HARD Summer has become a classic Southern California festival for anyone who has been in the festival scene for a couple of years. The diverse lineup, energetic crowd, and unique brand of the festival makes it unlike any other in the Southern California area, and it's always a good time. Two iHeartRaves team members checked out HARD Summer this year and had a great weekend!
Here's what Daisy Dew Drops, our Festival Coordinator, and MadelynGlitters, our Influencer coordinator had to say about this year's HARD Summer Music Festival! Daisy's favorite part of HARD was running into so many people she knew but had never met, and Madelyn's was the lineup because there were so many sets to choose from every night.
Photo: Demian Becerra for Insomniac Events
The Music
This year's HARD Summer lineup was packed with some truly amazing artists. Headliners like Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Uzi Vert, and Porter Robinson brought completely different vibes each night which gave a totally different feel to the fest. HARD always does a good job of bringing the rave vibes, even if it's not a true EDM festival. This year there were lots of dance music acts like Chris Lake, Tchami, Tokimonsta, Madeon, Zeds Dead, and Griz to name just a few.
"Alison Wonderland is always my personal favorite!" -MadelynGlitters
"Troyboi threw down!" -Daisy Dew Drops
Photo: Gina Joy for Insomniac Events
The Art
HARD Summer Music Festival is known more for its music and scene than its art. There are some festivals with a lot of art installations but HARD isn't one of them, though it did have some art installations this year to check out. "There wasn't as much artwork as some other festivals, but a few brands had set up really cool activations," Madelyn says of the art. If you're looking for a music festival with a lot of visual elements, HARD definitely isn't that, but it brings a lot in other ways.
Photo: Keiki Lani-Knudson for Insomniac Events
The Food
Speaking of other things that HARD does bring is its food. There is so much good food to eat in Southern California, from fresh fruit to amazing Mexican food, that you really can't go wrong with any choices. "My fav snack was fruit with Tajin and Chamoy! I go crazy for some spicy fruit," says Daisy Dew Drops of the food. "My favorite food at the NOS is always Express Hibachi," says Madelyn. There are lots of food vendors to choose from at HARD, so you'll be able to find something for anyone. This year was no exception!
Photo: Jason Fenmore for Insomniac Events
The Venue
This year HARD expanded its use of the NOS speedway so that the festival grounds could be bigger. This made it much easier to get around and helped make it feel less crowded overall! The walkways from one stage to another was really easy to navigate, and neither Daisy Dew Drops nor Madelyn ever felt like there were crowds that were too tightly packed.
Photo: Jason Fenmore for Insomniac Events
The Crowds
Another new thing to HARD Summer Music Festival this year was the added third day. Three-day festivals can sometimes feel less packed because people have more options for which days they can go, and the overall vibe feels more relaxed. There have definitely been times in the past where HARD has felt overcrowded, so Daisy and Madelyn said that the added third day seemed to help with the crowds a lot.
HARD Summer Music Festival is a great festival to check out if you have a diverse music taste and want to get a sample of a bit of everything. There are so many acts to choose from and a lot of people go, so you'll have no trouble running into friends. The annual festival takes place at the NOS Events Center in San Bernadino, just an hour outside of LA!
