampoo
• Makeup
• Makeup removing wipes
• Baby wipes
• Glitter, glitter, glitter!!
• Glitter glue
• Kandi and other cute goodies to trade
• Mirror
• Tampons (even if you don’t need them, someone else might!)
• Toilet paper
• Tissues
• Paper towels
• Ziploc bags
• Trash bags
• Tent
• Stakes
• Hammer or mallet
• Rain fly
• Tarp for under the tent
• Air mattresses/pump or some sort of pad to sleep on
• Sleeping bag
• Pillows
• Blankets
• Canopies and tapestries to relax under and personalize your camping space
• Lawn chairs
• Fold-up table
• Speaker (make sure it’s all charged up before your trip!)
• Cooler with water, drinks, and food (ice can be purchased at the festival if needed)
• Granola/protein bars
• Trail mix
• Sandwich supplies
• Camping stove and food if cooking
• Pots, pans, plates, utensils
• Totem or flag to mark your campsite
• Flashlight
• Lantern
• Biodegradable soap

There you go! Hopefully, this list should get you going and get you excited for what’s to come at Okeechobee next week. Obviously you don’t necessarily need to bring everything on this list, and there will probably be items not on here that you want to include as well! Hammocks, flow toys, a journal, face paint, and more creative or outdoorsy things are also awesome things to bring but aren’t things everyone has or needs. The most important thing is to come with an open mindset and with everything you need to have a fun, healthy, and safe week. See you at Okeechobee!

If you’re feeling a little stuck, you’re not alone! I’ve put together a little guide for you to hopefully help narrow down what events might be most suited for you this spring. Keep reading to hear my top 8 festival suggestions for spring 2020 and why each of them are going to be amazing in their own way!

1. OKEECHOBEE MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

DATES: March 5-8, 2020

LOCATION: Sunshine Grove, Okeechobee, FL

WHY YOU SHOULD SEND IT: Okeechobee is without a doubt one of the most highly regarded festivals in Florida, and for good reason. This is a big year because after taking the past year off, Okeechobee has come back now as an Insomniac festival, and is sure to have its best year yet. Between an amazing camping experience right on the water and a stacked lineup featuring Bassnectar, Rufus du Sol, Tipper, and Kaskade, this is a festival you won’t want to miss. 

Read more about Okeechobee here!

2. ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL

DATES: March 20-22, 2020

LOCATION: Bayfront Park, Miami, FL

WHY YOU SHOULD SEND IT: Last year Ultra festival moved venues, much to the dismay of many of the regulars who attend.  Ultra is one of the biggest music festivals in the world, and this year it is officially moving back to its previous and more popular venue, Bayfront Park - right in the heart of downtown Miami. Between Flume, Major Lazer, Above & Beyond, Gesaffelstein, Slander b2b Kayzo, Carl Cox, and many more, there is something for everyone at this year’s Ultra!

3. BEYOND WONDERLAND

DATES: March 20-21, 2020

LOCATION: NOS Events Center, San Bernadino, CA

WHY YOU SHOULD SEND IT: Beyond Wonderland is a favorite amongst Insomniac festival-goers, and for obvious reasons! For this weekend in March, the NOS turns into an Alice in Wonderland-themed utopia. The stage production and decorations are seriously next level and so on-theme with the Alice-in-wonderland vibes. The lineup has yet to be announced but is sure to be amazing based on all of the artists who have played in years past. 

4. BUKU MUSIC & ART PROJECT

DATES: March 20-21, 2020

LOCATION: Mardi Gras World, New Orleans, LA

WHY YOU SHOULD SEND IT: Buku is a very unique festival because it’s so much more than music. After attending last year I got to really understand and appreciate what this is all about. It emphasizes New Orleans culture through graffiti and other street art, and is chalked full of local artists and performers. This year’s lineup features Illenium, Zeds Dead, Flume, Alison Wonderland, and many more.

