Born out of a love for the inclusion of all types of music, Hard Summer has always blurred the lines between hip-hop, rap, and electronic music. This weekend, the festival returned to Hollywood Park, nestled between Los Angeles’ two iconic entertainment landmarks. SoFi Stadium and the Kia Forum, where booming bass, packed crowds, and nonstop energy turned the grounds into one of Southern California’s biggest summer celebrations. It was hot and packed, but had us running from stage to stage to not miss a single beat.
Photo Credit: Jamal Eid
Even after attending countless festivals, I still get surprised every time I arrive at a new one. Hard Summer immediately stood out because of its location. Nestled between SoFi Stadium and the Kia Forum, something was refreshing about not having to drive hours into the middle of nowhere to experience electronic music. What I appreciated most was how the setting gave EDM a place in the city’s cultural landscape instead of pushing it to the outskirts. Surrounded by venues that regularly host artists from every genre, Hard Summer felt like a reminder that dance music belongs on the same stage as any other form of live music. It wasn’t hidden away; it was celebrated.
With both VIP and media access on Day one, I took full advantage of the opportunity to catch as many artists as possible, including Brunello, Bolo, Chris Lorenzo, Tokischa, Brutalismus 3000, Zach Fox, and Yousuke Yuk1matsu. The contrast between each crowd was one of Hard Summer’s greatest strengths. Within a single afternoon, festival goers could move from Brunello’s laid-back house grooves to Bolo or Zach Fox’s high-energy dance sets before diving headfirst into the relentless intensity of Brutalismus 3000. My favorite performances of the day came from Brutalismus 3000 delivering an explosive set with their distinctive sound and Yousuke Yuk1matsu’s mesmerizing live mixing style.
Photo Credit: Jake West for Brutalism 3000 and Brandon Densley for Yousuke Yuk1matsu
By the time Day 2 rolled around, I was more than ready to dive back into the festival. This time, I spent most of the day immersed in the GA crowd to get a better feel for the overall atmosphere. I had a chance to check out the Von Dutch x Hard Summer pop-up, which had surprisingly affordable merchandise, and attendees were also able to pick up a complimentary newspaper. Throughout the day, I caught sets from Snow Strippers, Sammy Virji, and the highly anticipated Knock2 b2b Zedd. My little claim to fame from this weekend? Walking past 2Hollis and underscores at the media area earlier in the day.
Even though it was hot, crowded, and for many attendees their very first festival or rave, the energy in the crowd stayed positive. That’s one of the biggest lessons festivals continue to teach me: your mindset shapes your experience. Sure, crowded sets, long walks, and the heat can test your patience, but if you embrace the moment, you’ll almost always find yourself having a good time. The standout performance of the night was undoubtedly Knock2 b2b Zedd. Their set balanced massive production with nonstop energy, combining dazzling laser production, crowd-favorite tracks, and undeniable chemistry behind the decks. It’s the kind of performance that reminds you why these back-to-back sets are so exciting. Every time I have the chance to see either of them perform, I leave impressed, and together they delivered one of the strongest sets of the entire weekend.
Photo Credit: Jordan Sabillo for Knock2 b2b Zedd and Brandon Densley for 2Hollis
Los Angeles, you’ve convinced me. I would happily make the trip back for Hard Summer again. The festival proved that it can do it all, blending electronic music, hip-hop, and rave culture into a weekend that felt both ambitious and effortlessly executed. I’m excited to see how Hard Summer continues to evolve while introducing even more people to the creativity, artistry, and sense of community that make the EDM scene so special.
Photo Credit: Jamal Eid