Space Struck in AZ: PHXLIGHTS Fest 2023

Space Struck in AZ: PHXLIGHTS Fest 2023

As night fell the and stars came out, fans were eager to enter the Phoenix Raceway, located in Avondale, AZ, as PHXLIGHTS: Among The Stars mades its yearly return! This festival, produced by Relentless Beats, lit up the weekend by bringing fans a stellar lineup, sharp production, extra activities, and more! 

Layout and Production

For the first time since they first partnered with the Phoenix Raceway, PHXLIGHTS was held inside the racetrack! This layout featured two stages, a variety of vendors, a food court, art installations, interactive spaces, and plenty of hangout spots. 

The main stage, also known as The Mothership, took fans to another planet while hosting artists who will forever leave a mark on this world! The production included an elevated stage, visionary production, pyrotechnics, and of course, lasers! It also had multiple LED screens in front, behind, and flanking the DJ booth.

The secondary stage, Invasion, was presented by Beatbox Beverages and gave a platform to local and up-and-coming artists for attendees to discover. The production featured a UFO structure that had moving lights while the stage demanded attention with its heavy-hitting sound and lasers.

PHXLIGHTS 2023 Lineup

Occuping The Mothership were some out-of-this-world performers. We were able to experience the musical stylings of Martin Garrix, Afrojack, San Holo, Trivecta, Moksi, Seds Vortex, Ganja White Night, ISOxo, AC Slater, Crankdat, Wenzday and Pat Riot. 

Invasion shone a light on artists closer to their breakthrough period. Fans were able to discover artists that go by Myrtle, Mahsiv, Svnday Drvr, Jonis, Guestlist, Zanni, Qüez, Peachy Keen, Alex The Lad, Elwer, Lujan, Jur, OGK, and Zeuz. 

Both stages offered a wide variety of genres, from dubstep to house and from trance to electro-house and progressive. You could feel the energy radiating off every performer and all were well received by the crowd. Vibes were immaculate — you could feel it in the air.

Food and Drink

There were plenty of options to satisfy your taste buds! 

For food, options included mac and cheese, pizza, nachos, pretzels, chicken tenders, fries, and more! There were also a few vegetarian choices as well. 

Drink options included water, sodas, lemonades, and Red Bull energy drinks. For alcoholic beverages, attendees had the option of choosing between mixed drinks, various beers, White Claw Seltzers, and Beatbox Beverages.

Fans were also excited to see multiple local food trucks along with the ever-so-popular Maui Wowi Hawaiian Smoothies.

Interactive Spaces and Vendors

Pricklee Cactus Water hosted an area known as The Playground! This interactive space held dodgeball games, twister, shuffling classes, and more while encouraging hydration with great taste. 

Voodoo Ranger brought the 8-bit fun by hosting the 1UP arcade powered by Cobra Arcade Bar! Patrons could play games, taste beer, win prizes, take photos, and more!

Starlight Studio, presented by aerīz, hosted an imaginative space that featured vendors and live artists sharing their works and wares for curious attendees! Some of these artists included Boo Wuerger, Beyond Earth, Color Queen Art, Hippy Chick Co., and The Pour Hippy. 

Other vendors for attendees to support included Kritter Klips, Waz Shop, We Rave Hard, and Moon Lvnding.

To check out the full list of vendors and see all the activities, be sure to check out the official PHXLIGHTS Instagram!

PHXLIGHTS will forever be evolving! This incredible festival is worth experiencing when it makes its return next year. Follow @PHXLIGHTSFest and @RelentlessBeats on all socials to stay in the loop for more updates.

Artist Spotlight: PHXLIGHTS Lineup

A Look at the PHXLIGHTS 2023 Lineup by Day

As we zoom closer to April, PHXLIGHTS: Among The Stars, produced by Relentless Beats, is quickly approaching. This illustrious EDM event will touch down at the Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona on April 7th and 8th.

