I attended my first Same Same last year and witnessed the magic firsthand. As a journalist for Festival Squad and seasoned festival veteran (38 festivals in 6 years), I’ve had the privilege of attending some of the best festivals. I have to admit – Same Same is special. 

Festival attendees have an overwhelming number of options to choose from, with festivals beginning early in March and running non-stop through Halloween weekend. Festivals have to be unique in order to set themselves apart and offer something other than music; immersive experiences are what festival goers are after. 

Same Same But Different Festival (SSBD / Same Same) offers not only a ridiculously stacked lineup but a remarkable and memorable adventure. Mark your calendars for Friday, Sept. 9 to Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022 and join me in Lake Perris, California for a weekend you won’t easily forget. Headlining this year are GRiZ, Tipper, Chromeo (live), The Glitch Mob and Vulfpeck. Other artists include Ahee, Emancipator, The Funk Hunters, Manic Focus, Maddy O’Neal, Hollywood Principle, Justin Jay, Ravenscoon, Sacha Robotti and Party Pupils. Check out the full lineup below.

A pre-party kicks off the weekend on Thursday, September 8 featuring LA based Genius Loci. 

Set on a lake with daily beach parties, curated workshops, imaginative art installations and performers, an impressive array of musical genres and some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet, Same Same sets itself apart from the rest. I attended my first Same Same last year and witnessed the magic firsthand. As a journalist for Festival Squad and seasoned festival veteran (38 festivals in 6 years), I’ve had the privilege of attending some of the best festivals. I have to admit – Same Same is special. 

Drawing from my own SSBD adventures as well as an input with festival co-founder and CEO Brad Sweet, I’ll detail out what you can expect for the 2022 chapter of SSBD. 

Same Same But Daaamn – The Absolutely Fire Lineup 

GRiZ

The genre blending producer GRiZ always brings the heat with his funky, high-intensity sets and infusion of instruments with live vocalists. The insanely talented and soulful queen Chrishira and talented rapper Probcause bring an unmatched energy to the stage. The Latenight Horns bring the soul and spirit and accompany GRiZ’s saxophone beautifully. I can’t wait to see my favorite producer throw down on the beach!

The Glitch Mob

Long-time crowd favorite, The Glitch Mob, has crafted an industrial and powerful bass sound. Producing music together for over a decade, The Glitch Mob always brings a fresh take to their classic songs and the crowd always goes wild. Each show is dynamic, powerful, and stupid fun—I’m eager to see if they play any new music for us. 

Tipper 

The British producer Dave Tipper has amassed quite the following of dedicated fans. Infusing glitch hop, nu break, and downtempo (among other genres), Tipper always surprises and delights fans. His visuals are out of this world as he takes you on a journey through sound. Brad reports the main stage will feature the same Funktion One speakers Tipper performed with at Red Rocks (which are being flown in from Pennsylvania), so strap in for one unforgettable performance. Tipper has cancelled all other performances for 2022 except for one other and SSBD.

Karen’s Must See Artists 

Never have I been more thankful for the alternating stages as I am now – there are SO MANY GREAT artists to see and I’m excited to see practically all of them. Emancipator transfixes audience members with dreamlike and melodic songs for a spiritual experience. Fellow bass lovers will love Ravenscoon for his heavy-hitting basslines mixed with hip hop, melodic bass and wave. Ahee shows are always out of this world with his unique blend of bass focused new bounce and breaks tracks. Funky favorites Lettuce bring the soulful sounds of classic yet upbeat funk performed by insanely talented musicians who have been jamming together for the better part of two decades. Crowd favorites and genre blending masters The Funk Hunters always deliver the most ridiculously fun show riddled with bangers from bass, dubstep, funk, hip-hop, trap and even classics like “Eleanor Rigby” by the Beatles. Maddy O’Neal is a female powerhouse of funk, future bass, and a sprinkle of disco. She will likely be playing music from her new album, Ricochet. Atlanta native and rising Queen of Bass Canvas commands crowds with “Gut Music,” which she describes as “getting lost in the bass, surrendering to the moment, giving your all.” San Diego group Hollywood Principle will have crowds grooving nonstop with their upbeat and eclectic indie, electric-house set. 