5. UBBI DUBBI

DATES: April 18-19, 2020

LOCATION: Globe Life Park, Arlington, TX

WHY YOU SHOULD SEND IT: Though there’s something exciting about attending a festival during its first year, sometimes the best year to go to a festival is the second year after they’ve had a chance to work out a few kinks. Ubbi Dubbi had an incredibly successful first year in 2019 and is already making announcements for round two in 2020. They’ve already announced 6 artists that will perform: Seven Lions, Green Velvet, Illenium, Camelphat, Adventure Club, and Kaskade. They’re also moving venues, so this is definitely going to be an exciting year to attend this one! Check back for the Phase 2 lineup - coming soon!

6. EDC LAS VEGAS

DATES: May 15-17, 2020

LOCATION: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada

WHY YOU SHOULD SEND IT: I’m always going to be biased and tell you to go to EDCLV because it was my first festival, and is the one I make sure to never miss. However, this is going to be an extra special year to go because it will be the festival’s tenth year in Las Vegas! There’s something about being in such a magical city with tens of thousands of ravers that is just unmatchable, and this year’s festival and lineup are about to be its best yet! Keep an eye out for the 2020 lineup soon!

Read more about EDCLV in this article, 7 tips for a First Time EDC attendee!

7. LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE

DATES: May 20-25, 2020

LOCATION: Buena Vista Lake, Kern County, CA

WHY YOU SHOULD SEND IT: Lightning In A Bottle is another festival that’s famous for having way more than just music. This festival is truly a spiritual experience, and the Do LaB brings lots of incredible art and activities to create one of the most unique and rewarding festivals out there. The lineup for this year’s performances and events has yet to be announced, but we’ll be on the lookout for it when it drops.

8. MOVEMENT

DATES: May 23-25, 2020

LOCATION: Hart Plaza, Detroit, MI

WHY YOU SHOULD SEND IT: Movement is easily one of the top techno festivals, especially in the US. If you like to avoid the more mainstream EDM events and stick to more classic house and techno vibes, Movement is definitely the move (see what I did there?). The lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but past lineups include Richie Hawtin, Carl Cox, Adam Beyer, Nicole Moudaber, and Get Real. But this festival isn’t completely limited to house and techno -- artists such as Griz, Diplo, Rezz, and Gucci Mane have also performed here!

Spring is always one of the best seasons to attend festivals, and every year just seems to get better and better as our culture continues to grow and spread! You really can’t go wrong with any of these events, and I have a feeling this year is going to be all of our best yet! Where will we see YOU in 2020?!

However, that disappointment turned to excitement when Okeechobee announced that it would be returning in March 2020, this time put on by Insomniac Events along with Soundslinger. That excitement increased even more this week when Okeechobee released its jaw-dropping lineup.

The festival takes place March 5th -- March 8 at Sunshine Grove in Okeechobee, Florida. Even the first day, which is a Thursday, has a stacked lineup, and that’s what pretty much sold me on going this year without even haven seen the rest of the lineup yet! Thursday night I’m excited for Rufus du Sol, ARIZONA, Said The Sky, Ivy Lab, and Yheti. 

Friday’s lineup is equally stacked. What I love about this lineup is how well-rounded it is -- lots of EDM and jam band-type stuff, but also indie, rock, rap, and so much more. On Friday I’m definitely not missing Bassnectar, Kaskade, Big Gigantic, Lotus, Nora En Pure, Papadosio, Crooked Colours, and G-Space.

On Saturday, the lineup starts to get even more diverse. The main acts I think everyone should make sure to see on that day: HAIM, Tipper, Sublime With Rome, G Jones, LSDREAM, Y2K, Mersiv, and Zia.

Last but certainly not least, Sunday’s lineup is lead by one of my favorite bands that I’ve never had the fortune to see before -- Munford & Suns. That would be good enough for me, but there are tons of other amazing artists too, such as Glass Animals, Alison Wonderland, San Holo, Machine Gun Kelly, Flatbush Zombies, Elohim, and Charlesthefirst. And it’s a good thing Okeechobee is blessing us with such a strong Sunday lineup, considering day four of any festival can be a bit of a struggle!

