My Highlights of Decadence Arizona 2024
“Life’s what you make it, so let’s make it rock” – Hannah Montana. Having attended Decadence Arizona 2023, I made some expert moves this year that made me feel at home at Decadence 2024. My experience at Decadence Arizona 2024 consisted of rail riding, kandi trading, and relationship mediation.
Rail Riding at Decadence Arizona 2024
Coming up on my three-year rave anniversary, there is plenty that I have learned and come to love, and riding the rail for one of my favorite bass artists is one of them. This (past) year, I was able to ride the rail for Wooli’s set on the first day of Decadence Arizona.
Having a VIP ticket at Decadence surely makes riding the rail 100 times easier since most do not purchase VIP tickets; the walkways to and from the rail are easy to access. There are so many amenities to the pass that they added a platinum pass this year, which was even more jaw-dropping. The platinum pass consisted of a catered dinner each night and a backpack full of goodies like a fan, t-shirt, Eargasm Earplugs, sunglasses, and more 21+ things that I’ll let your imagination come to think of.
While getting onto the rail a few minutes before Wooli came on, I made some small talk with the girls next to me who were also planning to be on the rail for Wooli, and their vibes were so PLUR! We started out the set together before one ended up leaving, but one thing I enjoyed doing with them was hearing the pre-set music Wooli played before he got on stage.
Kandi Trading at Decadence Arizona 2024
I spent four hours making one rotating kandi cuff that I made specifically for Decadence, intending to give it away. When I made this cuff, I had no idea what I was going for; I was going with what felt right, and this is what I ended up with:
I ended up giving it away to the girl I met riding the rail at Wooli because the perler I put on the cuff was of a butterfly and she had three butterfly tattoos on her arm. Something in me told me to trade the cuff to her, especially since she and her friends were so PLUR, so I traded the cuff! It was only after the fact that she told me there was a deeper meaning behind the butterflies that tied into her family. If you’re reading this article, I have no problem sharing it with you since you’re here reading a story about my adventures; her sister had recently passed a few years ago, and very shortly after her passing, a butterfly graced Chloe’s (the girl in the video that I traded the cuff to) presence. She has always associated butterflies with her sister’s presence since then.
Relationship Mediation at Decadence Arizona 2024
While walking in between the five stages of Decadence, I literally bumped into a couple and was suddenly in the mix of their conversation. They were seeking me to help them in the midst of their argument. They were a young couple and, if I were to guess, were somewhere between 18 and 20 years old.
While I found it hilarious to argue at a festival, typically one of the most positive places I can think of, I am sure being younger at a festival with your significant other can spark an argument like quality time. So there I was, right by the Decadence photo sign, helping two young souls find their way through love and poor communication. Eventually, they were on their way, holding hands and heading to the main stage to dance together as one.
Another funny duo I ran into was two sorority girls attending their first-ever festival/ rave. I got to talking to them in the VIP restrooms, which are AWESOME since they are AC-ventilated restrooms with actual seats and running water. Anyway, they tried to leave the restrooms without washing their hands after I just talked to them about festival flu, aka “Wook Flu.” Here’s a TikTok about that story.
Overall Review of Decadence Arizona 2024
As a California native, one thing I can finalize my opinion on is Decadence Arizona is a clean festival. I have attended my fair share of Southern California festivals, primarily those owned by Insomniac, and one thing that differentiates Arizona festivals from California is the amount of unknown liquids on the floor.
I have literally been in crowds in SoCal, where I contemplated if someone actually pooped in the crowd, and I’m walking out of the venue with my feet sticking to the ground full of liquids from the night. There is a certain vibe that I think Decadence Arizona attracts, which is more about having a good time with friends than it is about consuming.
There were cute things to do in your free time away from sets, like attend a silent disco, take photos, grab food, and cool spots to hang out at and sit with your friends away from the main stage and the surrounding stages as well.
The only thing I noted that Decadence should have is some sort of attraction ride like a ferris wheel or a set of swings since those are things that people line up to get cute photos with their rave fam.
I highly recommend a VIP pass since the general admission pass has such a big crowd that it may be hard to get a good spot as the artists progress during the night. There were no waits for drinks with VIPs, and bathrooms were always stocked up. Plus, having gum, snacks, and deodorant all at your disposable is such a nice plus because when I lifted my arms up out of excitement and smelled that I was ready to get sauteed in a pan, I left the crowd and grabbed the spray deodorant by coat check and two minutes later I was back in the front of the crowd ready to party again.
Decadence Arizona, thank you for a great way to welcome the new year!
Watch a funny TikTok we made about Decadence AZ 2024 here!