PHXLIGHTS 2023: Among The Stars Festival Review: Intergalactic Splendor

PHXLIGHTS 2023: Among The Stars prepared Arizona headbangers and house bunnies into space cadets ready for a countdown to transport to a vast, starry soundscape in which many didn't want the weekend to end. Scheduled to take place inside of Phoenix Raceway similar to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, this year's edition included artists such as Top 100 DJ Mag's #1 DJ Martin Garrix, Grammy-nominated Afrojack, and San Holo for a getaway to infinity and beyond.

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Sed's Vortex started the party on night 1 as ravers traveled beyond the security checkpoint and ready to experience the expansive unknown. With the energy of a champagne supernova for her first main stage performance, she stood upon the decks and fearlessly demonstrated her strong vocals during an unreleased track, "I Tried To Scream". Moksi followed in an otherworldly pursuit of increasing the crowd's energy and dancing to outer space at the Mothership Stage; Arizona ravers were longing for festival season to finally start. Trivecta and San Holo placed the crowd in a sublime state of melodic future bass before Afrojack's stellar performance. Firework sparks contrasted the dark night sky during Martin Garrix's closing performance. The fireworks caught attendees by surprise as fireworks are dedicated for best performances and instilled the same excitement in them for day 2. Meanwhile at The Invasion Stage presented by BeatBox, a flying saucer art installation was all the buzz for ravers to take pictures underneath while a series of lights glowed on attendees as if they were being abducted in a sonic spaceship. The Weird and Wonderful Cast claimed that stage in particular with lyra equipment and extraterrestrial sass! Jonis, Guestli$t, Zanni, Mahsiv, and SVNDAY DRVR truly invaded the soundscape further inviting the headbangers to join. 

On night 2, ravers couldn't stop exploring the edges of the PHXLIGHTS galaxy by visiting the 1UP Arcade featuring classic games like Mortal Kombat II. Perfectly placed in this universe were skyscraper-like art installations of a space shuttle and a white-helmeted astronaut worthy of gawks. The Invasion Stage held artists Zeus, Alex The Lab, Peachy Keen, and more. For the shuffler-wannabes that danced too much on night 1, they immediately gathered at The Playground presented by Pricklee to learn from a shuffling master, Britt Zec. Also offered at The Playground was twister and dodgeball which made sure everyone was able to participate in an activity before stage-hopping. Blasting off night two in the hopes of being probed to another world was Pat Riot showcasing a thrashing style of bass. Wenzday shared her heartbreak house with tracks such as "Handle With Care" and "Actin' Up". Crankdat then blew ear drums (which finally put earplugs to great use) and dizzied the crowd to prepare for The King of Bass House, AC Slater. AC Slater exclaimed directly in the microphone "Arizona, it's so good to be back" before sharing tracks "Fly With Us" and Wax Motif's remix of "Fly Kicks". It became customary for these aliens to get rowdy all weekend and especially before ISOxo's first-time performance in Arizona. ISOxo removed his shirt, danced on the booth, and in front of PHXLIGHTS' space cadets with his fusion of trap and dubstep. Soon, a green inflatable alien was being thrown around during Ganja White Night's performance not shying away from wobbles or DNB as astronauts on stilts traveled through the swarm of attendees.  

Next on the Relentless Beats calendar at Phoenix Raceway is Subtronics bringing his live show in support of his latest album, ANTIFRACTALS, the follow-up to his debut album, FRACTALS featuring VIP versions from himself and remixes from the likes of Virtual Riot, Peekaboo, Wooli, A Hundred Drums, and more. Buy your tickets HERE! 

Photos Courtesy of PHXLIGHTS & Relentless Beats

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