CM
By Jorge Perezchica
After a year of uncertainty due to COVID-19, the wait is finally over. Splash House, the music and pool weekend festival returned to the stage on August 13-15th to celebrate its eighth anniversary at the Renaissance Hotel, Margaritaville Resort and Saguaro Palm Springs. Weekend One lineup featured Dom Dolla, Get Real, Shiba San, TOKiMONSTA, Tycho, Whethan, Mark Knight, Moon Boots and Poolside. After Hours programming continued to deliver plenty of beats, drinks and dancing under the stars at Palm Springs Air Museum with Lane 8 and Green Velvet.
As a testament to the festival’s ever-growing popularity, tickets sold out within 10 minutes after going on sale, according to McLean, Splash House founder. Fans waited in line for up to two hours on Friday, August 13th to pick up wristbands at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Safety measures stayed in compliance with the California Department of Public Health: attendees show proof of vaccination or a pre-entry negative COVID-19 test result and face masks required indoors.
New addition to Splash House this year was the Mesa Marketplace next to the Renaissance shuttle stop to satisfy your cravings. Offerings included tacos, fries, fresh grilled elotes, açaí bowls and vegan options to name a few. The Mesa Marketplace provided shade under the sun and plenty of space to sit with your splash mates and enjoy a meal and drink.
While the pandemic is ongoing, I must admit, there was some feelings of ambivalence leading up to the festival weekender. But once I stepped foot onto the venue, my worries quickly faded away with the sound of immersive music, the sight of hundreds of smiling faces, tireless dancing feet and festival fashion wear that expressed our individuality.
The excitement of returning back to “normal life” or redefining what the “new normal” was definitely palpable in the air. Although, the festival had been on hiatus for a year, it didn’t take long for past memories to come flooding back to mind. By the end of the weekend, my love for communal gatherings was reawakened as I reveled in the aura of music, palm trees and sunshine — suddenly, everything felt new once again.
With the surge in Covid-19 cases throughout the United States, who knows what the future of festivals will look like. For shows to go on, to ensure the safety of fans, artists, and workers, events like Splash House keep the spirit alive and give us a glimpse of what’s to come as the world transitions into a new era.
Up Next: Weekend Two Lineup Features Bob Moses, CamelPhat, Gorgon City, San Holo, SG Lewis, The Brothers Macklovitch, Sonny Fodera, Yotto and more.
Splash House is known for its forward-thinking dance music curation and poolside parties that make it a renowned destination for music fans and travelers.
For more info visit the website:
splashhouse.com
PHOTO GALLERY by JP
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