Celebrating the arrival of each year at Decadence NYE Festival leaves memories etched in my mind. After experiencing this event for the second time, it has solidified its place as my ultimate New Year’s destination. Held at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver on December 30-31st, this festival, organized by Global Dance and AEG Rocky Mountains, continues to set the bar for unforgettable celebrations.

Unforgettable Lineup

What sets Decadence apart is its carefully curated lineup, and this year’s edition was nothing short of spectacular. The festival showcased a diverse array of musical talent, featuring icons such as Skrillex, Subtronics, John Summit, Fisher, Steve Aoki, Illenium, Zeds Dead, and many more. The festival’s moderate size, hosting around 30,000 attendees each day, ensured minimal conflicting set times. This was made possible by the seamless organization and thoughtful scheduling across two distinct stages: the vibrant house beats at Motherboard and the bass-heavy Mainframe.

On the first day, we started with Subtronics at 8:30pm, which is extremely early and set the bar high for each act to follow. Then, we saw Ray Volpe, Illenium, Deathpact, Of the Trees, and Ganja White Night to end the night. They were all diverse and brought the energy the crowd was looking for. My top 3 this day were Ganja White Night, Deathpact, and Subtronics who was by far my favorite.

On day 2, we saw Brondo, Steve Aoki, Hol!, Fisher, Mersiv, Malaa, Skrillex, and Zeds Dead. Heading into the new year with Skrillex at ball drop was insane. He played all of the older hits from Bangarang to Purple Lamborghini to newer hits such as RATATA and Still Here (with the ones that I came with). During the ball drop, he greeted 2024 with Fine Day Anthem and even brought out Zeds Dead on stage before they started their set. Seeing 3 iconic DJs on stage together to welcome the new year was beyond incredible. As the clock struck midnight, the venue transformed — giant balloons cascaded from above, green lasers beamed from side to side, and the bass was booming.

Spectacular Production

The festival’s commitment to enhancing the overall sensory experience was evident in several notable improvements, most notably in the production setup. An applaudable step forward was the execution of the addition of screens on each side, totaling five, strategically placed to enhance views for attendees situated at the back of the crowd. While there could potentially be room for more screens, the effort to improve visibility did not go unnoticed.

The visual spectacle was further heightened by an increased presence of lasers, lights, and ceiling art installations. These additions contributed to creating a near-perfect atmosphere, transforming the festival grounds into a captivating canvas of light and color. The meticulous attention to these visual elements added an extra layer of immersion to the overall festival experience.

Equally impressive was the festival’s success in minimizing sound bleed, a challenge that many large-scale events often face. The organizers managed to create a seamless transition between the bass and house settings with every turn, allowing attendees to be effortlessly transported into the heart of the music. This meticulous attention to sound engineering elevated the immersive experience, ensuring that, regardless of your location within the venue, the music enveloped you without distortion.

Even within the VIP area nestled between stages, the absence of sound bleed remained notable. The transition between sides delicately defined the boundary of the music you could perceive, showcasing the organizers’ dedication to providing a high-quality auditory experience for all attendees, irrespective of their chosen vantage point.

Beyond the Music

Behind the Motherboard stage, there are hidden chill-out zones with inflatables you can lay on, interactive art instillations for photo-ops, and a silent disco full of local up-and-coming DJs. Food trucks are over here along with charging stations and additional bars.

One of my favorite conveniences about this festival is how easy it is to arrive due to its convenient location downtown. Arriving to and departing from the venue is a breeze, with easy access to light rail stations and ample rideshare options. There is even a stop on the light rail specifically for the convention center. This convenience ensures that your journey to and from the festival is reliable and quick – especially with the unpredictable weather.

However, no event is without its quirks, and my only gripe would be the bathroom situation. While the festival organizers have certainly improved the facilities over the years, the demand during peak times can still result in a wait of 10-15 minutes. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a secret bathroom on Night 1, providing a much-needed reprieve from the lines. By Night 2, word had spread, but even with a bit of a wait, it still proved to be a more favorable option compared to the bustling lines elsewhere.

Conclusion