This year, HARD Summer took place at its newest venue, Hollywood Park next to SoFi Stadium, which offered many positive aspects to attendees.
If there is one summer festival in Southern California that keeps visitors coming back year after year, it is HARD summer. Through its varied lineups and many changes of location, HARD has retained its loyal fan base that appreciates this popular event. This year was no different, as both scene veterans and newcomers flocked to HARD Summer in Hollywood Parkadjacent to SoFi Stadium, 3 to 4 August, for a time like no other.
With a bigger stage and an arsenal of heavyweights, HARD Summer 2024 was one of the best yet. Top acts like Dillon Francis, notice, Zeds dead, Subfocus, Tracking and status, SIDE PANELand more took the stage and brought the vibe back to Los Angeles. From bass to house and everything in between, the various stages throughout the sprawling grounds offered plenty of opportunities to dance to your favorite genres.
Wherever you like to spend your time, there was something for everyone at HARD Summer. Read on to find out five things we loved about the festival this year!
Five things we loved about HARD Summer 2024
The stunning venue and atmosphere
While HARD Summer has seen more venues than one can count, this year’s experience exceeded all expectations. Fans initially judged the venue and festival map and found them disappointing. Personally, however, HARD events have outdone themselves and provided a fantastic experience for the attendees. Having seen many editions of HARD Summer since my first visit in 2016, this edition was different from the others in the best way.
The venue was modern and spacious, with plenty of room to move between stages. Hollywood Park has a beautiful man-made lake right in the middle, which provided a prime photo opportunity all weekend. Due to the distance between each stage, there was no sound clash. The stages themselves were also state of the art, with lights and lasers, and large in stature, creating an immersive experience. To top it all off, cell reception was usually optimal, and I was able to reach my friends or post on social media without much trouble.
The Los Angeles venue was easy to get to, right near LAX airport in Inglewood. The only major downsides to this venue were the distance between stages, which meant you had to think about who you wanted to see, and the long wait times to exit the parking lots or buildings. This did make it difficult to attend the HARD Weekender after-parties, but this was mitigated by leaving the festival a little early.
The insane VIP perks, free gifts and more
This year’s edition of HARD Summer offered more VIP perks than previous ones. Fans could claim many freebies that changed throughout the day and included exclusive laminate, hair clips, candy, sunscreen, lip balm, deodorant, jewelry, earplugs and more. At the HARD Stage, attendees could cool off in the VIP pool or chill under misters to escape the heat while enjoying optimal stage views away from the GA madness.
The VIP area featured plenty of activities including Dance Dance Revolution, a hair salon, glam shots, candy making stations, a claw machine and more. VOLTA Beauty was also on hand to offer complimentary hair and makeup services. The real cherry on top was the VIP walkway between the Green and HARDER stages, which was crucial during peak performances.
The sound diversity of the lineup
It’s no secret that HARD Summer features a diverse roster of artists, and every performance will be top-notch. Fan-favorite HARD legend Dillon Francis returned for a unique Moombahton set and Subscribe brought us all to trap heaven. Pop icon Nelly Furtado even made her HARD Summer debut and opened with popular tracks “Cannibals” And “I am like a bird.”
Another outstanding set included Zeds deadof the songs by Arctic monkeys And Fleetwood Mac. REZZMAU5 celebrated his HARD Summer debut and deadmau5 And REZZ brought their stunning collaborative project to the HARDER stage. Drum and Bass was also outstanding throughout the weekend, with heavyweights like Hedex, Tracking and status, dimensionAnd Subfocus wipe out the green stage.
Techno and house beats flowed throughout the weekend. Chris Stussy brought the full atmosphere to the Pink stage and attracted a sea of fans who dared to get lost on the half-closed stage. Eli Brown dominated the decks here on Sunday and closed the festival with releases like “Be the one” And “Believe.” There were also massive back-to-back sets of Tschami And Malaa for their return from No salvationas well as FISHERMAN And Chris See‘S Under constructionWhatever sounds you’ve been wanting to hear, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest at HARD this year.
The wide range of food and drinks
Festivalgoers never had to travel far to get something to eat or drink, and lines were relatively short. Various food trucks offered chicken sandwiches, burritos, pizza, Cinnabon, açaí, churros, BBQ, hibachi, and more. Some booths also had vegan options. One option that particularly caught my eye was the oysters on the HARDER stage, which were surprisingly delicious and fresh.
As for the drink selection, the HARD Summer Cooler, available at every concession stand, was a crowd favorite. You could choose between two pre-made drink options and it came in a large Capri Sun bag and a HARD-branded lanyard. Nostalgia aside, the hands-free aspect was ideal for those long walks during the festival.
The people and PLUR vibes
The energy at HARD Summer this year is the same energy that made me fall in love with the scene when I first attended HARD Summer in 2016. Both artists and festival goers came out in full force, celebrating the waning summer moments surrounded by beautiful scenery. I traded jewelry with ravers from all walks of life and everyone was willing to help each other out.
Although there were few reports of fights breaking out in the crowd, this TOUGH crowd seemed to be the most pleasant one yet in general. There will always be people who push their way into the crowd with no “apology”. I’m glad I barely experienced it this time around due to my experience in the VIP area.
Only time will tell whether HARD Summer will return to this venue. If everything goes perfectly again next year, I am sure that long-time HARD fans and I will be there.
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