Though the lineup is what initially hooked me on Okeechobee for 2020, there are so many other aspects of this festival that I’m excited about. I absolutely love camping festivals, and I’ve always heard the camping experience is amazing here. According to their press release, this year is set to include, "immersive art experiences, pop-up performances, creative installations, yoga, life-enhancing workshops, and other experiences that define the eclectic nature of Chobeewobee Village." 

In addition to the three main stages that Okeechobee boasts, there are also multiple unique stages throughout the 800-acre layout. The infamous Jungle 51 stage is hidden deep in the festival grounds. This stage has featured some of the biggest house and techno artists in previous years. Plus, it's open from dusk-till-dawn! There’s also something called the Aquachobee Beach, which features a stage that you can watch while sitting on a white-sand beach.

Additionally, there's also a 24-hour general store, 24-hour food options, showers, free portals, and food and beverage options from local vendors and craft artisans on-site! There's no doubt that Okeechobee provides its own, unique community over the course of four days, leaving you with once-in-a-lifetime memories. 

Okeechobee tickets are on sale now, so don’t sleep on this amazing festival. I hope to meet a lot of you at the Grove this coming year!

The first thing that caught me off guard about Electric Forest was that I immediately realized that this was so much more than a music festival. I know that’s something you hear all the time, but this is, literally, so much more. The first day I spent my whole night running back and forth between the sets I wanted to see. However, the next day was when I started seeing how much more this place had to offer besides just my favorite artists. 

On my second day, I experienced some of the secrets that Electric Forest had to offer. I can’t go into too much detail, but I will tell you that it was an awesome interactive experience that really showed the magical side of the festival. Interacting with new people and making new friends with this experience is something I will cherish for a lifetime. My experience during Day 2 was when I really started to feel that Electric Forest is not your average festival, and to be honest, I don't think there's any other festival like it in the world. Every corner I turned, something magical was happening. Like the guy with his own mini-bar carved into the wood selling shots of the best maple syrup you’ve had in your life. Not to mention, everywhere you walk, there are awesome art displays everywhere. Walking around Forest is straight up like experiencing a real-life, magical moment from a movie.

On the third day, I met up with some friends who were in this amazing part of the Forest that had probably over 50 hammocks running through each and every tree. These friends were huge fans of several of the artists playing on that particular day, but instead of going to the sets they told me they were going to sit in the hammocks and hand out candy to random people all day, because, as they put it, “we can see Bassnectar any time, we can only enjoy this Forest once a year”. This idea blew me away but also resonated with me to the point where I ended up spending most of the day in those hammocks, too. 

And that’s what makes Forest special. I could sit here and tell you guys about the amazing sets from my favorite artists, about all the cool outfits people wore, about the amazing people I met. But the truth is, these are things that happen at every festival. Forest is so much more than that.

If you’ve never been to Electric Forest, I promise you this festival is worth all the time, energy, and money that people put into it. I highly recommend purchasing tickets as soon as they go on sale so you don’t risk missing out if it sells out as quickly as it did this year. There is a reason why so many people call this place “home”, and I can’t wait to return home next year.

TEMPLE NIGHTCLUB

A relatively new venue, Temple has exploded in the Denver scene over the last couple of years. This club came to Denver after the Temple Nightclub in San Francisco had already developed a name for itself in the northern California music scene. It’s definitely become one of the leading venues in Colorado for electronic music, bringing in the best of house, dubstep, and even trap. Most recently I’ve seen artists there such as Pegboard Nerds, EDX, and Boombox Cartel. The venue has a super unique vibe with lights all over the walls that set the ambiance of the room, several floors, and multiple rooms and stages.

For upcoming shows, visit Temple's website.

 Image Courtesy of Temple Nightclub

OGDEN THEATRE

The Ogden is one of the smaller, more intimate venues in the Capitol Hill area of Denver. This venue is where I’ve seen some of my all-time favorite Colorado shows, as its size and setup make it easy to see the stage no matter where you are. A lot of big artists have some of their early shows here right before they blow up, so you’ll always hear people in Denver saying things like: “I saw them back when they played the Ogden!”

