Nocturnal Wonderland Continues Its Tradition of Excellence [Event Review]

Earlier this month, Insomniac placed on the twenty eighth version of Nocturnal Wonderland, North America’s longest operating rave. I used to be fortunate sufficient to attend as soon as once more this yr, and like a Swiss practice, Nocturnal simply persistently delivers. Whether or not it’s the stainless vibes that can not be matched by every other Insomniac fest, the all the time stacked lineup, the acquainted venue and setup, or the Cosmic Equinox itself; Nocturnal retains its uniqueness and attraction. I don’t suppose there’s every other competition the place you may have a confluence of individuals raving for his or her first time and OGs who’ve been there for the reason that early days.

As soon as once more going down on the pristine Glen Helen Regional Park in hills north of San Bernardino, this yr’s version of Nocturnal featured completely excellent climate. Simply because the equinox is on the calendar doesn’t imply that the Southern California summer season is over. This yr, although, headliners have been handled to nice fall-like climate, with temperatures by no means exceeding 80 levels. Actually, it was downright cloudy on Saturday.

As I discussed, the Nocturnal competition grounds are very acquainted to anybody who’s ever been, and with solely three official phases, it’s supremely simple to navigate. For non-campers, they walked up the hill to the Glen Helen Pavilion entrance, you stroll up the ramp embellished by blacklight painted ferns and also you both stroll up the hill to the Labyrinth stage, which was headlined by Bassrush all weekend lengthy, otherwise you walked (stumbled) down the hill to Sunken Backyard and Wolves’ Den.

Whereas the phases at Nocturnal normally retain most of their kind from the earlier yr, in contrast to EDC, there have been some notable variations on the fundamental stage. Whereas it retained the large circle video panel in the course of the stage. The highest of the stage was adorned in neon coloured flowers that bloomed over the course of the nights. The Nocturnal Wonderland emblem was entrance and heart whereas the highest border of the stage featured blacklight painted wooden panels. The lasers and pyro solely received greater from final yr.

The Labyrinth stage additionally had some new options. Whereas the stage maintained the identical design, it allotted with the a number of smaller TV-like video panels for a single lengthy diagonal video panel on either side resulting in the tall vertical video panel. Once more, lasers and pyro have been on level on the stage. My solely criticism is that the amount was considerably decrease at Labyrinth than on the fundamental stage. Sunken Backyard was pushed again slightly to permit for extra foot site visitors (good transfer) and seemed to be the identical as final yr.

Each single set was wonderful this weekend. As for my expertise, we walked into the venue on Saturday as Joel Corry was throwing down a pleasant set of home and techno. We made our method up the hill for our a lot wanted dose of drum & bass from UK legend Dimension. After slightly bit we made our method down the hill for absolutely the home occasion that NITTI b2b Marten Horger have been throwing down. After that, Jason Ross was a serious spotlight of the primary day, from trance to techno, Ross confirmed that he can do all of it. We loved the sights and sounds of the Sunken Backyard as VNNSA threw down earlier than we made our method again to Wolves’ Den for AC Slater’s banging home set, and an immaculate set from Seven Lions the place he threw down each his hits and a few wild psy-trance. Lastly we ended Evening one atop the hill with Black Tiger Intercourse Machine, the duo threw down an insane set that featured heavy dubstep in addition to some extra melodic tunes to steadiness it out.

We received in a tad afterward Sunday (occurs to the most effective of us on the ultimate day), however we made it in time to see a few of Pendulum’s set earlier than absolutely the spotlight of the weekend; Benny Bennasi’s Sundown set. The dance music legend weaved by some deep and clubby tracks earlier than closing his set out with a few of his largest and most beloved hits. He closed his set out with Skrillex’s iconic remix of Benassi’s hit track Cinema. The lasers and manufacturing of the stage helped to ship an unforgettable second for everybody there. For me, this was an iconic second; a dance music icon delivering an indelible second in an iconic house.

From there we moved up the hill and bass was the method for the remainder of the evening. I used to be in awe of PhaseOne’s efficiency, and Eptic delivered an unimaginable set for all of the headliners who have been totally having fun with his efficiency. We stayed atop the hill for GHOSTRYDR (JOYRYDE b2b Ghastly) and loved the old-fashioned rave vibes. By that point, everybody had gone all the way down to the Wolves’ Den for Subtronics, so old fashioned ravers have been rewarded for his or her persistence.

There you may have it for an additional profitable version of Nocturnal. I haven’t seen something but confirming subsequent yr, however I’d be stunned if Nocturnal didn’t return for its twenty ninth version at Glen Helen Regional Park. Additionally, Premier Parking got here in clutch, you bought dropped off on the tenting entrance, and didn’t have to attend in site visitors for an hour to go away the venue. 10/10 suggest. This yr’s Nocturnal was pitch excellent, and we will’t wait to return subsequent yr.