HARD Summer’s new home delivered a massive experience [Review]
Insomniac’s multi-genre HARD Summer Music Festival successfully held a massive and memorable edition at its new venue, Hollywood Park.
HARD Summer has a history of moving homes year after year, and 2024 was no exception. From the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in El Monte (2014) and the Fairplex in Pomona (2015) to the Fontana Auto Club Speedway (2016), Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernardino (2017), and the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino (2021), the festival has consistently adapted to new settings, driven by its massive and ever-growing attendance that attracts thousands of fans.
Last year’s edition at Exposition Park marked the first time HARD Summer returned to the City of Angels after spending most of the past decade in the Inland Empire. Although the idea of using the LA Coliseum, BMO Stadium, and surrounding Exposition Park grounds seemed promising, the venue ultimately proved too small for the festival’s immense scale. Overcrowding, long entry lines, long water lines, and limited parking sparked widespread complaints on social media, making it clear that HARD needed to find a new home yet again.
This year’s event at Hollywood Park, adjacent to SoFi Stadium, distinguished itself not only through its prime location but also with its incredible production quality and diverse lineup that spanned multiple genres. Attendees were treated to state-of-the-art stages, immersive art installations, and the vibrant atmosphere that has become synonymous with Insomniac events. Let’s dive deeper into the festival’s successes and areas that could use improvement.
The Festival Grounds
When Insomniac announced that HARD Summer would be moving to a new venue, attendees were curious about how the promoter would manage the logistics for such a massive event. The initial festival map made the footprint seem a bit underwhelming, but in person, it was anything but. The sprawling 300-acre grounds of Hollywood Park provided ample space for attendees to move around comfortably, effectively addressing the overcrowding issues that plagued the previous year’s event at Exposition Park. The layout was thoughtfully designed, with designated entrances and checkpoints that avoided bottlenecks, well-marked pathways, and plenty of amenities, including food vendors, drink stations, ample free water stations, shaded rest areas at each stage and around the grounds, and art installations that enhanced the overall experience.
One of the standout features of the new venue was its accessibility and ease of movement. Wide-open spaces and clearly marked areas made it easy for attendees to navigate between stages, food courts, and restrooms. The HARD, HARDER, Purple, and Green stages were all impressively large, with minimal overcrowding throughout most of the event. Insomniac also ensured there were sufficient shaded areas, which were crucial for maintaining comfort during the hot summer days. Thanks to the venue’s proximity to the ocean, temperatures were more moderate compared to past years in the Inland Empire, though the heat still caused some discomfort at times.
Additionally, SoFi Stadium provided ample parking options and improved public transportation access, reducing the long waits and logistical headaches that festival-goers had experienced in previous years. While finding parking and entering HARD Summer was a breeze, leaving at the end of the festival proved to be a different story. The congestion and delays while exiting the venue reminded everyone that even the best-laid plans can have their challenges, especially when tens of thousands of people are trying to leave at once. Despite this, the overall experience of navigating the festival grounds was a significant improvement from past years, making the new venue a strong contender for future events.
The Artists
This year’s lineup was a standout, featuring a mix of established and emerging artists across various genres including Disclosure, Elderbrook, Dillon Francis, Nelly Furtado, Mary Droppinz, REAPER, and Ranger Trucco. On day one, Latino DJ and producer BOLO got the party started early at the BeatBox Boombox Art Car with a high-energy track selection that emphasized his Latino roots. The crowd and BOLO were in perfect sync as he played his original tracks like ‘Orale,’ ‘Tuku Tu,’ and ‘La Culebra,’ setting the tone for an unforgettable day.
The HARDER stage hosted a series of amazing back-to-back performances that kept the momentum going until the end of the day. San Pacho delivered an electrifying set, showcasing his unique style by blending elements of house, captivating the audience with every beat. Following him, Party Favor and NITTI, performing as the dynamic duo SIDEPIECE, took over. With infectious basslines, catchy vocal hooks, and relentless rhythm, SIDEPIECE had the entire crowd dancing and fully immersed in the experience.
Wax Motif, known for his signature bass-heavy house music, kept the energy high at the HARDER Stage, delivering a set that had festival-goers moving from start to finish. The Chinese-Australian artist even surprised the crowd by bringing out Ty Dolla $ign to perform ‘BACK TO ME,’ ‘Field Trip,’ and their upcoming collaboration ‘Make Me Better.’ Closing the night was REZZ and Deadmau5 as REZZMAU5. Their rare performance together was undoubtedly a highlight of day one, combining dark, hypnotic beats with stunning visual effects that created an immersive experience from start to finish.
