Burning Man Festival News
Elements Music & Arts Festival Announces Phase One Lineup for 6th Edition!
This week, Elements Music & Arts Festival, the Northeast’s premier boutique festival experience, has announced the phase one lineup for its 2023 edition. Best described as an escape unlike any other, Elements is co-created by all those who embark on the journey, fostering a creative getaway aimed to inspire and offer a break from the stresses of everyday life. It’s the ultimate carefree weekender where music, community, art, camping, and adventure join together in perfect unison, taking over Long Pond, Pennsylvania from August 10th-14th.
Long Pond proved to be the perfect new home for the revered Elements community in 2022, welcoming revelers to its magical fields and immersive forest landscapes. Quickly becoming a celebrated prodigal home for the long-running event, the location is one of the Northeast’s most unique venues, a clear capitulation of the imaginative feeling Elements has become known for amidst its dedicated community.
With the phase one lineup, Elements has delivered its most ambitious billing to date while providing something for fans of all styles of electronic music and jam. This is only an initial taste of the full musical offering this year, which will be twice the size of previous lineups at Elements with over 100 artists across 10 unique stages.
Headliners on the phase one lineup include some of the most in-demand tastemakers and creators in the scene. Attendees can look forward to a performance from the one-and-only Skrillex, along with the mesmerizing sounds of Porter Robinson (DJ Set), house music heavyweight founder Chris Lake who will be hosting a Black Book Records stage takeover, crowd-favorite John Summit, the potent musical stylings of the Pennsylvania kid Subtronics, and Belgian bass duo Ganja White Night.
Lovers of live electronic music will feel right at home with performances on deck from the classically-trained English vocalist Elderbrook and East Coast funk-jam icons Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. Those seeking out heavier electronic strains of dance are in for a treat with appearances by trippy low-end producer LSDREAM, the esoteric frequencies of globally revered beatsmith TOKiMONSTA, and the dark styles of Mersiv, Peekaboo, and Of The Trees. Level Up will offer her femme touch on the bass music sound, while Zingara reimagines the genre with her super-producer sensibilities.
House heads can rejoice as Elements has gathered some of the genre’s foremost modern flag bearers to soundtrack its return to Long Pond. LP Giobbi’s piano-weapon gold will be on full display with a FEMME HOUSE stake takeover along with French icon Tchami, followed up by the meteoric momentum of HoneyLuv, Dirtybird innovator Nala, and bass house superstar Noizu. Dutch duo Tinlicker bring an underground European flavor to the lineup alongside chart topper Westend and the laidback stylings of SNBRN. Electronic funk duo The Sponges will showcase their larger than life performances, while Kaleena Zanders sets forth a soulful, live vocal journey into the new-age corners of house music. The more melodic end of the 4/4 spectrum is represented by Anjuna’s own Qrion and All Day I Dream upstart David Hohme.
The four primary stages of the festival are aptly named to each represent one of the key elements that define not only the event’s experience, but the very fabric of the natural world it celebrates. Fire is the home for thrill-seekers who thrive off moments of spontaneous fun, while Earth presents a psychedelic paradise of neon trees, galactic mushrooms, and airborne jellyfish. Air offers a temple of melodies tucked deep in the forest, while the sunshine playground known as Water is where acrobats, pirates, and clowns are ever abounding and swimsuits are heavily encouraged.
Beyond the music, festival goers can explore a magical playground that includes Burning Man style art cars that are quickly becoming a staple of the Elements experience, 3D video projection mapping, large-scale art installations, and interactive performances in every direction, plus a Health & Wellness lineup featuring yoga, aromatherapy, dance, comedy, sound baths, and multidisciplinary workshops. Attendees can also stop by the vendor village for unique jewelry, creative art, and festival attire, or refuel from the dance floor at a 24-hour food court with an array of healthy and organic local food provided by Pocono Organics, one of North America’s largest regenerative organic certified farms.
The concept of co-creation remains pivotal to the Elements experience. A row of sanctioned theme camps bring their own renegade feel to the event’s programming, offering spontaneous spaces to explore through all hours of the day and night. Elements also relies on the feedback and polling of its community in order to shape the edition to come. When their dedicated attendees talk they listen, act, and evolve – molding the event’s lineup and production to mirror its ever-changing fanbase of music lovers and party people.
