HARD Summer, what a blast you were.

This was my first HARD Summer Music Festival that I’ve attended, and it’s sure to be one that I will continue to revisit. From a lineup that was as diverse as it was captivating, to the intense energy of its attendees, and the one of a kind location of Hollywood Park — HARD Summer 2025 delivered an experience that I’m sure no one will be forgetting anytime soon.

I’m here to recap my HARD weekend, highlighting the standout sets I was graced to witness as well as what I’m already looking forward to for future HARD Summers.

The very first stop on my HARD Summer weekend journey was Pluko at the HARDER Stage — and the vibes were truly unreal. After blasting his 2025 album Oxy on the drive to Hollywood Park, we made sure to start the weekend right by catching this highly anticipated set. Pluko did not disappoint. Being at the barricade for Pluko, feeling the bass buzz through our chests, and jumping to his track “FALLING” blasting from the speakers set the perfect tone for what was to come.

Kylie and I living it up for Pluko. (Image / Miguel de Dios)

We might have given a little too much of our energy to Pluko (if that’s even possible) and took a quick nap on the shaded patches of grass that every stage had, with misting fans cooling us off from the blazing Los Angeles sun. After we were revitalized, we headed straight back to the HARDER Stage for JSTJR b2b Habstrakt, ready to dive back in with even more friends by our side. We got our techno on, and absolutely ate up this set. True raver vibes with JSTJR’s track “Techno Girl” getting us up off our feet and pumping our fists in the air.

Next up was the long-awaited Kaytranada set. For my friends who had not been able to witness Kaytranada until this — what a dream it was. It seemed that everyone was on the same wavelength at the HARD Stage, as Kaytra and his magnetic sound had attracted a fully-packed audience. With planes passing through the sky and the sun dipping lower into the horizon, listening to Kaytranada live with people I adore the most was truly a cinematic highlight of my weekend. Lots of hugs, singing, and dancing were involved in this hour of greatness.

Kaytranada at the HARD Stage for an electrifying sunset set. (Image / Miguel de Dios)

Let’s end Day 1 of HARD Summer with some headbanging, yeah? Wrapping up our first night, we made sure to catch Crankdat throwing it down at the GREEN Stage. What was missing from our day was some good ol’ dubstep, and Crankdat delivered it in full force. The production of Crankdat’s closing set was beyond exhilarating, with fire and lasers piercing through the night sky. Every bass drop seemed to hit harder than the last, which made for a set that I never wanted to end. Nonetheless, the night had to come to a close, but we left feeling fulfilled from all the music and dancing that made Day 1 unforgettable. Oh and by the way, that pit? It was opened.

Would you believe it if I told you that Day 2 blew Day 1 out of the water? Well, it absolutely did. With the Day 2 lineup including Fcukers, it’s murph, 999999999, I Hate Models, Dom Dolla, Deorro, and so much more, how could it not? The best part about it is that my group and I were able to catch every single one of those artists/DJs!

Starting the final day of HARD Summer 2025 with Fcukers was the best move we could have made. We made it to the barricade of the PURPLE Stage for this exceptional duo, an experience that some of my friends claim to be their favorite part of the whole weekend. I couldn’t disagree, though — finally hearing “Mothers” front, center, and LIVE is something I cannot and will never forget.

Jordyn trading kandi with security at Fcukers. (Image / Miguel de Dios)

After that exhilarating performance from Fcukers, we made our way to the HARDER Stage where we grooved to the frequencies that it’s murph put out into Hollywood Park. This was by far the most feel-good set that I came across this weekend, as “Food for the Soul” truly fueled my friends and I with joy and appreciation for one another. 

From this point on, I think my weekend shifted from primarily being excited by this phenomenal lineup to feeling deeply grateful that I was sharing this space and moment with some of the best people in my life. There’s something rare and almost surreal about being in the city of LA, dressed up, lost in the music, and dancing like nothing outside the festival gates matters. Maybe a little corny, but I guess that’s what listening to it’s murph evokes in me, and for that, I say thank you.

Feeling rejuvenated and uplifted from it’s murph, we waddled through the crowds to the GREEN Stage, where we were anything but seated for I Hate Models and 999999999. You would’ve thought these two high-energy, fast tempo back to back sets would tire us out, but these two demanded our attention and enthusiasm, which all of us were more than willing to give.

It was time to see our closing acts of the weekend, which we decided were going to be Dom Dolla and Deorro. We only caught Dom Dolla for a few moments, but those brief moments of electronic goodness reminded us why he has established himself as a major headliner. From Mr. Dolla’s HARD Stage, we maneuvered to HARDER Stage and ended our journey with Deorro’s big room and Latin-influenced sound. HARD Summer coordinators knew what they were doing having Deorro being one the last moments of the weekend, as he concluded our HARD Summers with bangers on top of bangers that had us moving until the very last note.

Making our way out of HARD Summer 2025. (Image / Miguel de Dios)

I am truly thankful for HARD Summer for granting me this opportunity of attending this electrifying event! It was a wild ride and nothing short of a good time for me and my friends. HARD Summer — I will be back.

And we will be so back if we’re able to look forward to artists such as Horsegiirl, Martin Garrix, or Fred again… for the next summer. I asked numerous people who they would love to see next at Hard Summer and Fred again… was the top pick. Let’s make it happen HARD Summer 2026!

For more information about HARD Summer, visit: https://www.hardsummer.com/.

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