This festival was inspired by the jarring event that occurred in March of 1997 where thousands of people saw lights of various descriptions from the Nevada state line, across Phoenix, and to the edge of Tucson, Arizona. 

Some witnesses of that night stated this was a V-shaped UFO that contained five main spherical lights. 26 years on from this supernatural event, people still wonder: are we really alone in this universe?

One thing’s for sure: You can’t feel alone while attending PHXLIGHTS! Many out-of-this-world and up-and-coming artists will take the stage to showcase their talent. Here is a preview of what attendees can be expecting over the weekend:

Day 01 (Friday, April 7th)

Martin Garrix 

Martin Garrix is a Dutch Dj who has been at the top of the charts since his release of “Animals” in 2013. His music can be categorized as progressive house, big room, and future bass. 

Garrix’s most popular track, “In the Name of Love” featuring Bebe Rexha, dropped in 2016 and has made a huge impact on the EDM scene. It currently sits at over 1 billion plays on Spotify. 

“I’d like to make a little difference in this world and hope I can inspire others to do the same,” says Martin Garrix.

Afrojack 

Nick Leonardus van de Wall, also known as Afrojack, is a Dutch DJ who has been creating music since the early 2000s. Fans would likely tell you that he is most known for his 2011 release, “Take over Control,” which features Eva Simons. 

His iconic sound can be described as electro-house, progressive house, and future bass. “There’s nothing better than making music and hearing 3,000 people chant, ‘Afrojack! Afrojack!’” says the superstar.

San Holo (DJ Set) 

Sander van Dijck, aka San Holo, is a Dutch DJ and producer from Zoetermeer, Netherlands. His first two EPs, Corellia, and Demons, were released in early 2013. Sander has been paving his way in the music scene since then. 

“Light” by San Holo came out as a single in 2017. It has been a favorite among fans and currently has over 200 million plays on Spotify. 

San Holo has also started a movement known as “Stay Vibrant”. The idea is to be aware and fully experience what’s around you, whether it be your friends, nature, or the music. Fans of his show their support by placing the % symbol behind their names across various social platforms. He encourages others to create good energy for themselves and others. 

“Let’s stay vibrant together,” says San Holo.

Trivecta 

Sam Dobkin, known as Trivecta, is an artist from Tampa, Florida. He has been releasing music since 2014. 

In May of 2022, Trivecta dropped his debut album, The Way Back up. He is consistently carving out his own path and his sound can be categorized as various genres such as melodic bass, dubstep, and progressive house. 

One of his most popular songs right now is “Island” featuring Neeve. He produced it alongside Seven Lions and Wooli.

Trivecta’s self-described goal is to “make dubstep beautiful again.”

Moski 

Dutch Duo Moski, aka Samir and Diego, create bass-heavy electronic dance music that is inspired by late ’90s U.K. garage. 

Their first EP, Brace Yourself, was released in 2015. Later that year they made their live debut at Tomorrowland in Belgium!

Moski’s song with Elayna Boyton, “Slow Burn,” currently has over 11 million plays on Spotify. It appears on their 2019 album, The Return of House Music. 

The word “Moksi” comes from a country in Central America meaning mix — in all contexts of the word. It means a mix of cultures, people, food, and most notably, music. 

Their sound can be categorized as house, bass music, and club/dance.

Sed’s Vortex 

Sedona, aka Sed’s Vortex, is a DJ, producer, and vocalist based in Phoenix. This will be her second year performing at PHXLIGHTS. 

Sed’s Vortex has opened for various artists in well-known local venues such as Sunbar and Shady Park in Tempe. Her unique sound incorporates multiple genres, melodic mashups, and dub frequencies to form a curated experience for the ear. 

In 2020, Sedona begin working on her craft by writing original lyrics, recording her own vocals, and growing her production knowledge. Sed’s Vortex’s latest release, “Crystalized,” dropped in April of 2021 and is currently on Spotify.

