SMACK Selects: Festival Guide 2024

With festival season quickly approaching we took a look at four gatherings that have their finger on the pulse of soundsystem culture in North America. With a wide selection of festivals popping up every day it can be daunting to narrow down which ones are essential to attend but we’ve got you covered. This list is comprised of gatherings that feature quality programming, diverse communities, world-class production, and a fan-forward ethos.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Banana Cam

Submersion October 4-5

In the last few years, Submersion Music Festival has established itself as a must-attend event for bass music heads on the East Coast. Helmed by The Rust and Aspire Higher, Submersion is a grassroots gathering that has grown in stature but continues to keep fan experience and discerning programming at its core.

With a track record of impressive curation, Submersion has distinguished itself as a creative force that brings together communities from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and beyond. This gathering celebrates underground bass music in refreshing and exciting ways, emphasizing forward-thinking artistry and cutting-edge sounds.

2024 is primed to be another impressive showing from Submersion as their recently dropped lineup features an enticing mix of legendary innovators and emerging talents.

Notable Lineup Highlights (2024): Joker, Alix Perez, Shy FX, Monty B2B Visages, Tiedye Ky, Daggz, Mark McNulty

Fam Fest June 6-9

With the ethos “By the Fam for The Fam,” Fam Fest embodies the patron-forward philosophy that we love to see. Taking place in Harmony, Maine, Fam Fest has propelled itself to East Coast notoriety due to a perfect mix of grassroots vibes and high-quality curation.

This year’s lineup brings a blanaced blend of national renowned artists and exciting emerging artists representing underground bass music. What’s most refreshing about Fam Fest is the fact that the gathering has cultivated success due to glowing word of mouth referrals which adds to the tight-knit familial atmosphere.

Fam Fest offers the ideal opportunity to kick off festival season with the homies and some of the most well respected names in bass music.

Notable Lineup Highlights: Eazybaked, kLL Smth, Tiedye Ky, Potions, Mikayli, Crawdad Sniper,

Soundscape June 14-16

Soundscape Fest is the new kid on the block this year. Organized by the legendary Dub-Stuy collective, Soundscape is primed to be a refreshing and invigorating celebration of Soundsystem culture. Focused on showcasing reggae, dub, hip-hop, and electronic beats, Soundscape breaks ground as a three-day festival in the Pennsylvania wilderness.

Situated on pristine real estate beside Lake Como in Northeast PA, Soundscape is sure to be the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of reality. Soundscape will set itself apart from the crowd with an inaugural lineup that features a thoughtful blend of international artists and unique programming beyond the dancefloor. The diverse, roots-centric curation is sure to evoke memorable scenes this summer.

Notable Lineup Highlights (2024): Mungo’s Hifi feat. Solo Banton, Channel One feat. Macky Banton, Dubamine, Kebra Ethiopia Soundsytem, EDICA+.

Elements August 9-11

Elements returns for a second year at its new home in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Well known for its ecclectic curation, top level prdouction and incredible community building, Elments has grown and evolved over the years into one of the most essential dance music gatherings on the east coast.

Elements features huge names from across the electronic spectrum, melding bass, house, and livertronica into one dynamic expereince. The experienced event organizers are adept at tucking suprises around each corner and this year’s event truly looks like its set to be the best yet.

Notable Lineup Highlights (2024): Hamdi, G Jones Of The Trees, Sub Focus, Cool Customer, Player Dave, Saka.

Infrasound june 6-9

There is perhaps no greater example of American Soundsystem culture than Minnesota’s Infrasound Festival. For over a decade, Infrasound has crafted a gathering that has become somewhat of a Mecca for bass music enthusiasts across the country. Widely regarded by DJs as one of the very best festivals to play, Infrasound is an event that is rooted deep within the culture.

Infrasound’s dedication to high-quality sound is exemplified by the Funktion-One, Element 5, and Void sound systems which serve as the festival’s cornerstones. The unique stages take on a life of their own, bringing a distinct flavor to each facet of the gathering. Infrasound has rightly been lauded for cultivating a profound community-focused experience, and this sense of community has cemented it as a must-attend festival this year.

Notable Lineup Highlights (2024): Joker, J:Kenzo, Madam X, Ternion Sound, Eprom, Sister Nancy, Wraz, Intergrate.

Shambhala july 26-29

Although Shambhala is already sold out for the year, it still makes our list of best festivals for 2024. Widely regarded as one of the best festivals in the world, the Canadian event is a trailblazer in the world of dance music, harm reduction, and stage design. With the festival celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, 2024 is poised to be a special edition of the legendary gathering.

Tucked away in the gorgeous wilderness of British Columbia, Shambhala is comprised of six unique stages that curate their own unique programming, contributing to an almost competitive dynamic between the stages with each one doing their best to stand out. Although tickets are not officially for sale for Shambhala 2024 it’s still possible to grab one on the official exchange group.

Notable Lineup Highlights (2024): Tape B, Flowdan, Hedex, Barclay Crenshaw, Nia Archives, Eprom, Tipper, Chef Boyarbeatz, Mystic State, Koan Sound, Mary Droppinz.