For upcoming shows, visit the Ogden's website.

CLUB VINYL

Club Vinyl has been around a bit longer, and has been featuring way more than just EDM artists. Hip-hop, R&B, and reggaeton are all thriving genres here as well. However, the electronic scene has seen a huge increase in population at this location in the last year or so with the beginning of “Bass Ops”, a show in the Vinyl Basement every Saturday night. Tickets for this event start as low as $1, and huge dubstep artists come through to perform such as Trampa and Protohype. Oh, and did I mention there’s free pizza?

For upcoming shows, visit Club Vinyl's website.

FILLMORE AUDITORIUM

The Fillmore is near the Ogden and has a lot of similar shows, but on a larger scale. As the name says, this venue is more auditorium-style and is therefore larger and more open. It doesn’t possess the same intimate feeling, but allows for much more space for larger artists and shows. I’ve seen some pretty big artists here like Yellowclaw and Adventure Club, and most recently attended Dirtybird BBQ where they actually blocked off the entire street next to the venue to give the show both an indoor and outdoor experience.

For upcoming shows, visit the Fillmore Auditorium's website.

TRACKS

Tracks is a gay bar that also has seen an increase in popularity from the electronic scene recently. “Techno Taco Tuesday”, an event that used to take place at another smaller bar, was recently moved to Tracks due to an increase in the amount of attendees each week. This event features talented techno artists like Mark London, Lea Luna, and many locals making an imprint on the Denver techno scene. This is one of the more underground events around town, but that’s not to say it’s not extremely successful. With great techno and free tacos for the first people through the door…what’s not to love?

For upcoming shows, visit Tracks' website. 

THE CHURCH NIGHTCLUB

The Church is a venue I’ve been going to since I first moved to Denver. It’s 18+, so it brings in a younger crowd and a wider variety of people. It’s home to Ritual Fridays, put on by Global Dance, which features all kinds of huge electronic artists. A lot of the big-name trance artists tend to come through here like Ilan Bluestone and Gareth Emery. Also taking place here is the Desert Hearts Takeover, which has all of us house-heads buzzing. The venue is literally an old church, and is known for its beautiful architecture and incredible sound system.

For upcoming shows, visit Church's website. 

RED ROCKS

Ah, Red Rocks. Last, but easily the most iconic venue in Colorado. This beautiful outdoor amphitheater is world-famous, and for good reason. Besides the gorgeous landscaping in the rocks on the side of a luscious mountain, Red Rocks is home to some of the biggest and most noteworthy shows in Colorado. This venue has everything from raves to folk concerts, and its wide variety of genres bring in all kinds of music-lovers from all over the world. I’ve been fortunate enough to see some big electronic artists here such as Jauz, Slander, Disclosure, Nghtmre, Zedd, Illenium, and lots more.

Check out this summer's Red Rocks calendar here.

Seeing Nghtmre b2b Slander at Red Rocks was amazing!!

Believe it or not, this list is actually just scraping the surface of Denver electronic music culture. While the commercial electronic scene is huge here, what’s equally thriving is the underground and warehouse rave scene. In addition to the venues listed above, there are also dozens of clubs, bars, and warehouses that hold huge events each week. There are also some kick-ass denver festivals, such as Global Dance Festival and Decadence Colorado. There’s never a dull night here, and it’s certainly hard to get bored. The only problem you’ll ever have here is picking which events to attend on any given night! Whether you’re a native, a transplant, or a visitor, I hope you’ll find this list helpful, and I certainly hope to see you at a show out in Denver in the near future!

Now that it’s been around for over a decade, Electric Zoo is doing some revamping of their image and mission as a whole. The new lineup poster has a sleek and simple look, with the title “Electric Zoo: Evolved”. Their website encourages attendees to “just think about the metamorphosis that a caterpillar undergoes to become an exquisite butterfly”. Thus, is the idea behind Electric Zoo: Evolved.