What started from humble roots has continued to evolve with Elements Festival now looking towards its 6th edition, yet still remaining purely independent in the process. Founded by Timothy Monkiewicz and Brett Herman in 2013, Elements has grown rapidly from a one-day event on the Brooklyn waterfront to an immersive camping experience that has quickly become a staple of the festival circuit. The move to Long Pond has aided in this growth, with Elements now hosted in the woodlands adjacent to the raceway. The venue is powered by an onsite solar farm, further assisting Elements in its long-term sustainability goals.
According to the founders, this venue was always part of the plan for Elements, noting “We first saw our new home outside of Pocono Raceway in 2016 when we were scoping the location for our first Elements campout. We instantly fell in love with the site, but it was way too big for a first year festival on a shoestring budget. Out of the 40+ locations we visited, it was by far the best, and we always knew that this would be the perfect home for Elements. We are beyond grateful that 6 years later we were able to move here.”
The venue is less than 2 hours from New York City and Philadelphia, making for an easy drive from a variety of locations throughout the Northeast. Shuttle passes will also be available for those looking to avoid driving, which provide rides from New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and D.C. to and from the festival.
Tier One GA and VIP passes are currently on sale through the official Elements Festival website, with a price increase coming soon for Tier Two tickets. Both ticket types are moving quickly and are on track to sell out. Fans can also purchase passes with an initial deposit and pay the rest after, which is $47 for GA passes and $62 for VIP. Thursday early arrival passes can also be purchased, which allows attendees to beat the rush and celebrate the beginning of the festival with an exclusive pre-party with secret headliners. Elements also offers a variety of options related to accommodations, which range from car camping to on-site glamping, nearby hotels, and preset RVs and tents for those seeking an elevated experience.
DJ SHARE (Sharon Pieksma) is never far from a dance floor, always on the go bouncing between gigs and festivals.
But we managed to steal a few minutes with her! In this super quick catch-up, we threw a few fun questions her way to get to know the woman behind the decks.
Can you tell us a bit about your musical journey? Did you start out in the organic house direction, or has your style evolved over time?
Actually, I started out playing deep tech and minimal. That was the sound that first got me booked at clubs in Rotterdam where I’m from, and across the Netherlands. One of the biggest turning points for me was Burning Man. It completely changed how I connect to music. The experience there opened me up to more organic sounds, deeper, more emotive, more layered, and that’s when my style really started to evolve in that direction.
What’s funny is that I’ve recently started mixing some of that older deep tech and minimal music back into my current sets, which has been a fun full-circle moment.
Which of your own produced tracks has a special meaning to you?
A track that’s particularly close to my heart is “Moon.” It stands out from my other productions because it has a deeper, more introspective feel. The whole process was super organic, because I wasn’t overthinking it, it just flowed. I even used my own voice in the track, which made it feel really intimate and honest. The message, “reach for the light, reach for the moon,” is simple but powerful.
What’s the longest set you’ve ever played and how long did it end up being?
That would be a 16-hour set I played at a private event in Moscow, definitely the longest I’ve ever done! It wasn’t planned at all… I think I was originally meant to play maybe four to six hours. But the vibe was just so good, the energy kept flowing, and I somehow ended up behind the decks for a full 16 hours.
It turned into a real journey, not just for the crowd, but for me too. I went through so many different styles and moods, I’m pretty sure I played through my entire USB, including some deep tech tracks from way back in the day. It was intense, but also so much fun.
And yes, there were definitely a few moments where I’d put on a long track, run off to grab a bite, or even just walk around and soak in the energy before jumping back into the mix. It was wild… but in the best way.
DJ SHARE
If you were forced somehow to switch jobs and not be a DJ anymore, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
Wow, that’s a tough one. I feel so deeply connected to music, it’s hard to imagine doing anything else. Music makes me genuinely happy. I listen to it and dig for new tracks literally every day, so I think I’d still stay close to it somehow.
Maybe I’d become a guitarist and focus more on live music… or I’d dive more into organising retreats. I really love the idea of creating meaningful, mindful experiences for people, though I see that more as a passion than a full-time job. Either way, it would have to be something that feeds the soul.
