Headbangers reunited once again in Tacoma, Washington, from February 7-9, 2025, at the Tacoma Dome for the highly anticipated fifth edition of Thunderdome, the brainchild of Jeff Abel, aka Excision. Since its debut in 2018, the festival has evolved miraculously from a one-day event to now a three-day spectacle, inviting fans from across the globe to share the same space as bass music’s most talented artists, quickly becoming a gold standard for festivals in the genre.
Much like Excision’s other flagship event, Lost Lands, the festival fosters an atmosphere where artists debut unreleased tracks and groundbreaking collaborations, further solidifying its reputation as an incubator for innovation. With Excision’s signature surprises, from unannounced guests to exclusive set moments, Thunderdome has become one of the most anticipated events in electronic music, continually raising the bar.
This year’s edition of the mini-fest welcomed the talents of Space Laces, PEEKABOO, ALLEYCVT, Levity, Emorfik, Hedex, and SIPPY. Adding to the event, Thunderdome 2025 delivered electrifying back-to-back performances, including a high-energy set from DRINKURWATER and Benda. The grand finale saw Excision and Wooli take the stage for a massive B2B, but the excitement didn’t stop there—midway through their set, they welcomed fellow bass superstar ILLENIUM as a special surprise to further elevate the set to legendary status.
Not only did some of bass music’s most talented icons perform together throughout the weekend, but special collaborations were showcased throughout the event, including Wooli’s unreleased ID with Subtronics and a previously leaked ID with GRiZ. Levity proceeded to play Wooli’s unreleased “Stephanie” edit. The weekend was filled with incredible surprise guests and artists showing off their genius reinterpretations of other artists’ tracks.
Thunderdome 2024 set a new benchmark for visual production in electronic music, delivering some of the most immersive and jaw-dropping displays the scene has witnessed. The stage came to life with 3D-esque mythical creatures, angry dinosaurs, hallowed skeletons, and a demonic Shrek, all appearing to break through towering LED screens and interact with the crowd in unprecedented ways. However, Thunderdome 2025 failed to reach the same heights, leaving many attendees underwhelmed by visuals that lacked the innovation and spectacle of the previous year.
A subtle but significant shift this year compared to last year’s hosting seemed to be a less collaborative lineup. While the grand finale B3B delivered one of the most unexpected moments in bass music history, the overall number of B2Bs was markedly lower compared to previous Thunderdome lineups. While Excision has an expansive roster of dance music heavyweights at his disposal for his signature closing B2B, he opted for Wooli—an undeniably talented artist but one who had already shared the stage with him in a similar format at Lost Lands just months prior. Many fans were disappointed, hoping for a fresh, unexpected collaboration rather than repeating something already seen.
Prior to the show, Wooli eased fans’ minds with a post on X that read, “Btw should add… this set isn’t gonna be same as LL. If you know me, I sit in front of a computer 20 hours a day, tinkering with new ideas and having an unrealistic goal to people please. Jeff had home time with the kid and been cooooookin IDs. Tdome gonna be a whole vibe”
Admittedly, the duo delivered a high-energy set, debuting fresh music while weaving in fan-favorite tracks from their catalog. Excision had just welcomed a brand new baby; his decision to prioritize family is both understandable and commendable. However, it’s fair for fans to feel somewhat shortchanged, as Thunderdome has long been known for its groundbreaking, unexpected collaborations—a noticeably absent standard this year.
Despite the lack of innovative visuals this year, Excision delivered a signature audiovisual spectacle, proving once again why his productions remain a gold standard in bass music. His iconic, vibrantly colored lasers—now synonymous with his name—blanketed the venue, pulsing in perfect sync with each earth-shattering drop. While the visuals may not have reached the cinematic heights of previous years, the sheer sensory impact of the show was undeniable. It’s clear that Excision’s meticulous attention to production continues to push the boundaries of live electronic music, creating an experience that fans won’t soon forget.
Security maintained the same strict enforcement as in previous years, ensuring a tightly controlled environment from entry onward. The extensive list of prohibited items included everyday essentials like ChapStick, lip gloss, gum (even factory-sealed), non-clear and tinted-clear bags, and hydro-packs, alongside festival staples such as poi, flow toys, and vapes. Security personnel were thorough and unwavering, opening fan and earplug cases and strictly enforcing the no-exceptions policy. Attendees quickly learned that any prohibited items—no matter how small—could mean denied entry, reinforcing the festival’s hardline stance on its safety regulations.
In response to recent events, the addition of extra security was both appreciated and necessary, though it did require a bit more preparation on the part of attendees. Care Crew, a group of dedicated ravers helping ravers, was spotted throughout the venue—assisting with medical emergencies, handing out free candy and water, and spreading positivity with high-fives as they navigated the crowds. With coat checks for $10 per day and lockers for $25 per day, ravers could bring extra layers for the brutal Seattle weather post-show, and bringing large bags seemed unnecessary.
Overall, Thunderdome is, and will continue to be, one of the most iconic, standout events in electronic music, specifically for bass music lovers. Few festivals or events can manufacture the production that Excision does with the shock value that he cultivates.
Featured image courtesy: Excision Presents via Facebook.
