It’s the most electrifying music festival of the summer. Yup, HARD Summer came back ( the first time in a decade) to LA’s Coliseum and BMO Stadium in Exposition Park and in the most flashiest and biggest way with over 50 music artists like Kid Cudi, Ludacris, Kaskade, 21 Savage and Diplo lighting up multiple stages and bringing everyone to their feet to do what else…DANCE! This was an iconic moment for the city of angels, and yes babes, we got a front row seat to all of it. We danced like no one was watching, sang our hearts out, and cried (but only when it was time to leave). To say we had the best time is an understatement. Because this was an event for the books, one we will never forget. Keep reading to live through our festival eyes and to get prepped next year when it comes back to LA. Here is a full recap of the Hard Summer Music Festival.
What is HARD Summer?
Just to refresh your memory, HARD Summer is a super popular music festival in SoCal that’s known for bringing together some of the best artists and talents in the EDM scene. It always takes place for one weekend only in August and draws in thousands of people from all over the country and sometimes the world. Think of it as a Coachella for EDM. You can also expect to hear LIVE EDM music like techno, house, dubstep and maybe some trap. There are also big name beverage brands, like Electrolit, to keep you hydrated throughout the day and food vendors to keep you full for the whole weekend. Plus there are massive art installations and lots of activities, like Ferris Wheel rides, a Splash Pool (for VIP Members) to help beat the heat.
How To Prepare
Now that we’ve been to HARD Summer, we’re spilling every secret on what to bring and what to wear in order to have a blast at the festival. First, grab a small bag (maximum dimensions: 12” x 12”) to put in items like deodorant (you’ll want to, trust us), portable chargers, hand sanitizer, empty reusable water bottles, non-professional camera, and most importantly sunscreen! The event is cashless, so have either a physical debit/credit card to use or set up your Apple, Samsung, or Android pay ahead of time. Also, scout out a meeting spot ahead of time in case anyone gets lost, and plan out which artists you want to see including their set times and locations. Pro Tip: Get transportation figured out in advance and map out where you want to be dropped off. Uber’s could take a while, so consider public transportation this one time.
What To Wear
Comfort is key babes. Wear comfortable shoes (like sneakers or lug sole boots) because the venue is so big there will be a ton of walking and dancing throughout the weekend. After you’ve got that covered, pretty much anything goes but make it fashion. Pro Tip: Wear bright, bold, and shimmering colors to make a cool EDM statement. But, make sure the fabrics are lightweight and breathable to keep you from overheating. Some were wearing straight up bikini tops or criss cross bathing suits to keep cool.
What to See
Obvi…the only reason to go to HARD Summer is to listen and dance to the incredible lineup of music, but there are so many food & beverage brands that have sponsored the event to experience too. This year, the festival food vendors included 10/10 Smash Burger, Cinnabon, Love Bird Fried Chicken, Something Good LA, and Wendys. But here’s what we really loved. The sampling station from Electrolit was so cool and was an absolute lifesaver. They helped us stay hydrated while we worked up a sweat dancing and were the perfect pick-me-up to get us through the rest of the night. Electrolit’s mini “shots of hydration” – were kept ice cold at their station that even featured a 360-degree camera for selfies with our crew. Plus, there were so many delicious flavors to try (including zero-sugar options), but our faves were the Strawberry Kiwi and Berry Bliss. Not to mention the high-energy staff that made the visit so welcoming and fun that we forgot all about the hot sun. Relaxing in the Electrolit zone was the perfect way to not only recharge our bodies but our phones too. Yup, this is one station worth checking out. It truly made our HARD Summer experience ElectroLIT!
As much as we loved visiting HARD Summer, this isn’t the only cool festival happening in LA. Check out more here.
