The spirit of Sherwood Forest prevailed despite weather-related cancellations at this year’s edition of Electric Forest.
As one of the premier multi-genre festivals in the US, Electric Forest has provided the Mid-West with an unparalleled music and arts experience for over a decade. Every June, the beloved event finds its home in Rothbury, Michigan, and draws attendees from all over the country in search of the unique festival experience that derives from its community.
This year’s sold-out edition featured an array of artists, including John Summit, Nelly Furtado, Pretty Lights, Knock2, Ludacris, and Chase & Status. With a massive lineup and a cult following, fans flocked to the Double JJ Resort, ready for another mind-blowing edition of their favorite festival.
Having been on my bucket list for years, I was psyched to finally be venturing out to Michigan for my first year at Electric Forest. With tales from so many friends of how incredible the production and vibes were, I had high expectations going into the weekend.
Electric Forest provided dance music lovers with another insanely stacked lineup filled with monumental performances.
Almost canceled by stormy weather, CloZee and LSDREAM premiered their new project, LSZEE, to a massive crowd at the Sherwood Court stage on Saturday. The set consisted of almost all original music from the duo with a few familiar songs, such as CloZee’s “Color of Your Soul” featuring GRiZ and “Purple Hat” by SOFI TUKKER. With a mix of genres from tribal bass to bass house, LSZEE’s debut showed the range of the DJs and left me wanting more.
Levity returned to Electric Forest after unexpectedly making their debut last year on the Honeycomb stage as a last-minute fill-in. A year later, they ran it back at Honeycomb to an overflowing crowd of eager fans excited to celebrate the trio’s growth.
One of the most talked-about artists of the weekend has to be Westend. After catching his first performance at Ranch Arena, I couldn’t wait to see him in a more intimate setting. His Honeycomb set displayed his ability to transition genres and channel the energy of the crowd leaving everyone eating from the palm of his hand.
With an expansive footprint, seeing everything in just one trip was impossible.
During my first day at the festival, I felt pressure to start checking off my long list of to-do items compiled from recommendations from friends and online communities. I quickly learned that Electric Forest is a place where you let the festival choose your destiny.
As an over-planner and control freak, it was hard to let go at first and allow the universe to take me where I should be instead of sticking to a schedule. There were so many things I wanted to accomplish, like taking a balloon ride over the festival and completing the famous scavenger hunt. While I never got around to half of my list, I know I ended up where I was meant to be at that moment.
When following the vibes and allowing myself to wander where I felt called to, I ended up witnessing the most insane b3b from Levity, it’s murph, and Super Future at the Grand Artique. I was frequently blessed with seeing long-lost friends. I even ended up at a 6 In The Forest set from Robby Hauldren of Louis the Child at Carousel Club.
By derailing plans and opening myself up to the unexpected, I was gifted precious moments with friends, new and old, that couldn’t be replicated.
For those who stayed curious, a world of wonder awaited within Sherwood Forest with many surprises to uncover.
As a first-time attendee, I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of adventures within the forest. Each time I entered, I stumbled upon a new sensory experience that connected me to this magical world even more.
Sherwood Forest’s immersive experiences were unlike any other, from secret gingerbread houses to the Trading Post. The scale and attention to detail were impeccable, with many experiences easily unexplored if you did not take the time to get lost for a few hours in its wooded grounds.
As the sun set below the horizon, the forest breathed a new life, illuminating it with dazzling lights and stellar art displays. From projection mapping on art structures and the addition of lighting to covered walkways, the technicolor dreamland sucked me in every evening in hopes of discovery.
On the edge of the Sherwood Forest was the Dream Emporium, which became my favorite place during the weekend.
The large-scale art installation reminded me of Meow Wolf’s zany and immersive worlds that promote exploration. Each room at the Dream Emporium had a unique theme with an over-arching quest that could be completed to become a “certified dreamer.” The first room I entered brought me to a wrestling ring where competitors went head to head in thumb wars with a rowdy crowd of spectators.
Not only were the actors buying into this insanity, but festivalgoers were connecting with their inner child and allowing the whimsical space to expand their minds. Each room was perfectly crafted and provided additional activities such as roller skating and kayaking.
After entering three separate occasions, I still could not complete every room within the installation. If anything were to draw me back to the forest next year, it would be how creative and thought-provoking the Dream Emporium is.
The Forest community radiated positivity and wouldn’t let the weather damper their spirits.
With climate change, more festivals are experiencing rain delays or full-day cancellations. This year, Electric Forest was no different, with two separate evacuations from severe storms.
Saturday’s performances were in full swing, with a sea of ponchos dancing to Juelz when the show came to a halt. A blaring announcement came over the speakers to evacuate the festival grounds, resulting in groans. While I was bummed that one of my favorite artists got cut short, I scurried back to camp and hunkered down for the impending storm.
Once the grounds reopened, the energy was electric. Ready to brave the mud, the campgrounds migrated back into the festival for the last few hours of music. DJs and ravers alike seemed to have one thing on their minds: making the most of the time we had left.
Although the second evacuation occurred Sunday evening before the final festival sets occurred, everyone in the campgrounds ensured we had a memorable final night with renegade sets popping up anywhere you could have a speaker system.
While Electric Forest was not the experience I had expected, it was exactly what I needed.
Electric Forest is a place where self-exploration is encouraged, and it welcomes the weird, the wacky, and the children at heart. Festivalgoers entered the forest looking to be their authentic selves free of judgment and left feeling loved and accepted.
I was reminded of the days when it didn’t matter whether you saw the top trending artist or got the perfect Instagram photos. I fell in love with the dance community all over again as we came together as a collective to spread love to one another, expecting nothing in return.
I now understand why everyone says there’s something special about this place. I look forward to the day I return to Sherwood Forest and continue uncovering the many secrets that lie within, whenever that may be.
