Don’t be fooled by its humble outward appearance—Beyond Existence 2025 was an unforgettable experience.
Arriving at Valkyrie Ranch in Paige, Texas (located about 45 miles east of Austin), for its sixth edition from November 7-9, the three-day bass festival embodied the parts of the rave community that fans care about most: PLUR(R) vibes, immaculate sound systems, and plenty of room to dance and flow.
As festivals and events across the scene continue to be criticized for overcrowding and overselling, Beyond Existence preserves an intimate dance floor setting while still bringing together a loving community and unforgettable experiences.
Read EDM Maniac’s full report on Beyond Existence 2025 below.
Quick Takes
Best moment: Josh Teed’s set on day three, featuring his famous violin solos layered over heavy bass drops.
Needs work: More beverage and vegan food options! While there were a few food trucks that served one or two vegan menu choices, a fully vegan spot would be a great addition to the food lineup.
Hidden gem: The moonlit forest in between stages was a magical sight to behold- lighting our path from one set to the next.
Audience Match
Who is this festival for: Bass fans who prefer phenomenal sound systems over massive stages and production.
Maybe skip if: You prefer large-scale production. You aren’t a fan of remote camping.
Vibes: A
With a smaller crowd, Beyond Existence brought the local bass community together for a weekend jam-packed with incredible artists, and the vibes were high from the moment we drove in through the gates.
After interacting with staff members, it was clear that organizers worked with intention to create an experience that was enjoyable and welcoming for all. Instead of pointing us in a general direction to find our campsite, as is the case with most camping festivals, a staff member in a golf cart guided us directly to our glamping tent and gave clear directions on where to park.
After settling into our tent, we were able to quickly access the venue—our glamping tent was right next to the main stage. The ease of entry was a breath of fresh air. Once inside the festival, we ran into local friends from the Austin rave community and visitors from elsewhere across the country. We felt right at home and had plenty of space to set up a spot with an inflatable couch and blanket to rest when needed.
Thanks to the smaller crowd size, we never struggled to get to the rail when we wanted to, even during our favorite sets. The crowd was just big enough to maintain a lively atmosphere, but small enough to give each and every one of us room to dance, flow, trade kandi, and take ample restroom breaks. Another highlight was meeting fan-favorite artists like INZO and The Widdler in the crowd.
Production: A
Though Beyond Existence’s production budget was lower than that of the gargantuan festivals that dominate much of the industry, organizers did a fantastic job of working with what they had to create a visually engaging experience, complete with main stage visuals, lasers, and flow artists.
After watching pyro flow artists of all kinds on both sides of the stage (and center stage for some sets), we may just prefer human pyro artists over the gigantic flames, fireworks, and extravagant lighting and lasers of large-scale corporate-backed festivals.
With plenty of space to spread out across Valkyrie Ranch’s large plot of land, there were no issues with sound bleed, low volume, or other complaints more often found at large festivals in cities with strict sound level ordinances.
Music: A
Each day of Beyond Existence delivered a carefully curated lineup that felt tailor-made for the audience, showcasing a mix of local talent, emerging artists, and larger bass acts.
Day two featured a standout performance from Smoakland, who brought their signature Liquid Smoak DNB set to the Ranch. Shortly after, INZO opened the main stage with a meditative hum that grounded the crowd in the moment, before effortlessly weaving emotional highs with bass-heavy rhythms that had everyone smiling from ear-to-ear.
Day three upped the ante further, with headliners like Josh Teed and The Widdler delivering unforgettable sets. Josh Teed added a unique dimension, blending live instrumentation from his classical violin training with electronic drops. His set flowed seamlessly, creating a bridge between moments of reflection and dance-floor energy. The Widdler followed, pushing deep dubstep that energized the crowd and brought day three to a euphoric peak.
In future editions, we’d like to see more gender diversity and female artists on the lineup. Ninety-one percent of Beyond Existence’s 2025 performance roster was made up of male artists, and all headliners were men.
Venue: A
This year, Beyond Existence moved to a new location at Valkyrie Ranch. After driving through the ranch gates and being waved in by a smiling staffer, we passed a herd of what looked like antelopes or gazelles. Making for an exciting entrance, we quickly realized the sprawling property was home to several exotic animals.
Once inside, the festival grounds offered modestly sized but vibrant outdoor haven. Crowding was not an issue, and there was even enough room for attendees to mark off their own sitting areas for couches, chairs, and blankets. Rave fams could leisurely walk back and forth to their spot during performances, depending on how close they were to the rail.
The two stages were separated by a long stretch of vendors, including food, retail, and artists. Porta Potties were also readily available at both stages, with little to no wait time.
Sidequest-ability: B
Beyond Existence featured an array of unique activities beyond the music. In a sidequest highlight, we stumbled upon an entire art gallery of paintings and drawings made by local artists. Some artists painted live on site, allowing attendees to interact and connect with their work in person.
Elsewhere, there was a covered area with lamps, furnishings, and couches (not just the inflatable kind) for attendees to relax on. A good spot to rest while walking between stages, the lounge plopped a comfortable living room aesthetic right in the middle of the festival. There was even a television hosting a Mario Kart competition and playing several classic VHS films.
Food & Beverage: C
It was wonderful to see familiar food vendors we know and love from other festivals at Beyond Existence, such as Cheesy Street and local Texas vendors like Sandias Concessions and The Pizza Spot. We also enjoyed ice-cold slushies on the warmer days.
Plant-based food and beverage options could be improved. There were a few food trucks that served one or two vegan menu items, but a fully vegan spot would be a great addition to the food lineup.
Overall: A
Beyond Existence 2025 felt like a confident evolution of a boutique bass festival that knows exactly who it’s for. In its sixth year and first at Valkyrie Ranch, the festival preserved the intimacy and community-forward ethos on which it’s built its reputation, while benefiting from a venue that mitigated common issues like sound bleed and crowding.
Marked by ease of movement, exceptional sound quality, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere, the 2025 edition met, if not exceeded, expectations. Though production was intentionally modest, the experience as a whole felt more intentional and human than many larger, flashier events.
Beyond Existence delivers strong value for money if you prioritize music, community, and low-stress camping over massive stages and spectacle. This is the kind of festival that rewards curiosity, openness, and a love for what ties us all together: community and music. We can’t wait to return.
Find EDM Maniac’s complete Festival Report Card archive here.
Featured image courtesy: Beyond Existence. Credit: Shot By Preston.
