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Reflecting on 808 Festival 2024: Bangkok’s Premier Musical Extravaganza

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After a three-day weekend celebrating 808 Festival, it’s time to reflect on what made this festival so great and why it continues to stand as Bangkok’s premier music festival. The lineup was nothing short of amazing, with Anyma debuting his Genesys show in Asia right here in Bangkok. But that wasn’t the only debut—The Outlaw delivered an unforgettable experience, and the Drumcode takeover featuring Adam Beyer and co. added another layer of excellence to the weekend. Let’s dive into what went down over those three incredible days.

Day 1: A Nostalgic Warm-Up

Day 1 was the perfect warm-up for the jam-packed weekend ahead, easing us into the 808 experience while setting a high bar for what was to come. San Holo’s return to Thailand after a five-year hiatus was nothing short of magical. His ability to seamlessly weave melodic tunes with hard-hitting bangers felt like he was guiding us toward the light, setting an uplifting tone for the night. The crowd’s energy was electric, each drop resonating like a shared heartbeat among fans old and new.

Miss Monique followed with a melodic journey that was nothing less than hypnotic. Her set brought a serene calmness to the air, a soothing contrast to the adrenaline-packed sets around her. It was the kind of musical therapy that made you close your eyes, sway, and momentarily forget everything except the rhythm.

For me, the highlight of the night was Alok’s set. He didn’t just bring music—he brought memories. His track selection hit me right in the feels, sparking nostalgia for the Y2K days and those early raving years when I was just 20. It’s surreal to think how long it’s been, yet every beat felt like a time machine, reconnecting me with that raw, unfiltered love for dance music. Alok’s blend of old-school vibes and modern energy was a perfect bridge between past and present, a reminder of why I’ve remained a devoted fan of 808 all these years.

Closing out the night, Sara Landry made her powerful debut at 808, and it was nothing short of a marathon. Her relentless, hard-hitting techno pushed us to the edge—gasping for breath but still hungry for more. Every track was a force of nature, leaving no room for hesitation or slowing down. It wasn’t just a set; it was an all-out assault on the senses, a masterclass in high-energy pacing that ensured we ended Day 1 with a bang.

The day felt like a celebration of first-time acts, nostalgic returns, and musical journeys that reminded us why 808 continues to set the standard for festival excellence. It was only the beginning, and yet it already felt unforgettable.

Day 2: Sustainability and Dual-Stage Excitement

After recovering from the whirlwind that was Day 1, I decided to explore the venue more thoroughly on Day 2—and stumbled upon something unexpected: 808’s sustainability initiatives in collaboration with Indorama Ventures. Here’s the thing—just like waiting for that text from a trashy ex who never changes is wasted energy, so is tossing away plastic without a second thought. This initiative encouraged us to recycle our plastic bottles, giving waste a meaningful second life. It was a poignant reminder that one person’s trash can indeed become another’s treasure. For us ravers, the treasure is clear: festivals that let us revel in the music we love while also caring for the planet we live on.

A standout moment of the day was seeing groups of festival-goers enthusiastically engaging with the recycling drive, turning it into a mini celebration. It was inspiring to witness the rave community come together for a cause that went beyond the music. That sense of collective effort gave the festival an extra layer of meaning, proving that sustainability and good vibes can go hand in hand.

The night’s music was another adventure entirely, with two stages attracting our attention. On the mainstage, 4B got the crowd hyped with his energetic performance, seamlessly blending trap and house beats into a set that kept the energy at a peak.

Then came Alison Wonderland’s return after five years, delivering a performance that was both emotional and electric, a true testament to her artistry.

James Hype brought his unique energy, Chase & Status’ DJ set introduced DnB vibes to the mainstage, and The Outlaw’s debut took the crowd by storm with a dystopian theme.

Over at the We Rave You stage, Sadia, Merow, AVAO, JUSTUS, and Klangkuenstler kept things lively with their distinct styles, proving the stage was just as much of a draw as the mainstage. Each artist brought their own flavor to the night, making it impossible to stick to one area for too long without feeling FOMO.

For me, The Outlaw’s set stole the show. The production felt like we were dropped into a dystopian world—gritty decorations, pounding beats, and an atmosphere that made everyone feel like part of a unified rebellion. It was immersive, thrilling, and exactly the kind of creative leap that sets 808 apart. The mix of theatrical elements and hard-hitting soundscapes made it an unforgettable experience.

Day 2 wasn’t just about incredible music—it was about connection, creativity, and showing how festivals can inspire us to take care of each other and the planet. With sustainability initiatives and dual-stage excitement, 808 proved once again why it’s not just a festival but a movement.

Day 3: The Genesys of Euphoria

The final day was the one we’d all been waiting for: Anyma’s Genesys debut in Thailand. For months, it was all anyone could talk about, myself included. When the moment finally arrived, the excitement in the air was undeniable. Anyma’s massive screen and futuristic visuals combined with his signature soundscapes created an experience that felt otherworldly. It’s easy to see why this show has captured the world’s attention—seeing it firsthand was unforgettable.

