Autumn welcomes cozy vibes, spooky energy, and all the pumpkin flavored treats. But for me, the main thing that comes to mind during this time of year is Suwannee Hulaween! Hula is my all-time favorite festival, bringing music and art to Live Oak, FL at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park over Halloween weekend from October 27-30th.
With a wide variety of genres on the lineup, there's a little something for everyone at Hula! Tickets are available here. Without further ado, here’s my list of the top 10 acts you must see at Hulaween this year!
CloZee
A staple in the festival world, CloZee melts minds with her beautiful beats infused with global influences and tribal sounds. Founder of the record label Odyzey Music, CloZee brings together live and electronic elements that represent an adventure in sound. Uplifting melodies and danceable drops get her crowds moving, no matter where she plays. If you’ve never seen her play before, you’re in for a treat. CloZee is not a set to skip!
Femme House Takeover
I am particularly stoked about this one! The lineup for this takeover includes TOKiMONSTA, Ultra Naté, Elohim, Miane, Kaleena Zanders, HVNLEE, and LP Giobbi. Hula is even hosting a special contest to play the opening slot! See their post to learn more about this opportunity.
Femme House promotes more equitable opportunities for women and gender non-conforming individuals in music through education, scholarships, and more. Don’t sleep on this exciting female-centric takeover at Hula!
Of The Trees
Of The Trees’ style of bass music is absolutely enthralling, stroking the senses and evoking feelings of magic, love, and adventure. From dreamy downtempo to high-energy, crispy bass drops, Of The Trees is an audial storyteller who weaves layers of emotions into his music. Catching an Of The Trees set at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is especially exciting.
Need some convincing? Hey Siri, play Spanish Moss by Of The Trees.
Desert Hearts Takeover
Looking for some house, techno, and love? Search no further. Your vibe quest will be fulfilled at the Desert Hearts Takeover this year. Most known for their Desert Hearts Festival in California, this collective of house and techno artists brings a renegade-inspired, dust-covered, and desert-infused vibe to Hulaween. Shake off your shuffling shoes and get ready to feel the radiant love at the Desert Hearts Takeover.
STS9
Sound Tribe Sector 9 crosses genre borders, mixing sounds of funk, psychedelia, instrumental rock, and electronic into a delicious, diverse smoothie of sound. This iconic band will take you on an audial adventure, so come with an open mind and prepare for an exciting audiovisual journey. You are sure to be blown away by STS9’s performance.
Wakaan Takeover
Liquid Stranger’s label, Wakaan, is known for their weird, wild, and wonderful style, infused with a wonky, other-worldly essence. Wakaan unites bass music artists who share a passion for left-field, high-energy music that could be the soundtrack to an alien abduction. Get your fix of trippy drops and mesmerizing electronic sounds at the Wakaan Takeover this year.
Opiuo
Glitchy, funky, crunchy, colorful, intoxicating, and eclectic sounds. That’s what you’ll get at an Opiuo set. Wear your favorite sneakers and come prepared to dance! The New Zealand-born, Australia-based artist Opiuo brings an energetic and fun twist to EDM, incorporating both electronic and live elements with a funky DNA. Expect stunning visuals and booty-shaking beats in this audiovisual experience.
FISHER
Move, get out the way, my feet wanna go dancing! Tech-house lovers, I’ll see you at FISHER’s set. If you want to catch a hint about the Aussie artist’s style, just check out his video series, Follow the Fish TV. FISHER brings his hilarious, high-energy personality to house music, getting everyone at his sets moving and grooving. FISHER sets the tone for a proper party and his set is sure to get your feet shuffling!
Player Dave
I truly can’t wait for this set. Player Dave will bring a unique style of multi-dimensional bass music to Hulaween this year, painting deeply emotional, audial portraits using abstract sounds. Player Dave doesn’t abide by boundaries or rules regarding music production. He creates weird, original music, tapping into dark noises and sounds from alternate realities that make you go, “what even WAS that?” with a bass face smeared across your lips.
Ready for an electronic music experience unlike any other? Come ponder your existence at Player Dave’s set.
The String Cheese Incident
You made it to the end of my top 10! Did you really think I’d skip Cheese?! Any Hulaween-er knows how key it is to catch String Cheese sets. If nothing else, make sure you show up on Saturday night for the themed set! It’s definitely the place to be and the most important set to catch at Hula.
The themed set always brings beautiful, happy energy to Suwannee - looking up and seeing everyone in their costumes, grooving to Cheese is the ultimate highlight of the Hula experience. What covers do you think we’ll hear for the Suwannee Horror Disco Show theme?! It’s just a jump to the left…
Yes, this year’s lineup is stacked with artists across genres, but Hulaween isn’t just about the music! Come for the top 10; stay for the vibes and art. Wandering around Spirit Lake at night is an absolutely magical experience, packed to the brim with mind-blowing art installations that will illuminate the Music Park.
If you get lucky, you might even catch your favorite artists throwing down secret sets. Not to mention all the exciting things you’ll experience in the campgrounds! See you at Hula over Halloween weekend, Oct. 27 - 30, 2022!
