HARD Summer returned to Inglewood, California on August 3–4, 2025, and it did not disappoint. With a stacked lineup, unforgettable performances, and next-level crowd energy, the weekend was an all-out celebration of dance music culture. Here’s a breakdown of the standout sets, trends, and moments that made HARD Summer 2025 one for the books:
Standout Hard Summer 2025 Performances
SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Ladies of Leisure: Longtime best friends and DJs Leanne Allen, Jesse Selchow, Deirdre Coleman, and Tove Lo brought high energy and LA flavor with a set full of love for the decks and dance floors.
Funk Tribu: Merged retro 90s/2000s electronic with futuristic grooves. Known for ‘Phonky Tribu,’ his genre-fluid style had the crowd grooving hard.
Tape B b2b Mersiv: Delivered face-melting bass with a fun, carefree vibe. A basshead’s dream set, from the wobbles, to the wonky.
Crankdat: Transitioned from trap to recently throwing down some of the hardest dubstep/riddim with massive energy and nostalgic bangers.
SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Kilimanjaro b2b Melé: felt like the most perfect summer vibe, light hearted tunes that felt like a beautiful daytime disco underneath the warm California sun. They handled the stage like they owned it, you can tell they were comfortable and in their environment.
Barry Can’t Swim: Fused house and jazz for a smooth, feel-good ride—like driving PCH with the top down.
I Hate Models did the best he could with what he was given. He was definitely one of the most anticipated artists to see at Hard Summer, even with an early set time of 7pm (which was gorgeous with the sunsetting) but he has been blowing up all around the world and I don’t think the production crew expected there to be such a large turnout. Although his set was paused a few times, he managed to keep a good attitude and controlled the crowd in order to let the show go on! He definitely needs to be at one of the 2 main stages next round.
Dom Dolla absolutely crushed. He is such a fun DJ, always smiling and talking to the crowd, showing his love and appreciation. The pyrotechnics during his set went INSANE and made it a night to remember. Dom Dolla is always an artist to see, whether you’ve been raving for 10+ years, or even if it’s your first rodeo.
Nico Moreno: High-intensity techno master with deep respect for the genre’s roots. He is a DJ who will always uphold respect to the venue, the crowd, and most importantly, the music he plays, paying tribute to the OG techno sound.
Surprise Guests
Snoop Dogg joined Colombian star, Feid, on stage to perform “Gin and Juice” and ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’—a surprise that sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Crowd Vibes
Day 1 was a breeze, everyone got there early since the lineup was so killer, even the “openers” drew 20,000 plus crowds. Electric energy throughout the day and night. The green stage was the place to be for all of the bassheads.
There was definitely an increase in attendance on day 2, as that was techno day, and although techno has always been huge, the genre has been gaining traction in recent years in LA, and definitely displayed a surge in attendance. Though everyone was there for a good time, the migration seemed a little hectic from one stage to another, but that’s because Hard Summer delivered on the stacked lineup, like they always do!
Festival Fashion Trends
When it comes to fashion at HARD Summer, comfort and self-expression go hand in hand. The freedom to dress however you want is one of the most cherished parts of rave culture. Whether you’re in neon from head to toe or rocking a cozy pair of joggers with a mesh top, there’s no right or wrong way to show up.
What truly sets festival fashion apart is how it becomes an extension of personality. Some go for glitter, body paint, or light-up accessories, while others keep it chill with vintage tie-dye tees and sneakers. And no matter what someone’s wearing, the community supports it—there’s no judgment here. It’s all about expressing yourself authentically and being accepted for it.
One of the coolest trends we’ve seen gain traction over the past few years is themed and coordinated group outfits. Not only does it make for epic group photos, but it also makes it way easier to spot your crew among the crowd. This year, we spotted a group of 10 dressed as full-blown wizards—robes, hats, staffs, the whole vibe. Another crew of five went culinary, showing up in matching chef hats and aprons. One standout group had a “fluffy” theme, and they absolutely nailed it—fluffy boots, fuzzy bucket hats, button-down shirts for the guys, and soft, fluffy bikini tops for the girls.
This kind of playful creativity brings an added layer of joy to the festival experience. It’s not just about the music—it’s about the magic of creating a shared aesthetic with your friends, bringing a theme to life, and letting your imagination run wild. That’s the beauty of rave fashion: it’s comfortable, it’s outrageous, it’s inclusive, and most importantly, it’s yours.
First-Timers & Veterans
Keep in mind, Hard Summer is a lot of festival goers first experience as it’s an 18+ rave, so there are a lot of newbies coming in. We have to remember what we were all like for our first few years. Veterans need to keep an eye out for the younger generation, help when needed, and welcome them with open arms. We want to give a shoutout to END OVERDOSE, as they offered free CPR classes, narcan disposables and education on how to administer, and overall making sure we all took care of one another. The definition of PLUR.
Best Food & Drink
Beatbox had their own art car with DJ’s all through the day and into the night, with the cutest little sandy beach set up that made you feel like you were on an island. They also had industrial fans blowing at this
stage so it really felt like you were sippin’, listening to music, on a beachy getaway. The talent booked at the art cars were great, if you didn’t get a chance to catch any of them, you gotta check it out next year!
Accessibility & Logistics
Entry and exit were a breeze with 20+ lines and 3 major exits. The accessibility team did an impeccable job monitoring the safety of the ticket holders and making sure everyone entered in a timely manner. Security was smooth, and the vibe was safe and respectful—aside from a few gate jumpers driven by FOMO. I mean, can you blame them? No one wants to miss this.
HARD Summer 2025 brought together first-timers and seasoned ravers for two unforgettable days of music, unity, and expression. Until next year—keep the bass loud, the outfits louder, and the love loudest.
