Dreamstate SoCal: A Trance Paradise Experience in Long Beach

Dreamstate SoCal: A Trance Festival Experience Like No Other

Dreamstate SoCal stands out as a unique festival in the trance music scene, featuring exceptional lineups filled with top-tier talent, jaw-dropping production, and an audience radiating love and positivity. It’s a true slice of rave paradise and a rare venue where the vibes reminiscent of a decade ago can still be felt.

Last year, the Queen Mary Waterfront became the new home for this trance-centric festival, and this year’s edition was nothing short of spectacular. The venue has won me over with its proximity to hotels, a smooth and efficient free shuttle service, and the chance to delve deeper into the night with multiple afterparty stages. This complete package is sure to entice any trance enthusiast.

Dreamstate SoCal featured four main stages: The Dream, The Sequence, The Vision, and The Void. While all stages remained in the same location as last year’s debut, each had notable upgrades. My highlights were The Dream, showcasing stunning production, and The Vision, which saw significant enhancements, including more lights, lasers, and a larger structure.

One delightful surprise was the late announcement of the Beatbox Boombox Art Car, which introduced even more emerging talent into the mix. I loved its presence this year and hope to see it return for future festivals.

The food and drink options were abundant and easily accessible, embodying the spirit of accessibility that defines Dreamstate SoCal. I never found myself in a densely packed crowd and could navigate the venue within minutes. This may have been due to lower attendance or a more mature demographic, but it resulted in a seamless experience for me.

Dreamstate SoCal 2024 — Photo Credit: Keiki-Lani Knudsen for Insomniac Events

Star-Studded Lineup Highlights

This year’s lineup was packed with some of the most prominent names in the trance world. The Dream stage headliners, Armin van Buuren and Above & Beyond, both returning to the festival, elevated the experience to new heights. Alongside a plethora of talented acts across the festival’s other stages, it was clear that this edition would be one for the books.

Despite a few last-minute cancellations from artists due to visa issues, the energy at Dreamstate SoCal was palpable. While I faced some scheduling conflicts, the performances I did catch were absolutely phenomenal.

Friday was electrifying, featuring sets from Jordan Suckley, John O’Callaghan, Josh Taylor, Giuseppe Ottaviani, a sprinkle of MaRLo, and, naturally, Armin van Buuren. Unfortunately, I missed out on sets at The Sequence and The Void, which I regret as they offered exciting techno and psytrance that night.

Dreamstate SoCal 2024 Giuseppe Ottaviani — Photo Credit: Jamal Eid for Insomniac Events

Saturday: A Day of Exploration and Unforgettable Performances

To make up for missed sets on Friday, I arrived earlier on Saturday and explored more. Greg Downey, KIMMIC, and Nifra delivered incredible performances at The Void, while Darude lit up The Vision, closing with his iconic track “Sandstorm.” I caught several sets at The Sequence, enjoying the mind-bending tunes from Pettra and Giorgia Angiuli. At the Beatbox Boombox Art Car, Adam Stark was on fire, and Ferry Corsten’s Gouryella set was as beautiful and uplifting as ever.

Ending the night with Above & Beyond followed by Andrew Bayer was a dream come true for this Anjunafamily member. Their two-hour set filled with soulful melodies amidst light rain was mesmerizing, and Andrew Bayer’s performance right after was pure fire. They exceeded all of my expectations, leaving me in a blissful state.

Dreamstate SoCal 2024 Above & Beyond Push The Button — Photo Credit: Jamal Eid for Insomniac Events

One Concern: The Early Start Time

My only critique this year was the shift to a 1 PM start time. Insomniac has been gradually moving festival start times earlier in the day. While I appreciate the extended hours, I am not entirely convinced about this new approach.

With hotel check-in often around 3-4 PM, attendees traveling from out of town are less likely to catch early Friday sets, which I experienced firsthand. While Saturday is less problematic, it still poses challenges for those who partied until dawn and may arrive late.

This setup was somewhat frustrating, especially since I have a passion for discovering rising artists. These performers represent the future of the scene and should be showcased to a larger audience, yet early slots make it difficult for them to gain exposure.

While I understand there are logistics behind this change, I hope for opportunities for these early artists to perform later on art cars or at afterparties. Other festivals, like Day Trip Festival, have successfully implemented this strategy, and I hope Dreamstate can explore similar options in the future.

Dreamstate SoCal: A Home for Trance Lovers

Despite changes over the years, Dreamstate SoCal still feels like home. The festival’s early years were marked by the trance family finally gaining recognition from Insomniac and the broader dance music community. It was a true celebration of a genre that has influenced many others yet often finds itself overshadowed in today’s music landscape. While Dreamstate has evolved to include a variety of genres, it consistently keeps trance at the forefront, which I deeply appreciate.

This year’s festival continued that tradition, allowing me to reconnect with old friends, forge new connections, and dance to some of the finest music the scene has to offer. Whether you’re a long-time trance aficionado, a newcomer to the genre, or someone seeking a relaxed festival experience, I wholeheartedly recommend Dreamstate SoCal.

Can’t wait to see everyone next year, trance fam!