Here we are to reminisce and delve into the vibrant and mesmerizing world of Electric Forest 2024. This festival, which has garnered a reputation for its unique blend of music, art, interactive escapes and community, took place in the enchanting Sherwood Forest, nestled in Rothbury, Michigan. This four-day extravaganza took place on June 20-24, 2024. The festival’s journey encompasses far more than just the music; it’s also about the unique experiences you encounter throughout.
Electric Forest began its journey in 2011, evolving from the original Rothbury Festival which started in 2008. Over the years, it has grown into a beloved annual event, attracting thousands of attendees from around the globe. The festival is renowned for its diverse lineup, encompassing genres from electronic dance music (EDM) to jam bands, and its commitment to sustainability and community engagement. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the most enchanting festivals in existence. Each year brings new and thrilling experiences, and this year was no exception. Ticket sales increased, and the upgrades around the festival grounds were visibly impressive.
Entering The Festival
Upon entering through the gates labelled “Electric Forest,” you’re immediately greeted by the Tripolee stage, where the first impressive improvement becomes evident. Two massive, colorful canopy-like sunshades provide festival-goers with a cool spot to relax while still enjoying the music. The stage design itself is stunning, adorned with dragon-like figures weaving around and mesmerizing projections. The sound quality is impeccable. As one of the main stages, Tripolee hosted numerous notable acts throughout the weekend, featuring artists like John Summit, Mau P, It’s Murph, Lucii, and many more.
Entering The Ranch Arena
After leaving Tripolee, you’ll wander past a variety of unique vendors and delectable food stalls. Among them stands the iconic Giving Tree, where festival-goers participate in a “take one, leave one” tradition, always yielding surprises upon each visit. In previous years, this tree was adorned solely with decorations crafted by attendees. However, this year’s upgrades included wrapping LED lights around it. This small enhancement transformed the experience, casting a breathtaking glow that illuminated the offerings as dusk settled. Visiting the Giving Tree became a cherished daily ritual—a tradition that epitomizes the magic of this extraordinary festival.
The Ranch Arena stands as one of the festival’s largest main stages, hosting unforgettable performances by artists such as Nelly Furtado, Subtronics, The String Cheese Incident, Ludacris, and many others. Positioned as a gateway into the forest, this stage area boasts numerous food vendors and shaded seating areas beneath the tree line. To the left, a lesser-traveled entrance to the forest features picturesque archways that add to the festival’s charm. Here, you’ll discover “Frick Frack,” where festival-goers can engage in a game of blackjack using items other than money. Nearby, the “Travel Agency” awaits, where participants embark on a magical scavenger hunt by obtaining their cards. The Ranch Arena is cherished by attendees as a favorite spot to unwind, enjoy music, and immerse themselves in the festival’s atmosphere.
Entering The Forest
In previous years, the entrance from the Ranch stage into the Forest has been iconic, featuring upside-down umbrellas hanging from what seems like the sky, creating a fan-favorite photo spot. This year, the umbrellas were relocated deeper into the forest, and the walkway was transformed with massive, decorative wind chimes illuminated by colorful spotlights. This impressive upgrade beautifully filled the space, drawing many people to stop for photo ops and revel in the enchanting pathway leading into the captivating Forest.
Throughout the Forest, numerous upgrades enhanced the overall experience. Additional art installations featured projection mapping at night, creating the illusion of movement. There were more spaces to relax and hang out, and a remarkable piano left open to the public, inviting creative festival-goers to share their talent and captivate crowds. Actors roamed the forest, interacting with attendees and creating memorable experiences, with some performers even on stilts in mesmerizing costumes that were captivating to behold. Each year, the Forest unveils something fresh to anticipate, while also preserving and repurposing the impressive artwork from previous years.
In addition to the interactive activities throughout the forest, there are three stages that draw massive crowds, each uniquely designed to complement the festival’s theme. The first stage you encounter upon entering is the Observatory, featuring a raised platform for an elevated viewing experience. To the right of the Observatory lies the Honey Comb Stage, boasting a 360-degree design that places artists in the midst of the crowd—an immersive and picturesque experience. The third stage, nestled in the Trading Post area, offers a more intimate setting with a distinct musical style. Known as the Grand Artique, it showcases satisfying, old-school music that adds a unique flavor to the festival’s lineup.
