Hard Summer Music Festival 2024: The Best Year of the Event?
Last year, Hard Summer electrified Downtown Los Angeles with a festival that left electronic music fans buzzing. This year, the festival’s bold decision to relocate to the new SoFi complex in Inglewood had fans and critics alike speculating: could this change possibly surpass the magic of last year’s event?! The unequivocal answer: a resounding YES! In fact, the best year yet.
Despite some local grumblings from the neighborhood, this year’s Hard Summer not only lived up to its reputation but also solidified its standing as one of California’s premier electronic music festivals. In a year where Insomniac—already renowned for orchestrating the colossal Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC)—has demonstrated its prowess by Hard Summer proving it can evolve and elevate the festival experience each & every year.
Here’s a rundown of the top five standout moments from this year’s Hard Summer Music Festival, a testament to its continued innovation and appeal.
Their best venue yet!
While last year’s event, with its impressive array of stages at the Coliseum and BMO Stadium, might have seemed grander on paper, this year’s festival at the new SoFi complex proved to be a more spacious and comfortable experience for attendees. Despite the hype surrounding the majestic SoFi Stadium, it wasn’t used as a stage. Instead, the festival utilized the surrounding parking lots and featured the Pink Stage in the courtyard between SoFi Stadium and the YouTube Theater.
Upon entering the festival grounds, the serene lake offered a tranquil retreat from the vibrant energy of the five main stages, providing a balanced escape amid the pulsating beats and electrifying performances.
The stages!
With this incredible new venue, came a festival layout that is as innovative as it is intriguing—one that will likely evolve over time. The festival was seamlessly contained within Sofi Stadium’s sprawling parking lot, allowing for a well-organized and easily navigable experience. The main stages, aptly named Hard and Harder, were positioned on opposite ends of the stadium, encouraging a steady flow of attendees along Champions Way.
Flanking the main stages were the smaller yet equally vibrant stages: Green, Pink, and Purple, each offering its own unique vibe. These were complemented by the Cuervo Locals Only Stage and the Beatbox Boombox Art Car, adding even more layers to the festival’s diverse musical landscape. Everything felt within reach, creating a sense of cohesion despite the festival’s expansive setting.
Upon arrival, festival-goers were greeted by the intersection of the Green, Pink, and Harder Stages, with the shimmering Rivers Lake nestled between them, providing a picturesque backdrop. This central hub not only served as a focal point for the entrance but also set the tone for a festival experience that was both intimate yet grand.
The remaining stages were located a short distance down Champions Way past the stadium. Here, festival-goers could refuel and cool off in the shade behind the NFL TV building directly next to Sofi. This is also where the Cuervo Locals Only and Beatbox BoomBox Art Car could be found, providing attendees with local acts, such as Bianca Oblivion and Panteros666. Beyond these, the Purple and Hard stages could be found. Here, larger than life acts such as Nelly Furtado and Sofi Tukker took the stage by storm and blew the crowd up!
The stacked line-up!
As always, Hard Summer has curated an impressive roster of DJs, blending top-tier talent with an exciting array of emerging names from across the electronic music spectrum. While this year’s event didn’t feature as many b2b sets as last year’s, the lineup was more than sufficient to captivate and exhilarate fans.
From heavyweight acts and festival favorites like Disclosure, Dillon Francis, and Major Lazer, to rising stars such as Chris Stussy, San Pacho, and Mochakk, the festival delivered a diverse range of sounds. Iconic veterans like Kerri Chandler, Chase & Status, Boys Noize, and REZZMAU5 graced the stages, alongside promising newcomers like Mary Droppinz, Hamdi, and Ayybo. And we can’t ignore the exhilarating addition of Nelly Freakin’ Furtado, this year’s Hard Summer had something for every dance enthusiast.
Despite the promoters’ strategy to feature top DJs across various genres, fans seemed to embrace the eclectic lineup with enthusiasm. The festival saw crowds eagerly hopping between stages to catch their favorite artists, even if only for a brief moment. DJs and artists such as Skepta to Channel Tres created buzz by breaking barriers of what types of artists are expected to perform at Hard Summer, constructing a hybrid of EDM with Rap, which is furthermore evidence that Hard Summer & Insomniac Events continues to evolve, pioneer and reinvent within the electronic dance music scene.
On Saturday, Ayybo commanded the Harder stage with his funky house beats, welcoming the late afternoon arrivals. He was followed by San Pacho, whose vibrant set had the crowd bumping their fists to his unreleased remixes, including a fittingly energetic take on Tupac’s “California Love.”
As the sun began to set, festival-goers flocked to the Hard stage for Nelly Furtado’s 45-minute set. The pop icon served up a nostalgic performance brimming with her greatest hits, captivating the crowd from start to finish. While early 2000s dance anthems like “Promiscuous,” “Maneater,” and recent fan favorite “Eat Your Man” got the audience moving, the highlight of her set was undoubtedly “I’m Like a Bird.” This timeless hit had the crowd singing along with infectious enthusiasm, making it a truly memorable moment of the festival.
With almost an hour to go before Disclosure’s headlining performance, fans took the opportunity to explore other stages. The nearby Purple stage featured Jamie xx from The xx, offering a slower BPM set and more experimental electronic sound that provided a refreshing break from the high-energy atmosphere.
