After a two-year hiatus, Desert Hearts Festival came back with a vengeance.  The festival celebrated it’s ten-year anniversary and for the first time at a brand new venue at Lake Perris in California. Even though there was two stages it still kept it’s tradition to a one stage one vibe. With no set times overlapping the Desert stage would run from 10am to 8pm then continuing at the heart stage from 8pm to 10am. While the venue might be new, Desert Hearts’ deep commitment to their community, traditions, and the music itself didn’t changed.

Thursday started off proper with a heavy local lineup with the likes of Mary Droppinz, Justin Campbell, Evan Casey, Wyatt Marshall, and Rybo. The Desert stage popped off! Only a select few who ordered the early arrival passes exclusively got to see these locals smash it!

Friday started off with Life on Plants and Chicago house legend DJ heather. Both solid sets and warmed up the crowd to the perfect temperature. UK producer and dj Latmun started things off spicy. Bringing high energy tech house and infectious grooves. Atish came in to close out the beach stage with intimate sounds and melodic sounds. Into Friday evening we go with Rinzen, Township Rebellion, Shaded, Marbs, and Oscar L bringing hammers to the dance floor. 10 hours of pure techno. Desert Hearts co founder Porky came in to close things out with his versatile track list and keeping things  moving.

Back to the beach stage we go Saturday morning with Bears in Space, Heidi Lawden, Juan Maclean, and Kim Ann Foxman. Each set was spectacular covering all the spaces of House, Disco, and Techno. Co-Founder Mikey Lion closing out the Desert stage with an amazing sunset and punchy tech house grooves. Kevin Knapp got right into it with a heavy basslines and catchy vocals at the Heart stage. Right after Detroit legend Omar-S hopped on with a proper 2 hour all vinyl set. Omar brought very raw and soulful sounds to the Heart stage making it one of the best sets of the entire weekend along with DJ Harvey. Harvey slowed it down and pushed a psychedelic wave on everyone. This was another top tier set of the weekend. Andreas Henneberg and Lee Reynolds took the lead right after keeping it heavy and shaking the dance floor late into the night!

Saturday morning special guest Justin Martin took things differently, bringing in some solid Drum n Bass to the festival for the first time all weekend. It was good to hearing something different. Doorly closed out the Heart stage with a banging set.

From there we moved to the Desert Stage with Bethy Lydi, Lubelski, Yulia Niko, Francesca Lombardo, and Super Flu. The Sunday day time vibes were at an all time high. It’s just what the crowded needed to close out the desert stage all weekend.

 

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