Every element of Anyma’s set was meticulously crafted, from the massive visuals to the seamless transitions that made the entire performance feel like a single, cohesive narrative. It wasn’t just a set; it was a story—a journey that left the crowd in awe and cemented Anyma as one of the most innovative artists in the scene today.

The rest of Day 3 featured another incredible lineup. Laura Van Dam brought her uplifting energy, kicking off the evening with a vibrant set that had everyone moving.

Mau P had the crowd chanting along to his iconic anthem, “Drugs From Amsterdam,” creating a unifying moment that could only happen at 808.

Then came Zedd’s return after two years, delivering an emotional set filled with fan favorites. Hearing him drop “Clarity” for the sixth time in my life still felt just as powerful as the first. The crowd’s unified singing during “Clarity” was a moment of pure magic, a collective reminder of the healing and connective power of music.

On the Drumcode stage, legends like Marie Vaunt, Massano, Bart Skils, and Adam Beyer reminded everyone why techno holds a special place in our hearts. Bart Skils’ closing set was the perfect way to end the festival—a masterclass in why he’s a global icon of techno.

Between the Genesys debut, Zedd’s emotional return, and Drumcode’s powerhouse performances, Day 3 delivered everything we love about 808 Festival and more. It wasn’t just a finale—it was the ultimate celebration of music, visuals, and the connection we all share as a rave community.

A Festival to Remember

808 Festival 2024 wasn’t just another festival. It was a weekend filled with unforgettable moments, powerful performances, and a reminder of why we keep coming back year after year. From the groundbreaking debuts to the sustainability efforts, 808 continues to raise the bar for music festivals in Asia. The sense of community and shared passion for music made this year’s edition even more special.

If my stories have convinced you of its magic, be sure to follow 808’s Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on next year’s edition. 

Trust me—you won’t want to miss it.

With 13 years in the EDM scene, Preetika has built a strong presence around festivals, club culture, and electronic music. Based in Bangkok, she covers all things EDM in Thailand and beyond, with a focus on both local and international talent. She has attended major festivals including Tomorrowland, Ultra Japan, and Creamfields Hong Kong. Since working as a writer for EDM House Network, she has interviewed artists such as Blasterjaxx, James Hype, W&W, R3HAB, Alok, and many others. Her experience and consistent presence in the scene make her a trusted voice for EDM coverage.

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UNTOLD Festival 2025: The Recap

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UNTOLD X wasn’t just a festival, it was a four-night celebration of music, unity, and pure magic in Cluj, Romania.

We just got back from UNTOLD X and honestly, it was unreal. Our team’s first time in Romania and it couldn’t get any better than this. Four straight nights in Cluj with over 470,000 people from all over the world, and every night felt bigger than the last.

Post Malone kicked off his European tour, and the whole stadium was packed singing along. The start of the show with ‘Texas Tea’ to the pyro and energy during ‘Rockstar’ and the closing with ‘Congratulations’ was something to remember for ages. The country rockstar persona definitely suits him.

Armin van Buuren gave us a three-hour marathon set that turned into this massive love letter to the crowd, he even walked down into the audience under a sea of phone lights, waving the Romanian flag while wearing the Romanian football team jersey. Goosebumps.

The Avicii tribute with Sandro Cavazza was as emotional as it could get. When he sang ‘Without You’, tens of thousands of people sang along and the whole place lit up. It felt like everyone was united in that moment.

The lineup was stacked. Garrix blew us away with his special set and the fireworks at the end of his set with ‘High on Life’ were unforgettable. Tiësto did a special extended set just for the 10th anniversary. Don Diablo premiered his new show concept for his upcoming tour. And then you had the special act, Salvatore Ganacci turning the stage into a living room and Alan Walker with his cinematic visuals and an energetic set.

Alok brought team of dancers and the whole set was probably the highlight of the festival. The visuals, the production, the music and the crowds energy were just unmatched.

It wasn’t just about the mainstage either. The Galaxy stage had heavyweights like Dom Dolla, ARTBAT, Adriatique, and Black Coffee, proper house and techno journeys that went late into the night. The festival had so many different vibes, from chill daytime sets in the park to full-on raves at night.

What really stood out though was how much UNTOLD leaned into the experience beyond the music. There were food stalls, games, fashion corners, even a special kids’ area and a sensory space for kids with neurodiverse needs. They even brought in cancer survivors from Youth Cancer Europe to meet artists, it really felt like a community, not just a festival.

This was the 10th edition, and they made it clear it was both a celebration of the last decade and a teaser for what’s next. They’re already talking about “UNTOLD One” in 2026 as the next chapter. If this anniversary was any indication, it’s going to be on another level.

