Down the Rabbit Hole

📸: Insomniac Events

Beyond Wonderland was my first massive (rave) that I attended back in 2011. The day my life as I knew it, changed. At that time, shy little Cyn had no idea just how much these events would be life life-changing. Not only because I was entering a world to which I had never experienced, but it helped me grow as a person. I can honestly say that I would not have the confidence and social skills that I currently have, had I not started going to these festivals.

Attending Beyond in 2023 as a seasoned raver and passport member, is a different feeling than when I began attending, but it’s still exciting. The difference now, is that I generally know what to expect,—the layout of the NOS Center, performers, art installations, rides, etc. Another difference being that I attend so many events, I forget who’s on the lineup. All I know is that there is always going to be good music, and I’ll be surrounded by my friends and passport family.

There was a lot of great techno on the lineup (too many to name) as well as some of my usual favorites who know how to keep the party going such as JSTJR, Deorro, Tiesto, and many of the house music artists such as Matroda, Noizu, CID, Mau P, and AC Slater. I closed out Saturday night with one of my favorites, who was also at the first Beyond I attended, Kaskade. Always gets me in my feels, and his euphoric melodies are soothing for my soul. Ask me who else I saw, I couldn’t name specifics as I was here, there and everywhere 🤪 Meeting up with friends and running into other friends, people who genuinely bring a smile to my face and fill me with love with every hug and embrace. It’s magical ✨

The Passport Lounge also had amazing people playing music, a few times I almost didn’t want to go back out into the festival. I love having the lounge because it’s our own little party and is not nearly as crowded as other stages. The lounge is home base for me and a lot of other passport members. I go there to meet up with friends, grab a discounted drink, get glitz’d by the complimentary Lunautics Beauty Bar (use discount code CynQuin on their website), hit the VIP restrooms, collect fun little gifts and other amenities.There’s also artist surprise sets, and meet and greets. Besides all those amazing perks, it has also become my safe space if I am feeling anxious or overwhelmed. It helps to have somewhere I could go to get away from the crowds or when I’m experiencing sensory overload. It is secluded and beautifully curated to always fit the theme of each festival. My +3 guests I’m allowed, always have such an amazing time.

Insomniac Passport Lounge hosted a meet and greet with 2 artists. The only one I went to was for JSTJR because y’all know I’m a huge fan. So I have some Jstjr booty shorts I bought years ago and have worn whenever he plays. I was going to wear them to beyond again and throw it back to his set, but once they announced his meet and greet, I decided to save them for him to sign for me. It’s about that time to retire them anyway. Everyone asks why I didn’t have him sign them while wearing them. He’s married and his wife who I’ve met before is sooo sweet. It didn’t feel appropriate despite his party boy DJ persona.
He was super sweet, and we were only allowed 30 seconds each, to talk to him and take a photo. I had already met him before (Daytrip 2021) so I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be. I told him I was retiring the booty shorts, if he could please sign them. He said yes, and said, “Oh, you’re an OG fan!” (Based on the booty shorts and when they came out.) Yes, yes I am 😌 He signed them, we took a picture, I asked to switch sides because my left is my good side *Hair Flip. I thanked him and walked out, as happy as a thottie IYKYK.

There’s some events that I’ll attend and while the music is always great, sometimes the vibes are off which can result in a not so amazing experience. Sometimes these events feel oversold, too crowded, cant even move, logistics can feel that they weren’t well thought out in terms of stages size, noise bleed, foot traffic, restrooms. Beyond wasn’t one of those events. It didn’t feel overly crowded, everyone was friendly and kind, and brought back more of the PLUR vibes that were familiar from when I first started attending events. I had missed that so much because at times it feels like people aren’t connecting, or are not as kind or courteous. It was nice that people felt more open to talking and vibing with one another, saying excuse me, please & thank you, and waiting their turn in lines. Seems like common and proper behavior, but sometimes people aren’t so nice so it was refreshing to see model behavior again.

My one constant for festivals is to refuel and there’s always so many options as to what to eat at festivals. My personal favorite is Express Hibachi. I love the chicken or steak bowl with rice and veggies. This time I wanted chicken and rice, to end the night 😋

If you didn’t attend Beyond Wonderland, you missed out because it was the perfect way to kick off 2023’s festival season. It’ll always be one of my favorite events. The theme, imagery, and overall energy of this whimsical festival brings the Alice in Wonderland theme to life, but with an Insomniac Events twist of course. It’s so beautifully curated, it’s part of why I fell in love with the rave/music festival scene to begin with. As soon as you walk in, you truly feel like you fell down the rabbit hole, and into another world. I could never fathom how once place could make me feel so many different feelings, but Beyond Wonderland is capable of that.