Decadence Arizona 2025

Ringing in THE NEW YEAR at Decadence Arizona: tHE PORTAL OF ILLUSIONS

Content & Article by: Yoselin Moreno

@yoselinmmedia

Decadence Arizona: The Portal of Illusions returned to the iconic Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona, to celebrate the arrival of the new year in spectacular fashion. The 2025 edition brought together over 50 top-tier artists, featuring some of the biggest names in the electronic dance music scene, including GRiZ, Kaskade, FISHER, Zedd, and Subtronics. Attendees experienced a diverse range of genres—from bass-heavy drops and pulsing techno to groovy house and other electronic subgenres—ensuring that every type of EDM fan had something to enjoy.

Spread across multiple stages, the festival showcased massive production elements, including dazzling light shows, pyrotechnics, immersive visual installations, and intricate stage designs, creating a truly otherworldly atmosphere. Beyond the music, Decadence Arizona offered interactive art experiences, carnival rides, and photo-worthy activities, making it not just a festival, but a fully immersive two-day celebration that left attendees with unforgettable memories to kick off the new year.

This year, Decadence AZ was composed of six stages: Grand Palace, Royal Ballroom, The Playhouse, The Bazaar, Quiet Quarters Silent Disco, and the newly debuted Conservatory. Grand Palace and Royal Ballroom were the two main stages, while The Playhouse, The Bazaar, and Quiet Quarters Silent Disco served as smaller stages.

The Grand Palace, the festival’s centerpiece stage, featured the biggest headliners and the unforgettable New Year’s Eve midnight countdown. The Conservatory, debuting in 2025, was adorned with a massive disco ball and focused on underground/house music, featuring artists such as Ben Sterling, Rirordan, and Wax Motif.

Decadence AZ featured top-tier production throughout. Stages were equipped with cutting-edge lighting rigs, large LED screens, lasers, pyrotechnics, spotlights, and CO₂ effects, creating a visually striking environment that captivated the crowd.

Decadence AZ is more than just music. This year, the festival introduced classic carnival rides, including the Ferris wheel, Pharaoh’s Revenge, and Typhoon, providing a fun break from the music and unique views over the grounds. Another exciting addition was pickleball courts for friendly daytime competition. A 1UP arcade area with classic games added a playful element between sets. Attendees could also explore vibrant art installations, take part in photo ops, and enjoy vendor villages offering food and drinks—together creating a full-on New Year’s Eve celebration

From the moment I arrived at Decadence Arizona, I could feel the electric energy buzzing through the air. The festival grounds were alive with color, music, and excitement. After exploring the site, I made my way to the Grand Palace to catch my first set of the night.

UK DJ and producer Darren Styles delivered a high-energy techno set that had the crowd moving relentlessly from the first beat to the last. The intensity of the crowd so early in the night was truly staggering.

I stayed at the main stage to see Adventure Club’s throwback set, which was a perfect mix of nostalgia and euphoric melodies that kept the festival vibe alive. Shortly after, UK garage artist Sammy Virji took the stage for one of my personal favorite sets of the night. He seamlessly maintained the crowd’s energy with fun, upbeat tracks, combining older hits like “If U Need It” with newer tracks like “Talk of the Town,” all delivered with a contagious stage presence and charisma that had everyone dancing.

As the night progressed, I bounced between stages to catch artists including MEDUZA, Hamdi, and Max Styler. I closed out the night back at the Grand Palace for Zedd, who delivered a spectacular performance filled with soaring drops, stunning visuals, and pyrotechnics. He ended his set with the iconic hit “Clarity,” leaving the crowd euphoric and the festival experience unforgettable.

Walking into Decadence Arizona on Day 2, New Year’s Eve, I was even more excited. The festival grounds were buzzing with anticipation, and the excitement was contagious.

The night kicked off with Kaskade, who delivered a set full of tech-house bangers that immediately got the crowd moving. His flawless mixing and uplifting melodies set the tone for an unforgettable evening.

Next, Mike Posner took the stage for a moving performance. Watching from a balcony with a stunning aerial view of the crowd and stage, I saw a sea of fans singing along in unison, swaying and connecting over the music. Posner played some of his biggest hits, including “I Took a Pill in Ibiza,” “Cooler Than Me,” and “Please Don’t Go.” He also made a heartfelt tribute to the late artist Avicii, with whom he had collaborated in the past.

As midnight approached, GRiZ took the stage for his highly anticipated countdown set. More than just a standard EDM performance, fans were treated to live instrumentation, including saxophone, reflecting his jazz-infused electronic roots. GRiZ shared the stage with collaborators like vocalist Kaleena Zanders and rapper PROBCAUSE, enhancing the live experience. As the countdown hit midnight, the crowd erupted in cheers, balloons filled the air, and the energy reached new heights, it was a truly unforgettable New Year’s moment.

Following GRiZ, the party continued with tech-house DJ/producer FISHER and drum & bass duo Chase & Status. I bounced between stages to soak in the unique energy of both performances.

I closed out the night with one of my favorite artists, Odd Mob, who kept the celebration going until 3 AM, delivering tech-house bangers and infectious grooves that left the crowd energized and euphoric. By the end of the night, it was clear that Day 2 of Decadence Arizona wasn’t just a party, it was a full-blown celebration of music, community, and the thrill of ringing in the New Year together.

Decadence Arizona has quickly become my favorite way to spend New Year’s Eve. Each year, I am blown away by the lineup, production, and overall experience.

Decadence Arizona is hosted and produced by Relentless Beats and Global Dance. It’s 2026 edition has already been announced: Decadence Arizona: Sands of Eternity.

Pre-registration is now open at decadencearizona.com.