The THUMP Guide to HARD Summer 2014

Welcome to Sunny El Monte, California, just a twenty minute drive from Downtown Los Angeles and famously the birthplace of skibby-dabba-Scatman John. Since the L.A Historic State Park (or "The Cornfields," as it was once affectionately known) is undergoing somewhat of a facelift, we're trekking a few miles eastward to get our HARD Summer on this weekend.

Gettin' There

The Whittier Narrows Recreation Area sits between a golf course and a couple small lakes, just off the 10 freeway, and is actually accessible by metro via the Atlantic Ave stop and a shuttle (accessible with TAP card and festival ticket). The festival runs until 11P.M daily and the shuttle runs until midnight, so you gotta high tail your tucus outta there after the closing set if you're tryna get on the shuttle back.

If you're driving, it's suggested that you stick to the 10 Freeway, and keep in mind that parking is $20. Metro's not sounding so bad now, huh?

Festival Grounds
Judging by the map, the festival site seems to be a larger space than HARD is afforded downtown. Check it out:

Stages:

This year, individual stages don't bear the names of specific labels or brands as they have done in the past, but there's still some clear delineation about what's goin' on and where.

As always, the HARD stage is the main stage and will feature headlining sets from Jack U, Disclosure and Tiesto. The programming at this stage is rangy, but it'll be big sounds for big crowds. The HARDer stage will be close behind in terms of scope, though, with sets from Nero and DJ Snake sure to bring the masses.

The Purple Tent is powered by OWSLA on Saturday. The M Machine, Jack Beats, What So Not, David Heartbreak and Valentino Khan all have strong connections to Skrilly's label, and the hometown love will be strong. On Sunday, the Purple tent is lookin' forward. Trippy Turtle and DJ Sliink'll be on the Jersey club tip, whereas Team Supreme heads Carmack and Djemba Djemba will be gettin' weird and beat music-y.

The Pink Tent on Saturday has a whopping lineup of solid house music, from Justin Jay to Tchami to Justin Martin. In the night-time, expect a lesson in techno from Seth Troxler. Expect a similar vibe on Sunday: Gorgon City, Breach, and a closing set from Maya Jane Coles suggest this'll be the place to get some groove.

The Green Tent is all over the place and is a bit of an X-factor. Everyone from DJ Mustard to Hannah Wants to HARDfather Destructo will all be there -- Consider this tent a bit of a jack-in-the-box, and don't assume any one set is going to be like the last.

Afterparties

So we're all going home at 11pm. Yeah right! Sure, it's kind of a bummer that the festival ends early, but the upside is that the afterparty game is going to be legit.

Exchange LA downtown will host Dusky, Justin Martin, and Destructo and will be at it until 6AM. On Sunday, they'll host Black Butter Records, where Rudimental, Gorgon City, and Kidnap Kid will go at it.

Smog Records will have Alix Perez, EPROM, Nevermind, and DJ Spinn at Lot 613, also downtown, which we're sure is gonna be some heavy, next-level future bass. It's gonna be tough to decide where to go.

Alternately, the streets of El Monte might just be scattered with lost ravers wondering why the party is over and the sun isn't up.

Don't forget:
HARD Summer ain't a rave. Still no gloves, no kandi, no totems, no open packs of cigarettes, and no pets! Doesn't say no fruit-shaped heads, though.

See y'all on the dancefloor.

Set Times:

More HARD:
Justin Jay: Dirtybird's Baby Boy on His HARD History
The Entire HARD Summer lineup in One Playlist
Louisahhh!!! is Coming Home for HARD