Entering Sherwood Court
Another monumental main stage within the festival, this area saw notable upgrades this year, including an increased number of vendors offering a diverse array of food options and engaging promotional stands along the sidelines. Despite its powerful sound and bass that can be felt from the rear of the crowd, this stage maintains impeccable sound control, ensuring minimal noise bleed into neighboring stages. Entrances adorned with stunning archways add to its allure, while massive art installations dotting the field provide visual splendor for attendees dancing to some of the weekend’s most electrifying sets. Among the standout performances were LSZEE (Close & LSDream), Gigantic Nightmare (Big Gigantic & Nightmare), G Jones, Maddy O’Neal, and many other renowned artists. Additionally, there’s an entrance leading to another section of the grounds, featuring the Dream Emporium and the Carousel Club stage. In past years, this entrance was relatively plain, but this year, they relocated one of the most prominent statues to this area, transforming it into a beautifully adorned space.
Entering Carousel Club
This stage is unique within the festival as it is fully enclosed. The lighting, backdrop, and flooring received significant upgrades this year. Previously covered in sand, the stage now boasts actual flooring and includes an ADA ramp, marking a notable improvement in accessibility. This year, the festival has made considerable strides in ADA accessibility, ensuring all attendees feel welcome and safe to dance the night away. Headlining acts such as Lettuce, Its Murph, Neil Frances, and Hiatus Kaiyote graced this stage, delivering unforgettable performances. Adjacent to the stage is a captivating flower garden of lights, offering an immersive experience for festival-goers to explore. This area of the grounds, including the enchanting Dream Emporium, stands out as one of my favorites, providing one of the most immersive festival experiences imaginable.
Entering The Dream Emporium
One of the most remarkable upgrades I’ve witnessed at the festival is the Dream Emporium. Introduced last year, it seemed impossible to improve upon the excitement and coolness of its initial setup. However, this year’s enhancements surpassed all expectations. The Emporium invites attendees to enter a dreamlike state, where each room presents a surprising and fantastical reality. Numerous doors lead to unimaginable dreams—like a room opening to a lazy river for kayaking and lounging on an actual yacht. Spanning a vast area with interconnected rooms, exploring it feels like navigating a labyrinth of dreams. In one room, you climb a bunk bed to find yourself in a cloud-filled space with a slide; descending leads to a cardboard-themed room. You can easily spend hours discovering secret entrances and engaging with interactive artwork and whimsical activities, forgetting you’re at a music festival. Each room features actors who embody the theme, enhancing the immersive and memorable experience. The Emporium is a must-see at the festival, so allocate ample time to explore its wonders. The upgrade this year is truly impressive—they’ve outdone themselves. Inside, there are mini stages hosting acts that complement the room themes, and there’s even a complete wrestling ring—an astonishing feat of space utilization in this expansive and immersive environment!
In Conclusion
As we reflect on Electric Forest 2024, it’s clear that this year’s festival transcended expectations and left an indelible mark on all who attended. From the enchanting Sherwood Forest, where art installations came alive with projection mapping and interactive experiences, to the pulsating rhythms and electrifying performances on stages like Tripolee and The Ranch Arena, every corner of the festival exuded creativity and excitement.
The festival’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement was evident, with initiatives like the Giving Tree and increased ADA accessibility making it a space where everyone felt welcome and embraced. The introduction of new experiences, such as the revamped Dream Emporium with its labyrinth of themed rooms and surprises, added a new layer of wonder and immersion.
Music legends and rising stars alike graced the stages, delivering unforgettable sets that reverberated through the forest, while unique attractions like the Carousel Club and the playful antics of actors in elaborate costumes further enriched the festival’s vibrant tapestry.
Electric Forest 2024 wasn’t just a music festival; it was a journey of exploration, connection, and pure magic. As we look forward to future editions, let us carry forward the memories and moments that made this year’s experience truly extraordinary. Thank you for joining us in celebrating this incredible festival, where the ordinary fades away, and the extraordinary comes to life in the heart of the forest.
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