Written by Maurizio Romero (@maurymedia_) and Brandon Lopez
As a kid, I would daydream all day during my classes. When the teacher would call on me to answer questions, my body was there, but my mind was far gone into another world. A new world where I was always imagining how amazing it would be to enjoy music with your best friends, strangers, the loudest speakers on the planet, and not a care in the world. These crazy parties I always dreamt of are no longer just a daydream. It’s my way of life. It’s my peace. It’s my imagination turned into reality. Imagine Music Festival is back inviting us to daydream into a new world. A world filled with friends, family, and the best music minds could ever create. It’s all I asked for and even more. Imagine Music Festival brings us four days of music, multiple stages, pool parties, and the BIGGEST Djs and producers in the game. I always thought this world only lived in my mind, but now we journey into the new world Imagine Music Festival has built for us.
Coming in hot on September 15th-18th are four days of dance music, with just about every genre being covered across four stages. This is your chance to experience something new and your chance to reimagine all your favorite artists. With Excision, Griz, Illenium, and Kaskade headlining there is plenty of talent to draw in the crowd but I challenge you to look deeper into the lineup at some of the hidden gems like Grabbitz, Tsu Nami, Yheti, Juju Beats, and Zeplinn. The headliners are always great, but discover something different. Rounding out the lineup are fan favorites like Air to Earth, Dombressky, Jantsen, John Summit, LSDream, Said The Sky, and Snakehips. However, the real must not miss act are all the new friendships that imagine will bring you.
This festival also features some truly special back-to-backs including Ghost Rydr (Ghastly b2b Joyryde), Boogie T b2b Dirty Monkey, and Virtual Riot b2b Barely alive. Be sure to come early for the Thursday pre-party hosted by Ophelia Records featuring Seven Lions and Mitis. And brace yourself for the Mau5trap and Wakaan takeovers as well as the aqua day club pool parties featuring Kaskade and Adventure Club. Let’s take a deeper dive into how we’re going to be turning our imagination into reality.
I’m hyped to see one of my favorite artists, an artist that I’ve traveled coast to coast to see, Griz (Grant). Grant’s sound has evolved over time to break away from his bluesy-funk roots and become more and more digital. His latest album Rainbow Brain is uplifting, yet heavy hitting with so many Wonks you could mistake it for a certain chocolate factory. Funking shit up on the daily is Grant’s way of life and in his performances, you’ll feel the vibrations in your soul. Get ready to dance the night away with one of the most dynamic names in dance music.
I’m also excited to see Madeon who I got into just before all of the music industry shut down. Madeon has been a staple in the electronic industry for years, and his sound has a certain space-future mystic feel to it. I’m especially jamming out to “The Prince”’, where the soft upbeat, progressiveness of this song easily uplifts any soul. Bestie feeling down? Toddler wilding out? No worries, pop on a little Madeon and make those tears melt away.
I’m super stoked to catch another set by Moore Kismet. Moore Kismet is one of the artists I think is on a fast track towards headlining festivals and their current track record has them running quickly towards it. They have a little bit of everything going on music-wise venturing into vibrant trance, big room house, sonically charged soundscapes. “Convulsion Therapy” is an auditory masterpiece that takes you on a journey through a weird yet wonderful arrangement of ever-changing sound verses. With Moore Kismet, it’s sometimes hard to tell which genre you’re in or heading into and that’s what keeps me wanting to listen to more.
I’ll be getting down to the sounds of Kaskade at two sets, be sure to get your pool party tickets! I always enjoy listening to his music since it’s uplifting but also mentally stimulating. Redux EP 005 has songs like “Where did you go?” and “New James Dean” which allow you to process the nuances of promises past due, relationships that expired, and everyday disappointment. Slaying through the early 2000s while laying the foundation for Progressive House, Kaskade has found himself with Grammy nominations and pioneering the concept of Las Vegas residencies for electronic artists.
I’m really looking forward to seeing Leah Culver who I discovered at the last Imagine. Her rise into being a DJ is a bit of a wild story, where she basically took it from “faking it” to “making it” in one night. She is a real producer, building her songs up from scratch including all instrumental and vocal parts. You probably know her best for her part on the Jack Ü song “Where are Ü now?” and if you haven’t seen her perform before, now is the time.
I’m also excited to see Excision, the man that transformed bass music. From game-changing music festivals to record labels that showcased some of the most influential Dubstep to hit our ears Excision has done it all. He has paved the way to the top of the dubstep genre with several albums on Billboard’s Dance Chart. We await the night as Excision joins an amazing group of headliners for Imagine Music Festival 2022.
With Illenium we’re forever lost in the feels. He never hesitates to bring that bass-heavy mindset but will have you lost in every moment with his melodic sound. His Billboard hit Ashes is a must-listen and a good example of his evolution into his new sounds. Illenium will have you captivated by the joy of melodic bass music and possibly on the verge of joyous tears.
Be sure to grab your tickets to Imagine Music Festival 2022 today!
