One of my favorite summer festivals is a small but mighty house music-filled event on the shores of the Great Salt Lake in late-June. Get Funky Festival, which brings some of the biggest names in house music each summer, has become a sort of Utah summer tradition to usher in those warm nights out in the desert. This year, with headliners like Kaskade, Tchami b2b Malaa, Wax Motif and Wüki, the vibes at Get Funky were immaculate with a mix of the classics and some new sounds set against the backdrop of a flaming orange desert sunset over the Great Salt Lake.
The Music
I am a raver at my core, and with that comes a love for all types of electronic music (even hardcore is growing on me!). With that being said, I will be the first to admit that I've gotten a little tired of house music in recent years. What used to sound fresh and exciting with so many new artists entering the space now, often, sounds repetitive and low energy. But a good DJ is a good DJ, and there are many exceptions to that.
At Get Funky, the music ranged from forgettable to awe-inspiring. Surprisingly, it was the younger, newer artists like Xie, anabel, and Wüki who delivered the freshest sounds and most exciting beats. Kaskade, a local favorite, was predictable but satisfying as he played a wide range of his older music and some newer hits. I personally will rarely pass up an opportunity to see Kaskade, as his music has only gotten better as it ages and the crowds at his shows are always a great time.
The Vibe
Get Funky celebrates the start of the summer each year (this year it took place on the summer solstice) so the vibes were, predictably, immaculate. I often talk about the sunsets on the Great Salt Lake when I review shows at the Great Saltair, but that's only because they're some of the best sunsets you'll see.
A snow cone at a concert on a warm summer night will cure you (I have scientific research to back this up), and Get Funky had all three. Although the festival was small, with only one stage and not many places to explore or art to check out, the vibes were generally positive and the crowd was friendly. In recent years I've noticed rave crowds become more and more friendly and caring for one another, and this was no exception. It was hot, and several times throughout both nights of the festival I saw people helping each other out and taking care of each other, even among strangers.
The Food
For years I've heard people talk up the chicken strips at the Great Saltair, but this was the first time I've actually tried them. Aside from the snow cone truck, there weren't any food trucks at Get Funky this year, meaning that the chicken strips from the snack shop were the only choice. Das Energi, which takes place at the same venue later in the summer, offers a wide selection of food trucks to pick from, so this was a little bit of a disappointing change.
The chicken strips were alright, but I'm beginning to question the authority of every raver who ever talked them up. At best, they were reminiscent of what you would get at the snack shack of your community pool growing up. Not horrible, but not exactly Gordon Ramsay approved.
Despite the fact that it's a small festival, Get Funky is one of my favorite festivals of the year that takes place in Utah. For locals, it's a can't miss event that showcases some of Utah's best views at a venue, some of the best house music you can find out there, and vibes that are truly unmatched. Keep an eye out for the Get Funky 2025 announcement early next year!
