I went to my biggest music festival yet solo. Here's the recap…

By Shi Bradley

by Julian bajs

Day 1

As I sat in the passenger seat waiting to be dropped off, I felt equal parts excited and nervous about the day. Walking into the venue—with swarms of people around me dressed in a colorful array of fabrics—made it all feel real, and my anticipation grew even stronger.

After a quick security check, I entered Hollywood Park. Music was already rumbling in the distance, and signs pointed me to the Green Stage. I arrived around 2:40 p.m. as dubstep DJ STVSH performed to a modest crowd whose warmth immediately put me at ease. I stuck around a little past 3:00 to headbang to YDG with the growing crowd. But with my most anticipated acts coming on shortly, starting with Busta Rhymes at 4:40, I knew it was time to explore the venue a bit.

Before heading to the mainstage, I made a beeline for the ferris wheel near the Harder Stage and got lucky with a short wait in line with a bubbly couple who offered me a seat next to them on the ride. Hearing Bolo’s Latin-house tunes on the Harder stage and seeing the venue from above felt surreal—the perfect kickoff to this summer festival.

Busta Rhymes - 4:40-5:25

Hip-hop artists were few on this year’s lineup, especially with Busta Rhymes stepping in for reggaeton artist Sean Paul. As a hip-hop legend, seeing him at HARD was a highlight. The rapper launched into high-energy hits like “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” “Touch It,” and his verse from “Don’t Cha,” with the crowd dancing along. Though technical difficulties interrupted the set a few times, Busta stayed professional and wrapped up strong, reminding everyone why he’s a hip-hop icon.

Marlon Hoffstadt - 5:30-6:45

Hoffstadt’s set offered the crowd a chance to dance and party freely. Starting off with a bouncy techno track, he dropped the classic hardstyle “FTS” by Showtek and played hits like “It’s That Time” and the viral “Losing Control,” getting many people singing along. His set was accompanied by bright neon visuals that added to the high-energy atmosphere.

Kaytranda - 7:05-8:20

Kaytranada’s performance felt like watching a true curator of music. His breezy summer sound had everyone moving, with melodic hits like “Intimidated,” his “Be Your Girl” remix, and upbeat tracks like “Witchy” and “Lite Spots.” Dancing fluidly on stage and sipping wine, Kaytranada brought a cool, joyful vibe to the sunset hour. He even teased an unreleased track during the set.

Sara Landry - 8:45-10:00

Landry opened strong with an unreleased remix of Lady Gaga’s “Perfect Celebrity,” setting the tone for her dark, captivating hour. She played tracks from her upcoming album “Spiritual Driveby,” including “Play With Me,” “Heaven,” and “Because They Want Our Seat.” Landry’s graceful stage presence, bold outfits, and devoted mixing made for a memorable performance. I left thirty minutes early but still felt I’d gotten a great introduction to why she’s known as the “high priestess of hard techno.”

Day 2

Sunday brought more challenges with larger crowds, but they didn’t overshadow the overall experience. I caught the end of Riordan’s set and enjoyed the perfect pairing of L.A. summer weather with deep house grooves, plus meeting a family who came together for the festival—an especially heartwarming moment. I also caught Barry Can’t Swim, whose easy-on-the-ears house sound kept the vibe chill.

Alignment - 6:00-7:00

Opening for IHM, Alignment did a great job hyping the crowd with hard techno that felt like a journey. Starting with industrial tracks and moving into harder beats, he kept energy high, though I wished I’d been closer to the decks for fuller sound.

I Hate Models - 7:00-8:00

As the crowd grew, I moved toward VIP to get a better view but found it tough to navigate due to dense foot traffic. I Hate Models’ set was energetic and consistent, blending euphoric remixes and hard techno with a commanding stage presence that encouraged dancing. A few interruptions occurred when some attendees climbed structures, briefly stopping the music, but the overall set remained strong.

999999999 (9x9) - 8:00-9:00

The crowd had more space as 9x9 brought acid and industrial techno vibes. With strobe lights, lasers, and fire, the production stepped up. Seeing 9x9, I Hate Models, and Nico Moreno share the stage was electric, and I made new friends while dancing with full energy.

Nico Moreno - 9:00-10:00

Moreno’s headlining set delivered industrial techno intensity, blending aggressive hardcore tracks with remixes and collaborations. Flames and visuals amplified the experience, closing with a softer techno note before finishing with an energetic burst, satisfying the crowd’s desire to dance hard.

Final Thoughts

While HARD Summer 2025 had its moments of crowding and technical hiccups, overall it delivered a vibrant, diverse festival experience that exceeded my expectations—especially attending solo. The music variety, energy, and people’s kindness made it memorable. VIP access was a great bonus, offering space to relax and enjoy between sets. Like any big festival, there’s always room for improvement, but the joy and connection I felt are what I’ll remember most.