ESCAPE ALL HALLOWS’ EVE is set to be a night of INSANE music and more as it returns to it’s birthplace, the NOS Event Center in San Bernardino. I was at the first Escape from Wonderland in 2011 and it was one of the most memorable parties ever.
My best friends got engaged as we partied on top of the VIP platform area in the massive megastructure. Not only that, but the music was perfect at every stage. Over 45,000 people packed NOS that night 3 years ago. It was sold out beyond capacity. Flash forward to 2014, and you can bet this year’s party will also be one for the books!
So, who to see this year?
Well, I’m excited to be in a TRANCE on Friday, as Andrew Rayel, Aly & Fila, John O’Callaghan, Dash Berlin and Simon Patterson will take the stage.
Andrew Rayel’s new album is almost out, so expect some sneak peaks at Escape! Aly & Fila also just had their new album drop, The Other Side. The trace lineup is beyond stacked for Friday.
But I’m also really excited to see some of my old school DJ’s make their return to NOS.
Moby – I first saw him live at EDC 2010 in Los Angeles. He was on fire that night – and the best set I’ve heard him play in my few times seeing him live. You can expect a fun and banging set from the Los Angeles resident and true musical genius.
Paul Van Dyk – If you like trance, you can’t miss this legend’s set. I could spend hours writing about his music and his songs that still stand the test of time. “For an Angel,” is one of those songs.
Richie Hawtin Presents: ENTER. – I saw Richie Hawtin at EDC Las Vegas in 2013. Richie played on the main stage aka Kinetic Field and I was able to get towards the very front of the stage. Let me tell you: this was an intense show. The visuals blew my mind. Hawtin’s techno-filled set took me places. He will be hosting the ENTER LA Stage on Friday and Saturday. DJ’s at this stage include Gaiser, Hot Since 82, MK, The Martinez Brothers, Art Department, Loco Dice, Luciano and more. Trust me, you’ll want to ENTER this stage all weekend.
Armin Van Buuren will take on close out our adventure at Escape on Saturday. Who’s afraid of 138? Not me. I hope he throws down a banging and booming hard trance set! No matter what he will play, you can bet this trance pioneer will have a very crowded stage. Get there early if you want to be in the front!
Besides these festival staples, I plan on catching sets by Tommy Trash, Umek, W&W, Laidback Luke, The Magician and The Bloody Beetroots.
Kudos to Pasquale Rotella and the Insomniac team for having such a diverse lineup for Escape. It will be a lot of going back and forth to stages this year – and I’m ready for the challenge. Be sure to dress up and get ready for TWO amazing nights of music and mayhem!
– Jared