For info on more artists, click here. 

The “Different” in SSBD

I asked Brad Sweet what he was looking forward to most this year:

The Coconut Club

Festivals that are water centric are inherently better than those on dry land. Instead of sitting and sweating at camp waiting for the music to start, you could be playing in the cool water and making new friends. It took me several years to find a fest with water, and after this I was SHOOK – I had no idea that festivals could get better. 

[Same Same has entered the chat]

Instead of having water activities be a separate activity, SSBD offers a dedicated stage right on the water’s edge called The Coconut Club. You read that correctly – you get to party in the water while your favorite producers throw down. Everyone brings their favorite floaty to one of the wildest parties I’ve been to, the Floatopia Party. 

Floatopia Fever

Every day from 12:00 – 4:00pm during the hottest part of the day, the party is at the Coconut Club. With nothing else going on, it’s easy to splash and dance in the lake to beat the heat. Additionally, every year there’s a Funky Floatie Competition with the winner receiving a ticket to next year’s event. Check out details here. The stakes are high and the competition is fierce yet fun—choose your floatie wisely! 

How can it get better you may wonder? Two words: cold coconuts. Of course the beach bar at the Coconut Club sells coconuts; they aren’t barbarians. New this year are Cocolectros drinks, or frozen coconut water treats with infused electrolytes to keep you hydrated so you can dance longer. 

After the main stages finish at 2:00am, music resumes at the Coconut Club and goes until 4:00am. 

FOMO Free Zone

One of the most disheartening and frustrating feelings for festival goers are scheduling conflicts. The lineup drops, and you get excited to see your favorite artists! You buy tickets, assemble your crew, make travel plans, take off from work, and then a week before you see that you’ll have to miss half of them due to overlapping set times. Not at Same Same. After the party at the Coconut Club concludes, the two main stages fire up but take turns. The Same Stage alternates artists/producers with the Different Stage, with attendees moving back and forth a short distance between the two. This stage and schedule layout ensures you see most of the artists you came to see. No more tough choices or FOMO. 

New for 2022

Sweet filled me in on the new and improved elements for 2022. The festival will be held at a new location in the same park to give attendees more space, shade, grass and an all around better experience. The CannaBass Oasis, powered by Kind Delivery, is a shaded and misted beachside cannabis lounge where attendees 21 can order prerolls, flower, gummies and cartridges to be delivered to them at the festival. Guests can lounge on the beach in the shade while checking out interactive programming, such as cannabis-inspired VR experiences and more. After 10:00pm the space turns into a bass music haven and will continue slinging bangers until 4:00am. This is where you’ll find me. House music lovers can get their after hours fix at the Coconut Club. 

VIP Lounge 

SSBD is taking the VIP Experience to a whole new level this year. The new location features a larger, grassy space between the two main stages and with several lounge areas, added amenities, a dedicated VIP Bar and separate viewing areas at each stage. SSBD is working with a designer to transform the VIP Lounge into a beachside oasis that channels Tulum’s energy and aesthetic with a San Diego twist.

“We’re excited to have someone put intention into curating a gorgeous space and can’t wait to share it with you all,” Sweet added. “We’re dedicated to creating an elevated experience that will focus on the little things that make a difference and our ticket holders will appreciate. Our VIP Lounge will be a relaxing space to kick your feet up before heading back out to dance the night away. Thanks to our friends at SoundBoks Speakers we will have the lounge grooving. With the addition of frozen treats, outdoor lawn games, and air conditioned bathrooms, you won’t find the VIP Area uneventful.”

Camping Options

SSBD has expanded the camping options this year, with car camping (and more camping in the shade), electric hookups, RV sites with full hookups, and glamping options. Attendees can reserve air conditioned Shift Pods and have the option to have them furnished. A dedicated concierge will be available as well as a shaded lounge area to beat the heat and connect with neighbors. For more info on camping options, click here. 

