The earth-rattling bass of Lost Lands shook Central Ohio again this year, returning to Thornville’s Legend Valley Campground from September 19-21.
Situated about a 45-minute drive from Columbus, Excision’s world-famous flagship festival is known as one of bass music’s largest and most lauded genre celebrations, and has rightfully earned nicknames like “Dubstep Disneyland” and the “Dubstep Super Bowl.” If you’re a bass head, there are few places on earth that rival the energy, production, and sheer spectacle of Lost Lands.
On top of three sets from Excision, including an anticipated B2B with Subtronics, and performances from fellow titans ILLENIUM, SLANDER, Rezz, Crankdat, Tape B, Wooli, and ATLiens—exploring the grounds is an experience in itself. The venue comes alive with life-sized dinosaurs, jaw-dropping stages, and surprising sidequests that turn it into a bass-filled playground.
Read EDM Maniac’s full report on Lost Lands 2025 below.
Vibes: ★★★★☆
Attendees arrived covered in sprouts, artist jerseys, pashminas, and full-on dinosaur outfits, committing to their part in making the weekend one of bass music’s best on offer. This added to the connection we felt with our fellow festivalgoers.
We were sprouted everywhere we went, and left the weekend with an impressive collection of mini dinosaurs gifted to us beneath the lasers. Though people party hard at Lost Lands, crowds were exceptionally friendly and polite, and the size of the venue means there is plenty of room to dance, other than a few packed headline sets.
We took additional delight in heading off on scavenger hunts and sidequests with our friends and neighbors by day, and feeling the unity of a locked-in crowd by night.
Production: ★★★★★
Lost Lands’ massive production is in a class of its own, unleashing next-level lights, video, lasers, pyro, and drones—sometimes all at once—for a raw spectacle you won’t find anywhere else.
The new Prehistoric Stage was an absolute showstopper, with fans talking all weekend about its eye-catching focal point: a massive dinosaur skull roaring above headbangers below. Another new build at Wompy Woods reimagined the stage’s famous wall of light and visuals.
After making its debut last year, the fan-favorite Crater stage returned with its insane 360-degree lasers, more space to dance, and new LED video walls around the stage.
Meanwhile, Subsidia, the Forest Stage, and Raptor Alley all featured massive LED panels, proving production value is a top priority for Lost Lands each year. Sound was as loud as ever and well-balanced. However, the volume is dialed down a bit for late-night sets.
Music: ★★★★★
Regardless of your subgenre loyalty, if you love bass music, Lost Lands is the place to be. Nearly every style and sound is represented. Heavy dubstep and riddim take center stage, but you’ll also find drum and bass, UKG, bass house, and more throughout the weekend.
Lost Lands consistently features performances from the biggest names in dubstep. Excision played three different sets—his opening set at the Prehistoric stage, his experimental Detox set at Wompy Woods, and a knockout B2B with Subtronics. Elsewhere, fans caught LSZEE, Mersiv, Space Laces, SVDDEN DEATH (plus VOYD), DRINKURWATER, PEEKABOO, Zingara, Andy C, Hedex, and more.
Surprise sets included crazy pulls like a rare Dillon Francis appearance, and T-Pain’s first foray into dubstep, plus the inevitable B2B2B2B madness. Subtronics, LEVEL UP, and Wooli shared an on-stage moment dedicated to their ‘Dingus’ group chat. Another standout moment was a performance from Wooli’s tech house alias, STUMPI, spinning with Subtronics, LEVEL UP, and ACRAZE on the Forest Stage. There was something for bass lovers of every variety.
Venue: ★★★★☆
Walking through the festival grounds, we were enchanted by the dinosaurs scattered everywhere. The dinos are longtime residents of the Legend Valley venue and call it home year-round. From photo opportunities to immersive activations, we enjoyed exploring the venue inside and out.
Word-of-mouth sets added an extra layer of adventure, and, new for this year, scavenger hunts unlocked secret stages, rewarding those who explore, trade trinkets, or make new friends. Sidequest hard enough, and you’ll be gifted a dinosaur egg. Crack open an egg with a golden ticket, and you gain access to a secret stage. We’ll let you uncover the rest yourselves.
The festival’s well-made map made navigation a breeze, but its hills and steep terrain require a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes are a must, and with a dry end to the summer, bandanas were needed for keeping the dust at bay. A brief venue closure due to approaching storms on Sunday was handled well by on-site staff.
End Overdose was on site to educate festival-goers about overdose prevention, and water stations were readily available throughout the event.
For campers, arrival, check-in, and leaving the campgrounds were easy. For those staying off-site, shuttles from the hotels or Columbus airport took about 45 minutes, but peak wait times to board buses at the end of the night can last for up to two hours.
Food & Beverage: ★★★★☆
There is a wide variety of food and beverage options at Lost Lands. There are plenty of affordable choices, options for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free ravers, as well as classic festival fare like chicken tenders and pizza. Lines at bars and food stalls were reasonable throughout the weekend.
But this year, Lost Lands’ new elevated dining experience, the Chomp Steakhouse, stole the show. Featuring items like $25 filet mignon, $25 tableside caviar, and a $65 seafood tower stacked with crab, shrimp, and oysters, the restaurant-style meal overlooked live DJ sets at Wompy Woods.
Though perhaps a more extravagant way to spend your festival budget, excellent service, a unique atmosphere, and a beautiful view made the experience a highlight. Having steak and caviar beneath the lasers during Excision’s Detox set was a moment we won’t forget.
Overall: ★★★★☆
Lost Lands was an incredible experience from start to finish. The music, the people, the production, and the attention to detail all came together to create a truly special celebration of bass music in its many forms.
After another weekend of dancing with the dinosaurs, it remains clear that the organizers on the Excision Presents team put immense effort into shaping the attendee experience, prioritizing safety, and continually improving the festival grounds with each edition.
Whether you’re a dedicated bass head or just curious to try something new, Lost Lands delivers a unique experience that stands apart from other festivals in the United States. With jaw-dropping stage designs, a top-notch lineup, and dinosaur-sized surprises, there was always something exciting happening around every corner. We can’t wait to see what they have in store for next year.
Find EDM Maniac’s complete Festival Report Card archive here.
Featured image courtesy: Lost Lands. Credit: Luis Colato.
