Electric Forest is a magical festival playground where your experience can quickly elevate when you decide to get lost for a bit!
The magic of Electric Forest can be experienced in every facet of the festival, from the music and art to the people, hidden treasures, and the natural beauty of the environment. You never know who or what you may stumble upon while traversing the forest, and no matter how many times you’ve attended, there always seems to be something new to discover just around the corner.
This is what makes Electric Forest so alluring and special. Whether you’re attending for your first time or are a long-time Forest veteran, we highly recommend carving out some time to get lost. Let your curiosity and heart lead the way, and watch as a whole new experience unfolds before your very eyes.
Getting lost in the Forest might lead you to spectacular performances that were not included in the set times, festival guide, or even planned.
When I attended last year, I thought I had a better idea of the festival map and knew exactly where I was going later on in the weekend; however, it seems like Sherwood Forest changes with each passing day, and what you once thought you knew is no more. Because of this, I got lost. I spent an hour walking around Forest in circles while looking for one of the main stages, but I found a large group of people gathered around an organ. Porter Robinson was playing.
One of my biggest draws to attending Electric Forest last year was Porter Robinson, and I could not believe what I just stumbled upon. Core memories were unlocked as hundreds of attendees were treated to a stripped-down, impromptu Porter Robinson ocular organ jam sesh. You can’t write stuff like this, and it’s one of the main reasons why getting lost is so profound.
In a similar instance, I found myself walking in circles again late at night after watching sets at Grand Artique when I found a little house with art pieces I instantly gravitated towards.
The colors and style of this artist immediately stopped me in my tracks and lured me to see more. I was able to talk with a small group of people that were also intrigued by the art, and in one of the conversations, I learned I was speaking to the artist! It’s always beautiful to meet the creative mind behind art pieces, ask them what inspired them, and dive deeper into their artistic journey.
These interactions end up elevating my experience, and connecting with the people that bring Electric Forest to life in this fashion is always humbling. After a beautiful conversation, I explained I wanted to support her work and take home a relic of the forest. Instead of charging me the full price, she offered me a two-for-one deal, and I was able to leave with a stunning piece of the Forest that I see every day as it hangs in my room.
The natural beauty of the forest holds a special power, and getting lost around sunset will reveal incredible scenery.
The magic of the Forest is made possible by its natural beauty. The trees stand tall and dance in the wind while the long walkways guide you from stage to stage. At sunset, the sun beams through the trees and art installations, casting splendid shadows and beams of light. I don’t know exactly what it is about the beams of light perfectly filling the empty spaces of the tree branches, but it’s absolutely celestial and out of this world.
If you’re too busy going from set to set and are too bogged down by a schedule, you might just miss this magical forest phenomenon; however, if you decide to take a lap and get lost around sunset, you’ll be treated to otherworldly scenery; Scenery that might just shift your entire perspective of the world and completely shift your forest experience for the better. Sometimes it’s worth missing a bit of music to see what other magic the forest beholds.
Of course, if you’re comfortable adventuring and getting lost by yourself, by all means, do so, but if that sounds a little intimidating, we recommend getting lost with a friend who’s open to the idea.
Lean into your intuition and find the spaces that are pulling you toward them and shy away from the people or areas that don’t seem to fit. Getting lost in the Forest can easily make beautiful experiences unfold right before your eyes, but there’s a responsible and strategic way to do it. Take some time in between sets or before you fully commit to the music to get lost for an hour or two.
It seems that anytime I’ve opened my schedule to let the forest take control, it ends up providing me with memories and experiences I could have never imagined happening. You might just stumble upon one of your favorite artists playing an intimate set, find some beautiful art to take home, or indulge in the natural beauty of this unique festival.
