What a tipsy-topsy turvy trip down the rabbit hole once again to Beyond Wonderland! This marked my fifth journey with Alice, thanks to Insomniac, and it never fails to enthrall me. From the production to the performers and the people, it’s always a momentous journey for anyone.
Beyond Wonderland SoCal
Stages:
This year, Beyond completely revamped three of their stages, and they did not disappoint. First up was Mad Hatter’s Castle, with a stage setup resembling a deck of cards. Next was Cheshire Woods, undergoing a complete makeover. In previous years, it was a simple dome tent, but this time, they set up a box tent with insane designs, lighting, and a hollowed-out middle. The way the lasers bounced around was pure madness. Lastly, the Looking Glass. New stage, who dis? This one not only changed locations in the venue but its look as well. Transitioning from the simple concert hall on the festival grounds to a huge upgrade in the far corner, attendees were transported into a wasteland of conex boxes, lasers, and lights. Primarily showcasing hard techno and hardstyle, the energy and production at this stage were bonkers.
Queens Domain – Beyond Wonderland 2024
Pageantry:
Insomniac is well-known for their decorations and performances at every festival, but the level of creativity at Beyond is one of their best. Tapping into the Alice in Wonderland theme and constantly improving, the performers they hire love getting into character, alongside attendees who go all-in on their costumes.
Artists:
The saddest part about Beyond was the closers on day 2. Due to unforeseen weather circumstances, Zeds Dead, Walker and Royce, and VNSSA all had to cancel. However, Insomniac was not going to let their patrons down. They scrambled to remedy the situation and quickly got Subtronics to come back for a second closing set, while A-Trak and Sidepiece both got extended sets that were amazing. But these weren’t even my two favorite sets. Level Up definitely brought us into the night properly with a sunset set that I’m sad any of you missed. Setting the bar high for anyone trying to play after her. She set the bar so high the night almost got ruined, but luckily HOL! came in to save the party. The master of distorted riddim played it all on day 2 and left the crowd with jaws on the floor, eagerly awaiting more. Let’s also not forget Wax Motif, Vini Vici, Sullivan King, Kill the Noise b2b Trivecta, and Slander.
Subtronics – MadHatter’s Castle – Beyond Wonderland 2024
Downsides:
Of course, no festival is perfect, but with proper preparation, we can always manage to make it through. Weather will always be a factor for Beyond Wonderland. During the day, it can be extremely hot, but as soon as the sun goes down, you’ll be shivering if you’re not in the middle of the crowd. Out of my five visits, this is the second time it has rained at Beyond. The biggest downside about Beyond is the location. Instead of being located in proper Los Angeles, it’s in San Bernardino. Pickpocketing is highly likely at the NOS Events Center, and sometimes shootings can occur outside of the venue after the festival. Moral of the story: bring a coat, walk in pairs when leaving, go straight to your mode of transportation, and secure your belongings with anti-theft bags and phone chain tethers like the clutch loop. Also, in true Insomniac fashion, they take care of their ravers with extensive security and local law enforcement staged directly outside the festival and in each of their FREE parking lots. By the way, in case you didn’t realize, parking is FREE at this event, and shuttles are provided for the far lots.
Overall:
I give Beyond Wonderland SoCal an 8.4/10 on the festival scale. This festival will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s always going to be an amazing time whether you go with a group or rave solo to meet some friends. Just make sure you prepare properly for the journey. If you’ve never been, make sure you go next year.
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