Electric Forest 2015 reminded us why we make the yearly pilgrimage to the Double JJ Resort.
The weather forecast that predicted clouds and rain cleared up and brought comfortable temperatures for the better part of the weekend. An extremely diverse roster of acts, genuinely nice people having the time of their lives, and long nights topped off by epic after-parties are just some of the reasons we will never forget this weekend.
No matter how many years you attend a festival, it always takes the first day to get your bearings. After we finally got through the security line and established our campsite, we entered the festival just before Galantis’ opening set at the Ranch Arena, whose high-energy big room house kept everyone bouncing. We spent the rest of our time exploring the new stages, which included The Hangar – an awesome hangout featuring classy house music and electro swing.
Our team really enjoyed Bart & Barker and The Gentleman Callers. My only regret was not spending more time here because the good vibes were infectious. They were complemented by a temporary tattoo parlor, craft beer, and circus performers. The second new stage, Jubilee, was a decked-out circus tent – truly one of the best productions at the festival. Located next to the hot air balloon rides and The Hangar, this stage hosted a number of diverse acts over the weekend.
Thursday included Sango and 12th Planet filling in for Brodinski. Other highlights the first night included Flint Eastwood at The Observatory, Lido at The Future Classic-curated Sherwood Court, and Odesza at the Ranch Arena. After an exhausting first night, we started Friday off ready to get a full day in the festival. Illenium’s set at Tripolee was a great way to start the day – with uplifting melodic dubstep. We took this day to explore as much as the festival as possible but spent most of our time at the massive Bassrush-curated Tripolee stage and Soul Clap’s Crew Love Deep in the Forest.
Some of our favorite acts included The Ragbirds, Ed Rush & Optical, Wolf + Lamb, Autograf, and Skrillex’s closing set at the Ranch Arena. Other highlights included two secret appearances by Skrillex – once during The String Cheese Incident and another later that night in the VIP area for those lucky enough to be camped in The Good Life. At 4 a.m., Skrillex played b2b Datsik b2b Snails b2b Crizzly b2b 12th Planet… a once-in-a-lifetime set I’ll never forgive myself for missing.
After crying myself to sleep early Saturday morning, I woke up and prepared myself for Day Three.
This day was mostly spent hammock-napping in the forest and eating delicious food. Our favorite stands were Cheese Dreams and The Detroit BBQ Truck. After a nice food coma, we checked out the Silent Disco, which was a treat this year and definitely one of the best hangouts of the weekend. Bassnectar headlined the main stage at the Ranch Arena, but it was Claude VonStroke’s closing set at Tripolee that really hit home; he even closed with “Who’s Afraid of Detroit.” Golf Clap also played an impromptu set an the Silent Disco, while jackLNDN, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Freddy Todd, and Dreamers Delight were additional memorable sets that day.
Running on fumes, we marched to Bobby McManus’ set at the Forest Stage, and it was worth every minute. We slept as long as possible, but before we knew it, Tripolee was calling our name. There we caught two of our favorite acts of the weekend, Made in Heights followed by Exmag. When we got to the Forest Stage to relax for the rest of the weekend, Dr. Fresch was playing alongside SNBRN.
There was just too much music to take in by the end of the weekend, but we fell in love with Goldroom and Goldfish, who played one after the other an the Forest Stage. Closing out the night was Jonah Baseball at the Silent Disco, who kept us dancing until the very end. Still not wanting to leave, we caught Super Tall Paul until it hurt to laugh.
Just when we thought it was all over, Cherub and Big Gigantic play a secret set hosted by Shipfam in the RV lot. Thank you, Forest gods. I will never forget that. Until next year.
See photos of Electric Forest Festival 2015 (by Nick Kassab) below:
