It is type of humorous to assume that I've been sitting on this assessment for about 36 hours now. Despite the truth that I assessment numerous festivals over the course of any given 12 months, author's block can nonetheless strike.

I used to be listening to a number of the music I heard final weekend at SnowGlobe to attempt to get impressed when the conclusion hit me –

It is just not that I've a scarcity of issues to say about this 12 months's pageant, it's that I'm not certain if there's a solution to authentically put the expertise of SnowGlobe into phrases.

But hey, it is type of my job, so I'll give it a shot.

The Iconic Setting

The pageant is solely overwhelming in virtually each manner. I'm certain anybody who attended this 12 months, or in 12 months's previous can attest, the wild, rugged pure great thing about Lake Tahoe is the very first thing to seize your consideration. The setting of the city is surreal.

Gazing out over the large lake tucked within the Sierra Nevada Mountains is nothing in need of awe-inspiring. It is like wanting again in time. It is a stark however attractive juxtaposition to the futuristic show of the pageant happening on the campus of the local people faculty.

In a manner, the setting of SnowGlobe presents an ideal metaphor for New Year's Eve itself. In one path is the previous, open to reflection and celebration. In the opposite path, is the long run, containing hope, pleasure, and promise.

Tens of hundreds of excited attendees descended (or, technically, “ascended”) to the brutally chilly city of South Lake Tahoe to rejoice the start of their 12 months at SnowGlobe final weekend, and what they acquired was nothing in need of magic.

I did slightly little bit of reflection on the previous 12 months for myself and located that there was actually no higher fruits doable to 2018 than spending it in South Lake with folks I care about and the music that I like. But sufficient of the ethereal, nontangible stuff – let's get into the small print.

The Festival Grounds

SnowGlobe made a handful of adjustments for this 12 months's occasion. They opened up the grounds in a manner which made much more sense than in prior years. The levels remained in the identical places, however touring between them was simplified by the elimination of some pointless boundaries.

Only actually one facet of the pageant arrange was discovered to be destructive. This was the entry level to The Igloo tent from the Sierra Stage, which was by means of such a slender hall folks routinely acquired crushed up in opposition to the doorways to the tent. But, in fact, the tent has no scarcity of entrances and exits, so it was a fast lesson to study to only keep away from that particular route.

The grounds crew at SnowGlobe have been nothing in need of miracle staff. This 12 months the pageant lined the whole thing of the sphere sections of the grounds with plastic tiling so no huge muddy puddles might kind after the lengthy days of foot site visitors.

Snow was produced every evening/morning and unfold throughout the whole thing of the grounds to ensure no severe ice patches might kind in a single day. While some slick spots have been inevitable, this was the most effective I've ever seen the grounds of SnowGlobe, and it deserves recognition as a result of nothing about this setting lends itself to a straightforward upkeep plan.

The Music

SnowGlobe actually went above & past this 12 months when it got here to curating a standout lineup. Yes, that was a pun, and no I'm not sorry, puns are cool.

The pageant labored to incorporate all genres of dance music together with euphoric progressive and trance artists akin to Above & Beyond and Eric Prydz, home standouts akin to Walker & Royce and Chris Lake, entice and bass all-stars akin to RL Grime and Slander/NGHTMRE, and even rappers akin to G-Eazy and Rae Sremmurd.

While my favourite set of the weekend has to go to the peerlessly assembled voyage by Eric Prydz, the undercard artists actually shined this 12 months at SnowGlobe.

Cray hypnotized the Sierra Stage along with her rowdy beats and ridiculous dance strikes behind the decks, Phantoms lit the Igloo Tent on hearth with their reside home cuts, and if the Grammy nomination wasn't sufficient – Sofi Tukker demonstrated that they're now 1000% headliner materials after displaying the most effective most important levels units all weekend lengthy.

Special Shoutout To Whoever Built The Daily Schedule

One factor that basically set SnowGlobe aside was how effectively the times have been scheduled. Very not often have been their severe conflicts or overcrowded levels. It was the most effective laid out schedules I had ever seen.

Clearly, somebody behind the scenes wants a elevate as a result of, with artists of such excessive caliber, levels can flip into pits of nonsense. This merely wasn't the case even as soon as. Even when artists akin to RL Grime and Diplo took the principle stage, the smaller levels balanced out the group to a manageable diploma.

Everything Else

I usually would not spotlight facet points of festivals, however SnowGlobe had some options that will be felony to not deliver up.

The Food

For starters, the meals at SnowGlobe was nothing in need of iconic. Specifically, the loaded fries that got here full with brisket, mac n cheese, and home made BBQ sauce. When issues acquired too chilly, one plate of these issues would get your physique able to courageous the weather as soon as once more. While naturally, the meals was costly, the parts have been a number of the largest I've seen at any pageant within the states.

The Bar

The bartenders have been on their sport and moved the road alongside shortly. While I do not drink myself, I noticed that the bartenders throughout the board have been beneficiant on their pours to guarantee that attendees acquired their cash's price with every drink.

The Merch

Finally, I've to deliver up the merch stands. While most artists and festivals cost upwards of $35 for merely a t-shirt, SnowGlobe had tons of inexpensive choices for followers to purchase to recollect the weekend. They have been even promoting hoodies for under $40, and after going to upwards of 50 festivals – I've by no means seen that earlier than.

The Big Picture

Above & Beyond took the stage at 11 p.m. on New Year's Eve to a packed crowd. It started snowing a good quantity as a bone-chilling wind kicked up.

This is actually the magic hour for SnowGlobe. The towering, snow-covered California pines get an otherworldly glow from the stage lighting, solely additional separating attendees from actuality.

Despite the freezing temperature, the group was splendidly heat. Anyone I made eye contact with instantly turned a pal at that second. As A&B performed out a beautiful set highlighting their favorites from the previous 12 months, the clock grew nearer to midnight.

As the blokes began to play ‘Blue Sky Action', the group instinctively knew it was virtually time. The music seized, as Above & Beyond picked out the fortunate followers to push the button into the brand new 12 months. The countdown started and at that second, nothing else on the planet mattered, even when it was just for 10 quick seconds.

The clock hit zero, the music started as soon as once more and fireworks exploded within the sky. And similar to that, one other SnowGlobe, and one other 12 months had handed.

To wrap up this assessment – I might be blunt: If you do not attend this pageant as soon as in your life as a music fan, you might be doing your self a fantastic disservice. There is simply merely nothing similar to SnowGlobe. Until subsequent December Tahoe.