Photo Credit: Phoenix Lights

Need a little background info on this fest? Check out the article I did last month on Phoenix Lights.

If you’ve found yourself reading this, that must mean you’re planning on going to Phoenix Lights 2020. So, now then, how do you want to look during this weekend of intergalactic fun? The alien theme is amazing, and there’s so much creative inspiration that comes out of that. Vibrant colors, shiny golds and metallics, futuristic styles, etc. The creative possibilities are endless when it comes to other-worldly art and fashion. Luckily, homegameauction has the perfect clothes, shoes and accessories for Phoenix Lights! I mean, hello, have you seen the new Higher Ground or Lyte Couture collection?

I came up with a style guide for five Phoenix Lights outfits that are hotter than a supernova explosion.

Captain of the Mothership:

This total space punk babe is flying the Mothership straight into another galaxy with this look! Who doesn’t love a good oversized T-shirt? The fishnet fabric is amazing. It’s breathable, comfy and cute. The reflective garters match the reflective stars in the T. Plus, accents are everything. On the topic, I love adding accents like hats and gloves to any look. It takes it all to the next level. Keeping the fishnet theme going, these rhinestone gloves are perfect and will make this fit twinkle even more. The holo hydration pack will be sure to keep this Captain from being thirsty all intergalactic journey-long. Okay, and these boots! These iridescent boots are over-the-moon!  

Super Star Outfit ,  Edgy Glam Rhinestone Fishnet ,  Chain Captain Hat , Vibedration Holographic  , Demonia Super Stacked Hi Boots , Mini Hydration Pack 

Supernova:

This supernova look is powerful and luminous! The vibrant colors coming from the crop top and the high waisted bottoms in this fit are astronomical. The holographic visor not only makes this look sporty and fun, but it also brings out the blue in the rest of the fit. How cute is this backpack?! It works perfectly with the color scheme too! Of course, no look is complete without a pair of iconic shoes. This pair has cute little aliens on them!

Jungle Tripp High Waisted Bottoms , Jungle Tripp Cut Out Crop Top ,Retro Electric Visor, FAF Dune Alien Space Iridescent Platform Boots , Vibedration Light Pink Sparkles Mini Hydration Pack 

Galaxy Tripper:

Blast off to other planets and go on a trip you’ll never forget in this outfit! The trippy print on the bottoms and triangle top are from a whole other dimension! Since the top is see-through, these alien-green mushroom pasties will do wonders to keep this space-traveler covered. You can’t go far without a good pair of boots to explore in and I’m obsessed with these neon yellow ones!

I can never emphasize this enough, layers are important for long hours at a festival. The neon yellow kimono matches perfectly with the shoes and brings out the yellow in that groovy set too. To make this look even more neon yellow-accented, I added this fanny pack! Every adventurer needs something to hold their belongings in before going into the great beyond! Top this whole look off with trippy glow-in-the-dark body stickers, and BAM! All ready for lift-off!

Groovy Gal Mesh Triangle Top ,  Gal High Waisted Thong ,Groovy Gal Mesh Biker Shorts   , Pastease Glow In The Dark Mushroom Pasties  , Now I'm Rich Marabou Kimono , Trippy Glow In The Dark Alien Body Stickers ,  Spiral Neon Yellow Fanny Pack 

Green Comet:

Baby, you’re not a star. You're a whole dang solar system! That’s exactly what this comet outfit represents! Be mean and green in this whole look. The electric energy neon top and bottom will be sure to send shock-waves throughout the nearest galaxy. Try opting out the silver top underneath and go for some classic green alien pasties, add some star stickers too! This comet outfit will have you dancing through the night sky with these super cute green and black sneakers. And, have you seen how cute that hydration pack is? It even has a neon green butterfly on the mouthpiece! For the finishing touch - add the rainbow visor glasses!  

Electric Energy Outfit , Pastease Alien Pasties And Body Stickers Set , Please Me Corset Top , Anthony Wang Nite Runner Sneakers , Dan-Pak Neon Checkered Hydration Pack , Electric Rainbow Visor Glasses

Lost In Space:

This astronaut is lost in space in this inner-stellar fit! The shirt says it all. The pants and hat display a darker side of the galaxy. Whereas, the shoes and the backpack show the more vibrant side. The backpack is big enough to hold many items from outer-worldly travels, no matter how far out this astronaut may be. 

