Spring Awakening brought the heat with their lineup this year, but did they keep up with the expectations? Close, but not quite. Thousands of EDM fans that traveled from all around the world to attend the festival this weekend, Spring Awakening did not exactly cater to the over populated festival. With lack of water stations, medical tents, security, overpriced food and beverage, this festival is one to give a second thought when planning to return.
Though React Presents provided an impressive lineup and reasonably priced tickets, they may have been well over capacity. Fans not only filled the field, the first and second level of stadium seating was also full. Towards the end of each night, security guards refused entry to the field due to the overwhelming amount of people that were already at the Main Stage to see closing headliners Zedd, Hardwell and Tiesto. With a few main stream artists, many attendees went to the festival only knowing the big names and not the supporting acts. In my opinion they took away part of the experience from the rest of us.
Getting in to the festival there were two entrances on each side of the grounds for security to check guests and scan wristbands. The chip that was placed on the wristband made the process easy and efficient. With separate lines for those with bags, no bags, media and VIP/guests, getting in was fairly easy and organized especially with the amount of security at hand. Though they had tons of security outside, however on the inside they did not. There were conversations of those without tickets jumping the fence to get in and plenty of people carrying their unconscious friends out of crowds. With the lack of staff to patrol in inside, this was definitely a concern.
Walking through the grounds, there was one labeled medical tent to the far left of the festival. Sure it may have been convenient for The Hanger and Equinox, but for those at the Phoenix and Main Stage not so much. Unfortunately we hear about too many drug overdoses at EDM festivals along with dehydration, overheated and injured festers seeking attention. There has already been one noted death to come of Spring Awakening due to unknown cause, with more security, medical staff, police officers distributed at each stage instances like this could have possibly been prevented.
Along with increasing staff, increasing the amount of water stations and having lower priced food and beverage would be helpful, not only at Spring Awakening but every other fests as well. With festivals that run all day long many go without eating or drinking to conserve money due to the overpriced options. Many stands sell food ranged from $10-$15, and if you are lucky you could find something for $5. Water fountains were found inside the stadium and a water station was outside between the porta potties and food tents in the middle of the fest grounds. With endless lines most resorted to using the bathroom sinks to avoid the wait. Though some things could have been done differently everyone was still able to enjoy themselves and cross many artists off of their list.
Friday we arrived to Chicago late due to traffic and unfortunately missed Mija but made it just in time for Seven Lions. As always he gave us a beautiful performance, however if you were by the pillars at the main stage the bass was overpowering to the rest of the music. From there a few of the EDM families such Detroit, Chicago, Illinois, Ohio and many more held a meet up at the back of the main stage where everyone and their followers were able to meet and take a group picture. After, most of us head over to the muddy Phoenix stage to see Slander and finished off the night with Borgore, Martin Garrix and Zedd at the Main Stage. Martin Garrix and Zedd both had sets that did not disappoint. Not only was the stage production on point, Spring Awakening closed the night off right with tons of fireworks blowing everyone away. As the night came to an end, we all made our way out and found ourselves making it to one of the after parties or back at the hotel.
Saturday was the most anticipated day of the weekend. Having planned to start out the day with Minneapolis local Jack Trash, we couldn’t help but stop to check out the hype of Porn and Chicken at the Equinox. Savoy was next and from there made our way to the slightly disappointing Grandtheft at The Hanger: Bass Kitchen. Grandtheft always throws down, but for some reason his set this weekend didn’t live up to previous performances. After Grandtheft was Figure, bringing his Terrorvision we had the full Figure experience. We left his set early to head over to the Main Stage to prepare for the Midwest debut of Jack U. Despite the rain, it was everything you could expect and more. From there the only true overlaps of the weekend, Bro Safari, Adventure Club, Floss as well as Zomboy and Diplo didn’t make our decision easy. Somehow we managed to divide up the time between each and were able to catch them all. Closing out the night with an impressive set was Hardwell. Those who attended the Skrillex after party at the Mid were fortunate enough to have a second dose of Hardwell as he went back to back with Skrillex and Diplo. After a day like Saturday, how could anyone recover in time for Sunday?
Starting off our Sunday was Aero Chord. Tearing the muddy Phoenix stage apart we stuck around for the first part of Party Favor before heading to the Main Stage to check out the beginning of Yellow Claw. Only sticking around for two songs we ended up going back to Party Favor to prepare ourselves for Hucci. Being that Hucci rarely makes an appearance in the Midwest so it was a no brainer to arrive early and stay for the entire set. Though the morning started off wild, turning down for some chill trap was needed especially before heading to Excision. Taking a break we checked out the last of DVBBS and the beginning of W&W from the stadium chairs. Before W&W’s set could end we made our way to the field to secure our spot for the incredible Zeds Dead and Tiesto. Zeds Dead always impresses and comes close to taking the top spot with Jack U for favorite set of the weekend. With a sold out after party, guests were in for a treat when Skrillex was brought out. Tiesto stuck around the windy city and performed at The Mid following the Black Hawks Stanley Cup Championship. React Presents treated us oh so well from the lineup to the after parties, they definitely know how to bring in a crowd.
Though Spring Awakening should have done a few things differently, that didn’t necessarily make the festival bad. With day by day schedules, after parties and wristbands shipped out earlier as well as an increase in staff, decrease in food and beverage cost and more water stations this festival would be top notch. The 2015 Spring Awakening lineup is comparable to other big name festivals out there such as Ultra and EDC, bringing in EDM fans from all over the world. This festival was a great way to kick off the month of June. All in all Spring Awakening was a 7/10 festival, with a few minor changes it could arguable be the best festival in the Midwest. Thank you React Presents for the amazing weekend, maybe we will see you again next year.
Top 3 Sets of the Weekend
- Jack U
- Zeds Dead
- Adventure Club
Pros:
- Lineup
- Scheduling (most part)
- Stage production
- Stage proximity
Cons:
- Lack of staff available at each stage
- Lack of water stations
- Mud at the Phoenix stage (thanks rain)
- Overpriced food and beverage