Pendulum Elevates the Festival Experience with Luxury, Comfort, and Exceptional Music at Worlds Away
Last weekend, the vibrant festival scene in Silicon Valley welcomed the inaugural edition of Worlds Away, a unique festival experience that took place along the stunning California Coast. Curated by Pendulum, this event marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter, merging cutting-edge technology, captivating art, and incredible music in Monterey, California, a location previously overlooked for dance music events.
On October 12, the Monterey County Fairgrounds were transformed into a dynamic environment fueled by the positive energy of the attendees. The evening showcased performances from some of dance music’s brightest stars across various genres. Festival-goers enjoyed mainstage hits from Tiësto, catchy pop tunes from The Chainsmokers, nostalgic big room tracks from R3HAB, and lively sets from Sam Feldt, Lost Kings, and Ayokay, perfectly matching the sunny atmosphere.
Despite the meticulously curated experience, questions arose about bringing headliners to a lesser-known coastal city where dance music had yet to establish a presence. Was Worlds Away set to be another Fyre Festival? Why not hold this significant event in the Bay Area’s dance music capital, San Francisco? These concerns were valid, but Worlds Away exceeded all expectations and answered every inquiry with grace.
The festivities kicked off on October 11 with a Preview Night exclusively for VIP and Pendulum guests.
I must admit, I felt a bit apprehensive upon arrival. The parking lot appeared nearly deserted, lighting was minimal, and a lone grounds worker on a bicycle directed me to the entrance.
Once inside, the producers graciously provided a tour of the festival grounds, including a sneak peek at the stunning mainstage, carnival attractions, merchandise stalls, and more. My initial doubts quickly faded as I envisioned how vibrant the festival would look during the day with Travelers, as the event affectionately calls its attendees.
The remainder of the relatively brief night was spent in a hidden area featuring a smaller second stage, cozy bean bag chairs, outdoor heaters, and a complimentary bar. A crowd of around 100 enjoyed performances by Vicetone and Cheat Codes. Seeing both acts in an intimate setting alongside my favorite person was a delightful experience, especially since they had long been on my bucket list.
Finally, the official festival day arrived, revealing a dramatic contrast to Preview Night.
Where Preview Night was calm and laid-back, the festival day buzzed with energy and excitement, with happiness radiating from every Traveler. Entry was seamless, despite my initial apprehension about attending a new event. Inside, the festival grounds transformed from a cozy atmosphere to a lively and engaging environment.
Before delving into the various amenities like the Augmented Reality room, carnival rides, and incredible performances, I took a moment to observe the diverse crowd. The festival attracted attendees from all walks of life, including seasoned ravers in Boris Brejcha and Amelie Lens merchandise, tech and finance enthusiasts, fitness aficionados, kandi kids, older festival-goers, and even literal baby ravers.
After some time spent people-watching, I explored the festival grounds and was pleasantly surprised by the seamless flow of the event.
No congestion points existed, and water stations were plentiful, allowing me to stay hydrated without waiting in line. A variety of delicious food options from local vendors added to the experience, while the carnival brought a touch of enchantment to the well-designed layout. Every corner of the festival grounds offered something to discover.
The music that filled the air was the icing on the cake. The lineup featured house music that perfectly complemented the warm, sunny day, big room beats that energized the crowd as night fell, and sets that blended pop and EDM when Tiësto and The Chainsmokers took the stage.
While I usually critique overly familiar tracks, particularly the singalong EDM remixes of mainstream hits that played throughout the day, Worlds Away called for this kind of music. The event reminded attendees that sometimes it’s refreshing to step outside our comfort zones and enjoy the catchy tunes that dominated the 2010s pop and dance charts.
With the inaugural edition of Worlds Away now complete, it’s evident that Pendulum has set a new standard in Monterey by delivering a festival experience that blends luxury, comfort, and top-tier dance music.
If you attended the event hoping for groundbreaking acts or the next big names in music, you might have been disappointed. The festival’s focus was not on that; instead, it provided a delightful experience that appealed to everyone, from seasoned ravers to casual listeners and those seeking a fun weekend getaway.
Even as a hard dance music enthusiast, I cherished the opportunity to relive my early rave days, singing along to the remixes of “Seven Nation Army,” enjoying nostalgic tracks like “Wasted” by Tiësto and “#SELFIE” by The Chainsmokers, and sharing the day with my partner and friends.
In my forthcoming interview with founders Ro Sahebi and Nelson Diaz, I learned that Worlds Away will return. When it does, I’ll be among the first to grab a ticket!