Universal Love Glow In The Dark Men's Tee , Space Minimalist Men's Athletic Shorts - Split , Stargazer Snapback V2 , Team Electric Vans Slip On Sneakers

Want some EXTRA- extraterrestrial accessories? Try adding some of these to your look! 

Lunautics Power Tinsel Hair Extensions , Get Braidified Neon Green Hair Extensions , Lunautics Zenon UV Reactive Glitter , Lunautics Cosmic Crystals Alien Face Jewels , Lunautics Neon Yellow Glitzy Glitter ,Daft Boy Reflective Flash Fantasy Fan

Alien Pasties

These cute little alien pasties would also look perfect underneath any of the above looks too!  

Neva Nude Kanye The Alien Super Holographic Pasties

Space Bandanas

Remember, Arizona festivals can be a little bit dusty due to our beautiful desert environment! So don’t forget to bring a bandana!

Dark Matter Seamless Mask Bandana

I hope this style guide helps you find the perfect look for Phoenix Lights 2020! Have a great time, no matter what you end up wearing! 

See you at Rawhide Events Center!

Peace, Love, Unity & Respect!

-Polly

This festival has a very special place in my heart. The lineup is always stacked. The weather is usually nice. Most importantly,  I’ve made some incredible memories at Phoenix Lights over the years. It was the first festival I ever worked as an immersive character. (I had so much fun being a “space bunny” decked out in all silver with my girl gang!)  It was the first festival that I experienced with the love of my life. Every year that I go I have the best time frolicking around pretending to be in another world. Plus, I love aliens. I jokingly consider myself one all the time. 

I know we’re all still shaking off the last little bit of those post-holiday blues. So, it’s time to start planning toward making some fresh 2020 memories! Spring is almost in the air and Spring festival season is right around the corner. Have you planned all the festivals you want to go to? Phoenix Lights is a must for me. But if you’re on the fence still or you need more persuasion on why you should go, you’ve come to the right place.

Here are four reasons why you should experience Phoenix Lights 2020 (and encounter aliens):

Photo Credit: Rukes

1. It’s alien-themed. So, rumor has it, the festival is inspired by the infamous massive UFO sighting that people in The Valley claimed to see in our night sky over 20 years ago. Some say it was military flares lighting up the sky...others say it was UFOs. No matter what it was, I love that this festival is inspired by something so bizarre. That’s the fun of it! I mean, come on, aliens are fun. Having this theme makes everything super silly. All the lights and lasers at the stages taking you on an intergalactic journey. The festival will transport you straight into space. Plus, you can dress super futuristic and otherworldly, like this look here. (Que “Take Me To Your Leader” by Walker & Royce.) 

Swerved Reflective Jogger Set

Psttt..guys, homegameauction has you SO covered for Space-themed men's tees, joggers and tanks. Check them out here! 

Afrojack - The Dutch DJ and producer is globally known for his high-tempo collaborations with hit artists like David Guetta, Nicki Minaj, and Madonna. He’s best known for songs like “Dirty Sexy Money” with Charli XCX and French Montana.

MK -  This DJ has roots in Detroit and has been spinning since the 80’s so you know he has a great, deep-house sound. MK has made major impressions in the deep-house game with songs like, “17” and “Back & Fourth” with Jonas Blue and Becky Hill. 

NGHTMRE - This DJ is no stranger to the Arizona EDM scene. He’s back to have us all headbanging into another dimension! NGHTMRE is well known for his collaboration with SLANDER called “Gud Vibrations” and “Frontlines” with Zeds Dead and GG Magree.

Walker & Royce - This powerful duo has their own unique and distinct house sound you could spot anywhere with songs like “Dance with Me” with Chris Lake and “Role Models” with Oncue. 

I can’t wait to see what else is in store if the lineup is already this good. 

4. Each year it’s gotten better and better. The experience you have at a festival is EVERYTHING. Having access to luxurious lounging at a festival can make all the difference when you’re needing a break from dancing and exploring. Feeling the music you hear is definitely one of the most key components, but how you treat your body and mind at a festival is everything. I love to have more than “just a place to sit.” I want the real deal. Like, give me a place to sit near art, or a place with some interactive activities going on. Back in 2017, there were little igloo huts offering a comfy place to sit, buffers to massage your body after dancing and more.

