The Big Dub 2024: My First Festival

Written by: Sophia Shull

Edited by: Cameron Green

The Dub

Once you cross the tree line, there’s no going back. Gone are the days of sleep schedules, quiet time, and air conditioning. Instead, enjoy a week of EDM music, sweat, grime, and a welcoming community. As a first-time festival goer, I had no idea what to expect, but Big Dub 2024 was beyond anything I could ever imagine.

Nestled between the mountains of Artemas, Pennsylvania, Big Dub is hosted on the land of Four Quarters Farm which covers over 200 acres of land. Check-in was relatively simple, a quick once over of the car by security, a swift ID check and ticket scan, and you’re in. After setting up our campsite, my friends and I quickly befriended the surrounding campers, exchanging food, clothing, and accessories for the next wonderful week.

Hemlock Hole, one of the four main stages. 

Headliners such as Dirt Monkey, Levity, Level Up, Ravenscoon, HE$H, Shlump Ternion Sound, and The Widdler played some epic sets across four different stages. Each set included their own special sound, effects, and visuals to blow attendees away. 

Notable Sets

A fan favorite, The Widdler did not come to play! The bass that shook me to my core and beats that put me in a trance made this set an absolute must see. His mixes were captivating, paired with striking visuals to draw everyone in and make them dance to a beat that they couldn’t refuse!

Sythyst had amazing visuals paired with a nasty beat. She deserved all the hype as her specialization in riddim wowed the crowd and I could feel the wubz and dubz shake me to my core. Even while DJing, she still brought out some moves to keep the crowd hyped. Out of all the sets I witnessed, she was a personal favorite. 

With dreamy but powerful beats, Level Up did not disappoint.  Mellow visuals paired with a dazzling light show made for the perfect mix of chilling in one of the many hammocks strung up in the trees and grooving out with friends!

Dazzling lights and visuals at the Stone Circle during The Widdler’s Set!

The DJ Battles were also a peak moment, giving smaller DJs a chance to show their skills. They performed on stage for hours, showcasing only snippets of all their amazing beats. Neonmyst won the battle and got to play on the largest stage, Stone Circle, for everyone to hear!

Perhaps one of the most hyped-up events of the week, Emo Night brought all the nostalgia an alt kid could ever ask for. Songs like I Write Sins Not Tragedies, Miss Murder, Misery Business, Situations, and King For A Day overtook our ear drums for two hours. Held in the pavilion called HiScore, everyone crammed underneath, moshing until the whole structure shook. 

Community

Besides the music, the people also make Big Dub a highly sought after event. Harboring some of the most kind and interesting individuals that I have ever met at any music related event, I never feared for my items being stolen, or getting lost in the crowd, as making friends was as easy as breathing air. 

From dancing with a Halo energy sword, to collecting “doubloons” (South American currency), receiving necklaces and bracelets, and having my hair done all for free, the people of Big Dub truly live on a “take one leave one” currency, quite literally leaving tables outside tents where people could trade items and gain a snack, a bracelet, or even a menstrual product if someone needed. 

Neighbors that I (far right) and my friend Maggie (next to me) met! Photo Credits: Zoophoria Photography 

Many activities could also be found embedded in each of the four campsites. The Lucid Lounge housed yoga sessions, crystal jewelry designing, and a giant tent to just chill out in. The Illuminarium was the perfect place to glow (using UV reactive paint) at night. 

Frick Frack acted as a giant circus tent where dubbers could try their hand at blackjack and use personal items like jewelry or food to gamble with instead of money. There were many more activity areas that provided arts and crafts, aerial yoga lessons, and even massages!

Closing Thoughts

I urge all EDM lovers to attend Bid Dub at least once in their lifetime. Feeling the rumble of the bass and experiencing the sensory overload of a hundred decibels flooding your ears while adorned in kandi down to your forearms is the only true rite of passage for festival and music lovers alike. 

Music’s ability to connect individuals is incredible. I met some amazing friends who I would’ve never dared to talk to outside of a festival setting. Big time festivals like Lollapalooza and Coachella can buy you bragging rights until the end of time, but nothing beats dancing the night away with a bunch of sweaty strangers that you can call family. Big Dub is a must see!

For more photos of Big Dub 2024, please check out the Gallery!