Day 02 (Saturday, April 8th)

Ganja White Night 

Benjamin and Charlie, also known as Ganja White Night, are an electronic music duo that originated in Belgium. 

GWN has been creating music for over a decade. After experimenting with hip-hop and drum and bass, they soon became truly inspired by dubstep and started curating their own style of “bass wobbling.” 

Their most popular song right now, “Jungle Juice” is a collaboration with Liquid Stranger. It currently has over 12 million plays! 

GWN is perfect for those listeners who like their music a little weird in the best kind of way.

DJ Diesel 

DJ Diesel, also known as Shaquille O’Neal, began DJing in 2014. This legendary star is known for being a basketball player, actor, and now music producer.

What most fans might not know is that Shaq has been in the music business since the ’90s! He has also released two albums as a rapper: Shaq-Fu: Da Return in 1994 and You Can’t Stop the Reign in 1996.

His large personality and stage presence get the crowd going as he is full of energy. He has been making his way across the USA performing at some of the most popular music festivals.

DJ Diesel’s latest single release, “BANG,” is a collaboration with NGHTMRE and Lil Jon. It currently has over 12 million plays.

AC Slater 

Aaron Clevenger, aka AC Slater, refers to himself as “the king of heavy bass house” in the U.S.

His music style mixes various genres like dubstep and garage. Since the launch of his Night Bass record label, AC has managed to curate his own community in the scene! 

“Suffocating” by AC Slater and Qlank features Queen Millz and sits at over 8 million plays.

Crankdat 

Crankdat, also known as Christian Smith, is a DJ and electronic music producer from Ohio. He has been releasing his own music since 2016. His unique sound can be categorized as dubstep, trap, or drum and bass depending on the release.

Fans are obsessed with “Kneel Before Me,” which is produced by Crankdat, SLANDER, and Asking Alexandria. This single was released in August of 2018 and has over 19 million plays!

Wenzday 

Straight from the Bay Area, Taylor Chung aka Wenzday has been creating music since 2016. 

At a young age, Wenzday moved to Los Angeles to commit to DJing full time! Using her experience as a classically trained vocalist, she likes to mesh together house and dubstep to create her own sound. 

Her latest release, “Handle With Care,” was released in February of 2023. Fans say her live sets are something you don’t want to miss! “When you step into her world, every day is Wenzday,” they say.

Pat Riot 

Pat Riot from Phoenix is taking the scene by storm with not only his music but his energy. He is known for his stage presence and distinctive approach to heavy house music production. 

Pat Riot’s October 2022 release of “Bad Girls” is currently his top song on Spotify. He is quickly blooming in the scene and shows no sign of stopping! 

“House Music For All” – Pat Riot

Tickets and Pricing

Tickets for PHXLIGHTS are on sale now! General admission weekend passes are available starting at $129.50 before fees. Other options include GA+, VIP, and single-day passes. 

GA+ includes express entry and private restrooms; it starts at $219.50 before fees. VIP weekend passes include everything a GA+ pass does along with a commemorative lanyard, access to a VIP lounge with premium viewing spots, and air-conditioned restrooms. They start at $319.50 before fees. 

Single-day passes are also available. 

For more information regarding ticket types, table reservations (21+), and payment plans, visit www.phxlightsfest.com and www.relentlessbeats.com. PHXLIGHTS: Among The Stars is an 18+ event.

Backwoods Music Festival Returns with a Unique Blend of Jam Bands & Dubstep!

Backwoods Music Festival Returns with a Unique Blend of Jam Bands & Dubstep!

After taking a break in 2022, Backwoods Music Festival at Mulberry Mountain is just three short months away! Their 12th festival in 2023 will occur from April 20th through April 23rd, Thursday through Sunday, at Mulberry Mountain in the Ozark Mountains in Ozark, Arkansas.

