I am very lucky to be a true and tried California girl – growing up in a whirlwind of culture and art has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Being able to see rave and festival culture change and evolve over time has been truly fascinating, even with the lull of the pandemic and life post-pandemic. Something I have seen alongside my peers is a general feeling that all festivals are so similar and the context hasn’t evolved as much as in the past few years. HARD SUMMER has been such a staple for so many artists, listeners, writers, and industry experts, but this year the energy and production really shifted in a direction that sets the tone that will be followed for years to come – an immersion of so many cultures, people, sounds, and energies in a brand new venue and space that breaks tradition.
The lineup for Hard Summer 2024 featured a diverse mix of both electronic and hip-hop artists. Headlining the festival were major names like Nelly Furtado, Chase & Status, REZZMAU5, ZEDS DEAD, Major Lazer, CHANNEL TRES, + more. The event also included up-and-coming talents with art cars and stages presenting local acts alongside various cultural exhibits and food options that represented both LA & Inglewood or south LA specifically.
Hollywood Park at SoFi Stadium is an expansive and innovative venue – never used before as an INSOMNIAC venue which provided such a large, safe, open & comfortable space. The venue now serves as a new centerpiece of entertainment which typically includes SoFi Stadium – ranking as the #1 touring venue in the world, generating about $185 million a year. The venue had the dichotomy of both a large scaling facility all while creating an open format for such an expansive festival. Inglewood typically holds so much soul and the venue has given it such a space to give back to communities surrounding it which was explicit throughout the experience.
The experience at Hard Summer was deeply enriching, combining a vibrant array of cultures, art installations, foods, and pop-ups. The venue showcases a diverse musical lineup and thematic areas that reflect various cultural influences, while large-scale, interactive art installations captivate attendees with creativity and sensory engagement. Whether you were in GA, VIP, or on the back end, there was such a vibe to catch in every corner.
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