Thousands of ravers descended on Phoenix to celebrate the New Year at Decadence Arizona, turning the desert into a two-night playground of sound and community. Hosted at Phoenix International Raceway, the annual Relentless Beats production once again proved why Decadence remains one of the most anticipated New Year’s Eve festivals in the country. From massive bass moments to deeply emotional melodic sets, the energy across the grounds never dipped — it evolved. With Griz topping the lineup and delivering the midnight countdown, attendees came from across the country to see this milestone performance.
Check out our full photo album from the event here!
This year’s theme, The Portal of Illusions, felt especially fitting. Every corner of the festival offered something new to discover, whether that meant stumbling into an art installation as a side quest between sets or locking into a special moment as the clock struck midnight and balloons descended on the crowd.
New Spaces, New Experiences
One of the newest additions to Decadence Arizona this year was The Conservatory, a brand-new stage that expanded the festival’s already diverse footprint. Focused on groove-driven and house-leaning sounds, the space offered a refreshing contrast to the festival’s heavier stages. It quickly became a favorite for those chasing deeper rhythms and provided the backdrop for a late-night set from Wax Motif.
Beyond the music, Decadence leaned further into experiential elements. Carnival rides dotted the grounds, offering elevated views of the festival and playful breaks from the dance floor. Pop-up shopping activations invited attendees to browse between sets, while unexpected features — including pickleball courts — added a dash of exploration to the event. It was the kind of festival environment that encouraged exploration just as much as dancing.
A Powerful Return to Arizona
One of the most meaningful moments of the weekend was GRiZ’s return to Arizona, marking his first performance in the state since stepping back for a two-year hiatus. In the fall of 2023, Flagstaff, Arizona, served as the backdrop for his milestone weekend festival, Ursa Major.
From the moment he took the stage, there was a palpable sense of renewal — not just in the crowd, but in his presence behind the decks, when he shredded on his sax, and how simply he was gazing out at the crowd.
His set felt energized and exploratory, as if he was stretching into new territory. Several moments hinted at unreleased material, giving fans a glimpse of what could be coming next in the new year. Whether intentional or instinctual, the set conveyed the feeling of an artist reconnecting with both their craft and their community.
Per the usual, GRiZ did not come alone! Throughout his performance, he shared the stage a few familiar faces to deepen the sound and energy being delivered—ProbCause, a familiar name that pops up beside GRiZ regularly. But I was introduced to two new musicians during this performance! Raymond James Mason and Billy Aukstik accompanied GRiZ with their respective brass specialties. The trio of musicians caught a crazy wave, being in sync and truly feeling the music.
The emotional peak came during the New Year’s countdown, when the energy softened into something collective and grounding. Launching into Innerbloom by RÜFÜS DU SOL to welcome 2026 felt intentional and deeply human — a shared breath before stepping into a new year. As a long-time Decadence attendee, I have had the privilege of experiencing many midnight countdown sets. The crowd that GRiZ attracted was packed with individuals who truly live his motto of “Show Love, Spread Love”. This was the most relaxed and supportive sold-out crowd I have ever encountered in all my years attending Decadence.
Rituals, Collaborations, and Emotional Depth
Certain moments at GRiZ’s set feel almost ceremonial, and the familiar “Ecstasy of Soul” sample continues to function as one of those grounding rituals in his live sets. Even though this track is over 3 years old now, it still manages to yield a positively feral response from the crowd whenever he drops it! I know my energy goes up a solid 10 levels whenever it’s teased in a live set.
Collaborations also played a major role in shaping the weekend’s emotional landscape. “Deep Clear Water,” a collaboration with Gryffin, stood out — especially with Kaleena Zanders joining live. Originally released in September 2025, the track carried a sense of openness and release that translated beautifully in the live setting.
Later, “Nobody Else,” another collaboration with Kaleena Zanders, released on December 19, 2025, brought things inward. Personally, this was my first time hearing this track live, and I truly hope it’s a staple in GRiZ’s set moving forward. Having Kaleena live was a special treat that I am glad wasn’t advertised ahead of time. While fellow brass artists are almost expected to pop up at a GRiZ performance, I am always blown away by a live singer!
Closing the Portal
As the final sets wrapped and the desert air cooled, Decadence Arizona once again delivered a New Year’s experience that balanced spectacle with substance. Between the expanded festival grounds, intentional programming, and moments of genuine emotional resonance, The Portal of Illusions felt less like an escape and more like a shared reset.
Decadence isn’t just about closing out a year — it’s about opening the next one together. From the Fresh Music Freaks to you, Happy New Year!!
Check out our full photo album from the event here!