CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — Founded in 2012, Spring Awakening is Chicago’s elite electronic music festival. If you are looking for a place to feel completely free and enjoy talented Chicago artists and touring acts from around the world, this is the place to spend the beginning of your summer. Here’s a look back at an amazing 2017!

Day One

To open day one of Spring Awakening, Chicago local group Axilon took on the Dancing Astronaut stage, one of the many themed stages that Spring Awakening had this year. The stage was under a tent decked out in shimmering disco balls. Well over 2,000 people showed up to start their day listening to Axilon’s music ranging from future bass, trap, dubstep, electro house, and hardstyle.

Of course, it’s not a festival without an infamous silent disco. The silent disco was in a pretty accessible spot this year. It was right in front of the Equinox stage, so it was not easy to miss. Next there was the madness that is, Louis the Child at the Equinox stage. Yet another Chicago-based group consisting of members Robby and Freddy. Once they made our hearts feel all warm and fuzzy they decided to turn up the heat and brought out some surprise guests on stage! Josh from Flosstradamus and rapper Towkio joined them for a special guest appearance.

That is the best part about Spring Awakening, you will always get some surprises and pop-in performances from the Chicago’s music leaders in the scene. It’s a Spring Awakening secret treat that happens nearly every year!

I was joined at Equinox stage once again for the ninja warrior of the electronic scene, Datsik. Troy Beetles, the notorious Canadian dubstep producer, has been changing the game lately. Datsik recently added a mysterious gimmick to his brand, his asian-conical hat garnished with LED’s. This fits his brand so well with his song “Katana” and the idea of the ninjas being us as fans. It’s inspiring to see him up there at Equinox because I saw Datsik play the very first year of Spring Awakening and seeing how he’s evolved as a producer.

Let us not forget–it’s not Chicago without house music! Closing out the night with the legend, Benny Benassi, house music extraordinaire from Italy. Back at The Dancing Astronaut stage I had the “satisfaction” (wink wink) of seeing him perform many house music/electro house hits from over the years. Including satisfaction, which is always a throw back to being a youngster blasting it on the school bus on your little ipod mini. You can’t possibly close out a night without pouring your soul out to some classic Benassi tracks.

Day Two

A new adventure begins. Starting the afternoon noon off with a wave of heat and wind that will remind you why Chicago is called “The Windy City.” What better to start the day off with than two brothers from Chicago, High Five & Who Cares? These two sibling Bryan Gorecki (High Five), and Jon Gorecki (Who Cares), were the first to start on the Solstice stage playing back to back. Their style ranges from deep house all the way to heavy bass music.

To continue the voyage, I spent the rest of the afternoon camping out at the Equinox stage. The Equinox stage ultimately ends up being where most of the magic happens. Saturday was the day for girl power, if I say so myself. Our favorite colorful haired woman-crush Mija, presented us with her collage of sounds. Mija is more of a jack of all trades as far as not labeling her music in any particular genre. Pure and sweet, nostalgia.

As if Mija throwing down some Panic at the Disco! wasn’t nostalgic enough, the next to perform was Krewella. I know there are so many opinions on Krewella, but these ladies are some magical beings. They put their heart and soul into what they do, and their performance spoke for itself. The sisters Jahan and Yasmine opened with welcoming us and saying “Chicago, it feels good to be home” and the crowd cheered to welcome them back.

After the tears were swept away and it was time to collect myself, it was time to move on to something different. Some classic dubstep with the dinosaur guru, Excision. Excision also known as Jeff Abel, is one of the biggest names in dubstep with a huge following. Although he did not bring the paradox with him as visuals, he still didn’t hesitate to blow our minds.

Day Three

This was a mixture of a unique range of artists, starting with Mr. Carmack at the Equinox. What did I tell you? The Equinox stage was the spot. Mr. Aaron Carmack, or as I like to call him ‘King Carmack’ comes all the way from California. His genre ranges from hip-hop, trap, and chill. Since the sun was boiling in with a little less wind as Sunday, his set was the perfect one to relax too. People were taking covers by the rail for some shade, while others just baked in the sun.

Now let’s head back to the dubstep world with Spag Heddy at the Bass Kitchen stage. The vibrant visuals of spaghetti and dollar bills were scrolling across the screen at the stage, which I got a kick out of. These visuals were illuminating the entire crowd under the tent, and it looked insane. Just as there were plenty of head bangers at Excision on Saturday, there was just as many attending Spag Heddy, and he sure threw down a lively set.

Right across from Spag Heddy, was JAUZ at the Solstice stage. Jauz, Sam Vogel, has been absolutely inspiring over the years making a big name for himself quick. Everyone knows Jauz for his mixed producing style, creating music in different genres like dubstep, deep house, future bass and even some trap music. His sets take you on a different journey of dancing every time.

As Spring Awakening came to a close, I have to say that this was one of the best festivals I’ve attended. Although many of us missed the beloved Soldier Field, the perks of Addams & Medill Park are refreshing and make the festival feel like a new home.

Spring Awakening brought laughs and smiles, nostalgia, and hope. Electronic music is still so much more alive than I ever thought. It truthfully reminds me to never grow up, be myself, and enjoy every moment you experience with the friends and strangers around you. This festival is the awakening to a new chapter of life each and every year.

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Written by: Erica Steinhouse