Whomping Wednesdays: Pacific Festival Highlights
The long anticipated Orange County Pacific Festival took place this past weekend and we hope you had the chance to check it out! Big up to all of our friends that made it happen…all of us at the NoiseTrain can’t wait until next year! For those of you who weren’t able to attend, the festival took place on a gorgeous day made for indy and electro sounds, and even though we can’t do it justice, this post is going to attempt to give you some semblance of what you missed. Keep an eye out for an upcoming NoiseTrain post from photographer Braedon… his shots say far more than words.
August 13th started bright and early per Steve Aoki’s request and our first stop was Steffi Graf on the Lakeside stage. Settled amidst an amazing backdrop of Irvine Lake, cabana-esk coverings, palm trees, and beautiful sun, these guys’ live percussion, synth, and mixing got the day started off right. Steffi Graf was followed by Posso, a dashing duo comprised of two ladies whose sexy looks match their music. Posso’s jazz-house beats, “uppity” piano riffs, and overall dancy tempo propelled everyone’s spirits upwards and onwards.
Our next stop was to see Wishengrad spin at the Red Bull stage. Though considered one of the smaller stages, the Red Bull truck made a big impression on The Noise Train. Quite possibly one of the coolest automobiles we have ever seen, the Red Bull stage was situated on a giant truck, providing a fun and unconventional pit-stop for festival goers. It was apparent, from the enthusiastic crowd dancing to remixes of Miike Snow and the XX, that Wishengrad earned his Red Bull wings. With so many other people to see and stages to explore, we decided to race over and catch !!! Chk Chk Chk’s set at the Main stage where we lounged with all of our friends in the VIP section. As expected, !!! Chk Chk Chk did not disappoint.
A giant in stature and reputation, Englishman, Calvin Harris, took hold of the decks and rocked one of the biggest crowds to amass at the Dim Mak main stage that day. Harris’ incredible live set reminded us all that “these are the best days of our lives so put on a smile and everything will be all right.” With little to no delay between sets, Steve Aoki took control and kept the crowd bouncing into the night whilst dropping banger after banger. The Aoki and Harris duo provided Pacific Festival goers with the perfect amount of momentum to propel them head first into the ultimate hip-thrusting, cape-wearing performance of Ghostland Observatory. Those in attendance might agree when we say, the quirkly and fun Ghostland rivaled festival headliners.
After so much time spent at the at the main stage, we were lured back, via pounding beats, flashing lights, and spirited dancing, to the Lakeside stage. As the phrase, “Do you like bass?” rang out over the airwaves during Classixx, a resounding yes erupted, while ravers boogied and bounced around on the shore with ear to ear grins. Fred Falke followed shortly after and from what we can recall, the NoiseTrain team was caught up in a whirlwind of house music, nonstop dancing, and hands in the air. Arguably the life of the party last Saturday, Classixx and Fred Falke were two sets that stole our heart.
Aforementioned, Braedon will be posting his best photos from the day as well as giving you a few of his festival highlights, so stay tuned.
All Aboard!!! The Pacific Fest has come and gone and the next stop on The Noise Train’s summer festival line is the Identity Festival in Chula Vista, CA.