Now that we finally have the lineup, we can start making plans for this incredible weekend. Here are five artists I’m going to be sure to catch, and here’s why you should, too.

GERRY GONZA

All the way from Arizona, Gerry is traveling to the East Coast to show New York how we do house music out west! Gerry’s single, “Bad Bitches”, was released on Confession in 2016 and earned him a name in the house music world. Since then, Gerry has continued to grind out incredible tracks and collaborate with other incredible artists like Destructo and Bijou. His original track, “Jackmode”, was one of my favorite releases last year. Seeing him on an East Coast lineup was unusual, so I’m excited to see what he brings to the Zoo this August.

I_O

I_o is an artist who jumped into the scene and gained a named for himself very quickly. He has done all this while still remaining fairly low profile, which has contributed to the mysterious brand he’s growing. We’ve recently seen him popping up on more and more lineups, including Ultra Miami, EDC Las Vegas, and Paradiso. His dark sound is strikingly ominous and he certainly delivers when it comes to the underground, techno warehouse party vibe. Go check out his tracks “Low” and “Warning” to get a feel for i_o’s unique sound.

LICK

Another artist we’ve been seeing on more and more lineups lately is Lick. Receiving lots of support from huge names like Zeds Dead, Slander, and more, this Deadbeats artist has exploded in the bass music scene. In addition to a huge announcement that he’d be playing Electric Forest, Lick has also secured spots at Chasing Summer, Paradiso, Ilesoniq, Ever After, and Sunset Music Festival. Just this week he’s already announced two more huge shows: Dead Rocks VI and the Bassrush Pool Party during EDC Week. His deep, haunting bass sound is certainly one that has caught on quickly within the genre, and I’m excited to see him continue excelling throughout this year. If you’re not familiar with his music, try listening to “Blood Rave” or his VIP flip of Illenium’s “Needed You”.

KAIVON

If you like to be put in your feels, there’s certainly going to be plenty of that during Kaivon’s set. An Icon Collective graduate, Kaivon is a master of chill and captivating drops that initiate intense emotion from the listener. He just made his festival debut about a year ago, and has begun making bigger and bigger appearances since. Electric Zoo will be a massive one for him! If you’re not familiar with Kaivon’s music, check out some of his tracks such as “First Love” and “Anything” -- you won’t be disappointed.

SHADIENT

Shadient is an artist I just started hearing about fairly recently, but he certainly deserves this spot on the Electric Zoo lineup. Though Shadient is no rookie to producing, his name is starting to spread more thanks to support from huge artists like Porter Robinson and the release of his Divide EP on Slander and Nghtmre’s record label, Gud Vibrations. His sound is hard-hitting and heavy, but it presents an original angle on bass music that I haven’t heard from other producers. “Numbers Station” is my favorite track from the new EP, and I suggest you check it out and add Shadient to your list of artists-to-watch.

Though these are some up-and-comers that I’ll be sure to see at Electric Zoo, there are tons more incredible artists on the lineup that weren’t mentioned above. This event will take place August 30th - September 1st at Randall’s Island Park in New York City, New York. For more information and tickets, head to electriczoo.com. Hope to see lots of you there!

p.s. Check out this blog post if you're looking for some animal-inspired outfits for E Zoo 2019!

Phoenix Lights has seen a few switches in location over the years, and last year finally found what we hope to be a permanent home. This new venue, The Park At Wild Horse Pass, is an area of Rawhide Event Center designed specifically for festivals like this. Last year, there was a huge grassy area around the main stage, which was impressive considering this festival is essentially in the desert. The venue has continued to grow and add on to what it was last year, so it’ll be exciting to see what new features have been added.

Photo Credit: Phoenix Lights/Rukes

Aside from the great location and amazing lineup, Phoenix Lights Festival will always hold a special place in my heart. This is where I first met homegameauction’ Brand Managers, Tiny Dancer and Mama Unicorn and really felt like I was part of the homegameauction family. There’s a lot more to it than that, though. Something about traveling to a warm, sunny place in the middle of a rainy spring to enjoy incredible music just really got to me. So many of my favorite house artists performed last year, making for a groovy good time.

