A Vibe Packed Weekend at HARD Summer 2024
HARD Summer Festival 2024, hosted by Insomniac, was a sonic journey that left us at Music & Money buzzing with excitement. With an electrifying lineup, unforgettable performances, and a vibrant atmosphere, this year's festival was nothing short of spectacular. Here's our breakdown of the weekend's most memorable sets and moments.
Photo Credit: Alex Perez
Skepta’s Electrifying MainStage Debut
Kicking off our weekend was Skepta, who brought his signature energy to the MainStage. Known for his roots in hip-hop, Skepta recently made the bold switch to DJing and producing electronic music, and we were thrilled to witness his transformation firsthand. His set featured some of the best tracks from his label, **Tiempo**, and his vibe on stage was contagious. Whether he was jumping around behind the deck or hyping up the crowd, Skepta's passion for his new sound was undeniable.
Cloonee: A Devilishly Good Time
Following Skepta, Cloonee took over and absolutely owned the stage. The crowd around us couldn’t stop moving, especially when he dropped his infectious “In The Yuma” remix, which came out this summer on Black Book Records. Chris Lorenzo made a surprise appearance during the set, adding an extra layer of excitement as they performed their track "MAMI" together. Although the speakers were a bit quiet, the quality of music was top-notch. Cloonee even treated us to a beautiful "Innerbloom" moment as the sun set, touching the hearts of everyone as the day turned to dusk. We joked that the backstage area felt like the Olympics with all the fire, and smoke machines.
Nelly Furtado: A Blast from the Past
Over at the HARD Stage, Nelly Furtado brought a dose of nostalgia with a live band and a performance that transported us back to the early 2000s. Her teal and pink bodysuit slayed as she belted out her classic hits. Nelly's energy was infectious, and it was clear she was loving every second on stage, much like the fans who were singing along to every word.
Sidepiece: Bass and House in Harmony
Sidepiece delivered a unique set that seamlessly blended bass-heavy drops with house vibes. It was an unexpected yet exhilarating combination that truly captured the essence of the festival. Their performance was nothing short of epic and gave us that unmistakable festival feel that we crave year-round.
Kenny Beats: A Genre-Bending Masterclass
Kenny Beats was a wild card for us at Music & Money. Known for his work across a vast array of genres, we weren’t sure what to expect. But to say he delivered is an understatement—he went HARD. His set was a genre-bending masterclass that kept us on our toes and left us wanting more.
Disclosure: A Timeless Experience
Disclosure’s performance was another highlight, and we were fortunate enough to catch them twice this weekend. We attended their pop-up on Friday and were blown away again during their Saturday MainStage closing set. Their comeback track, "She's Gone, Dance On" was a standout, and seeing them perform live reminded us why they’re considered legends in the dance music scene.
Mochakk: The Tech House Heat
We also caught the tail end of Mochakk’s set at the Pink Stage, where he brought the tech house heat with a mix of fresh IDs and classic tunes. His set was the perfect blend of familiar and new, keeping the crowd engaged and dancing until the very end.
Chris Stussy: Boiler Room Vibes
Chris Stussy delivered a set that felt straight out of a Boiler Room session. His minimal tech sound was mesmerizing and provided a refreshing change of pace. Stussy's ability to create an intimate vibe within the massive festival environment was truly impressive.
Chris Lake & Fisher: A Dream Duo
Our favorite set of the weekend, hands down, was Chris Lake and Fisher’s Sunday night performance. Closing the festival with their "Under Construction" set was a dream come true. As massive fans of both artists, we were in awe as they played hit after hit. The moment they dropped "World Hold On," the entire festival united under the stars, creating a magical ending to an incredible weekend. We also got to see a surprise b2b with Chris Lake and Disclosure at one of the pre-parties, which we were delighted to find out that Disclosure and Chris have been working on music collaborations together for future release.
Eli Brown: A Missed Opportunity
One of our only regrets was missing Eli Brown's techno set, as he was closing out another stage at the same time as Chris Lake played with FISHER. As one of our top techno DJs, his tracks are a staple in our playlists, and we were disappointed to miss out. However, we’re confident we’ll catch him next time, as his music continues to fuel our daily grind.
Festival Vibes & Atmosphere
Beyond the music, the festival itself was a visual and sensory delight. The stages were spaced out perfectly to avoid any sound bleed, and the iconic ferris wheel added an aesthetic charm that lit up the night. The golden hour sets were particularly special, with the festival vibes peaking as the sun dipped below the horizon. The crowd was friendly, the staff was great, and the overall experience was overwhelmingly positive.
Photo Credit: Alex Perez
Final Thoughts
HARD Summer 2024 delivered the best lineup yet, with a perfect mix of legendary acts and rising stars. We can’t wait to return next year and do it all over again. Until then, we’ll be reliving these epic moments and keeping the festival spirit alive through the incredible music we experienced.