If you were kidnapped and locked in a room with just one song playing on repeat, which one would you want it to be?
What a scenario! But okay, if I had to choose, I’d probably go with something calming and timeless. I don’t always listen to electronic music; I really love more downtempo, dreamy stuff that helps me unwind or gets me inspired.
Something by Thievery Corporation would be high on the list. Their blend of mellow, reggae-influenced sounds always feels full of love and light. But if I had to pick just one track… I think it would be “Porcelain” by Moby. It’s been with me for so long, and I never get tired of it. It has this beautiful calming effect, slowing my mind down in the best way. I could definitely survive on that one.
Connect with SHARE on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/share.musica/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sharedj/tracks
DJ Mag has just announced results of their annual the top 100 festivals, receiving a record-breaking number of votes recorded in the poll once again.
DJ Mag Top 100 Festivals first started in 2019, when winners were selected by a panel of DJs. After a brief hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the poll returned in 2022 with votes being opened up to the public for the first time. Increased numbers have been recorded every year since, and, in 2025, votes came from every corner of the globe, from North and South America to Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa. DJ Mag’s influence can be seen in the list below, where you’ll find festivals spanning a wide range of electronic music styles, from EDM and hard dance favorites with jaw-dropping production to major house and techno events and underground staples with a sound-system focus.
Topping this year’s ranking is Belgium’s legendary Tomorrowland, once again crowned the world’s No.1 festival. Known for its fantasy-inspired stages, impeccable production, and community-driven atmosphere, Tomorrowland continues to set the benchmark for global dance music events. In fact, DJ Mag readers will also note not far behind is Ultra Music Festival in Miami, which remains a defining moment on the global electronic calendar, signaling the start of the festival season with world-class lineups in the heart of downtown. Rounding out the top three is Romania’s Untold, a relatively newer giant that has quickly become one of Europe’s most iconic and immersive festivals.
The top 10 also features heavyweight names like EDC Las Vegas (4), Glastonbury Festival (5), and Kappa FuturFestival (6), each representing different ends of the electronic music spectrum—from colossal Las Vegas-style EDM spectacles to refined European techno celebrations. Coachella (7) retains its influence thanks to genre-spanning programming and cultural impact, while Sunburn Festival (8) continues to elevate India’s presence on the global dance scene. A testament to DJ Mag’s poll prestige, rounding out the top 10 are Creamfields (9), a UK mainstay for electronic fans, and Defqon.1 (10), the epicenter of hard dance in the Netherlands.
Further down the list, standout festivals like Parookaville (18), Awakenings (20), Neversea Festival (21), and EDC Orlando (22) showcase the diversity of scale and sound that the electronic music community now embraces. From techno purists at Dekmantel Festival (17) to desert dreamers at Burning Man (24), and DJ Mag supported events at Croatian beach settings like Sonus Festival (37) to global franchises like Ultra Europe (31) and World DJ Festival (32), this year’s list proves that the electronic music world is not only growing but thriving in nearly every region.
Meanwhile, up-and-coming and regional events are breaking into the top 100 in record numbers. Vision & Colour Festival (94) and Beonix Festival (69) highlight the rise of new markets, while S20 Hong Kong (78) and EDC China (80) signal Asia’s growing influence in the scene. Boutique experiences like Houghton Festival (86), Glitch Festival (83), and Love International (87) continue to receive recognition for their intimate vibes, curated sounds, and loyal followings. Also, DJ Mag and its festivals like Pitch Music & Arts (96) in Australia and Saga Festival (79) in Romania further illustrating the global appetite for unique, immersive electronic music experiences.