Stay Connected 

Wifi will be offered this year for you to stay connected and upload your epic photos to Instagram from the weekend. SSBD will be a cashless event again, with vendors accepting Apple pay and credit/debit cards. The integration of RFID wristbands will allow you to connect to your credit cards and pay using your wristband, so no need to bring your wallet. Out on the water but want a drink? No problem. Want to order some pre-rolls at the CannaBass lounge? Swipe your wristband. Note: you will not need to pre-load/add money to your wristband – connect your credit card before the fest and spend only what you’d like.

Ultimately, I can try and persuade you that SSBD really is different, but the real test is to see for yourself. Tickets are still available here and more info is available here. I hope to see you dancing on the beach at The Coconut Club!

The post Same Same But Different Festival – The Lineup is Just the Beginning appeared first on Festival Squad.

Yesterday was quite the day for bassheads everywhere. The Bassnectar team dropped yet another curated event lineup. Only this time, it brought the entire bass music scene to a complete stop out of pure shock and excitement. Everywhere I looked on socials, people were going crazy about it and I mean, if you saw it, how could you not? Lorin Ashton and everyone behind the Bassnectar brand really went all out for this one, and boy, are we glad they did. If you missed all the hype behind the initial Be Interactive: 808 lineup drop yesterday, well, take a gander:

Now, before we get to talking about this fairy-tale lineup, let’s take a second to explain Be Interactive. For those who don’t know, Be Interactive is more than just an event or a name. Be Interactive is a nonprofit organization that promotes activism, creativity, kindness and charity work. The Bassnectar brand has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity, and continually put in hours of volunteer work. In addition, they also contribute a ton to creative campaigns. The Be Interactive brand is a great way to get started for anyone who wants to make a difference and get the chance to be a part of something bigger. You can find out more information about Be Interactive here.

Now, back to the music. I’ve seen a lot of curated event lineups and have even had the chance to attend some of them myself. Out of all the Bassnectar curated events, this 808 may take the cake just off the lineup alone. Then add some camping, a bigger venue and an exclusive dark party? The result: the best curated event you’ve seen yet. This bill is so incredibly stacked with talent it should almost be illegal. With support from everyones favorite dubstep duo in Zeds Dead, to our Wakaan alien Lucii, Be Interactive 808 is going to be one for the books for anyone who’s fortunate enough to be in attendance. The camping package will include the extra night and pre-party featuring Zomboy, UZ, Of The Trees, Peekaboo, Tokimonsta and Khiva.

As with most Bassnectar curated event, tickets will surely sell out fast so don’t sleep on your opportunity to grab them while you can. Tickets for the event go on sale this Friday, February 28th at 10 a.m. CT. You can purchase tickets for either GA or VIP, GA or VIP Camping, or RV carside camping. Once tickets are live, click here to secure yours!

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Ten years ago, The Glitch Mob released their groundbreaking debut album, Drink The Sea. I can’t believe that it’s already been a decade! The Los Angeles based musicians, Justin Boreta, Ed Ma (edIT) and Josh Mayer (ooah), are celebrating the monumental milestone by announcing an extensive, 36-city tour across Canada and the United States. It goes without saying that this tour is not one to miss!

“This year marks the ten-year anniversary of our first album, Drink The Sea. We have been reflecting on how much the album means to us and to our fans throughout this decade-long journey. We are hitting the road with a reimagined live version of the album and a brand-new audio-visual experience.” – The Glitch Mob

Starve The Ego, Feed The Soul

Like most fans, I must have listened to this album several hundreds of times over the years. Drink The Sea is nothing short of innovative and helped shape the music scene of both Los Angeles and the world. In 2010, it was common for producers to rely on the heavy use of samples in their music; Drink The Sea emerged as a breath of fresh air with their acute analog precision and zero use of samples. Using all original sounds and vocals, The Glitch Mob pushed the boundaries of the electronic music genre and in turn, garnered a fierce following.