Mulberry Mountain is a top midwest camping festival destination, can host 25,000 festival attendees, and offers a beautifully scenic location. The venue will be equipped with an array of options for RV, car, and pre-set-up camping sites, and there are multiple experiences to pick from aside from GA. Camping isn’t your thing? No worries! There are plenty of hotels nearby. There are art installations, workshops, vendors, a Ferris wheel, and even a nearby waterfall that is a short hike away.

If you’re itching to travel and attend a camping festival in the spring, this is one to check out. Keep reading for more information about the lineup, tickets, pricing, and the Backwoods Music Festival experience!

2023 Lineup

With over 150 confirmed artists, the Backwoods 2023 lineup does not disappoint jam banders or ravers. Since 2008, Backwoods has produced well-balanced lineups and this year is certainly no different.

This year’s headliners in chronological order are Big Gigantic, Lettuce, two sets of The String Cheese Incident, and The Floozies. “We’re proud to release this lineup that we’ve worked so hard to cultivate for the next Backwoods,” said William Royall, Executive Producer of Backwoods. “We tried to have The String Cheese Incident headline in 2021, but the pandemic prevented their attendance.”. Ticket holders from 2021 will receive free tickets to the Late Night Acoustic Taco Party with The String Cheese Incident. Those without a 2021 ticket will need to purchase a ticket if they want to see their third set.

The lineup includes bass-heavy and dubstep artists like Apashe, Boogie T, Dirt Monkey, G-Rex, Koan Sound, Lucii, Of The Trees, and SoDown. On the other side of the music spectrum, we have instrumental funk and jam bands like Arkansauce, Boogie T.Rio, Keller Williams, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and Papadosio.

Additional artists include Andy Frasco & The U.N., Flintwick, Jason Leech, Maddy O’Neal, Morgin Madison, Neighbor, One True God, Super Future, The Polish Ambassador, Tioski, Zingara, and more artists to be announced.

Tickets & Pricing

There are 2-day, 3-day, and 4-day ticket options, along with off-site and camping accommodations. For car camping, there are VIP, regular field camping next to your vehicle, and shade camping without your vehicle options. VIP tickets only come in a 4-day option and provide camping in the shade with your vehicle, access to showers and flushable toilets, and quite a list of additional benefits. RV camping passes are also available.

For the first time, Backwoods will be offering layaway plans through PayPal. Multiple plans are available for individual tickets and group packages but required car camping passes must be bought outright.

The following prices are before taxes and fees. A standard 4-day GA camping pass is $76.99 down with two additional payments of $71.99 ($220.97 total). A standard 3-day GA camping pass is $62.99 down with two additional payments of $57.99 ($178.97 total). After the purchase of a camping pass, both of these options are under $300.

Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain Experiences

Backwoods will have two curated stages this year, Motherland and the Circus Casino. Artists will perform from 12:00 PM until 2:00 AM daily, with after-parties until 3:00 AM. Lasers and light shows are a hot commodity and can be seen 14 miles away. Besides live music, there is much more to do throughout the day and night.

With over 80 confirmed food and merch vendors, Shakedown Street will have options for everyone. Art has been a staple of Backwoods since the beginning and this year there will be immersive and interactive art installations throughout the woods. Actors, clowns, stilt walkers, circus, and stage performers wander through the woods providing a unique experience for festival-goers.

Each day, there are multiple workshops like different forms of yoga, meditation, sound baths, and flow classes. Other unique experiences are available, like drum circles and community bonfires.

There are many outdoor activities this year. They include hiking, cliff jumping, and fishing. There will also be a lot of areas to set up hammocks! Be sure to ride on the Ferris wheel when it returns this year!

Mulberry Mountain Awaits!

“Good music, good people, good times.”

These simple values have remained strong in Backwoods since their humble beginnings in 2008 when they were known as Backwoods Bash. The strong community within this wonderful festival is just one of the many reasons it is a must to attend.

Offering a beautifully diverse lineup, unique experiences, a focus on art, and affordability, Backwoods long-awaited return since 2021 will not be one to miss this year.

Get your tickets today!

Photos by Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain Facebook, Patrick Essy

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