From Tiësto’s legendary trance set decades in the making to heartfelt moments felt throughout the festival’s five stages, Dreamstate SoCal was a two-night trance utopia.
Dreamstate SoCal has seen many changes since its inception in 2015. Through different venues, stage expansions, a new generation of ravers coming into the scene, and more, could the magical atmosphere the festival is known for still hold true? As I set out for my sixth Dreamstate SoCal on November 21-22 at Long Beach’s Queen Mary Waterfront, this question was top of mind for me.
Each year, I find new reasons to love Dreamstate SoCal, and it always remains high on my list of coveted festivals. Whether it’s the uplifting trance music, uncovering all that the grounds have to offer, or simply the people I’m dancing with, everything comes together beautifully to create weekends that I will cherish forever. I yearn for this event year-round, so I couldn’t be more elated to finally step foot back under the twinkling lights of the Queen Mary’s Waterfront with my favorite people by my side.
After checking into our hotel, it was just a quick walk to the free shuttles that take you across the bridge to the Queen Mary.
When choosing lodging for Dreamstate, I couldn’t recommend staying somewhere within walking distance of the shuttles enough. It makes getting to the festival so much more convenient, and you won’t have to deal with traffic or parking.
Since there is no on-site parking for Insomniac events at the Queen Mary Waterfront, complimentary shuttles are available outside the Long Beach Convention Center parking lot to take you to the festival entrance. Wait times for the shuttles can get upward of 30 minutes to an hour (or more) during peak times, so plan accordingly. My group and I made it to the shuttles shortly after 9pm after a long workday on Friday, and by then, there was no line.
Going through security was seamless, and we immediately headed to see ilan Bluestone at The Vision.
Ilan provided the ultimate first set of the weekend for my group and me. Between the uplifting sounds, touches of techno and synths, and lasers scanning the crowd, the bar was set high for the rest of the night. The cherry on top was seeing ALPHA 9, Arty’s trance-leaning moniker, come out mid-set to play his track “Paradise” with ilan.
Staying in VIP at the main stage for the rest of the night, I opted to fuel up with much-needed food.
After some heavy decision-making among friends, I snagged us grilled cheeses and tomato soups from a food vendor exclusive to VIP. The consensus among us was the same — it was delectable. There were plenty of options to satiate your hunger, ranging from Mexican to chicken sandwiches and vegan options.
Standout sets from Maddix, Paul Van Dyk b2b Aly & Fila, and Gareth Emery at The Dream followed.
The top set of day one for me had to be Gareth Emery presents Cyberpunk. His updated spin on classics like “Concrete Angel,” “house in the streetlight,” and “Like A Prayer” entranced the crowd. The energy was at an all-time high as Gareth brought his own lasers, visuals, and more to this fresh show. If you get a chance to see this show, take it. You won’t regret it.
Returning early for day two after a good night’s sleep, I took this opportunity to explore the other stages of the festival.
Some friends in my group had never been to Dreamstate before, and this was the perfect opportunity to show them all the scene’s subgenres. Jaunting over to The Sequence, sets from artists like Coexist and Vini Vici opened our eyes further to the psytrance community. Olly James performed his first set in the US at The Vision, amassing a crowd to see this UK-born artist in a brand-new environment. Budding artists and scene mainstays graced the Beatbox Art Car, including EDM Identity’s very own Mystro.
Meanwhile, T78, Space 92, and Lilly Palmer brought a techno paradise to the heartbeat of Dreamstate. While some may argue that Dreamstate should remain purely a trance festival, I am excited to see this expansion into other genres in the realm. There’s a good amount of crossover between these trance and techno sounds, with many blending into each other in certain sets. I always enjoy a trip to The Void to get my techno fix among this trance haven.
Tiësto’s return to trance was undoubtedly the talk of the weekend.
Opening with his latest release, “Bring Me To Life” with FORS, attendees packed The Dream to the brim to witness this iconic moment in dance music history. While Tiësto did bring his beloved “In Search Of Sunrise” set to EDC Las Vegas this past May, his performance at Dreamstate SoCal kicked everything into full gear for his official return to his trance roots.
Anthems like “Traffic,” “Adagio for Strings,” “Flight 643,” and his remix of Delirium and Sarah McLachlan’s “Silence” blew everyone’s minds out of the water. It’s been decades since we’ve seen a set like this from Tiësto, and fans are dying to hear more on his upcoming trance album. Tears were shed, and lasting memories were etched into attendees’ minds; it was a very special ending, fitting only for the tenth anniversary of Dreamstate SoCal.
After ten years of Dreamstate SoCal, the magic in the air and among fellow Dreamers remains steadfast.
Upon conquering my sixth edition of the festival, I knew that the loving and accepting atmosphere of this event can never be diminished. Trance enthusiasts wait year-round for Dreamstate SoCal, with many returning home year after year to embrace a collective passion for this genre. Whether it’s your first time attending or an annual tradition, the gates are wide open in this community. I was ecstatic to finally be able to bring my friends along for the ride, and this will not be their last Dreamstate either.
There are always new experiences to uncover, and I take away something new each time I return to this festival. With more ravers dipping their toes into the trance scene every year, I only hope that the magic continues among this new generation. As long as Dreamstate SoCal continues, you can bet I’ll be there dancing under the glistening lights and enchanting rhythms of this trance wonderland.
