Project Glow Illuminates DC with Two Days of EDM Bliss
By: Joulisa Francis
Project Glow Festival returned for its third year in Washington D.C. on April 27 and 28, and it did not disappoint! The Festival took place once again at the RFK Fairgrounds, which offered wide open spaces for numerous activities, a variety of food and store vendors for their guests to enjoy. The VIP section featured a spot to get your festival makeup done by professionals and sections to make bead bracelets for a memorable rave experience. Although this was my first EDM concert experience, I felt warmly welcomed into rave culture as many festival goers kindly encouraged the trading of bracelets and other tokens given to them by others.
Day 1
Before entering the festival, I was blown away by the quickness and smooth check-in process. After a quick bag search and ID check, guests were swiftly ushered into the bright, interactive environment of Project Glow. The Secret Garden Stage was nestled near the entrance and featured talented, local artists. This stage featured ambient, serene, and downtempo music, providing a tranquil escape from the high-energy vibe of the main stages. Notable artists included DJ Spen, Diyanna Monet and Baby Weight, who captivated their audiences by showcasing their love for funk and soul music through their skillful samples.
Meanwhile on the Eternal Stage, Blossom performed her upbeat, vibrant songs. She showcased many of her new, unreleased songs towards the end of her performance. Some of her songs included remixes of notable artists such as Beyonce, Skrillex and Charli XCX. Her stage set up also added to her performance with animations of red and pink hearts and Powerpuff Girl references. Later on, prominent EDM artists such as Valentino Khan, Knock 2 and Deorro delivered energetic songs featuring genres of rap, reggaeton, and trap music. Although the weather was not ideal, fellow festival goers were not fazed as they danced and sang along. The night reached an electrifying crescendo with the headlining sets from Illenium, Rezz and Lane 8, sending waves of euphoria through the crowd and etching unforgettable memories in the hearts of all who attended.
Day 2
The excitement reached new heights on the festival's second day as a larger crowd of ravers descended upon the grounds, adorned in an array of flamboyant and creative outfits. Many of the rave-goers embraced their looks with creative body painting, glitter makeup, and elaborate hairstyles that contributed to the vibrant atmosphere of the event. On the Eternal Stage, It's Murph showcased his funky, upbeat rhythms. The crowd danced along as he performed his remix of "My Love" by Justin Timberlake. Additionally, on the Secret Garden stage, DJ Sedrick showed off his remixes of funk and disco tracks highlighting notable artists such as Robin S, the S.O.S Band, and the Jackson 5, among others. The crowd was very interactive in his set as they shuffled to the beat of his tracks.
As the sun set, the Pulse Stage came alive with the electrifying sounds of Hugel and Acraze, sending pulses racing and spirits soaring with their infectious beats. Hugel showcased his electronic music that included many different instruments and genres of music such as Spanish, rap and alternative. Directly after, the artist Acraze took the stage, who is known for his energetic, drum and bass music. The crowd jumped and raged along with his music as the stage erupted with lights and flames while his song "Do It To It" blared in the background.
During the night, the festival came alive on the Eternal Stage and featured Troyboi, who is known for his popular trap, reggaeton and hip hop music. His stage presence was amazing as he encouraged the audience to bounce and jump to his music, and he danced along as well. The lively music continued as Said The Sky and Two Friends came on shortly after and enthralled the crowd. Said The Sky's music was mellow and electronic, and highlighted famous indie and alternative remixes of The Chainsmokers and Owl City's songs. Finally, headliners Zedd and Purple Disco Machine brought the house down with their electrifying sets, providing the perfect finale to two days of musical euphoria. I chose to end my night with Zedd, who finished his set by performing his popular song "Clarity," which was a superb conclusion to day 2.
Project Glow Festival proved once again to be a highlight among EDM concerts, leaving attendees eagerly anticipating what future editions have in store. With its diverse lineup, immersive experiences, and infectious energy, it's clear that Project Glow has firmly established itself as a must-attend event for EDM enthusiasts across the nation. Project Glow was definitely a delight, and I cannot wait for what other amazing acts they have in store for next year.