Long drive aside, I was ready to dance and explore Beyond Wonderland SoCal this year!
Even using Waze, it took me three and half hours to get from San Diego to San Bernardino for Beyond Wonderland SoCal this year. By the time I arrived at the gates it was already 8pm. The lines weren’t long and I was inside the venue in under 20 minutes just enough time to take a quick look around, get water, grab a drink and head to Audien. I’ve been to the NOS Events Center multiple times but Insomniac’s ability to transform the grounds into any theme they choose always amazes me.
As I walked around the pond I saw the throne chair that we would all later take pictures in as well as the Beyond Wench – an impressive sailing ship with performers waving and greeting headliners as they walked by. The art installations stationed around the green space contributed to the overall atmosphere and theme of The Endless Sea. Throughout the weekend we saw groups of performers dressed as flamingos, pirates, and dressed as other various animals. They were great additions for photo opportunities and never made it very far without being asked for some. As I found my friends in the crowd for Audien I was glad it didn’t seem overly crowded. We had plenty of space, which we would use to dance as Audien played every one of my favorite songs.
The first day was full of pleasant surprises…
After the set, we decided to check out the Upside-Down House. We didn’t need to be anywhere until Rezz so we figured it was a good time to explore. The Upside-Down House was the same as I remembered it from Nocturnal Wonderland. A smaller more intimate setting that didn’t really feel all that crowded. Shortly after we made our way to the Aquarium stage. As we approached we knew we would be in for a struggle as the line was piling up rather quickly. We swam into the crowd just as security started yelling to slow down. Everyone’s hands went up simultaneously. Someone asked why everyone had their hands up and a girl next to us explained that it’s to show you aren’t pushing.
For a quick minute, I wasn’t sure we would make it in, but that quickly passed and before we knew it we were inside. Rezz’s set was incredible. She really threw down, playing songs I had never heard her play before. Dropping Bassnectar and just completely shaking the foundation of the room. After her set, we stayed for a little more than half of Shiba San before venturing out. As many of my friends left early to drive back to the hotel I went to finish out the night with Alison Wonderland. As I wandered through the crowd I stopped next to a girl who looked strangely familiar. As the stage lit up, I moved closer and decided that it had to be my friend Shelby! I startled her for a second as she stared at me realizing we were friends. Our friend Leah was right behind her with her hoop. A great surprise to end the night and friends to walk with at the end of the night. I was stoked for day two!
Always remember, it’s a marathon, not a race!
I spent most of the daytime before the event making kandi to trade. I hadn’t been nearly as prepared for this festival as I normally have been, the kandi kid that I am. A few hours before gates opened I headed to my friend’s hotel so that we could all carppool together. We arrived at the venue shortly after gates opened and spent the early moments taking photos and exploring the venue in the daylight. Our first set was Sikdope and we raged. His set was full of bangers and had all of us dancing. Shufflers came from all directions as the Queen’s Domain began to swell with headliners. I looked at my friends and wondered if it was OK to be going this hard this early. We still had 6 hours of this music marathon. We stayed for most of Party Favor and then headed out to refill water and hit the bathrooms before Dombresky.
The ultimate trust in this community is asking someone to find you again.
We settled on a spot toward center stage and got ready for the house vibes. I looked to my right and there was a guy completely covered in Night Bass logos. His shorts, his bandanna, and shirt all sported the brand. I leaned over to him and asked if he enjoyed Night Bass to which he responded, “you have no idea.” He pulled out his phone and proceeded to show me his car which had a giant Night Bass decal on the back window. “Night Bass is my dad,” he said. I laughed at the response and asked if he was excited to see AC Slater, which of course he was. We chatted for a few moments before my group moved deeper into the crowd.
As Dombresky was coming to an end, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the guy from earlier and he was holding something out to me. It was a big orange cuff with what looked like a fox on one side and the word Foxy on the other. “Keep this safe for me. I know I’ll see you at AC Slater, so just return it to me when I see you again.” My eyes were instantly widened. I looked around to see if other people were seeing this crazy exchange. We hugged and parted ways, I was still in shock of what had just happened.
Reuniting with camping neighbors, six months later, put the biggest smile on my face.
Just before we left the Upside-Down House I saw a girl fiddling with a bracelet. The way it came apart was so interesting to me I asked her where she got it. She pointed to the guy next to her and said it was actually his. As I looked around him I suddenly realized that this whole group looked very familiar to me. “No way,” said the girl directly behind him. It was our neighbors from Nocturnal. I couldn’t believe it. We quickly caught up on what each of us had been up to and talked about how our day 1 was before our group left for the Aquarium. Will Clarke wasn’t too packed and I ran into Matt and Leah during the set. I asked Leah for a quick lesson on hooping before heading out to Aly & Fila, mostly for the FSOE meetup. A quick hi to a few friends and I was off to rejoin my group at the Queen’s Domain.
The kindness and love at events like these are why I will always come back!
It was my first time seeing Netsky and he did not disappoint. His drum and bass remixes brought the whole group back to life and we found ourselves dancing just as hard as we were earlier that day. The crowd was great too, most people around us had never seen him before but they were all very happy with the set. The moment of truth was finally upon me. Just 4 hours later and I still had the cuff on me as I entered the Aquarium for the end of AC Slater‘s set. I wandered around the crowd but couldn’t find Foxy. Just as I had given up hope in returning the cuff, AC Slater announced we would take a family photo. As the lights turned on I casually looked around and believe it or not, there he was. Just 5 feet to my left, Foxy was standing in shock that I had found him! “Oh, wow, you still have it!” He sounded surprised but honestly, what would I have done with it?!
We hung out during all of Chris Lake’s set. As I got ready to head out for Snails at the Outer Realm, I began to take the cuff off to return it to him. He stopped me midway and said, “no, no, it’s yours now.” I was incredulous and speechless. One of his friends tapped on my shoulder and I turned around still in shock. “I always make a cuff but I’m never sure who’s going to get it. You’ve been a chill dude and this one is definitely for you. I made it in ocean colors for the Beyond theme.” I was officially overwhelmed. Still in shock, I hugged them all goodbye and headed out.
Overall Beyond Wonderland’s Endless Sea was defined by one word: magical.
I have to admit that when learning that Beyond Wonderland was being moved from San Manuel Amphitheatre to the NOS Events Center I was not thrilled. However, by the end of the event, I realized that the location did nothing to detract from the incredible production of Insomniac or the community that still exists among some headliners. I can’t wait to see what Beyond Wonderland will look like next year!
