Decadence Arizona: Age of Indulgence took place on December 30th and 31st at Phoenix Raceway, marking a decade of unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebrations by Relentless Beats. This year’s milestone event featured an incredible lineup, including Excision, Wooli, Svdden Death, and Eptic B2B Space Laces—artists I couldn’t miss at the nation’s largest New Year’s party.
A Seamless Entry
Festival entry was seamless, thanks to free parking and efficient security lines. Every staff member I approached for directions provided helpful answers, showcasing the team’s thorough preparation. Upon entering the grounds, I noticed the layout was similar to last year, but with expanded spaces—an improvement addressing previous concerns about overcrowding. I began my night by filling my hydration pack at the central free water station before heading to the Grand Palace stage for my first set: 2Soon.
The Grand Palace: A Massive Main Stage
Housed in a large tent, the Grand Palace boasted a spacious GA section, complete with strategically placed crowd surge barriers for safety. The VIP sections, located in front and elevated on the sides, ensured a premium viewing experience. Local dubstep artist 2Soon kicked off the night with a high-energy set that had fans breaking their necks on the rail.
The festival’s thoughtful layout made navigating between stages easy. I checked out house artist Le Youth, who offered mellow beats for those easing into the night. After admiring a stunning crystal-like Relentless Beats art installation, I wandered through The Highlands Bazar, a large tent filled with arcade games, seating, and warmth away from the crowd.
Throwbacks, Local Talent, and Surprises
The JSTJR B2B Nostalgix set felt like an EDM throwback, energizing the crowd with fast beats and a hard techno remix of Benny Benassi’s Cinema. Although enjoyable, I soon found myself craving heavier dubstep. Exploring further, I discovered the Beatbox Playhouse, where local artists like Deathbeat played to overflowing crowds, highlighting Relentless Beats’ dedication to showcasing emerging talent.
TroyBoi’s cohesive set at the Grand Palace stood out with its smooth transitions and signature Euro dub sound, including a trap remix of Sam Smith’s Unholy and a funky rendition of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. By the time Wooli took over at the Royal Ballroom, my group moved to the back for space to headbang and dance. His set, dominated by original tracks like Thicc Boi VIP, delivered an exhilarating performance.
The night reached new heights with the Eptic B2B Space Laces set, which escalated into a surprise Masterhand trio with Svdden Death. Their heavy basslines transitioned seamlessly into Svdden Death’s solo set, where live false chord vocals during Fireball amplified the intensity.
Excision closed out the night with a crowd-pleasing set that leaned toward mainstream hits, catering to the festival’s broad audience.
Night Two: Energy Reignited
Despite soreness from the first night, I returned for night two, starting with Eater B2B Stvsh. Their experimental bass sounds, including a flip of Gristronics, reinvigorated me for Zeds Dead, who drew a massive crowd for their channel-flipping set filled with nostalgic visuals and crunchy sounds.
The midnight countdown belonged to Dog Eat Dog: Crankdat B2B Riot Ten at the Royal Ballroom. This chaotic, high-energy set felt like a wild party, complete with champagne toasts and mosh pits to tracks like Open The Pit VIP.
Later, I discovered IsoXO, whose emotional, angst-filled “Gen Z dubstep” captivated my high school emo soul. His track In The Ghetto delivered bone-shaking bass, making this set the festival’s biggest surprise. HOL!, the closing act, solidified his reign as a riddim champion, with the crowd screaming along to tracks like Mind Pluck until the final wub faded.
Reflections on Decadence Arizona
This year’s Decadence Arizona felt like a festival built on lessons learned, with thoughtful improvements and a lineup that balanced nostalgia and innovation. The excitement surrounding Relentless Beats’ upcoming 2025 events, like Cyclops Desert featuring Subtronics and Sullivan King’s Chaos Will Bring Peace Tour, promises even greater experiences for electronic music fans.
As I left the festival, exhausted but exhilarated, I knew I had been part of something truly special—a celebration of music, community, and a decade of indulgence. For more Decadence, see our full photo gallery and a personal perspective from Audiotism.
