NW – Paradiso Festival – Recap
The Evergreen State – How i love Thee
As a raver from California, I have always heard a lot about Electric Daisy Carnival, Nocturnal Wonderland, Snowglobe and many other huge events. On February 28th, 2016, while attending Wobbleland by Vital Events in San Jose, CA, I met two awesome new friends, Amber and Darby, from the Evergreen State of Washington
While staying in touch with them, I was invited to this annual 2-day and 3-night campout festival event, Paradiso by USC Events, June 24th and 25th, 2016. This event was held just 2 hours east of Seattle, Washington at the Gorge Amphitheater. This 20,000+ capacity scenic outdoor venue is located in the gorge near the Colombia River, where the most beautiful sunsets and sound vibrations live. Unlike other camping festival, the site was extremely clean with tons of showers very close to the venue. There were more than three levels of camping ground which provided plenty of spots for everyone’s budget.
Outside the camp spot, the musical journey was spread among 3 different stages with a solid line up that included Hardwell, The Chainsmokers, Aly & Fila, Cazzette, Dillon Frances, Cosmic Gate, Bassnectar just to name a few. From the Digital Oasis house area in the jungle setting, to the bass stage at Wreckage where the grimiest sets were held all weekend, and down to the astonishing Paradise main stage where two levels of viewing welcomed you right in thru a rolling grassy hill above the largest pit. The highlight set of the weekend was Day-2’s Caspa B2B Rusko which I have waited months for and it delivered. I was in such awe that I could only stare and let the bass take ahold of me. On the other hand, for me, Day-1 on the Wreckage stage featuring Alison Wonderland, Herobust, Dirtyphonics and Datsik just did not compare to Caspa and Rusko.
The production was amazing, on point and not overwhelming where the focus was on the artist mixing thru the night. There were many photographers grabbing breath taking shots of thousands of ravers front row drowning themselves in the music. Though I came with my Sacramento squad family and met up with my new Washington family, my adventurist side came out as I soared around meeting all sorts of new friends and their different views and journeys in capturing what the meaning of the EDM culture meant to them.
I began to really fall in love with this new place, the natural beauty surrounding the Gorge Amphitheater; a place I could almost call home. For those outside this area, especially the Californian ravers out there looking to seek new adventurous, breathtaking and majestic place with all the beautiful music you already so desire; look into next years Paradiso 2017 where your heart may just stay in the Evergreen State of Washington.
-Tim Warden
