In less than a month, the third annual Submersion Festival will be underway in the heart of Hammonton, New Jersey. What once started as a single-day event has blossomed into one of the most sought-after musical experiences on the East Coast!
Back then…
Three years ago, Aspire Higher and The Rust Music joined forces to put on the inaugural Submersion, originating in Philadelphia. After the first year went so well, they decided to keep the party going, making it bigger and better. In 2022, they found their home at the Paradise Lakes Campground in New Jersey while adding a second day and a plethora of workshops and vendors.
“Before I teamed up with The Rust Music, I worked very closely with Ryan (Aspire Higher) over the years on a slew of projects — dating back to our first collaborative venue event with Of The Trees in 2016. Ryan and I have always worked great together and love pushing the boundaries on our events and curation, so we thought the best next step for what we were trying to achieve in this industry would be taking on a music festival.”
– Jesse, The Rust Music
Without a doubt, Submersion’s lineup curation has always been on point, even in the beginning. The balance of booking big-name artists while still showcasing the underground is tricky however, AH and The Rust make it look effortless. For example, Daily Bread, Chase & Status, Eazybaked, and Monty have graced the stage(s) of this festival and some more than once! Up-and-comers like Zejibo, Mirror Maze, and Chmura have also performed, and since then, their presence in the scene has rightfully grown.
To now…
This year, the number of acts on the lineup has more than tripled in size! From sunset sets to exclusive A/V sets, there’s something for everyone. Not to mention the label takeovers featuring 1985, Philos Records, and Qualia. Trust us, you won’t want to miss out on this.
As mentioned before, their curation of music is damn near perfect. Where else can you experience Alix Perez‘s first ever sunrise set, Halogenix, and a legendary back-to-back between Ternion Sound and Chef Boyarbeatz in one weekend?! Additionally, Mia Koden and GLXY will be making their US debut, while tiedye ky, Supertask, and Prosper. return for another year.
“It is so much fun to curate this lineup year after year, and we do our best to pull some super rare acts… Not to mention, getting acts to trust us in giving them their first US play and having their debut in the States with us is so awesome. Bou and Pola & Bryson last year to GLXY, Mia Koden & SP:MC DJ Set this year. It is pretty cool to hear that previous acts from over the pond are not only vouching for us but are putting in other artists’ ears that “THIS IS WHERE YOU WANT TO DEBUT.” We don’t take that for granted and work year after year to up the ante on curation to production and everything in between.”
– Ryan, Aspire Higher
Another noteworthy aspect of Submersion’s lineup is the variety in sets you wouldn’t normally see from certain producers. The K+Lab A/V show will undoubtedly be spine-tingling. And we definitely won’t be missing Dub & Breakfast with Tunic! These uniquely designed performances are an ideal way to showcase versatility. All in all, we give this entire lineup a 10/10. If you’re still considering, take a deeper dive because you just might be convinced to send it!
Submersion is a homie festival with large-scale diversity
“Submersion is not only one of my favorite festivals to play but also one of my favorites to attend. Each year, they bless us with a lineup filled with artists from all over… OGs to newcomers. They’ve really done a great job executing their vision each year as they grow, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it. The festival is special to me for many reasons. One being that they know how to curate a good DnB lineup.. one that I used to cross the pond for. Also, over the years of working with Aspire Higher, they’ve always supported my artistic ventures, even as a flow artist. They always give me and other artists, no matter what medium, the platform to be able to share and express ourselves. So, whenever it’s that time of the year to head back to Paradise Lakes Campground, I always look forward to the family gathering that Submersion Festival is.” ◡̈
– Prosper.
Now, no proper festival is complete without yummy food and eccentric vendors. Luckily, the campgrounds will be full of them! The Alchemy Bar will keep you hydrated, and Frosty Softy can help you stay cool in the sun. Find one-of-a-kind clothing from The Pink Palace, or browse beautifully handcrafted jewelry at JuJu with JewJew. For a full list of food and marketplace vendors, visit Submersion’s website!
As you can see, the Submersion Festival is a very meaningful weekend for many people. To the volunteers, artists, crew, and attendees, it’s one big family reunion, and we are honored to experience it so soon. So, hurry! Don’t wait too long to get those last-minute tickets here!
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable weekend with the Submersion Festival 2024 playlist(s) below!
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