Drink The Sea sold over 100,000 copies and amassed over 200 million online streams. Songs such as “Animus Vox,” “Fortune Days” and “Drive It Like You Stole It” have become legendary anthems. To celebrate, The Glitch Mob has created the Drink The Sea X Tour. Check out the poster below for dates:

Making their way through North America, The Glitch Mob will bring an extraordinary set that highlights their musical journey, pioneering discography and unique take on gritty electronica. Joining the gang on tour is North London-based Ivy Lab, a bass-heavy duo who is also scheduled to perform at Holy Ship! Wrecked later this month. 

Over the last ten years, The Glitch Mob has been busy touring the globe and creating music that features their iconic sound. Some of their pivotal moments included appearing at Lightning In A Bottle, Shambhala and Electric Forest, along with playing at some of the most in-demand festivals in the world. These have included Coachella, Lollapalooza, Reading and Leeds, Ultra Music Festival and even a coveted closing set a Governor’s Ball NYC 2018. Drink The Sea catapulted The Glitch Mob into a rising group of producers who paved the way for a fresh, twisted take on IDM. 

Other Albums

Their sophomore album, Love, Death, Immorality (2014) was toured with all over the world, including Russia, Sweden, India, Germany, the UK, Switzerland and the United States. Four years later in 2018, the guys produced their third studio album, See Without Eyes, which harnessed a collection of grandiose tracks showcasing their evolution and growth. Both records reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Dance/Electronic albums chart and received an enthusiastically warm welcome from their fans.  

Tickets are on sale now:  https://theglitchmob.com/tour/ 

Stream Drink The Sea below. Happy listening!

The post The Glitch Mob Announces New Tour to Celebrate “Drink The Sea” Turning 10 appeared first on Festival Squad.

Three absolute forces of nature within the electronic scene—Seven Lions, The Glitch Mob, as well as Slander & NGHTMRE present: GUD VIBRATIONS—came together to deliver one of the most epic shows I have ever seen. Representing Fire, Water, and Air, the three powerhouse artists surpassed my already high expectations. Each group played an incredibly different set than I anticipated, but I wasn’t at all mad about it. Set against one of the world’s most pristine natural backdrops, The Gorge Amphitheatre, I was treated to an evening I won’t soon forget. Over 15,000 fans flocked to The Gorge for its final event of the season.

As temperatures were quite chilly (low 50’s to ’30s!), fans rocked their animal onesies and winter hats to combat the cold. I personally was wearing two layers, a long-sleeved leopard catsuit and a fleece monkey onesie, which wasn’t fun to navigate the porta-potties in. Being a veteran festival goer, I should have known better than to try and sport TWO onesies (with two tails), but I’ve learned my lesson. This was my first cold-weather event, and it was fun to see everyone’s winter festi outfits.

Schedule

In watching the artist’s Instagram stories, I realized the three headliners took turns closing out the show. I thought this was a genius idea. For the show at The Gorge, the schedule was as follows:

• Huxley Anne
• Jason Ross
• The Glitch Mob
• Slander & NGHTMRE PRESENT GUD VIBRATIONS
• Seven Lions

AIR: THE GLITCH MOB

The Glitch Mob represented Air and their set was purposefully somewhat dark and spooky. They achieved this aesthetic by suspending a cyclone-looking piece of rigging with lights that hung above their stand, a design that was minimal in nature. The minimalist approach was spot on being that air is a tricky concept to bring to life. The lights on the cyclone flickered and flashed with the beats and drops. Crisp, white lights cut through the air over the audience while thunder and lightning cascaded through their set, creating a delightfully ominous vibe.

They started strong with the heavy-hitting song “Mind of a Beast.” I nearly threw myself off of the ledge I was on in sheer excitement (this happened more than a few times during their set). Fans were treated to “Drive It Like You Stole It,” “Our Demons,” “Skullclub,” “I Need My Memory Back,” “Come Closer,” “How To Be Eaten By A Woman” and “Skytoucher.” They also played the hell out of their binge-worthy remixes, like The Prodigy’s “Breathe,” The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” TV On The Radio’s “Red Dress” and Daft Punk’s “Derezzed.”

