Pelham, Tennessee’s famous underground venue, The Caverns, will host LSDREAM’s two-night “Rave Cave” event this weekend, bringing its 2023 dance music programming to a close.
The two-night, artist-curated event will feature two sets from LSDREAM—including a B2B with INZO—and further performances from rising experimental bass artists like Zingara, Superave. and Super Future.
Established as a permanent venue in 2018, The Caverns has strong roots in the region’s always-thriving Bluegrass scene, but as dance music continues to soar in popularity in a reinvigorated post-pandemic music industry, the venue has made a marked shift to host even more EDM events this year.
With the new year right around the corner, EDM Maniac takes a look back at five stellar events at The Caverns in 2023 that demonstrate the venue’s growing influence in electronic dance music.
1. G Jones Allegory Of The Rave
As March became April, experimental bass dynamo G Jones kicked off The Caverns’ hard-hitting dance music programming for the year with his two-day “Allegory of the Rave” event—a play on Greek philosopher Plato’s famous Allegory of the Cave.
The otherworldly sound engineer played two sets inside of The Caverns’ Big Mouth Cave: one solo, and one back-to-back with fellow earth-shattering bass artist Eprom.
G Jones’ trademark black and white audiovisual experience transformed the inside of Big Mouth Cave into a shadowy and monochromatic beacon of bass, alongside further performances from Luke Vibert, Nikki Nair, A Hundred Drums, and a special Coki B2B CHEE set.
2. Off The Grid Presents John Summit In The Caverns
Later in April, John Summit was a perfect fit for The Caverns’ first-ever house and techno event. With support from Subrinse, Ardalan, Mikey Lion, and Matt Sassari, Summit’s first Off The Grid Records–now Experts Only–campout was a smashing success.
Utilizing 3D projection mapping technology, the sold-out, two-day event transformed the subterranean venue into a psychedelic wonderland of 4/4 beats.
And because anything goes in the Tennessee wilderness, Summit even threw down a gauntlet of bass anthems, including Zeds Dead and Subtronics’ “Gassed Up” and a then-unreleased GRiZ remix of “Where You Are.”
https://www.tiktok.com/@johnsummit/video/7224955984857271594
3. Summoning Of The Eclipse
Just last month, SVDDEN DEATH, who was also the venue’s first-ever EDM booking in March 2020, brought his Summoning of the Eclipse festival back to The Caverns for a second year.
The newly expanded event hosted 60 different breakneck bass performances across two stages, including three different daily sets from “Danny Dubstep” himself.
The festival included a debut performance from Masterhand (SVDDEN DEATH B2B Space Laces B2B Eptic), as well as plenty of other bass favorites like Apashe, HOL!, Must Die!, and Kai Wachi.
4. Anjunabeats After Dark In The Caverns
Also in October, Above & Beyond’s acclaimed Anjunabeats brought their “After Dark” label showcase to The Caverns.
With beautiful hikes and an extensive network of other caves to explore, the venue was a match made in heaven for the Anjunafamily and the label which is well known for its focus on nature and holistic wellness at live events like Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy Weekender.
Fans had a chance to revel in the euphoric trance and deep house sounds of label favorites ALPHA 9, Andrew Bayer, Maor Levi, Gabriel & Dresden, and Bexxie, amplified by Big Mouth Cave’s “prehistoric natural acoustics.”
5. Pretty Lights in The Caverns
Returning to the stage after a five-year hiatus, Pretty Lights’ epic comeback included a three-night event at The Caverns, which just wrapped up less than two weeks ago.
The legendary producer brought his live electronic band performance to The Caverns’ expansive outdoor amphitheater stage on all three nights, with mind-bending visual collaborations by Anti-Alias & The Lazershark.
With a venue this unique, Pretty Lights just couldn’t resist the cave, playing a secret set inside on day two. The event also included further performances inside the cave by acts like Manic Focus, Maddy O’Neal, Break Science, Marvel Years, and more.
LSDREAM’s Rave Cave at The Caverns is officially sold-out.
Featured image from The Caverns. Credit: Butter Creations.
