PHILADELPHIA, PA – Hijinx Festival has been a standout on the East Coast since its debut in 2018. Known for its stacked lineup focused on bass music, as well as awe-inspiring lasers and visuals, this one-stage festival continues to be a magnet for bass music lovers. The 2024 edition was no exception, with high-energy performances and jaw-dropping visuals cementing Hijinx’s reputation as one of the must-attend events of the holiday season.
The HiJinx FestivalCrowd
There’s no denying that Hijinx draws a pumped-up crowd, with a mixed bag of people who are there just to party and truly dedicated ravers and bass heads. The people I met in the crows were overall friendly, with some pushing and shoving but not as much as other, more packed events I’ve been to. The crowd was very lively, full of headbangers in the front with plenty of room the dance towards the back.
The massive dance area’s front was packed, hot, and sweaty. It was quite difficult to get past the first row of columns near the stage. As a single-stage event, the dance floor was wider and larger than any other indoor festival I’ve been to.
The Music
The HiJinx festival lineup blows me away every year. They consistently bring in some of the biggest names in EDM, particularly in the bass music scene. This was my first year attending, though I wasn’t able to go both days due to delays in receiving my media credentials. I didn’t receive my press pass until late on Saturday evening, so I could only attend the sets by LSZEE and Subtronics b2b Zeds Dead. Despite the limited time, both performances were did not disappoint.
LSZEE played several tracks off their new debut album, as well as some standalone tracks from LSDREAM and CloZee. I arrived halfway through their set but still got to hear one of my favorite tracks, “DESTINY (ft. Born I).” They also dropped CloZee’s track with GRiZ, “Color of Your Soul,” which was a highlight. The psychedelic, rainbow visuals and lasers accompanied the music perfectly.
Subtronics b2b Zeds Dead
Subtronics b2b Zeds Dead was a high-energy set that had the crowd going absolutely bonkers. The set started off with of the Rocky theme song (“Gonna Fly Now” by Bill Conti). The song was accompanied with the iconic visuals of Rocky running up the stairs to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The intro led into an electrifying announcement: “Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, please welcome dubstep heavyweights, Subtronics and Zeds Dead!”. From there, they unleashed filthy bass that had everyone in the crowd going wild.
Their set fluctuated between Subtronic’s signature trippy trappy dubstep sound and Zed’s Dead slow, dark wubs as well as a 15-minute drum and bass breakdown. Subtronics played unique reworks of multiple collabs like “Gas Pedal” and “Griztronics” that I’d never heard before. Several Zeds Dead anthems were played, like “Lost You (OMAS x Wub Flip)”, “Ecstacy of Soul”, and “Gassed Up (ft. Flowdan)”. They even included Flux Pavilion’s remix of “Gold Dust,” which brought me right back to 2008. This highly anticipated b2b set was a perfect way to end the festival.
Sound Quality
The sound quality near the back was abysmal, with the audio sounding drowned out by bass. The bass felt great near the front, but the audio was so loud that I couldn’t hear the higher notes. It wasn’t until I watched videos I recorded that I could recognize some of the higher-pitched melodies in the music. As a primarily bass-fueled event, I can see why attendees would want the speakers to be as loud as possible. However, for me it was super hard to find a well-balanced spot where the audio was just right. Even in front of the sound booth where it should sound great, there was a large column blocking the speakers. This made the audio sound slightly drowned out and echoey.
Lights & Visuals
The stage design at Hijinx Festival was visually striking. It featured five rectangular LED panels in a row, with two long horizontal LED displays on each side and another LED panel in front of the decks. LED strips extended from the stage, hanging over the crowd, further enhancing the immersive experience. Stunning laser arrays adorned the front wall of the convention center, illuminating the space with almost every drop. Overall, the visuals were impressive and elevated the entire festival experience. Inflatable monster and tentacle-themed decorations added to the fun, making the atmosphere even more immersive.
Accessibility
The Pennsylvania Convention Center excels in accessibility. The venue is well-equipped with elevators and ADA-friendly facilities, making it easy for pretty much everyone to navigate. The ADA viewing area, located near the front of the stage, provided great sightlines to the action, allowing those with special accomodations to enjoy the festival comfortably.
VIP
While Hijinx Festival did not provide VIP passes for media credentials this year, I noticed a large VIP section to the left of the stage. It was less crowded than the GA section, and standing near the VIP rail, I could tell the sound quality good there. The $400 VIP price tag might be worth it just for a more comfortable spot closer to the stage. However, I prefer to experience shows from the center of the crowd. For a truly premium experience near center stage, festivalgoers could opt for “Ultra VIP,” which cost over $700 and included drink tickets, meal vouchers, merchandise, lockers, and other perks. This is a hefty price for a two-day festival, though the additional amenities could be worth it for some who have the cash. There were also GA+ options, which provided access to a separate viewing area and other perks.
HiJinx Festival Overview
With their signature motto of “FULL SENDS ONLY,” I hope that in future years the HiJinx Festival team will be more responsive to media inquiries. I missed some of my favorite artists like Madeon, San Holo, and Kaskade. Even so, the Saturday night experience was still well worth it. If media outlets were given VIP credentials, then we could provide a more comprehensive review. Although I was disappointed I couldn’t attend the full festival, I still highly recommend Hijinx to any bass enthusiast on the East Coast. It’s a true staple in the Northeast EDM scene and an event that continues to impress every year.