Day two picked up right where day one left off, with Matroda taking control of the HARD Stage. The Croatian artist seamlessly blended house, bass, and tech-house elements, creating an electrifying atmosphere that had the audience dancing nonstop. His ability to build anticipation and drop the perfect beat at the right moment made his performance one of the standout moments of the day. Sofi Tukker followed with a vibrant performance that was nothing short of spectacular. Their set, complete with live dancers, brought a unique and refreshing energy to the festival as the duo’s infectious chemistry and genre-blending sound captivated the crowd.
in the zone with @matrodamusic 🤌 pic.twitter.com/RlIXuuWZZd
— HARD Events (@HARDFEST) August 5, 2024
As the sun began to set, Tchami and Malaa took to the stage for their No Redemption set, which had the crowd bouncing with enthusiasm. Their mastery of the decks was evident as they effortlessly transitioned between deep basslines, soulful melodies, and hard-hitting drops. As the night drew to a close, the energy at the festival remained electric, especially at the Pink Stage where Eli Brown was set to deliver the final performance of the weekend. Closing out HARD Summer in style, Eli Brown brought a darker, more intense techno vibe to the festival’s final hours. The crowd, fully immersed in the music, responded with an infectious energy that only grew as the night went on.
Keep it thoro LA ! This festival is called « HARD » for a good reason 😎 pic.twitter.com/RwOpnqEdGk
— TCHAMI (@iamTchami) August 5, 2024
Stage Production
The stage production at Hollywood Park was nothing short of spectacular. The Jose Cuervo Locals Only Stage and BeatBox Boombox Art Car, HARD Summer’s two smallest stages, offered a perfect spot to catch upcoming talent while taking a break from the madness at the bigger stages. These stages provided a more intimate setting, allowing fans to discover new artists in a relaxed atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the larger stages—Purple, Green, Pink, HARD, and HARDER—were equipped with cutting-edge lighting, sound systems, and visual effects that created an immersive experience for the audience. The Pink stage stood out as the most unique, being the only stage set inside SoFi Stadium. Although not on the field itself, a section of the stadium’s concourse was brilliantly converted into a medium-sized stage that fully immersed attendees, offering a refreshing escape from the rest of the festival.
broke a sweat with this one 💥 @Elibrownbeats pic.twitter.com/2qpUfX8ZIy
— HARD Events (@HARDFEST) August 5, 2024
The HARDER Stage emerged as the main highlight among all the stages. Its LED screens, lighting, and lasers combined to create a stunning audiovisual experience that left a lasting impression. The sound quality was consistently excellent throughout the festival, ensuring that every beat resonated with clarity. The HARD Stage, being the festival’s main stage, was packed with LED walls, enhancing the visual spectacle. However, one noticeable aspect was that the sound at this stage was a bit quieter compared to the others. Given the proximity of multiple apartment complexes and houses, this was likely due to strict sound ordinances imposed by the city.
Another noticeable absence was the lack of fireworks throughout the entire festival. While this might have disappointed some attendees, it wasn’t entirely surprising, given the venue’s close proximity to LAX. Despite these minor setbacks, the overall stage production was impressive, showcasing Insomniac’s commitment to delivering a high-quality experience even in a challenging urban environment.
Final Thoughts
Overall, HARD Summer 2024 at Hollywood Park was a resounding success. The new venue effectively addressed many of the logistical challenges from previous years, providing a comfortable and enjoyable environment for festival-goers. The impressive lineup, high-quality production, and vibrant atmosphere made it a memorable event for all who attended. While there are always areas for improvement, the festival continues to evolve, learning from past experiences to enhance the overall experience.
However, the future of HARD Summer at Hollywood Park remains uncertain, as the festival generated a significant number of noise complaints from the surrounding areas. Despite this year’s overwhelming success, Insomniac will need to carefully restructure the festival layout and audio logistics if they hope to call this venue home again next year. Keep an eye out for updates as the countdown to HARD Summer 2025 has just begun.
UNREAL ENDING TO DAY 2! THANK YOU HARDFAM 🙌 pic.twitter.com/bjwMOjRgXU
— HARD Events (@HARDFEST) August 5, 2024
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