Nocturnal Wonderland Proves Why It is North America’s Longest Working Rave [Event Review]

What’s the secret to longevity? Is it the energy of product and model, the power to adapt to altering instances, having your finger on the heartbeat, some mixture of all the above? Regardless of the secret is, there isn’t a doubt that Pasquale Rotella and his inventive group at Insomniac have the components down pat. Witness one other stacked and packed version of Nocturnal Wonderland, North America’s longest operating rave, which went down earlier this month at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino.

There wasn’t actually an excessive amount of distinction about this 12 months’s version to distinguish it from earlier editions of the competition. Nevertheless, within the case of Nocturnal, that doesn’t actually matter. Once we final attended Nocturnal in 2019, previous to the unexpected (on the time) international pandemic, it was thought that that might be Nocturnal’s final version at its long-time residence. Quick ahead three years, and it’s unimaginable to think about Nocturnal happening wherever else however Glen Helen. From its pristine out of doors setting, insane hilltop views, gentle inexperienced grass throughout, there actually is one thing magical about Nocturnal Wonderland that Insomniac’s different festivals simply can’t seize.

Let’s get into what stood out at this 12 months’s version of Nocturnal. First off, the Wolves’ Den (important stage) was extraordinarily spectacular. This 12 months’s stage design was easy however modern. The Nocturnal Wonderland marquee was gone from the stage this 12 months. Video panels shaped a half-circle within the heart of the stage the place the artists’ important visuals can be displayed. Within the outer half-circle, a wheel spun that featured a waning and waxing moon. Three rectangular video panels descended on both sides of the stage’s half-circle heart. There was additionally extra pyro and lasers than I’ve ever seen at Nocturnal. The primary stage really was a sight to behold and headliners received handled to a pleasant fireworks show on the finish of every night time.

Visually, the Labyrinth stage was simply as spectacular. This 12 months’s model featured cube-shaped stage ends bookending three rectangular video panels within the heart of the stage. The lasers had been completely going off at this stage. Regardless of being the Bassrush stage with its excessive depth head-banging, it’s really an amazing spot to catch a breather, seize some meals and sit on the highest of the hill and benefit from the insane view you get. Seeing the solar peak over the mountains because it units is actually an unforgettable sight.

What in regards to the music, you ask? There was by no means a uninteresting second, Evening 1 featured quite a lot of bass-house, dubstep and entice. I caught units from Jack Beats + Taiki Nulight Current: Reel Temper, Moksi, Journey Membership, Yellow Claw and Illenium on the important stage. I additionally made my means as much as the Labyrinth stage for units from Trivecta, Should Die! b2b Tisoki, Saymyname and Sullivan King. The vitality of the group was unimaginable as each conceivable pressure of bass music was pumped out by means of the audio system. The lasers and pyro had been on level on the second stage in a means I’ve by no means seen. Fortunately so, the sound on the primary day form of sucked. It was tremendous bass-boosted and also you couldn’t actually hear any mids. It seems they received that labored out for Day 2 because the sound was a lot crisper.

The lineup on Day 2 was completely stacked and the group vibes had been far superior to Day 1. Whereas home music was plentiful, so had been Moombahton, mid-tempo and large important stage units. Aside from going to see Blanke up at Labyrinth and Dillon Francis carry out a highly-anticipated DJ Hanzel set at Sunken Backyard, I spent your entire day on the Wolves’ Den. And why wouldn’t anyone? I received the day began with a nasty set of bass-house from Disco Strains. By the point I’d returned to the Wolves’ Den after sunset, JSTJR had taken over the mainstage dropping an brisk combine that’s almost unimaginable to not dance too. My private favourite set of the weekend needed to be R3HAB, who 11 years after he first carried out on the competition, took followers on a wild journey of huge room hits, old fashioned classics, and future rave remixes. Dillon Francis was up subsequent and he didn’t disappoint as he additionally dusted off the moombahton and dropped some new music amongst his many competition classics. REZZ closed out the night time and she or he took the home down along with her pummeling model of mid-tempo, you would really really feel the bass in your chest for her set.

There you could have it, the twenty seventh version of Nocturnal Wonderland was a powerful success! Will or not it’s again subsequent 12 months? It hasn’t been introduced but, however I’d be shocked if it weren’t. Since I didn’t camp, we didn’t even discover how enjoyable a side that’s to this competition. I feel it’s a protected wager to say that North America’s longest operating rave will proceed its reign. As long as Insomniac continues to supply the wonderful expertise that’s Nocturnal (and tenting too!) there’s no motive to assume the magic gained’t proceed!