“Intoxicated” was the overall anthem I was left with thanks to Spring Weekend in Panama City Beach, Florida. For me, this song will be forever ingrained in memory for life, alongside memories like the unbelievably expanded and improved experience that Spring Weekend delivered on this past weekend. The titles are simple but the description eternally special – sit back, relax, and dive in to my Spring Weekend 2015 review:
I went to Spring Weekend last year. Growing in NW Florida, I knew that Spring Weekend’s presence on the Gulf Coast was truly unique, something no group typically attempts in the greater panhandle area. The event being so close to my hometown, I had to experience the 2-day festival for myself.
This year, waves of euphoria came over me at Spring Weekend 2015 as I internally reviewed key festival elements that were immensely improved upon. Not that last year was bad, but damn. Spring Weekend has left an unforgettable impression that they can play the festival game like the big dogs.
Sound
I was already impressed in this area from last year. Even though it’s a one-stage-at-a-time event, the sound during both years at SW maintained a perfect balance of heart-rattling bass and clear non-ear-piercing treble. From a 2nd story VIP area to a random far-left corner, the sound was consistent and well-balance all weekend.
Visuals
Holy shit. Spring Weekend easy brought one of the hottest, most technologically-advanced lights shows to ever be occur on the beaches of Panama City. The night stage was arguably twice the size as last year and had a circular, UFO-like top to it where LED lights were places within, under, and around the circle pattern. Lazers, strobes, spotlights on gyroscopes, smoke machines, all in large number, all were present at SW, blowing the minds of returning and new attendee’s alike.
People
This year I was very happy so see that was noticeably different compared to last year, more types of people all-around. Everyone was decked out in sexy swimwear, raging hard (seriously,) and positively cheering on each other and the DJs as everyone danced in peaceful harmony to dance sub-genres of every type.
Live Sets
Friday I arrive in time for 3LAU, who was throwing down a rather intense progressive / electro house mix. As usual, he was clearly pouring his heart and mind into the moments, even delivering a special ID that we captured and shared on Instagram.
Laidback Luke followed 3LAU. Of course the man is a legend, but it was my first time seeing him wasn’t sure what to expect totally. Luke was easily one the best live mixers I’ve ever seen, up there with Nectar, hands down. His ability to fluidly mix sounds as opposite as rap and progressive house, b2b, and make it work, is unforgettable. He also played FSU’s “War Chant” and mashed it up with a house track as well as played nostalgic 2000’s techno sport anthems we all knew as kids, props for that!
The next day I started with Mija, who threw down a bouncy combination of trap, future bass, and vocal tracks that caught me off guard and conveyed an excellent theme you could pick out as Mija’s if heard again.
Then, Tchami. The crowd went insane for his one-of-a-kind future house style, attendee’s were singing his famous, catchy melodies on cue while Tchami showcased huge, unexpected drops that set everyone off, making it one of the best shows of the festival.
The grand finale of the fest was Zeds Dead, who I had not seen since 2011. Wow, have they come along way with their live shows, which was a little bit of everything tied together intelligently while still delivered huge levels of energy. All you had to do was close your eyes, listen, and ZD’s set put a brilliantly soundtrack inside the mind.
I will definitely be at Spring Weekend next year, everything was on point, their vendors were yummy, and the people were fly. Who’s ready for Spring Weekend 2016?!
Connect with Spring Weekend
http://www.facebook.com/SpringWeekend
http://twitter.com/#!/SpringWeekend
http://www.youtube.com/SpringWeekendChannel
http://springweekend.com/main
Photo credit: SW Facebook
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