Tiny Dancer, Mama Unicorn and me and my friend!

This year, the lineup blew me away enough yet again to make me want to make the trip back to Arizona this year. The first two artists announced, Kaskade and Excision, were enough to make many people hooked on this year’s bill.

 However, for me, the excitement didn’t stop there. As more and more artists were announced, it became more and more clear that Phoenix Lights needed to be a priority on my festival list this year.

Right after the first two artists were announced officially at Decadence Arizona, Relentless Beats started dropping the official first phase of artists. This phase included A$AP Ferg, Sasha, Griz, Claude VonStroke, Shiba San, Arty, San Holo, Jay Lumen, Party Favor, and more. As if this weren’t enough, Relentless Beats came in with another round of top-notch artists after that first initial lineup announcement. Phase two included Big Gigantic, Lane 8, Subtronics b2b Squnto, Phantoms, Svdden Death, Must Die, Elephante, Doctor P b2b Cookie Monsta, and more. When we put all these together, we get a beautiful compilation of house, dubstep, trance, hip-hop, trap, and everything in between.

Lineup Courtesy of Relentless Beats

Another cool part about Phoenix Lights? This year, Phoenix Lights will be partnering again with Surreal to offer fans amazing prizes! One winner will receive a VIP ticket to Phoenix Lights for themselves and a friend, roundtrip airfare (courtesy of Orbitz), accommodations for a hotel, and the chance to hang backstage with Kaskade and Excision. All net proceeds will benefit Relentless Beats’ charity partner, Child Help. You can enter between now -March 19th by submitting a donation through several different tiers. Donations start at $5 for any individual experience. You can learn more and enter here:  www.givesurreal.com.

Don't miss out - get your Phoenix Lights tickets before they sell out. See you there!

One that I’m particularly excited for is Ubbi Dubbi. This brand new springtime event will take place Saturday, April 27th and Sunday, April 28th, 2019 at the Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth, Texas. I don't know about you, but the warm weather in  April in Fort Worth, Texas sounds like a perfect way to kick off festival season!

Up till now, all of the press for this event has included two little bears that look like they’re from a video game. One is “Ubbi” and the other is “Dubbi”, and from my understanding they are supposed to represent both dubstep and house music, because the idea behind this festival is that there is a little something for everyone here. You can even vote for whether your team #TeamUbbi or #TeamDubbi by using the hashtag on your social media page. 

And now that the full lineup has dropped, we can see that this is indeed the case. House, trance, trap, and dubstep are all represented well. Some favorites I spotted on the lineup are Boombox Cartel, Droeloe, Slander, Golf Clap, Borgore b2b Sudden Death, Illenium, Chris Lake, Zeds Dead, Nghtmre, Galantis, What So Not, and Tchami.

Check out the full lineup below:

This new festival is brought to us by Disco Donnie Presents. DDP also brought us Freaky Deaky in Houston last year, a Halloween festival with a killer lineup and over 50,000 attendees. Ubbi Dubbi is looking like it’s going to be just as big and successful as Freaky Deaky, if not even more so.

This event is 18+, and tickets are on sale now starting at only 139.95. Learn more at Ubbi Dubbi's website. I hope to see some of you there!

Photo Courtesy of Lights All Night

Lights All Night took place at Dallas Market Hall in downtown Dallas, Texas. It was both the evenings of Friday, December 28th and Saturday, December 29th, 2018.

One of the things that initially attracted me to this festival was the lineup. This event featured HUGE headliners like Kaskade, Excision, Tiesto, Rezz, Diplo, and Gucci Mane. However, what equally attracted me to this festival were the not-as-mainstream artists that I hadn’t seen quite as many times, like Charlesthefirst, Luca Lush, 1788-L, Mr. Carmack, Lick, and What So Not.

When my group finally arrived to the festival Friday evening, I was blown away. Between the art installations, the five stages, the food truck strip, and all the incredible energy in between it all, this festival blew my mind! There was so much to do and so many areas to explore, both indoors and outdoors.

