Big-name headliners aren’t everything. Here are six up-and-coming acts to seek out at Escape: Psycho Circus.
Escape: Psycho Circus, Insomniac‘s premier Halloween music festival, is nearly here! The spooky rave takes over the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, California, for two days of sinister excitement, fun, and theatrics with more than a dozen of the best EDM artists rocking decks across more than five stages. It begins on Friday, October 31 and wraps up on Saturday, November 1.
Ranging from house, techno, bass, hard dance, and trance, Escape has a little something for every guest’s eerie fancy. Putting together the best combo of sets can be daunting. But don’t fret! As always, EDM Identity has you covered with our picks for artists you just can’t miss at Escape 2025.
But catching the DJs and producers that many of you already know and love is a given. Here are a few up-and-coming artists ready to take the world by storm one festival at a time. We recommend catching these must-see acts at this year’s edition of Escape.
If you haven’t snagged tickets to Escape: Psycho Circus, act now while they’re still available. Get them today, and find out more details about prices for all ticket options on Front Gate.
6 Rising Artists to Catch at Escape: Psycho Circus 2025
Moore Kismet
Moore Kismet may very well be one of the hottest new artists in the dance music scene right now. Consistently spreading a humbling “be yourself” message infused in nearly every sweet bass tone backed by beautiful, tranquilizing melodic tracks, they’ve managed to make a name for themselves in the scene since their debut album, UNIVERSE, dropped in 2022.
Moore Kismet has already graced stages at major festivals like EDC Las Vegas and Lollapalooza, where their magnetic energy shined. Escape 2025 festival attendees can expect the same high-impact feeling as the chart-topping DJ and producer rocks the decks with tracks from their latest body of work, SATURATE YOUR WORLD! Their time slot on Saturday’s lineup is sure to keep your ghastly fueled night pumping. With a drip of smooth and even relaxing, transcendental moments mixed with an array of upbeat, heart-pumping theatrics, Moore Kismet is a fantastic addition to your Saturday night lineup.
Catch Moore Kismet at Escape: Psycho Circus on Saturday on The Warehouse stage.
MADGRRL
Transcending genres to bridge the gap between bass music and hard dance, MADGRRL is a rising star that continues to keep crowds rocking, and she clearly has no plans of slowing down. Dishing out thrilling tracks like “MACHINE,” “YOU,” and her remix of Flosstradamus’ “SIDE2SIDE” featuring SkySky, she continues to leave lasting impacts on our souls. MADDGRRL’s electrifying set from Beyond Wonderland SoCal 2024 is forever imprinted on my mind as a memorable experience that I’m hoping will repeat in some form at this year’s Escape Halloween.
Her newest project, the HARDWIRED EP, dropped earlier this year, offering a unique blend of the genres in which she’s steadily making headway. Her style of hard dance techno is sure to light up the stage at Escape to draw the audience into a bone-chilling and thrilling foray of excitement.
Hop on this spooky ride with MADGRRL at Escape: Psycho Circus on Friday on the Feeding Grounds stage.
Ray Volpe
On the cusp of releasing his debut album, FOREVER, VOLPETRON, Ray Volpe is prepped to take Escape-goers on a wild ride. The dubstep DJ and producer — known for festival-ready anthems “GET SMACKED” with Vastive, and “REWIND” with Sullivan King — is already touring this eponymous album and is ready to break necks at the upcoming edition of Escape.
Keeping the energy up at Lost Lands this year, Volpe brings a tantalizing sound that drops you into the center of the bass music world with crunchy synths, power-bombed drops, and memorable lyrics. If you’re up for dancing and sweating, this is an artist you won’t want to miss at Escape this year.
Fall down the bone-chilling spiral of Ray Volpe at Escape: Psycho Circus on Friday on the Sewer District stage.
Etari
Los Angeles-based artist Etari comes in with the mesmerizing lo-fi beats and melodies, a notable cooldown on the lineup. The DJ and producer paints between the lines of house and trance with a showcase of unique soundscapes that churn the core and uplift the spirits. The LA party scene continues to catapult many new artists into the dance music limelight, and Etari is no exception, lighting up stages at renowned parties like Incognito and Fast At Work. Now, the trailblazer is ready to take Escape-goers on a promising, sinister adventure through electrifying tracks from her ever-growing discography.
Her shows in the underground scene of LA have left EDM lovers wanting more and set the tone for the her to deliver on many levels. The budding artist carries listeners through a spiral of tranquility and body-moving energy that is sure to leave a lasting impact on new and old festival lovers alike.
Immerse yourself in the magic of Etari at Escape Psycho Circus on Friday on The Warehouse stage.
Zoey808
Remaining somewhat of a mystery, Zoey808 immediately exploded on the scene as an artist to watch. The social media sensation recently unveiled its debut album, aptly titled WHOISZOEY?, featuring the mesmerizing “COLLECT,” the bouncy and drum-heavy “LEFTRIGHT,” “DADADA” with Gentlemens Club, and his breakout single, “FIGHT OR FLIGHT.” Last month, the mysterious artist released a highly energetic music video for the latter with Canadian rapper bbno$.
Cloaked in mystique, the quickly rising DJ and producer has already landed on big stages alongside big names like Illenium, with whom he joined in a performance in front of 8,500 adoring fans. Even his bio on the Escape Halloween lineup remains a mystery, but the energy he is sure to bring to the stage at the chilling fall festival is no enigma.
Don’t miss Zoey808 at Escape Halloween on Saturday on the Sewer District stage.
Alyssa Jolee
Wunderkind Alyssa Jolee may be one of the newest artists to join the Escape: Psycho Circus lineup, but she’s already piqued the curiosity of the dance music world. The up-and-comer is quickly rising through the hearts and bodies of those who move in the techno scene. Yet another West Coast addition to the San Bernardino Halloween rave, Alyssa Jolee graces stages with her iconic, old school hard techno style.
After stints at both Together As One in 2024 and Basscon Wasteland this year, the heavy hitter keeps offering the one thing that keeps people coming back to festivals like Escape: the opportunity to get down. The dynamic, promising DJ and producer hailing from Long Beach, California has made her way through the LA underground scene to rock yet another big stage along the EDM festival circuit. Bloodcurdling adventures await Halloween attendees looking to drop down the techno-verse at the Feeding Grounds stage, where Alyssa Jolee will take flight, in more ways than one, on Halloween night.
Get groovy with hard techno’s Alyssa Jolee on the first day of Escape: Psycho Circus, this Halloween, on the Feeding Grounds stage.
