When the Boo! Halloween event was announced by Insomniac in August, Seattle was understandably ecstatic. COVID-19 has caused many folks to miss events that we’d all been looking forward to. This spooky event was the perfect time to give the community something they’ve missed dearly. Having the opportunity to spend Halloween weekend at a festival like this was definitely unforgettable.
I had never been to an EDM festival before, and I can confidently say that Boo! Halloween did not disappoint. Seeing some of my favorite DJs like TroyBoi, Bijou, and Borgore was just as amazing as seeing the audience’s creative costumes. As a pre-pandemic Seattle concert junkie, it was riveting to see our iconic crowd presence come back to life.
Boo! Halloween Seattle 2021 Recap
First Impressions
I spotted signs pointing to three separate stages as soon as I walked in: House of Haunts, Den of Darkness, and Groove Graveyard. The House of Haunts stage was the main stage, making it the largest. With trapezes hanging around the stage, different dancers were performing complicated acrobatic stunts. The only outdoor stage was Den of Darkness, which took place in a large covered parking lot. Groove Graveyard was the smallest of the three stages, but it didn’t make the crowd any less enthusiastic.
The VIP section was located on the upstairs level of the building with an array of amenities. A private bar, free water refills, a makeup refreshing station, and complimentary coat check was available for all premium guests. The facilities also included costume accessories, such as ears and temporary tattoos, in case your outfit didn’t work out.
Downstairs, you could find two of the three stages, as well as several Halloween carnival attractions and independent vendors. So, while you’re not grooving out to music, you might check out the rides or purchase some handmade ravewear. There was also access to onsite refreshments, including catering from the Wamu Theater and a Starbucks stand.
Night 1
The bulk of the audience didn’t start really trickling in until about 8pm. I started my viewing experience with the artist Minor. As one of the earliest acts, she took on the challenge of opening the show with a bang and got the crowd pumped for the night. We were also blessed with a surprise feature of some vocals from Kenna, also known as hherb.
Bijou’s arrival really got the festival popping. Lasers were shooting out all over the place and the viewing area of the smaller Groove Graveyard was completely full. Many were head banging in the pit, while the others remained in the VIP section to get a better look.
Nitti Gritti was performing at the House of Haunts stage at this time, filling the festival’s largest stage roughly halfway. I knew the actual meat of the festival was beginning when people started claiming their spots at the barricades.
Tchami / Valentino Khan / Borgore
The crowd was no longer holding back by the time it was time for Tchami and Valentino Khan. People were head banging until their necks gave out, while the stages became completely crowded with attendants. Tchami gave the audience what they wanted by performing a trap set with powerful bass and eye-catching Halloween graphics.
Valentino Khan’s performance at the Groove Graveyard stage drew an incredibly thick audience, with many attendants holding up various light-up signs and other objects that added to the aesthetic of the lights (my favorite was a giant neon jellyfish). Valentino Khan also played very few of his original songs during his set and mainly remixes of other popular songs, which I found to be surprising.
Borgore’s set in the Den of Darkness was the final act I saw. Borgore was one of the headlining artists at Boo!, so I was anticipating great things. The crowd was patiently awaiting this act, and they were already going crazy, shouting “Borgore” again and over. Borgore’s performance was fantastic, and the audience absolutely raged during this set. The high concrete flooring in this parking lot really shook as the audience jumped up and down to the beat. Without a doubt, Borgore’s set was one of the crazier sets I’ve experienced.
Night 2
The audience arrived a little earlier on night two, but still streamed in throughout the earlier performances. The EDM duo Mortals kicked off the night at House of Haunts. Opening the main stage is not a simple job, but Mortals handled it so brilliantly that they were able to garner quite a bit of audience participation. I noticed quite a few people walking aimlessly upon arrival and then gluing themselves to the stage after hearing Mortals’ set.
The House of Haunts stage went completely insane from 9pm until 12am. With the crowd peaking, it was finally time for the three fantastic shows we’d been waiting for. From highly hyped acts such as TroyBoi, NGHTMRE, and Seven Lions, the night was going out with a bang.
TroyBoi, another British native, took time in his hectic touring schedule to be at this event. The crowd was delighted to fiercely thrash to his hard-hitting dubstep set, which included some of the greatest singles from his recent album, VIBEZ Vol. 4.
It was also thrilling to see NGHTMRE in my city for the first time. NGHTMRE’s set did not disappoint and was complemented by the psychedelic graphics on the overhead screen.
Seven Lions / 12th Planet
Seven Lions and 12th Planet wrapped up the festival perfectly. Surprisingly, while both of these shows had a lot of audience excitement, they were both giving very different vibes. The parking lot ambiance in combination with the aggressive sounds that 12th Planet was playing gave the impression of going to an underground rave in the 1990s. There were no excessive graphics, 12th Planet simply let the music speak for itself, which was unexpectedly enjoyable.
Seven Lions, on the other hand, took place on the main stage and included eye-catching lasers blasting from every direction. In the end, confetti fell from the sky, raining all over the entire audience.
Insomniac Events Never Disappoint
After years of missing out, Insomniac Events brought something truly unique to Seattle. While it was not as massive as EDC, this Halloween event would not have been the same anywhere else. The proactive requirement of vaccination status or a negative COVID-19 test made this event feel a lot safer too. Boo! Halloween was undoubtedly a Seattle favorite, and I’m looking forward to seeing what Insomniac has in store for us next.
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