Photo Courtesy of Lights All Night

The Supernova Stage was the massive, main stage that we saw when we first walked inside, and the Intergalactic Stage was another huge indoor stage in a room directly next to it. The Supernova Stage hosted the biggest acts of the festival. Some of the artists we saw here were Diplo, Kaskade, and Excision. The Intergalactic Stage was where we saw some of our other favorite sets like Jai Wolf and Mr. Carmack. The Galaxy Disco was pretty incredible as well. It was a silent disco wedged in its own little space at the back of the Intergalactic Stage. Here we went to see Lick, which was hands down one of the best sets we saw all weekend. The Space Station and Planet Prime were the two outdoor stages. The Space Station was tiny and had a lot of the local artists, and though it usually didn’t have as large of a crowd as any of the other stages, the energy level was always through the roof regardless of the number of people there.

Photo Courtesy of Lights All Night

The Planet Prime Stage was definitely my favorite. Though it was outside and the weekend of the festival was far from comfortable in terms of warmth. Fortunately, my group knew ahead of time that this would be the case, so we came prepared by bringing extra layers of clothes. We spent most of the first day out here, and between PhaseOne and Charles the first, I think it’s safe to say our favorite sets of the weekend took place at Planet Prime. The stage was incredibly unique. It was small and intimate, with these huge light fixtures that looked like Rubik’s cubes and lit up different colors scattered all around.

Photo Courtesy of Lights All Night

Lights All Night was one of those festivals that will always stand out for me. The people, music, and memories I made here were totally different than what I expected. I really felt that Southern hospitality from all the amazing Texas rave fam that I met, and already can’t wait to come back for the next event. To those who have never checked out Lights All Night, I strongly encourage it! It’s an amazing experience unlike any other, and I’m so glad I chose it as my destination for some of my last (and best) memories of the year!

Personally, I decided to try out some new and bigger events next year that I hadn’t had the chance to attend in the past. One of these events that I had been strongly considering was EDC Mexico. EDC Las Vegas was my first electronic festival and remains my favorite to this day, and I’ve always wanted to try attending an EDC in another country. Then, Insomniac and OCESA released the jaw-dropping EDC Mexico lineup this week, and I knew this festival had to be one of my next stops!

The lineup includes big-name acts like Kaskade, Alesso and Skrillex. It has a lot for the house lovers: Justin Martin, Chris Lake, Brohug, Loud Luxury, and more. There’s also a little something for our #TranceFam on this lineup: Aly & Fila, Paul Van Dyk, and Simon Patterson to name a few. But don’t worry bassheads, there is more than enough for you too. Dubstep and trap heavyweights like Excision, RL Grime, Spag Heddy, Riot Ten, Rezz, and more made the cut this year and are sure to bring the bassline to Mexico City.

Photo Courtesy of EDC/Insomniac Events

EDC Mexico 2019 will take place on Saturday, February 23rd and Sunday, February 24th, returning to Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. This will be the sixth year return of EDC Mexico - offering another year of a vacation destination for headliners across the globe. The stages this year will include kineticFIELD, circuitGROUNDS, neonGARDEN, wasteLAND, Dos Equis Stage, and stereoBLOOM. There will also be lots of art installations and performers to take the fun beyond just the music. And of course, the Electric Daisy Carnival experience is still, well a carnival, so we can be sure to expect lots of fun rides to enhance the weekend even further.

As you’re planning your 2019 festival schedule, I would highly suggest considering making this year’s EDC Mexico a priority. So what’re you waiting for? Grab your tickets and let’s get crazy. 

So was the case for Lights All Night this year. I’d been hearing about Lights All Night since I started raving three years ago, but had always ended up somewhere else come New Year’s weekend. However, this year I decided that I’m going to make the trip out to Dallas Market Hall on December 28th-29th to finally experience this festival. Here are the three main reasons why I made the decision, and why you should too!

