For over a decade, Desert Hearts has gathered a growing following of devoted party-goers who exude self-expression while embracing the spirit of house, techno and love. Their dedicated fanbase materialized over the years through channels such as their record label, multi-city parties and of course, their flagship festival, the Desert Hearts Festival.
The multi-day camping experience is the go-to event for the brand’s fans. Known as a haven for hardcore radicals, the festival had been struggling to find its place in a post-pandemic world.
After spending years cultivating memories inside California's Los Coyotes Indian Reservation, event producers succumbed to statewide pandemic shutdowns and shifted to live streaming sets throughout 2020 and 2021.
In 2022, the festival emerged from the pandemic after losing its longtime home and settled on the shores of Lake Perris. The sprawling Inland Empire reservoir allowed the Desert Hearts team to modify their old plan and offered new amenities, including swimming, glamping, and an additional stage for performances.
As the team prepared for its return to Lake Perris in 2023, festival organizers canceled the event just weeks before it was set to take place. Citing changing venue requirements and rising production costs due to inflation, the event (and its entire lineup) was moved to the grounds outside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Hoping to return to their roots as a transformative, multi-day festival, the team scoured the landscape eager to find a new home for their event in 2024. However, after a partnership opportunity arose with Walter Productions (Burning Man’s Camp Walter, Walter’s Where? House, Phoenix), the Desert Hearts team set their sights on Arizona for their triumphant return.
The creative alliance between Walter Productions and Desert Hearts required the festival to relocate to the mountains of Northern Arizona, just outside of Flagstaff. Surrounded by Ponderosa pines and miles from nearby residents, the new location was ideal for a festival of this type to thrive, and so it did.
Over the Independence Day holiday weekend, Desert Hearts and Walter Productions produced arguably the best Desert Hearts Festival since their days at Los Coyotes.
As endless clusters of stars lit up the sky, the spirit of Desert Hearts lit up the mountaintop. From all around, attendees at this rebellious festival embraced their self-expression while looking inward for self-discovery.
These eccentric beings dazzled throughout the weekend with an array of eclectic fashions, ready for any runway. Sequins, glitter, top hats and everything strange and peculiar were the order of the day, breaking away from normative lifestyles and urging attendees to shine in their uniqueness.
These crazy fashionistas perfectly matched the incredible works of art on display throughout the camp. From art cars to fire dancers and live painters, creativity was the name of the game at Ponderosa Beach.
However, it wouldn’t be a Desert Hearts party without its signature house and techno, which plays 24/7. For 72 hours straight, the intimate festival’s main stage stayed true to its “one stage, one atmosphere” vibe, allowing a diverse range of electronic tastemakers to showcase their talents behind the decks.
Among the weekend's standout acts were Atish, Mary Droppinz, Nala, VNSSA, Lubelski, Tara Brooks, Techno Tupac, Doc Martin and Walker & Royce. Of course, it would be remiss not to highlight the closing family concert, comprised of Desert Hearts founding members Porky, Marbs, Lee Reynolds and Mikey Lion.
As an independent festival producer, Desert Hearts found a way to weather the post-pandemic storm and emerge stronger than ever. Their collaboration with Walter Productions allowed the production team to recreate the magic and memories of Los Coyotes and rebrand them in the mountains of Arizona.
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