Festival Report Card: Beyond Existence 2025

Beyond Existence

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 […]

Festival Report Card: EDSea 2025

EDSea

The sun has set on Insomniac Events’ third EDSea voyage. From November 1-6, the festival giant’s cruise ship event set sail from Miami to Belize and back, bringing over 60 artists and close to 4,000 ravers on board the Norwegian Joy for five nights of luxurious partying in tropical paradise. EDSea isn’t the scene’s first […]

Festival Report Card: Escape Halloween 2025

Escape Halloween

Every Halloween weekend, the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, California, transforms into Insomniac Events’ dark playground, Escape Halloween. The two-day festival, billed as the largest Halloween-themed rave in the world, brings together high-energy electronic performances, delightfully haunting stage designs, and a costumed crowd that comes alive with spooky spirit.  With its “Psycho Circus” theme […]

Festival Report Card: Seven Stars 2025

Seven Stars

When Grant Kwiecinski announced his indefinite hiatus from the GRiZ project in June 2023, the news shocked the U.S. festival community. After over a decade of nonstop touring, the beloved producer, DJ, and saxophonist explained it was time for a much-needed break. Following a final run of shows four months later, the scene bid a […]

Festival Report Card: RISE Festival 2025

RISE Festival

RISE Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary from October 3-5. Returning to Nevada’s Jean Dry Lake Bed, located about 30 miles south of Las Vegas, the nonprofit event is billed as the “world’s largest sky lantern festival.” In a special ceremony, RISE attendees simultaneously release 30,000 floating paper lanterns into the desert sky. This year’s edition […]

Festival Report Card: Same Same But Different 2025

Same Same But Different

Since 2018, Same Same But Different (SSBD) has made a splash in the Southern California dance music scene, and we can see why.  As word spread about the festival’s quirky but wholesome vibes, crazy sidequests, and feel-good lineup, more newcomers than ever gathered at this year’s festival in Lake Perris from September 26-28. After our […]