I noticed that they played a ton of unreleased material, peppering in crowd favorites and timeless bangers. The trio released a new song the day before our show with up-and-coming producer LICK called “System Bleed.” In a recent review, I delve into the group’s plans to release a number of songs they’ve collaborated on with newer producers. They dropped “System Bleed” at the Gorge, and the crowd went wild.

As veterans of the electronic scene, they have truly mastered their live performances. In addition to producing music that is incredibly dynamic and badass, they can be counted on to play incredible live shows. The Glitch Mob played a very different set than the previous two shows I’ve seen. Being able to play the same catalog of songs but diversify the show indicates true and lasting talent in my eyes. More than a few souls were snatched at The Gorge that night thanks to the spells cast by The Glitch Mob.

FIRE: SLANDER & NGHTMRE PRESENT: GUD VIBRATIONS

A quick intermission revealed an entirely different stage design to support SLANDER & NGHTMRE, who represented the element Fire. And boy did they live up to their element. A massive nest of rigging enveloped the stand where the three producers stood. The oblong-shaped rigging had ribbons of light that looked like flames shooting across the stage. Several flame-throwing devices were set up in front of their stand and spewed towers of fire often, further reinforcing their element.

While The Glitch Mob was spooky and cast spells on the crowd, GUD VIBRATIONS transported the crowd straight to HELL; I mean this in the best possible way as the trio absolutely CRUSHED their set and delivered a ferocious performance. I’m not sure how the crowd was able to get wilder but they did.

GUD VIBRATIONS showcased the best and HOTTEST songs of the three producers’ catalog. I had not seen GUD VIBRATIONS play together before, but they too shattered my expectations. They relentlessly played banger after banger, weaving in a fair amount of headbanging music with dubstep, trap and even some screamo. Personally I felt as though I needed to go to church after their absolutely filthy, grimy set—it was that good. I  thought my ‘bass face’ was going to get stuck permanently for sure.

One of my favorite parts of their set was when they took a melodic turn and played “Superhero.” I’m getting chills recalling this beautifully powerful moment. We collectively melted together as they asked the crowd to put their lights up. All around me friends and lovers embraced. The producers asked the men in the audience to put their ladies up on their shoulders to soak up the moment. The dreamy moment came abruptly to an end as the nastiest beat dropped. I could have sworn that I saw a bunch of ladies careen sideways off shoulders as we returned to the depths of Hell for more epic wubs and dubs (I hope they’re okay!)

NGHTMRE & SLANDER played “Redlight,” “End Of The Night,” “Need You,” “Feel Your Love,” “STREET,” “Live This Nightmare,” “Man’s First Inhibition,” “Broken,” “After All,” “POWER,” “Ascension”  and, of course, “GUD VIBRATIONS.”

WATER: SEVEN LIONS

Seven Lion’s closed out the show at The Gorge. His set and stage design masterfully illustrated the element Water. A smattering of different sized diamond-shaped screens sat in front of the stand where Seven Lions stood. They echoed different clips of what the main visuals illustrated and usually had a border of blue or white light at all times. Seven Lions is known for his fantastical and hauntingly beautiful visuals, which he uses to weave a story throughout his set.

Seven Lions effortlessly transitions from trance to dubstep to house, sometimes within one track. He delivered one of the most breathtakingly gorgeous sets to close out the show. His hallmark epic house and uplifting trance anthems filled The Gorge as fans were transported to other worlds with his visuals. I easily could have danced until dawn to his music.

Harnessing his ability to evoke the feels with his melodic trance tracks and then kick it up with delightfully complex dubstep, Seven Lions had every fan dancing their hearts out until the last note. He played “Rush Over Me,” “After Dark,” “Islands,” “See The End,” “Don’t Leave,” “World’s Apart,” “Ocean,” “Falling Away,” “Higher Love” and his remix of “Sahara Love.” He also dropped an extended remix of Darude’s “Sandstorm,” so that we could properly rage to this anthem. Seven Lions always fills me with love and light; this set was no different. 

I left The Gorge in awe after witnessing the sheer amount of talent showcased that evening. I’m so thankful to have seen The Alchemy Tour in all of its glory. I’m rooting for a reunion tour!

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