All photos by Kursza and used with Rise Festival’s permission
As a seasoned festival enthusiast, it takes something truly special to wow me: RISE Festival thoroughly wowed me.
Tucked into the mystical expanse of the Mojave Desert, RISE Festival is not a raucous party or a music marathon. It is a pilgrimage of intention, a gathering defined by light, release, and profound connection. I had the distinct honor of attending Saturday and Sunday, and even after years of chasing sunsets across festival fields, nothing could have prepared me for what unfolded here.
A Different Kind of Festival
RISE stands apart from the usual festivals. There is no camping. No overlapping stages. No race to catch your favorite act. Instead, guests wander through sweeping art installations, gather in circles of reflection, and hold lanterns close to their hearts as the full moon rose to watch over the powerful moment. There is time to breathe, to feel, and to simply be, which is something rare in today’s festival circuit.
The Lantern Ceremony: A Defining Human Moment
Words fail to adequately describe how magical the Lantern Ceremony is. No amount of photos or videos could have prepared me for the otherworldly experience. Imagine being fully surrounded by thousands of glowing lanterns, floating upward toward a full desert moon. Thirty thousand wishes, hopes, dreams, and farewells were released Saturday and Sunday, drifting into the night like constellations being born.
It is impossible not to feel changed. As the sky ignited in light, I stood still, overwhelmed by an intense flood of emotions so powerful it rendered me speechless (which doesn’t happen often). The energy was not spectacle, it was surrender.
Together, We Rise.
Music Beneath the Moon
While RISE is often described as a lantern festival, its musical programming deserves equal reverence. With no overlapping sets, each artist commands full attention, transforming every performance into an intimate offering. I attended only Saturday and Sunday, and each night carved its own unforgettable arc.
Saturday Night
Disclosure took the stage with an explosive set that lit up The Horizon. Their fluid blend of house, garage, and dance floor rhythm had the entire desert moving. Seeing the crowd lose themselves to “Latch” under that wide desert sky felt nostalgic in the most cinematic way.
Calvin Harris followed, delivering a powerful finale. His set was sleek and commanding, weaving fan favorites with atmospheric builds that resonated across the crowd. It was polished and deeply satisfying, a reminder of why he remains a global headliner.
Sunday Night
Goose opened The Horizon with playful, improvisational energy. Their live instrumentation was a breath of fresh air, jammy, unpredictable, and joyfully unrestrained. They set a welcoming tone, bridging the Lantern Ceremony’s reflection into evening celebration.
Patrick Watson delivered one of the most emotionally stirring sets of the weekend. Ethereal vocals and poetic compositions floated through The Compass, softening the crowd into stillness. It felt less like a performance, more like a lullaby offered to the soul.
Elderbrook was a revelation. His sweeping melodic sounds and magnetic presence turned The Compass into a sanctuary of movement. The crowd danced not to escape, but to feel. It was impossible not to be swept up in the emotion.
John Mayer closed the weekend with a performance that was nothing short of electrifying. After two nights rich with electronic artists and producers, seeing a full band take The Horizon stage was a thrilling shift. His soulful vocals, intricate guitar work, and live instrumentation brought a raw, human electricity to the desert air. Every solo felt like a lightning bolt, every lyric grounded in emotion. It was exhilarating, nostalgic, and deeply satisfying — a rare treat in a festival world often dominated by synths and decks.
The Art of Intention
RISE is as much an art festival as it is musical. HYBYCOZO’s labyrinth sculptures, Lyman Whitaker’s wind spires, and immersive portals by This Is Loop created meditative spaces for wandering. These were not photo ops. They were invitations. To slow down. To look inward. To listen.
Reflections in the Desert
I am not often at a loss for words, but RISE left me quiet in the best possible way. It gently guides you back to your own heart, without asking you to prove or perform anything. All around you, people are releasing their hopes and dreams into the night, a shared surrender that feels profoundly human. Just souls holding lanterns, believing — if only for a moment — that letting go is truly possible.
Final Thoughts
RISE Festival is not just attended. It is absorbed. It lingers. It softens. It stays with you long after the last ember fades from the sky. And for someone who has walked countless festival grounds across North America, I can promise you this: there is nothing else like it on Earth.
I sincerely hope you get to experience it one day.
After celebrating its milestone 10th Anniversary, RISE Festival returns in October 2026 with even more awe-inspiring art, fresh collaborations, and immersive experiences that promise to move and inspire attendees like never before.