Fast- forward to last year, and there were beautiful shaded canopies to lounge at! One of the shaded lounge spaces was hosted by homegameauction! The space was filled with beautiful art and interactive textures, photo op-art cart AND a craft beer garden! (The iHR space was the only place where you could get delicious craft beer too! It was a crowd-pleaser.) How cool is that? Just imagine all the fun things that will happen THIS year!!

If you still need to be convinced that Phoenix Lights is an out-of-this-world experience, check out the 2020 trailer below:

I hope to see you fellow aliens there! :) 

Peace, Love, Unity, Respect!

-Polly

It’s time to end this decade with a BANG! What better way to do that than to go to Decadence Arizona? The lineup is killer. Every year this event gets bigger and more lit. The excitement is real! With that in mind, there’s a lot of information to go over to help you maximize your New Year’s Eve experience. 

BEFORE THE EVENT

How to prepare for all the amazing music:

First, take a look at this lineup. Bangers, right? That’s not all though. There’s going to be over 25 local artists playing as well. This year there will be three different stages. With so many artists playing and three different stages, it’s always a good idea to make a plan ahead of time. Which stage(s) do you picture yourself spending the most time at? (But don’t be bummed if your plans change while they’re in motion. Just live in the moment!) 

Do you know where all the stages are? I like to take a screenshot from my phone of a map of Rawhide. You should soon be able to see where all the stages will be set up on the event’s Facebook page or on instagram. Then once set times are out, I like to take screenshots of that. Making the schedule(s) your lock screen can be super helpful.

I love to look up all the artists on the lineup and listen to at least four to five of their songs or even maybe a few of their sets on SoundCloud. If you look up like “Decadence AZ 2019 playlists” on Spotify and Soundcloud, you should be able to find samples of what’s to come!

Sets I’m keeping an eye out for: 

There are some sets I wouldn’t want to miss out on seeing.

Illenium: Ascend live set - It’s a live set so you know there are going to be some crazy magical things happening. Also, this is a great album Illenium released this year. 

Blossom – she is a local artist who has risen to great heights. Her music has been released under Night Bass Records. Her sets have a lot of range and always bring the beat that makes you want to shuffle and groove. 

Dab the Sky (B2B), Tchami x Malaa: No Redemption (B2B) and Griztronics (B2B) – These are very talked about B2Bs. I love when artists collab on stage, their energy is unreal.

How to dress:

When it comes to your outfit there are three factors that should come to mind – your preference on style, the weather and the venue layout. The best thing you could ever put on is something you feel your most authentic self in. There’s tons of stuff in the homegameauction Icced Out collection that I absolutely adore! Layers are essential. So, when you’re picking out your outfit I highly suggest building upon it as much as you can. The temperature can change a lot for you. It can be very chilly when you’re outside. But the sets themselves may be a lot warmer inside the tents. You can stay warm without sacrificing your cute outfit by adding gloves, a scarf, wool socks with shoes (that should go at least past the ankle,) tights, stockings, a hat or earmuffs, etc. (These are places where a lot of your body heat escapes from.) Check out this blog article if you need some inspiration!

Be sure to check the weather a few days in advance and especially on day of to be sure that your outfits will make the cut on keeping you warm!  

If you plan on bringing a coat or big jacket. I love to tuck mine horizontally in my bottom of my backpack straps (if it doesn’t fit in your backpack.) It keeps my jacket from touching the ground when I take it off. 

No matter what you wear, be sure to bring a face mask or bandana. Rawhide mixed with a lot of foot traffic kicks up large amounts of dust into the air. Plus, the mask or bandana can also add extra warmth to your neck. Heads-up: last year it rained and the muddiness was real. That could potentially be the case this year as well. It all depends on the weather mixed with the venue layout. 

Pro tip: Pack hand warmers! You can put them in your bra, in your pockets, in your gloves, etc. Instant warmth! 

