Moonrise Festival’s 6th edition came to Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland August 10 & 11. With clear skies and four stages, Moonrise took off like a rocket with a line-up featuring headliners Illenium, Excision, 21 Savage, Tiesto, and Zhu. Coupled with Steez Promo , they have created one of the largest festivals on the East Coast with over 15,000 attendees, and 2019 featured a larger and expanded Solar Tent. Day 1 featuredNGHTMRE+Slander and ended with Illenium on Stellar Stage. Day 2 had 21 Savage fire-up Lunar Stage with Excision closing out the festival.
Something different that especially made the festival one for the books was the weather. For instance, the past five years Moonrise had dealt with torrential down pours and muddy fields- which unfortunately led to delays and cancellations. While normal weather for Maryland this time of year, this year the sun was shining, and there was not a single gray cloud in the sky. The bass gods were definitely in a good mood.
Day One
The first day of the Maryland-based festival featured some of the biggest acts in the industry, providing a little bit of everything and satisfying all festival goers. The new and improved Solar Tent was constantly bringing on the filth. The day started out with the recently signed Wakaan artist, Lucii. This human alien brought her fans on a spaceship. Following sets included hot new artist Svdden Death. He has been climbing the ranks faster than anyone else in the dubstep game. Because of this, no headbanger would dare miss his set. The Solar tent had some mean b2b’s as well. Sullivan King going b2b Wooli, and Boogie T b2b Subtronics. In short, we were for sure hit with the RIDDIM.
For the EDM lovers that cant handle those face-melting filthy bangers, Alan Walker called all house kids to the Stellar Stage. He then proceeded to feed his fans those electro house vibes. The crowd was in pure unity singing to his track “Faded”. Following his set was the iconic duo everyone had been waiting for, NGHTMRE & Slander, coming in hot with their GUD VIBRATIONS set. Fans were treated to a sneak peak when NGHTMRE dropped a preview of his new collab with ZHU, “Mans First Inhibitions”. All in all, it was definitely a vibe. The energy NGHTMRE and Slander expressed was fully immersed into the crowd. Ultimately, everyone was in full rage mode.
With no breaks in between, ravers went right into Illenium’s closing set. Without a doubt he touched his listeners to the heartfelt core with his melodic beats, transitioning into the hardcore Illenium we all know that he’s got inside him. Everybody was left starstruck.
Day Two
Starting out day two with clear blue skies, noon came around and Pimlico Race Course started to fill up. Even though the music was similar as day one, there was something for everyone. Hip Hop fans scattered to the Lunar Stage to catch 21 Savage, and Felly. Nevertheless, this was going to be a bass heavy day. In addition to this, the Solar Stage was a nonstop head-banging rage. Dirt Monkey, 12th Planet, Peekaboo, Space Jesus, and a set by Ganja White Night, this is what we call a headbangers fantasy. Good friends Vampa and ZIA also went B2B, throwing down all the wubs. These girls go hard! Mastadon – although now known as MARAUDA– is probably one of the filthiest DJs out there. This 18 year old is a dubstep prodigy, so he knows what he is doing. The rail is the place to be for his set.
There was one disappointment on Sunday evening. Unfortunately Seven Lions had to cancel his set due to unforeseen circumstances. With that 8:30 – 9:30 slot open, the Moonrise team acted quickly and organized an insane B8B. Wooli x Brondo x Calcium x Hekler x Maruda x Vampa x Decadon x Whipped Cream. All eight DJs threw down a mind blowing set together. This was definitely one for the books. Props to the Moon Crew for making that happen.
The night ended with Excision at the Lunar Stage, and Tiesto at Stellar Stage, taking the Maryland crowd to a perfect close. Excision threw down that heavy head bangers set. Its no surprise that you were leaving in a neck brace. Excision puts on a one of a kind set and its truly amazing. Tiesto also took the night away, this man is a true Icon. He threw down all of his hits, leaving his fans way more than satisfied.
Its safe to say that this was the best year for Moonrise. Great weather, amazing production, new and improved stages, and most of all the artists that bring people from all around the world together. Big thanks go to Steez Promo for making this all happen. With the way things have been getting significantly improved each year, its safe to say year 7 is going to come back even stronger. If you have not had the chance to visit Maryland, Moonrise is the perfect opportunity to do so.
Photos by ech_o_cham_ber
Keep in touch with https://www.www.party-guru.com/ for 2020 tickets and festival information.
