An Overview: What Makes Splash House Special
Splash House, the beloved poolside music festival in Palm Springs, once again delivered two back-to-back weekends of sun-soaked fun, electrifying music, and endless good vibes. Hosted at three iconic venues—The Renaissance, Margaritaville, and The Saguaro—this festival merges the best of electronic, house, and disco music with the unique charm of Palm Springs. Whether you’re floating in the pool, dancing at the after-hours Air Museum parties, or roaming between venues, Splash House offers an intimate, yet thrilling experience that sets it apart from other festivals.
Weekend One: Gorgon City, Green Velvet, and Rowdy Revelry
The first weekend of Splash House was nothing short of spectacular. With the Renaissance as my personal favorite venue, and The Saguaro coming in a close second, the vibe was just right. The festival layout is cozy enough to feel intimate, with three venues allowing you to roam freely without the overwhelming crowds you find at larger events—at least until the end of the day when things really start to heat up.
Highlights from weekend one included the epic back-to-back set from Gorgon City and Green Velvet, which brought the house down with their unique blend of beats. Friday night’s pre-party, Fly with Us, featuring AC Slater and Chris Lorenzo, was nothing short of insane. The Air Museum, with its vintage airplanes and the desert night sky as a backdrop, remains one of the most unique and exhilarating places to party.
While Margaritaville was a fantastic venue, some attendees experienced issues with the AC breaking down, leading to discomfort for those staying there. However, the SH organizers quickly responded by offering new accommodations and refunds, ensuring that everyone could still enjoy their weekend.
It’s worth noting that the crowd during the first weekend was a bit rowdier than usual, likely due to the high-energy lineup that brought out a more excitable bunch. But that’s part of the fun—certain flavors of house music just have that effect, and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement.
Weekend Two: John Summit, Air Museum, and Renaissance Revelry
Weekend two kicked off with an incredible opening party by John Summit. Nala, who opened for him, did an impeccable job setting the stage, but it was Summit’s insatiable beats that truly set the tone for an unforgettable weekend.
Day One
The Renaissance proved to be my home base for most of the weekend, and with good reason. Day one started strong with a killer set from Manics, an LA-based duo known for their blend of indie dance, dark disco, and melodic techno. They brought the heat, and set the bar high for the rest of the weekend. Moon Boots and Girl Math—VNSSA b2b Nala—kept the vibes going, creating magic on the decks. Biscits, as expected, did not disappoint, delivering a high-energy set that kept the crowd moving. The night culminated with Chris Lorenzo, who managed to pack the Renaissance to capacity. The pool was the only place with room to move, and that’s where I spent most of his set, floating to the beats in a sea of fellow festival-goers.
Saturday night was all about exploring the Renaissance’s renegade parties. Every corner of the hotel seemed to have a DJ setup, with impromptu sets turning hotel rooms into mini-clubs. A standout was Busterkun, a rising DJ/producer from LA, who stole the show with his incredible renegade set. It was a night of great vibes, spontaneous friendships, and nonstop music. While I planned to see Disco Dom at the Air Museum, I ended up staying at the Renaissance, where the energy was just too good to leave.
Day Two
Though I stayed up way too late on Saturday, missing most of day two, I managed to catch LF System as the sun set, creating the perfect backdrop for their groovy, disco-laden take on house music. MEDUZA’s two-hour set was the highlight of the night, taking us on an unforgettable journey and ending with the fitting track ‘I Don’t Want to Go Home’. Everyone in the crowd felt the same way.
While I didn’t make it to The Saguaro or Margaritaville, friends who did had nothing but praise for performances by SG Lewis, AC Slater, Patrick Topping, and Dr. Fresch. Riordan and Austin Millz also delivered standout sets, making the most of the unique energy at each venue.
Final Thoughts: Why Splash House is a Must-Attend Festival
Splash House is more than just a festival; it’s a community. With its intimate setup, diverse lineups, and unique venues, it creates an atmosphere where lasting friendships are made. It could even be said that every moment feels like a shared celebration. Whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran, there’s always something new to discover and someone new to meet.
While it’s impossible to catch every act across the three venues, that’s part of the fun. Each venue offers its own distinct vibe, and no matter where you find yourself, you’re in for a good time. Acts like Wenzday, DJ Topgun, and Bijou were on my list to see but didn’t quite fit into my weekend—just more reasons to return next year.
Whether Splash House returns for two or three weekends next year, it’s an event you don’t want to miss. If you love Coachella, CRSSD, or just a good pool party, Splash House is the ultimate summer festival. See you next year!
Lastly, for more information, be sure to check out the official Splash House website, here.
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