When Grammy winners Disclosure took the stage, Howard Lawrence on keys and Guy Lawrence on electric drums delivered a set that thrilled the crowd. They delivered dance anthems like ‘White Noise‘ and ‘Latch,’ captivating fans with their signature UK Garage-infused sound and undeniable energy.
As Disclosure ignited the main stage, German techno legend Boys Noize brought the Purple stage to a thrilling close. Simultaneously, Zeds Dead headlined the Green stage with a fan favorite scene from filmmaker Kevin Smith’s movie Jay & Silent Bob where actor Jake Richardson‘s character buys weed from Jay & Bob which played behind the dj duo as they performed an unbelievable set. REZZMAU5—featuring the iconic Deadmau5 and the bass music queen REZZ—delivered a mesmerizing performance, complete with the signature mouse mask and googly-eyed goggles.
Brazilian techno favorite Mochakk headlined the Pink stage with a hard-hitting yet groovy set that kept the energy high. His performance was so anticipated that we even met a stylish hijabi and her friend from Syria, who had been eagerly waiting for Mochakk’s set since Chris Stussy’s earlier performance. This was a testament to the power of music and the devoted fan base that Mochakk has cultivated.
Whether it was the second day’s stacked lineup or the lingering energy from the first day, Sunday at the festival definitely felt busier. Just like Saturday, which showcased a mix of local and emerging artists, the Pink stage welcomed attendees around 4 p.m. with a back-to-back set by Honeluv and Bontan. Their groovy selection of tribal-house remixes was the perfect way for fans to get into the festival spirit.
The slot previously occupied by Ayybo at the Harder stage on Saturday was now taken over by DJ Susan. Contrary to what the name “DJ Susan” might suggest, the artist is actually male. He energized the crowd with a high-energy set of rare tracks and remixes, all while delivering a visually stunning performance complete with impressive pyrotechnics.
Around 6 p.m., a sea of fans began to converge on the main stage for the ever-energetic duo SOFI TUKKER, who, in our view, attracted the largest crowd of the festival. Their hour-long DJ set had everyone buzzing with excitement and dancing to their infectious hits and remixes.
Following their dynamic performance, the stage was taken over by French Future house trailblazers: Tchami, known for his signature priest outfit -and- the enigmatic Malaa, who sports a ski mask. They carried the high energy forward with their unique remixes and fan favorites like “Discipline” and “Made in France.”
As the sun began to set, Elderbrook’s performance turned magical, with the stunning sunset serving as the perfect backdrop for his laid-back electronic set. His hit track “Cola” delivered a captivating finale as the day transitioned to night.
Despite the festival’s earlier end time of 10 pm, there was still plenty to enjoy. After Elderbrook, Major Lazer, known for hits like “Pon de Floor” and “Lean On,” took the stage around 9 pm. Simultaneously, Chris Lake and Fisher delivered a fan-favorite set at the main stage.
The headliners maintained their high standards, with Eli Brown, a hard techno favorite, drawing a massive crowd to the Pink stage. Dubstep pioneer Subtronics closed out the Harder stage, while Dillon Francis, a fan favorite, brought his “All Mommbahton, All Night” set to the Green stage with unrelenting energy.
Dillon Francis, known for his playful and dynamic performances, captivated the crowd with an impressive display of lasers, lights, and pyrotechnics. His set featured an AI visualizer that transformed video footage into trippy visuals and famous artworks, providing a memorable experience for festival-goers.
The House Music lover stage, Pink Stage
The Pink Stage stood out as the highlight of the two-day festival, not just because of the incredible acts that graced it, but also due to its unique and unconventional location inside Sofi Stadium. Nestled on the second level at the entrance leading into Sofi, the Pink Stage offered a setting unlike any other.
Elevated above the main grounds, the stage provided a shaded and intimate atmosphere, making it a stark contrast to the sprawling Purple and Green stages. Its smaller size only added to the sense of exclusivity, creating an aura of mystique and intrigue that drew festival-goers in. The combination of its elevated position and the selective lineup of performers turned the Pink Stage into a hidden gem, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that festival-goers won’t soon forget.
Artists like Chris Stussy, House legend Seth Troxler had a b2b set with the meteoric rising artist DJ Tennis, DJ Heartstring, and Eli Brown kept the Pink Stage crowd grooving deep into the night with house and techno. Each performance brought its own energy, from the soulful beats of Kerri Chandler to the tribal sounds of HoneyLuv and Bontan. The Pink Stage emerged as the festival’s hidden gem, where dance lovers immersed themselves in the rhythm and beats beneath the sheltering canopy of Sofi.
The Vibes!
Hard Summer 2024 at the new SoFi location was undeniably the event of the summer and the best year of this musical festival. The music, as expected, was phenomenal, with artists delivering unforgettable performances that kept the energy high throughout the weekend. But beyond the incredible lineups, the crowd itself was something to celebrate. Festival-goers were not only enthusiastic but also respectful, creating an atmosphere that was both electric and harmonious.
Everyone at the festival embodied the PLUR mantra—Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect—treating each other and the venue with care. The positive vibes were palpable, and it was clear that attendees embraced the new location wholeheartedly. The success of this year’s event has set a high bar, and we can only hope that Hard Summer returns to SoFi again next year.
With its consistently thrilling lineup, fans are already eagerly anticipating next year’s Hard Summer as we are too. See you in 2025!
Written by Eric Budianto Thornton and Ted Abeyta | Edit by Bernadette