One Time at Desert Hearts Festival…

The 1975’s Matty Healy kisses security guard at Denmark concert

This Cybersecurity Expert Is Making Electronic Music to Help People Fortify Their Digital Identities

Coldplay Have Planted 5 Million Trees on Their Current Tour

If we ask almost any of the DJs, music producers, and performers who performed at Desert Hearts Competition this weekend what makes the occasion so particular, most will most likely take us on an extended stroll down reminiscence lane. And, why not?

For a competition in its eleventh yr, recognized for its tight-knit crew, and potent love-centric philosophy few ship magic fairly like the dual labels: Desert Hearts Data and Desert Hearts Black. After greater than a decade of throwing this music competition, these younger titans know how you can get bizarre in probably the most irresistible trend. They will get bouncy and enjoyable within the trippiest methods through the day, however then go storied and cinematic with tunes so darkish they make the evening come alive.

Between a last-minute venue change to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and a difficult financial time that makes every thing from throwing a celebration to purchasing a ticket somewhat tougher, Desert Hearts Competition is actually going to be a particular one this yr. Past juggernauts of the dance scene like Skream, Dusky, Mark Farina, Lee Foss, Melé, and Catz ‘N Dogz–simply to call a number of, this specific version of the competition is serendipitously extra intimate than the larger, newer iterations of the fest–a high quality music followers at all times lengthy for as the key will get out about our most beloved events and inevitably they grow to be more and more widespread.

Like discovering a competition in a time capsule, for a lot of, Desert Hearts Competition 2023 would possibly even have been extra “prefer it was” than it has been or shall be once more for some time. It is an essential step on an extended journey for the crew and their followers as nicely. It was experientially extra akin to the Metropolis Hearts occasions of previous years. A far cry from the earthy, pashmina-rocking, tenting music competition that Desert Hearts is so well-known (and beloved) for being, however within the context of the present financial state of the trade, that was simply outweighed by the truth that a lot of our favourite boutique home and techno occasions have already cancelled on 2023. It is really admirable that even with the challenges of adjusting a venue final minute Desert Hearts did not take a move on the yr as nicely. It took guts to take that probability amid shifting plans, and it will most likely repay large within the hearts and minds of home and techno lovers. One factor we will say for positive, this yr there shall be much more cherished tales that begin out with these 5 little phrases: “one time at Desert Hearts Competition…”

Justin Martin performs an epic dawn set for one of many largest all-night turnouts within the competition’s historical past.

C/o Desert Hearts Competition

To be taught extra in regards to the golden vibes that home and techno followers and performers have skilled over time on the competition, we requested a few of the most devastatingly badass OG’s on the lineup to share their favourite Desert Hearts Competition reminiscence.

Learn on to listen to each what they sound like and what they needed to say.

Justin Martin

“I’ve had the honour of enjoying fairly a number of Desert Hearts events… however, by far my favourite reminiscence was being granted the dawn time slot in 2022. I nonetheless get goosebumps fascinated with that morning, the quantity of affection that I used to be surrounded by on stage, and magical power radiating from the group. The group that this crew has cultivated over time is really excellent! Second to none! I’m so excited to be again with everybody this weekend.”

Mary Droppinz

“My fav reminiscence was once I was on stage at metropolis hearts (DHLA) in 2019 and watched Patrick Topping take the tempo as much as 150 bpm. That is the primary time I had gotten to expertise that with my very own eyes and I have been loving the quick lane ever since! DH has at all times been tremendous influential and provoking for me as a DJ since I first began attending the festivals in 2015.”

Rinzen

“My favourite DH reminiscence was attending to play the competition for the primary time in 2019! After attending the competition as a fan for a few years, it was so surreal to be on the decks myself, on the helm of the music for two hours throughout dawn. I distinctly bear in mind the second of the solar peaking out over the timber, and the way alive and current I felt in that second.”

Cascandy (aka Andreas Henneberg)

“The primary ever Cascandy present with the Desert Hearts household was on the autumn version of the competition again in 2015 at Los Coyotes. This was every thing! The individuals, the music, the crew and the vibe was one thing very particular. We don’t have something much like this in Europe.

I’m greater than proud to be part of this particular occasion on the LA Coliseum. Let’s rock that sh*t!”