PHXLIGHTS 2025

New Venue, Same Cosmic Energy AT PhxLights: SOLAR SOUND SYSTEM

Content & Article by: Anthony Cavale

@a_cavale

If aliens did return to Arizona this April, there's a good chance they were just there for the PHXLIGHTS. PHXLIGHTS: Solar Sound System, presented by Relentless Beats, made its return to the desert—this time landing at Rawhide in Chandler—and while the venue may have shifted, the energy absolutely did not. As always with a Relentless Beats show, you come expecting a party and leave with a memory. From the lasers and lights to the lineup and vibes, this year's edition was a full-on out-of-body experience. For those who don’t know, the festival takes its name from the real-life Phoenix Lights incident of 1997—one of the most well-known mass UFO sightings in American history. Whether or not you believe in aliens, this festival plays into that mystery in all the best ways. With glowing art installations, spacey visuals, and a desert setting that already feels like another planet, it’s easy to get lost in the story. Honestly, if a ship did land in the middle of the crowd... nobody would’ve even flinched. They’d just start shuffling.

It’s Murph Was a Journey

Murph's set felt like a movie soundtrack for a film that doesn’t exist yet. Heavy, emotional, and totally immersive—he took the crowd on a ride from atmospheric calm to full-blown lift-off. His visuals were straight out of a lucid dream, and when the bass hit, it hit deep. Every track feltintentional. Murph doesn’t just play songs—he scores the moment.

NGHTMRE Lit the Sky on Fire

NGHTMRE came through with pure chaos—in the best way possible. He turned the main stage into a warzone of lasers, fire, and bass drops that could be felt from across the field. It was a set that reminded you why you go to festivals. Trap, dubstep, edits you didn’t see coming—it was a full-blown throwdown. Crowd control? Nailed it. Every time you thought it couldn't get crazier,it did.

J. Worra Brought the Groove

J. Worra held it down for the house heads. Her set was smooth, sharp, and confident—blending deep grooves with funky tech and minimal flare. She’s the kind of artist that doesn’t need to overdo it. She just gets it right. Her transitions were clean, her energy was dialed in, and she had the whole crowd moving like it was second nature. You can tell she’s a pro.

Off the Trees Was a Whole Trip

Off the Trees felt like the hidden alien frequency of the festival. His sound was spacey, experimental, and hypnotic—something you wandered into and couldn’t leave. No big flashy drops, no over-the-top hype—just deep, layered music that took you somewhere else entirely. If you caught this set, you know how underrated it was. A true sleeper highlight.

Louis The Child – The Grand Finale

Closing out the weekend with Louis The Child felt like pure joy. Their set was colorful, high- energy, and full of that signature melodic bounce that makes them so beloved. It was one of those moments where everyone in the crowd is smiling—even strangers. Their visuals were vibrant, their transitions tight, and their catalog of feel-good bangers hit like sunshine after a storm. They knew how to close out a festival, no question.

Final Thoughts

PHXLIGHTS 2025 didn’t miss. Rawhide brought a more open, dusty feel than past years—but in a way, it felt even more authentic. There’s something about dancing in the desert under stars and lasers that just works. It’s not just another EDM festival. It’s a portal.