 

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What Tomorrowland 2025 and Sadhguru Taught Us About Peace in Motion

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Sadhguru at Tomorrowland 2025: Finding Peace Through Music, Movement, and Collective Stillness

When Sadhguru appeared at the Love Tomorrow Summit during Tomorrowland 2025, it wasn’t a disruption to the festival’s flow. It was a deepening of it. In a place known for towering stages, nonstop sound, and collective highs, his presence offered something unexpected yet entirely fitting. His reflections on peace, consciousness, and inner stillness landed not in silence, but in the middle of music and motion, and somehow, that made them feel even more real. This piece isn’t a recap of who played what stage. It’s about what Tomorrowland now stands for beyond music, how the summit reshaped the festival’s identity, and why Sadhguru’s message carried such powerful meaning during a weekend where even a mainstage fire couldn’t shake the unity of the crowd.

From Sound to Stillness: The Role of the Love Tomorrow Summit

Tomorrowland has always claimed to be more than a music festival. With slogans like Live Today, Love Tomorrow, Unite Forever, it has long positioned itself as a global gathering grounded in ideals of unity and hope. But ideals are easy to print on flags and screens. It’s through the Love Tomorrow Summit that those ideals have started to take on meaning. Held just before the festival weekend begins, the summit has evolved into a space where Tomorrowland explores what it means to stand for something, not just sonically, but socially and spiritually.

That’s what made Sadhguru’s appearance feel less like a surprise and more like a confirmation. The summit’s emphasis on environmental action, mental health, and cultural dialogue created a natural context for his voice. When he spoke about peace not being the absence of sound but the presence of clarity within it, it felt grounded in the very experience Tomorrowland was offering. He wasn’t telling people to step away from the music. He was offering a way to step into it more fully, with awareness, with stillness, with intention. In that moment, the summit wasn’t just a side event. It was the soul of the festival.

Peace in Motion: Sadhguru’s Message in the Heart of the Noise

What gave Sadhguru’s appearance real meaning wasn’t just the symbolism of placing a mystic at a music festival. It was the way he met the setting without needing to change it. During his session with Alok on the Love Tomorrow stage, he didn’t ask people to disconnect from what was around them. He asked them to become more aware of it. His words, calm and steady, settled over the crowd without needing volume. “You are not a victim of your thoughts, but the conductor of them,” he told the audience. A phrase he’s used before, but one that made sense in that exact moment.

@alok Love Tomorrow Summit with Sadhguru @Tomorrowland ♬ Love Has Gone (feat. Jess Glynne) – Alok & ALTA & Robert Falcon & Jess Glynne

Alok was beside him, listening closely. The crowd responded not with cheers, but with quiet. People raised their hands. Some closed their eyes. For a few minutes, there was no beat, no screen, no movement. Just stillness. It didn’t take anything away from the festival. If anything, it brought something in.

Peace, right then, wasn’t the opposite of sound. It was presence inside it.

What Tomorrowland Is Starting to Sound Like Now

That sense of presence didn’t exist in isolation. It was already in motion before a single set had begun. Days earlier, a fire broke out on the mainstage during final preparations. For a festival that builds entire worlds out of precision and spectacle, it could have shifted the energy before anyone arrived. But it didn’t. The rebuild was quiet. The focus remained. By the time people gathered for the summit, the mood felt steady.

In a way, that mirrored what Sadhguru was pointing to all along. Peace isn’t about silence. It’s about how we show up in noise. His presence at Tomorrowland wasn’t just a spiritual cameo. It offered a different way to experience the music, not separate from it, but through it. When stillness comes from within, even the loudest spaces don’t feel overwhelming.

Tomorrowland will always be about movement. But it’s beginning to hold space for awareness too. Not to dilute the experience, but to deepen it. That shift isn’t loud. It’s not flashy. It is there. You could hear it in the quiet before a drop, in the shared breath during a guided meditation, in the fact that thousands came for more than just the party. They came to feel present. They did.

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Pacha Ibiza Becomes First Nightclub Entirely Powered By Green Energy

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Pacha Ibiza

The iconic Pacha Ibiza becomes the world’s first major nightclub to fully run on renewable energy.

In a historic move for the entertainment industry, Pacha transitions to a greener future, supplying its impressive stages, lights and screens with 100% clean power.

The venue has also replaced single use plastics, creating a more eco-friendly experience for everyone attending the shows.

Switching entirely to green energy means Pacha Ibiza is now contributing to annual carbon savings equivalent to preserving 1.2 million square meters of the Amazon Rainforest.

The measures taken give the nightclub a global leader position in sustainable nightlife, putting them on track to obtain LEED Gold or Higher certification from the US Green Building Council.

This reputable award will represent Pacha’s constant efforts to lessen environmental impact, considering LEED certified structures report using 25% less energy consumption, 11% less water usage, and 34% fewer carbon emissions compared to regular buildings.

CEO of The Pacha GroupAloki Batra states: “Our 100% green energy and LEED Gold or Higher certification goals reflect our vision of creating sensational nights with a positive impact on the planet.”

Pacha Ibiza has been the epitome of parties on the White Island for decades, and is now entering a new era, one that sets new standards for sustainability in the entertainment industry, while maintaining the essence of unforgettable events alive.

Experience the all new eco-friendly Pacha Ibiza this season while dancing to the beats of DJs like Solomun, Camelphat, Blond:ish and Sonny Fodera. Tickets are available following this link.

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