A Solo Journey At HARD Summer
As a solo raver who thrives on the pulse of the music scene, I was beyond excited when HARD Summer 2024 announced its new venue at SoFi Stadium in California. The anticipation of experiencing a new layout and the thought of exploring every corner of the massive stadium had me buzzing with excitement for weeks.
Photo Credit: Jamal Eid
Living on the outskirts of LA, I knew I had to get an early start to make the most of the day. The morning of August 3rd, I woke up with a mix of anticipation and determination. After a quick but essential stop for some soup dumplings that were absolutely delicious, I was fueled up and ready to dive into the weekend.
Parking is usually one of my biggest concerns when heading to a large event, but this time it was an absolute breeze. I had pre-paid for parking days in advance, securing a spot in a structure about a mile from the venue. At just $14 a day, it was a steal compared to the typical LA event parking prices. On Day 1, I opted for an Uber from the parking structure to the venue, which cost me only $11. On Day 2, I decided to spice things up with a Bird scooter ride, which was a fun little side quest that set me back just $6. Both options were incredibly convenient, adding to the overall ease of the experience. Leaving the venue was just as easy and simple as getting in—huge props to all the security and police departments that worked together to make the in-and-out of the venue a seamless experience.
Photo Credit: Jamal Eid
The heat was intense during the day, as expected in August, but once the sun dipped below the horizon, the weather became pleasantly cool, perfect for dancing the night away.
As I approached SoFi Stadium, my excitement grew. The venue exceeded all my expectations. Entry was surprisingly fast and seamless, with the city’s traffic flow management impressively well-handled. It felt like everyone was working in sync to ensure a smooth experience for attendees.
Once inside, I was blown away by how spacious and grand the venue looked. It almost didn’t feel like I was at SoFi—it was like stepping into another world. Every inch of the space was utilized perfectly, with super-fast walks between stages, yet they were spaced out enough to prevent any sound bleed.
Upon entering, I was greeted by the Green Stage, home to all the bass-heavy artists. A huge shade structure in the center back of the stage, complete with misters, kept everyone cool despite the lingering heat. Although the stage’s exterior seemed small, once inside, the LED displays made it feel much larger. Huge shout-out to the HARD design team for nailing that illusion.
Right across from the Green Stage, I made my way up the staircase to the Pink Stage, which featured a lineup of techno artists. This space felt a bit smaller, but once I was on the dance floor, there was plenty of room to groove. The massive SoFi/YouTube Theatre roof created an indoor/outdoor vibe that was stunning, especially with the pink and purple hues lighting up the stage as the sun set.
One of the highlights of HARD Summer 2024 was the incredible sense of community. As a solo raver, I always look forward to meeting new people, and this year did not disappoint. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, which made it easy to strike up conversations and trade kandi with fellow festival-goers. It’s always heartwarming to see the shared love for the music and the culture that brings us all together. The creativity on display was also a huge part of the experience—everywhere I looked, there were amazing costumes and outfits, each more imaginative than the last. The totems, too, seemed to reach new levels of creativity this year, adding to the vibrant atmosphere and making it even easier to spot your group in the crowd. It’s these little things that make festivals like HARD Summer so special.
Passing the Pink Stage, I made my way down a scenic pathway that boasted views of a pretty huge lake. Along the way, there were countless photo ops, including a massive HARD sign and a large SoFi Stadium sign overlooking the lake, complete with its own lifeguard workers—another shout-out to the safety team for keeping everyone secure. The pathway was also lined with plenty of hangout spots, creating a relaxed vibe before reaching the first massive main stage: the HARDER Stage.
The HARDER Stage was an absolute spectacle. Featuring a variety of artists across different genres, it offered something for everyone throughout the weekend. The stage itself was at least twice as big as last year’s, providing plenty of open space, which was perfect for those of us who love to dance and flow at the back. The VIP section at the HARDER Stage also upped its game this year, offering amenities like AC bathrooms, a photo booth with a professional photographer, large lockers, and even a Dance Dance Revolution setup—how awesome is that? There was also a barber for the guys, a private view of the lake and its waterfall, front-row access to the rail of the main stage, more photo props, a water station, and even claw machines to win prizes. And if that wasn’t enough, there was a private walkway between the Green and HARDER stages for easy and faster access to the VIP sections. How cool is that?
Next, I made my way to the HARD Stage, which was located at the very back of the venue. The sheer size of the stage was mind-blowing—I honestly can’t put it into words. The area near the stage and the bar areas close to the VIP section were covered in beautiful turf, which we all appreciated. Not only did it provide a comfortable space to chill, but it was also aesthetically pleasing for all the photos we snapped. Near the stage, I found Insomniac’s Oasis tent which had an array of amazing food options that reminded me of the inclusivity found at festivals like LIB or Lost Lands. It was a nice surprise to see such a diverse selection.
The HARD VIP section didn’t disappoint either. It had everything: a water station, a beauty bar for hair and makeup, and an amazing sky deck surrounded by large misting fans. Of course, there was also the pool, where festival-goers could take a dip in the “forbidden waters.” For those who caved and took a swim—how are you feeling now? Probably boosted your immune system by tenfold, right? The VIP section was insanely large, providing access to at least half of the front rail for all the rail riders.
Now that we’ve covered all that was great about HARD Summer, let’s talk about one thing I think the festival needed help with. BATHROOMS. By 8 p.m. on Day 1, the porta-potties for GA and the GA+ bathroom trailers near the HARD Stage were out of service. I’m talking overflowing, floor flooded with who-knows-what bad. The lack of bathroom facilities was really felt by all, as festival-goers scrambled to either find other locations (which didn’t offer much better solutions) or held their breath and took care of business wherever they could.
As for next year, HARD Summer will not be held at SoFi Stadium, as the city has now banned it due to sound pollution. But once the next home for HARD is found, I hope the organizers take these issues into consideration and ensure that basic necessities, like bathrooms, are more adequately provided.
Overall, HARD Summer 2024 at SoFi Stadium was everything I hoped for and more. The venue, the seamless logistics, and the music all came together to create an unforgettable experience. For this solo raver, it was a weekend well spent, filled with moments of pure joy, connection with the music, and a little adventure along the way.