3. It's a Texas Festival that Has Stood the Test of Time

1. Gold Sequin Crossed Bodysuit

The Gold Sequin Crossed Bodysuit is the perfect combination of sleek and shiny. This is an easy outfit that will keep you cool and comfortable, while still allowing you to showcase your unique style. All you need to finish the look is some platforms or combat boots and you’ll be ready to rumble in no time!

2. Twinkle Mesh Tee

The Twinkle Mesh Tee is perfect for those of you who love to layer! Pair it with some cute black bottoms and gold pasties to finish your glitzy look, and stay cool in that Arizona heat!

3. Gold Pasties

homegameauction has tons of options when it comes to pasties - even gold pasties! Check out these Neva Nude Gold Sequin X Factor Pasties that will pair perfectly with the Twinkle Mesh Tee, or any mesh look! If you're looking for a shape besides the cross pasties, try checking out gold star pasties, or gold heart pasties

The Solid Cali High Cut Bottoms will be a great completion to the outfit above. The high cut looks great when layered, and the fabric won’t be too constricting for a warm evening in the desert.

If you're looking for something more low-waisted, the classic Metallic Rave Booty Shorts are also a great option and match with almost everything!

5. Gold Headwear

Never forget to accessorize! The Gold Rhinestone Trim Captain Hat is the perfect addition to any of your gold-themed outfits.

Or, if you want something more goddess-like, check out the crown options, like the Empress Crystal Crown, that homegameauction has to offer!

You can never have too much sparkle! The Lunautics 24Kayy Glitter is the perfect, standard-shade-of-gold glitter that will look good with any of your rave attire. Add some sparkle to your cheeks, your body, or all over! This glitter is bound to make an already amazing outfit stand out even more. If that doesn't fit your aesthetic, there are tons more glitter options in the Beauty & Glitter Section of homegameauction.

7. Bags/Fanny Packs

If you need a place to store all of our belongings during the fest (and who doesn’t?) we’ve already got you covered. Throw on a fanny pack or the Metallic Mini Backpack to keep your sleek look while also keeping all your prized possessions as safe as can be! 

8. Shoes

Finally, you gotta have some fire footwear! Polish off any of the looks above with the YRU Slayer Rose Gold Boots. These are super cute and will go with pretty much anything, and will keep your feet safe and comfy for a day of dancing!

9. Hosiery 

Add some extra sparkles and complete your look with some gold leg wraps or gold hosiery! 

Now that you have some ideas for your Goldrush looks, it’s time to finish planning and getting excited! See you at Rawhide, unicorns!

1. It’s The Fifth Anniversary

It’s no secret that festivals typically go all-out on their monumental anniversaries. The fifth anniversary is usually the first of these, and Imagine has made a point that this will be their best year yet. Though we can’t know exactly what they mean just yet, we can be sure this year will be chalked full of surprises. There’s only one way to find out what these surprises will be!

2. The Lineup Is Always Incredible

Imagine has alluded to its “massive” lineup for this year’s event. I can guarantee they’re not exaggerating, too – past lineups have included the incredible talents such as Above & Beyond, Excision, Claude VonStroke, Deadmau5, and so many more. This festival is known for providing a little something for everyone in terms of genres, and we know this year will be no exception.

3. The Aquatic Theme Is Absolute Perfection

What better way to end your summer in the hot city of Atlanta than with a festival that is completely water-themed? Imagine boasts the theme of “An Aquatic Fairytale”, which is no exaggeration! This festival is known for taking its theme to the next level – from art installations to magnificently dressed go-go dancers, you’ll feel like you’re in an underwater utopia! What I’m personally the most excited for this year is the splash pool. Complete with complimentary floaties, this is the perfect way to enjoy your favorite music while getting a refreshing break from the heat. What could be better than that?

homegameauction has tons of mermaid inspired-items on their site! Check out their outfits section for some serious plurmaid inspiration. 

If all of this weren’t already enough, Imagine has tons more to offer. Previous years have included a silent disco, circus performances, yoga, art spaces, and more. I can’t wait to attend my first aquatic fairytale and experience it all for myself!