Transportation:

Do you know how you’re getting to and from the venue? That’s an important thing to have locked down. With Decadence being the largest New Year’s Eve event in the state, there will be a decent amount of traffic. It can get congested too. Although using ride-sharing apps are the best way to ensure you have a safe and responsible person driving you to and from the venue, it can be hard to land a ride at peak times. If you have a large group, see if you can coordinate a party bus situation or be a part of one. Party busses usually arrive before the event ends so you don’t end up waiting around too long to go home or to the next party spot. 

WHEN YOU’RE AT THE EVENT

How to keep groovin’ comfortably all night long:

If paper schedules with a map are being handed out, grab a few. They’re perfect if you don’t want to use your phone too much. Grab extras in case you lose the first one or if other people around you need them too! 

Put insoles in your shoes. This is a huge life-saver. The extra cushion will help keep your feet feeling happy after hours of dancing and walking. 

Bring a fully charged portable charger for your phone. 

Bring earplugs! Chances are, the medical tents will have some too. But just in case, bring a pair or two. Especially if you want to get up to the front at certain sets. Your hearing will thank you! Like I mentioned before, ear muffs work great too! They’re super cute and add to an outfit while keeping your ears safe and warm.

Drink lots of water! I love to drink an Emergen-C or Pedialyte on my way to Rawhide. When I’m there I make sure to fill up my water pouch in my hydration pack or a reusable bottle as much as possible. Then I drink the heck out of it! Also, there’s lots of yummy food vendors! My go-to is cheesy fries or french fries. You’d be surprised how much of a pick-me-up a warm meal or snack can be. Even if you’re not that hungry or thirsty, remember to nurture yourself! 

How to avoid getting your stuff stolen:

Ahh yes. I wish I didn’t need to cover this topic but unfortunately, there actually are non-PLUR people out there (if you can believe it.) Some people go to this event just to have the opportunity to steal thousands of people’s valuable items like phones, money, flow toys and so much more. But there are steps you can take to make it harder on these people.

First of all, luckily your wristband is connected to your debit or credit card. Anything that you need to buy inside of the venue can be done so through your wristband! So, you don’t technically need to bring your wallet. Bring your ID for sure though! You need that to get in.

If you do feel the need to bring money, bring cash. Pro tip: don’t put all your cash in one place. In the case that someone finds your cash, it won’t all be stolen from you. I pick two designated spots that are discrete and safe for my cash. I put a few bills together in a hidden pocket of my backpack and then another few all together in a zipper pocket in my jacket or something.

Also, it might help to use little coin purses for your bills so they don’t get loosely scattered in your stuff. Another good way to avoid getting your stuff stolen is by having designated spots for all of your valuable belongings. If you keep putting them away in various places, you’re going to be more likely to lose track of them. You most likely will be putting your stuff away complacently so you can’t really put your finger on where you last saw your items. (I’ve been there.) The key is to be mindful. Put things away mindfully. A way to make sure your bag, as a whole doesn’t get stolen is by putting something distinguishable on it. If it’s a fanny pack, backpack, purse or whatever, you can put vibrant scarves, ribbons, pins, lights etc. on your stuff.

How to maximize your experience mentally:

There are so many magical things happening all around you, and it goes by fast. Remember to take a second every little while and soak it all in. 

Dance like how you do when you’re all alone. Just let go and do your thing without a care in the world. That’s how music should make you feel, right? It’s the last big event of the decade so end it in style- YOUR style.

Photo Credit: Decadence Arizona

Be as open-minded as possible. No matter how much you plan at the venue, things may not go as you pictured. A deep breath and a change of perspective does the trick. Lost your friends? Time to find yourself. Not how you pictured that set going? Time to practice not setting expectations and just enjoying things for what they are. Plus, when you don’t set expectations, that’s when you have the BEST time. Every moment you’re at Decadence is a chance to melt your cares away and get lost in the music. Every set is going to hit differently. Every crowd you’re in will have a different vibe. Don’t be afraid to go off and explore in order to find the vibe that feels right to you. Don’t stress about things you can’t control like lines or other people. Just remember, all that you see and all that you hear – it’s all for YOU! Decadence is all about peace, love, unity and respect. You just have to find it and spread it! 

My final guide tip for you:

Pick up after your trash!

I hope you have the best New Year’s Eve ever. Stay safe. Stay hydrated. Stay spreading peace, love, unity and respect!

-Polly