PHXLIGHTS: Altered Orbit 2022 Review: An Otherworldly Experience

PHXLIGHTS: Altered Orbit’s constellation of dubstep, riddim, bass, and everything in between dizzied Arizona to leave the planet in pursuit of celestial escapism. Drifting further into Relentless Beats’ musical sensation, fans experienced a submersion of increasing intensity with each performance. In search of aggressive and extreme bass, Arizona ravers were satisfied by this year's edition of Phoenix Lights. 

Day 1 at the Mothership Stage 

Day 1 featured hard-hitters GRiZ, Liquid Stranger, RUSKO, Champagne Drip, PROPER., and Smoakland. PROPER. started the celebration of bass alongside Smoakland’s eye-widening set. Excited for Arizona’s annual revolution of all things space and bass, Champagne Drip’s set was in full throttle of sharp unreleased IDs causing grinding movements from the crowd. RUSKO broke the heavy rhythm with melodic bass. Headbanging was obvious in an environment taken refuge for intense bliss increasing with every artist. By the end of every night, pashminas were draped over heads and the inner-wook was unveiled. Liquid Stranger’s Gem and Jam 2022 was nothing like his set for PHXLIGHTS: Altered Orbit. Every performance of his is a one-of-kind experience. He only repeats “Spaghetti Tying,” which now feels like his trademark. He also performed “Berzerk” for those who hated the pandemic, along with “Low” and “Ripples”. GRiZ provided an unbeatable combo of stimulating swiftness of his saxophone that melts any preconceived notion about bass within those genre-bending lines. Near the conclusion of his set, he featured two vocalists on stage for a powerful encore.

Day 2 at the Mothership Stage 

Day 2 hosted impressive sets by RL Grime, ZOMBOY, FLOSSTRADAMUS, Jantsen, Leotrix, and SAAS. Leotrix played fan-favorites like “Special Guest” and “Sight” along with knock-out tracks like “Replacement Dub,” “Good,” and “FUNNYFACE.” Those who arrived at the party late missed out on a future bass moment consumed by his light and bouncy energy sequencing into darker bass. Jantsen played “nasty” and showed Arizona how piercing his bass transitions. Ears relished in the thrill from Jantsen's unpredictable live set. Zomboy’s tantalizing performance bestowed a cerebral surrealist headspace of stellar.

The Invasion Stage: Interstellar Travel

A UFO space shuttle replaced the decks and the headliner was an extraterrestrial being. Day 1 featured performers like TEEOH, Kleopatra, Charmae, Voodreau, District13, Dark Mark, Mutil 8 B2B Claire Voyant. Day 2 hosted Pat Riot, Residuo, Blaize, Medicine Mike, Peachy Keen, MLBX B2B LUCCI, and Electric Polar Bears to continue the astronomical euphoria. Arizona-favorites like Dark Mark, Residuo, and Medicine Mike attracted locals that couldn't get enough of supporting the community’s music. District13 oozed the brains out of ears with pure riddim. The concentrated sound in the abyss of night far from the lights at the main stage felt like the openness of outer space. Thankfully, the riddim and dubstep movement wasn’t completed after this memorable performance. Dark Mark used the Oscars Punch dialogue between Will Smith and Chris Rock as an audio track in the beginning of his performance. Headbanging persisted as the audience before this space shuttle could be familiarized as humans but humans who were able to communicate with aliens if they spoke in dubstep and riddim.

Beatbox Silent Disco at the Fallout Stage

The Beatbox Silent Disco hosted dozens of rising acts across two channels both days for a galactic experience. Channel 1 hosted Lukewarm, Roil, Youms, Gracklebeats, OGK, Speckz, DJ Wednesday, Seds Vortex, RYLO, Mahsiv, Sava., SEJO, and Batterylo. Channel 2 featured artists such as TXNY, Floyd & Roth, Lavander B2B Spaycee Taycee, SENS1, REPOSE, Seppi, HEYBUD!, Fatal Error, Cafe Caderas, Mamba, and  Dreamcode. DJ Wednesday reaped anything but silence. Seppi and Seds Vortex exhibited a mix of bass, house, riddim, and dubstep. It was inclusive and expansive to see many female DJ duos at this stage immediately after Women’s Appreciation Month.

The passion for bass, dubstep, and riddim was never lost upon Arizona at the space-themed festival. Intergalactic astronauts and ETs from the Weird and Wonderful Cast returned alongside the roller disco. Alien balloons and neon outfits made appearances, adding an extraterrestrial feel to the ambiance of this year's Phoenix Lights. Fans will have to wait until next year when Relentless Beats once again invites ravers on a planetary exposition to the milky way of music. 

Photos Courtesy of Relentless Beats

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