Five Artists Share Their Favorite Holy Ship Memories

Heidi Lawden, Craze, So Tuff So Cute, DJ Dials, and Wreckno offered insight on why Holy Ship! Wrecked is such a special festival.

From their legendary boat parties to the resort takeovers that have taken the party to a whole new level, Holy Ship! has solidified itself as one of the best festivals to attend for dance music lovers hunting for an immersive, intimate experience. If you’ve been in the scene long enough, you’ll surely have heard stories from members of the ShipFam that have ranged from surprise pop-up sets to hanging out with their favorite DJs, making it clear that experiences like Holy Ship! Wrecked are fun for all.

The upcoming edition of Holy Ship! Wrecked is set to return on December 12-16 at the Riviera Maya Mexico, and the HARD Events team is putting the finishing touches on what lies ahead for all who make their way south of the border. There’s already a banging lineup and plenty of activities to participate in, but we wanted to dive a bit deeper ahead of the festival and find out why artists have come to love this experience as well.

We caught up with Heidi Lawden, DJ Dials, So Tuff So Cute, Wreckno, and Craze to get their take on what has made past editions of Holy Ship! Wrecked special. Read on for their thoughts, and make sure to give them a follow!

Limited all-inclusive room packages for Holy Ship! Wrecked 2023 are still available. Head over to their official website for more details and to secure your experience at Riviera Maya this year.

Heidi Lawden

Instagram | SoundCloud

What makes Holy Ship! Wrecked stand out from other festivals you’ve played?

Holy Ship! stands out as a truly all-inclusive festival. Once you arrive, absolutely everything is covered: food (with a bunch of restaurants to choose from), drinks, and of course, all the epic parties and good times. It’s also a really great opportunity to connect with your favorite DJs up close and personal. Ship Fam might sound corny to outsiders, but it’s exactly that.

What is one moment that has stuck with you, either from your set or while on the boat / at the resort, that made you feel like Holy Ship was special?

Something I really remember are the great people I got to meet there, both fellow DJs and Ship Fam. I met HoneyLuv for the first time properly at Holy Ship!, she came and danced to my entire set (and me at hers), we bonded, and we have stayed in touch and played together at some parties of hers since. Another really fun memory was an impromptu pop-up beach party last year; I think it was Chris Lake who decided to do it and invited all the DJs along to play a few tracks on the beach to a few hundred people after hours. Totally off the schedule impromptu, and that’s kind of the magic of the week. You know what’s happening but be prepared for all the impromptu fun.

So Tuff So Cute

Instagram | SoundCloud

What makes Holy Ship! Wrecked stand out from other festivals you’ve played?

It’s the community factor! it really feels like one big vacation with all your friends and fans

What is one moment that has stuck with you, either from your set or while on the boat / at the resort, that made you feel like Holy Ship was special?

Raving with fans in the elevators

DJ Dials

Instagram | SoundCloud

What makes Holy Ship! Wrecked stand out from other festivals you’ve played?

The community is so loving. It feels like one big family, and everyone instantly accepts you, the way it felt at old-school raves in the 90s. Because it’s like a 4 day long open bar, it’s a party with no end that feels like a movie. The music is the best on earth, and the production is out of this world. I can’t believe this thing even exists!

What is one moment that has stuck with you, either from your set or while on the boat / at the resort, that made you feel like Holy Ship was special?

Just meeting Armand Van Helden for the first time and chilling with him. He was a big hero of mine when I was a kid growing up and artists are so kind and accessible at Holy Ship.

While playing my own sets, I had one woman say that she comes back to see my set every year and that I’m her favorite DJ. Really was so kind! She’s the best. Also, finding the secret afterparty every night is a scavenger hunt is a worthy endeavor!

Wreckno

Instagram | SoundCloud

What makes Holy Ship! Wrecked stand out from other festivals you’ve played?

I love that it’s at a resort! Getting to have a mini vacation while traveling to perform is a dream.

What is one moment that has stuck with you, either from your set or while on the boat / at the resort, that made you feel like Holy Ship was special?

Our Catwalk Competition last year, for sure! It was so fun seeing everyone walk the runway in their themed outfits.

Craze

Instagram | SoundCloud

What makes Holy Ship! Wrecked stand out from other festivals you’ve played?

Holy Ship stands out in that you are hanging with the artists. Everybody is just chilling together, having a good time, and all egos are checked at the door. Shipfam is real!

What is one moment that has stuck with you, either from your set or while on the boat / at the resort, that made you feel like Holy Ship was special?

All The Fools Gold Rap Parties were legendary. Also, just being on the boat and seeing how excited and happy everybody was on some of the first ones was special. Nothing had been done like that before.

Follow Holy Ship!: