Nocturnal Wonderland 2019 Report Card [Event Review]

The 24th version of Nocturnal Wonderland, America’s longest working rave, went down final weekend in San Bernardino, CA. 80,000 headliners descended upon Glen Helen Regional Park to rejoice the pageant’s ultimate version on the venue. Though there have been some slight tweaks to the structure of the pageant this 12 months, Nocturnal has stayed comparatively unchanged because it scaled down to 2 days in 2017. That’s a part of its attraction, as America’s longest working rave; it’s a cushty house for ravers younger and previous. I didn’t camp this 12 months, although I’ve previously, and it’s completely pleasant. Since there’s probably not something new to say about Nocturnal (no less than till we discover out the venue for subsequent 12 months), let’s assign some grades to this 12 months’s version of the pageant.

Authentic Picture by Scott Hutchinson for Insomniac Occasions

Lineup: Grade A

Insomniac lineups by no means disappoint and this 12 months’s Nocturnal was no completely different that includes among the largest names in dance music like DJ Snake, Jauz, Zeds Useless, Zomboy, Deorro, Malaa, Alan Walker and extra. Nevertheless, this 12 months’s lineup was additionally very extremely curated, as every stage appeared to cater to very particular tastes. The primary stage is clearly meant to attraction to the widest attainable viewers, however home reigned supreme all weekend. In the event you have been like me and have been ready for the insanity of DJ Snake, you might need been very pleasantly shocked by artists like Chris Lorenzo and Dr. Fresch. The brand new location of the Labyrinth stage (extra on that in a minute) additionally made it very conducive for bassheads to remain on the high of the hill and benefit from the curated Deadbeats and Bassrush phases. You’ll by no means ever be dissatisfied by an Insomniac lineup.

Authentic Picture by Graham John Bell for Insomniac

Competition Format/Accessibility: Grade C+

The most important change to the structure of this 12 months’s pageant was the relocation of the Labyrinth stage from the decrease a part of the venue to up on the infamous hill. It had each professionals and cons; first it made the viewing space for the stage that a lot greater, and the stage was located downward to make the stage its personal amphitheater. This allowed individuals to sit down and chill all through the day, there have been plentiful food and drinks choices lining the appropriate facet of the stage, and the porta-potties have been good and tucked away, making it a pleasant choice. On the draw back, it’s a mission getting up the hill, and for me personally, I used to be a bit of discouraged from making frequent journeys from the Wolves’ Den all the best way up the hill (though anybody not tenting needed to depart that manner finally).

Zeds Useless @ Nocturnal Wonderland 2019

It was additionally completely brutal entering into and out of GA Parking on Night time 1. By means of a mixture of visitors heading towards San Bernardino from Los Angeles and tardiness on my half, I didn’t even arrive till 7 PM. It took an hour simply to get down Glen Helen Parkway into the far reaches of parking. To make issues worse, after a protracted trek from the venue, it took individuals upwards of two hours to exit the venue and get again on the freeway. I arrived a lot earlier on Day 2 and the general consensus was that it was far simpler to get in (and it might be to get out, too). As one headliner I met in a drink line so succinctly put it concerning Day 1, “In the event you didn’t get right here by 6 PM you have been fucked.” It’s a troublesome job getting that many vehicles parked and I didn’t see any rapid trigger or resolution to the issue (apart from getting there earlier), it simply sucked.

Manufacturing/Stage Design: Grade A+

That is largely for the Wolves Den, however I completely beloved this 12 months’s stage. The stage was lined with large columns of LED cubes, surrounding a foremost display. There was pyro, there have been fireworks, and there have been additionally essentially the most spectacular lasers I can bear in mind seeing at Nocturnal. Heck, even the artwork automotive had some intense lasers. There was all the standard blacklight art work across the pageant grounds, there have been loads of nice picture ops, and the misters over the principle walkway main into the pageant can’t be beat.

Authentic Picture by Scott Hutchinson for Insomniac Occasions

There you’ve it, one other 12 months, and one other profitable Nocturnal Wonderland. It’s bittersweet to replicate on the truth that this was the final time this pageant shall be held at Glen Helen Regional Park (the place it’s been since 2013). Nevertheless, make no mistake, there will certainly be Nocturnal in 2020, the pageant’s landmark 25th version. Whereas we don’t know the place it’s going to occur, headliners can relaxation assured that Insomniac head honcho Pasquale Rotella is already exhausting at work looking for a brand new venue. It’s nonetheless a tall job although, as one among Nocturnal’s defining options is its tenting facet, one thing I’m positive Pasquale will wish to protect. Insomniac will return to San Bernardino to rejoice Halloween with Escape Psycho Circus October 25-26 at NOS Occasions Heart.

Authentic Picture by Juliana Bernstein for Insomniac Occasions