Decadence 2025 was one of the most memorable festivals I’ve attended. As a die-hard festival goer, I was incredibly impressed by the artists, friendly crowds and beautiful VIP space. I’m extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to review and photograph Decadence 2025 at its new home, Phoenix Raceway. This piece reflects my firsthand experience on site.
Day 1:
One of my main observations on day one was the overwhelming support everyone showed toward each other. While waiting in the guest list line on the first day, I was greeted by other ravers, including a University of Arizona alum. They shared how excited they were for the performances ahead and talked about attending Decadence since its very beginning. As they filled me in on past Decadence experiences, others in line joined in, swapping kandi and trinkets, sharing stories from Goldrush and other Relentless Beats festivals, and expressing their love for the community. Although waiting in line is usually mundane, I quickly found myself immersed in the welcoming community Relentless Beats has fostered within its fanbase.
To start the night, the lineup was absolutely stacked. By the time I entered the festival grounds, I was running to catch Sammy Virji, one of my favorite UKG artists. His energy immediately set the pace for the night and his set was incredible. Shortly after, Sara Landry delivered a captivating performance. Let me be the one to say it: the Sara Landry hype is completely justified. She is insanely talented, and her set was easily one of the best of the entire festival, shaking the grounds with powerful bass drops and her signature style.
After catching part of Sara Landry’s set, I headed over to the Conservatory to see Riordan. He brought the most authentic UKG set to Decadence, and it ended up being my favorite set of the week, though I may be slightly biased since I was most excited to see him. The Conservatory itself offered a beautiful and intimate environment, featuring a unique structure, high ceilings, immersive lighting, and a disco ball. While it wasn’t the most crowded stage, it became my favorite place to dance, relax, and enjoy an underrated set.
Soon after, I made my way to see Knock2. I had seen him earlier in 2025 on his world tour in Australia at a much smaller venue, so seeing him at Decadence with a massive crowd felt like a big moment. While his solo shows tend to attract more die-hard fans, his crowd-centric, high-energy DJ style still translated perfectly to the festival setting. It was a great way to end my first night.
Day 2:
When day two arrived I was more excited than ever. I knew I wanted to explore more of the festival and connect with more ravers to fully understand the Decadence experience. For me, day two was even more fun. I could move freely between stages, weave through crowds, and talk to like-minded people without committing to one set. I took some great photos, saw incredible DJs, and truly explored everything the festival had to offer.
To kick off day two, I arrived early and decided to ride all the carnival rides. Yes, Decadence had carnival rides set up right outside the Royal Ballroom stage. I made it my mission to go on all of them, and luckily Relentless Beats included ride access with my photo pass. It was genuinely one of the best ways to start the day and created even more opportunities to connect with other ravers.
After riding the ferris wheel and checking out the other attractions, I headed to the Grand Palace for Pedroz and Kaskade. Pedroz delivered a great set, and Kaskade was incredible, as expected. Soon after, I continued roaming the festival grounds and stumbled upon VOYD’s set. I had never seen VOYD before, but their crowd control and mind-bending dubstep were unforgettable. The crowd was packed with bass heads and barricade breakers, making it one of the most exciting and energetic sets to photograph all weekend.
Next, SG Lewis took over the Royal Ballroom stage. He ended up being my second favorite set of the festival, drawing an impressive crowd despite sharing a time slot with Tape B. His light, melodic house music gradually transitioned into a more energetic mix, pulling in attendees from neighboring stages by the end of his performance.
While many people flocked to SG Lewis, I bounced around the festival, checking out Tape B, Prunk, and a few others. I explored various third spaces, wandered the grounds, and caught the end of Tape B’s set. Still, the artist I was most excited for was up next, GriZ.
GriZ had been on a lengthy hiatus, aside from his Seven Stars festival appearance earlier this year, so seeing him on the Decadence lineup was SO FUN! As expected, he put on a spectacular show, incorporating his signature saxophone playing throughout the set. He performed a mix of flowstep and fan-favorite tracks, and the ball drop during his set was phenomenal, complete with massive balloons, sparklers, and an unforgettable saxophone solo.
Soon after, Fisher took the stage at the Grand Palace for an electrifying set. He performed many of his most well-known tracks, which was especially exciting given his role in introducing me to EDM. His infectious energy radiated throughout the crowd, and hi skill behind the decks was clear from start to finish.
While Fisher was performing, I took a few side quests to check out Chase & Status and Odd Mob, both of whom were amazing. I was especially impressed by Odd Mob, considering they had performed in Australia just three days earlier. Despite the travel, they brought full energy to their set and blew the crowd away. I would absolutely recommend seeing Odd Mob as well. They had easily one of the best sets of the weekend.
Decadence wrapped up with a closing set from the legend, Subtronics. Aside from Sara Landry, he delivered one of the most captivating performances of the festival. The crowd energy was unmatched, and he brought the entire weekend to an unforgettable close. It felt like the perfect high note to leave on, although a bittersweet ending.
Decadence was filled with many sweet memories for me, from kandi swapping and hugs from strangers to trinkets exchanged across the barricade. PLUR was truly alive and well throughout the festival. People came for the music, came to dance, and came together as a community united by their love for EDM. Seeing so many iconic artists in one place made the experience even more special.
As a side note, Decadence did an excellent job creating alternate spaces for attendees looking for a change of pace. The Conservatory offered a more intimate, enclosed environment to listen to music, while VIP areas featured couch lounges and hammock swings for those needing a break. GA attendees also had access to picnic tables and the Beatbox tent, providing spaces to relax away from the intensity of the crowds.
Additionally, I want to applaud the organizers for their continued commitment to harm reduction. Festival staff and volunteers were visible throughout the grounds, offering water, bandages, and support to those in need. Their efforts made the event feel accessible, safe, and well cared for.
Thank you so much for this experience, Relentless Beats! KAMP loves EDM.