Get ready Dreamers! Dreamstate Southern California is this weekend and there’s lot to do before the event. The Insomniac Festival changed its location from the regular hosting venue, The NOS Center in San Bernardino. Prepare for a mystical voyage at the Queen Mary, a waterfront venue in front of the Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach. The hotel was built using the original structure of the haunted boat and it will host thousands of ravers for this year’s Dreamstate.
Dreamstate is one of the best places for Trance Music, and compared to other Insomniac Events, this two-day festival is smaller and carries the amazing energy of adept Trance lovers. The audience is more mature and focuses on PLUR a lot more than other events. There will be lots of Kandi trading, and lots of fun!
Now for the juicy part: the festival curated one of the filthiest Hard Techno lineups this year, including premiere artists that represent that darkest parts of the underground. Certainly, let’s look at some of the cant-miss Trance and Techno sets of this year’s Dreamstate Southern California:
Shlomo
French Producer and DJ Shlomo has taken the European underground circuit by storm. His sets are extremely hard and have blessed (or cursed) some of the biggest stages, including Amsterdam Dance Event, Verknipt, and Awakenings. He routinely plays in the best Techno Clubs in Berlin, Barcelona, Antwerp, and London.He has played with phenomenal artists such as Nico Moreno and Sara Landry as of lately. Moreover, he has recently toured the US enchanting the underground scene in NYC and LA. His parallel project Viper Diva is a trancey, anthemy version of his music that still hits hard and heavy. Shlomo will hit your soul with his tracks at The Void Stage.
Indira Paganotto
Spanish Psywarrior Indira Paganotto is not new to the Trance scene. Her iconic style has earned her the Psymama title. She has played in iconic events like Tomorrowland, Exit, Awakenings, Circoloco, and EDC Vegas. Supported by Acid Queen Charlotte De Witte, Indira has toured all over the world with KNTXT , and started her label Artcore. Get lost in an eclectic masterpiece at Paganotto’s set at the Sequence stage.
Lane 8 & Yotto
If hard and heavy is not your thing, be not afraid. Lane 8 b2b Yotto will be a delightful journey. Both djs are dominant in the Melodic-Progressive scene, and having them as a pair playing together ought to be phenomenal. Lane 8 is an American DJ and producer that started the label This Never Happened, and his effect on house and trance has been massive. His seasonal mixtapes display some of the most tasteful songs ever, and lots of his events have a no phone no camera policy, encouraging guests to enjoy the moment, and feel the music. Finnish DJ and Producer Yotto has the support of amazing artists like Adriatique, Sasha, and Kölsch. His producing side is softer, with lighter rhythms and euphoric beats. However, his live sets are extremely energetic and involve Melodic Techno. Having these two titans on stage at the same time will be bonkers. The Dream Stage will turn into an epiphany.
Armin Van Buuren
Obviously, I couldn’t make a set list without mentioning Armin Van Buuren. The Dutch DJ and Producer is an essential identity in the Trance world and through A State of Trance, it has changed the Trance panorama entirely. His sets are full of joy and diversity, uniting the audience as one. His impact in the electronic dance scene turned him into a maestro, worth of studying through history itself. If you are to close down the weekend with an amazing set, this is the one.
Honorable Mentions
Let’s be real, this lineup is fantastic and every sets deserves to be on the list. However, that won’t help people decide which sets to see given all the conflicts. Here’s other sets I strongly recommend:
Aly & Fila, Maddix, Fatima Haji, Trym, Ruben De Ronde & Estiva Pres Ebenezer, Vini Vici, Astrix, Liquid Soul, Ferry Corsten, Key4050, and Fleming & Lawrence.
Can’t wait to dream with you all!