Spring Awakening Music Festival review

Every so often there comes a hypnotic trend that people can truly catch onto. This year the upsurge in popularity of electronic dance music (EDM) shined through at Soldier Field with the 2012 Spring Awakening Music Festival.

Calling together the highest quality DJ's and producers, React Presents compiled an astonishing rolodex of artists to perform for thousands of amped up fans at the two-day extravaganza. I arrived to greet hoards of smiling faces on day one of the festival just in time to catch the end of Tommie Sunshine's set, which offered heavy bass and body-rocking electro.

Afterwards, we checked out Nobody Beats The Drum before hitting Downlink, Kill The Noise and Dillon Francis. With each passing hour, the crowd's energy amplified until Skrillex finally touched down on the field in a spaceship. Yes, the man converted his DJ decks into a spaceship straight out of Armageddon.

Rain slowly drizzled into the stadium throughout his performance before a forceful yet magical downpour washed out the stands. Albeit feeling completely soaked and exhausted from hours of dancing, walking out of the grounds was exhilarating.

Day two came with an incredible line-up consisting of Destructo, Derrick Carter, Felix Cartal, Datsik, Diplo, Wolfgang Gartner and Afrojack, just to name a few. From heart-thumping grime to ethereal techno, headliners mixed in sounds to suit all ears. What's more, legendary musician Moby served as the highlight, cranking out a surprisingly electrified set at the main stage. No one was sure what to expect from such a notoriously innovative beat-maker, but boy did he put on a show. Fresh melodies paired with undulating bass sent fans over the edge, stomping and swaying deep into the night.

Spring Awakening Music Festival surely enlivened this great city, uniting masses of delighted music-lovers for a weekend in celebration of quality music and unbridled fun. Time to rally for a revival next year.