The full list can be seen below:
100. Sónar Lisboa
99. Beats For Love
98. Lost Lands Festival
97. Medusa Sunbeach Festival
96. Pitch Music & Arts
95. Ultra South Africa
94. Vision & Colour Music Festival
93. Outlook Origins
92. Defected Malta
91. Unseen Festival
90. EDC Thailand
89. Fly Open Air Festival
88. Ultra Australia
87. Love Internarional Festival
86. Houghton Festival
85. Sunset By Neon
84. Baum Festival
83. Glitch Festival
82. Beyond The Valley
81. Groove Cruise
80. EDC China
79. Saga Festival
78. S20 Hong Kong
77. Soundstorm
76. Ultra Japan
75. Electric Castle
74. Defected Croatia
73. Jakarta Warehouse Project
72. Ultra Korea
71. Siam Songkran Music Festival
70. Creamfields Chile
69. Beonix festival
68. Lost Village
67. Together Festival
66. Ultra Taiwan
65. Positiv
64. Ravolution Music Festival
63. Sea Star Festival
62. Tomorrowland Winter
61. Blacklist festival
60. Airbeat One
59. HARD Summer
58. Les Plages Electroniques
57. A State Of Trance,
56. Snowbombing
55. S20 Taiwan
54. Ava Festival
53. Neon Countdown
52. Nibirii Festival
51. Nameless Festival
50. EDC Mexico
49. Lovefest
48. Loveland
47. Hideout Festival
46. Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
45. Dimensions Festival
44. Veld Music Festival
43. Panorama Festival
42. Primer Music Festival
41. CRSSD Festival
40. Untold Dubai Festival
39. Lollapalooza
38. DGTL
37. Sonos Festival
36. Arc Music Festival
35. S20 Songkran Music Festival
34. Terminal V
33. Mysteryland
32. World DJ Festival
31. Ultra Europe
30. Neopop Festival
29. 808 Festival
28. EXIT Festival
27. Movement Music Festival
26. Sónar
25. Primavera Sound
24. Burning Man
23. Electric Love
22. EDC Orlando
21. Neversea Festival
20. Awakenings
19. Monegros Desert Festival
18. Parookaville
17. Dekmantel Festival
16. AMF
15. Boomtown
14. Time Warp
13. Sziget Festival
12. Parklife
11. World Club Dome
10 – Defqon.1
9 – Creamfields
8 – Sunburn Festival
7 – Coachella
6 – Kappa FuturFestival
5 – Glastonbury Festival
4 – EDC Las Vegas
3 – Untold
2 – Ultra Music Festival
1 – Tomorrowland
Alex Cecil drops a high-energy track, ‘Hola Papi:’ releasing his newest production on Playero Records, he highlights his groove-heavy sound, underlining the creativity and technical skill behind his approach. Blending driving beats with playful details, ‘Hola Papi’ delivers a dancefloor-ready vibe – showcasing Alex Cecil‘s ability to fuse infectious energy with sophisticated sound design.
Through a soundscape where balanced rhythms meet with seductive vocal hooks, ‘Hola Papi’ unfolds into a dynamic sonic journey, revealing atmospheric moments that seamlessly manage tension and release while maintaining an engaging flow throughout. As catchy melodic motifs and bassline progressions weave amongst the arrangement, intricate percussive textures uphold the crisp, sharp groove of the track, continuing to build momentum through breakdowns and drops. With synth work layering in as the track journeys on, integrating pads, risers, and bouncy lines into the mix, ‘Hola Papi’ develops an evolving sound, introducing Alex Cecil’s diverse sonic palette and showcasing his approach to blending rhythm, texture, and melody in a cohesive and engaging way.
With a rich musical background, Alex Cecil continues to lean on his creative origins to craft work that feels fresh and unique. Refining a sonic identity with the aim to create music that resonates with listeners, he seeks to build connections through both his studio output and live performances – an approach he highlights further in this latest release. As his creative ambitions remain high, building off career highlights that include releasing on labels like 925 Music, RVDIOVCTIVE, and Deep Playa, and taking to iconic festival stages, such as Burning Man and Hideout Festival, Croatia, Alex Cecil maintains his momentum.
Now, adding another track that captures his signature style to his discography, he once again invites genre enthusiasts to explore his approach, skill, and creativity – enveloping them in his sonic world through the soundscape of ‘Hola Papi.’
‘Hola Papi’ is out now via Playero Records, available to stream and download across all major platforms.
Make sure to keep up with Alex Cecil and his evolving journey by staying tuned for his upcoming releases, projects, and performances via social media.
Listen and Buy ‘Hola Papi’ here:
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