An entire year can really pass in the blink of an eye. Just like that, HARD Summer is already behind me for the second time. This time with a clearer sense of how I wanted to experience it. Zack Fox and MCR-T were my stand out sets for 2026, hands down.
I went into the weekend with a lineup in mind, knowing exactly who I wanted to see. But overlaps and conflicting set times forced me to make some tough decisions.
I started the day with Cquestt, already knowing she would bring the exact energy needed to set the tone. It was hot, and with this being an outdoor venue, I could not help but feel like her set reflected that. She kept things balanced, not going too hard too soon, which made sense for the kind of day we were in for.
I was ready to keep the energy going, so once her set wrapped, I made my way over to the HARDER stage for Jon Casey. I had been hearing a lot about him and, after previewing his music beforehand, I knew I was in for something good. His blend of hard, uptempo hip hop and house had the crowd moving nonstop, with dancers shuffling across the floor from start to finish. By the end of his set, the energy was undeniable and the crowd left fully satisfied.
This was also one of those moments where sets started to overlap. Mary Droppinz was up next, and after seeing her name on past lineups, I knew I had to check her out. She lived up to it, dropping a steady stream of high energy beats that kept the momentum going. From there, I headed to the Green stage to check out Pegassi.
From there it was back to the purple stage. It was here that Six Sex and SALUTE did exactly what needed to be done. Get people dancing. I love the blend of hip hop and R&B with house, dance, and techno. The fusion and transitions always take me to another dimension. The real treat of the day was Zack Fox. Metaphorically speaking, he set the stage on fire. When I saw him at SKYLINE, it was a B2B, so I was not fully aware of the presence he commands on the boards. His confidence and comfort on stage stood out. We were feeding off each other. The crowd was so hype, and the beats felt like a musical paradise.
Closing the day off with Charlotte De Witte, I was able to get that deep house feel before ending the night, getting a taste of all the different styles the genre has to offer. Then it was time to head home and rest for day two.
Wanting to see MCR-T since HARD Summer last year, I finally got the opportunity and was not disappointed. Another act that infuses hip hop and Latin beats into his sets, the energy was on one hundred. It was a moment I was especially thankful for because I initially thought I would not be able to catch his set. This is what happens when you let go and just follow the music.
From Shygirl, RL Grime to DJ Snake, who delivered a vicious hip hop set, my second year at HARD was more than I could have imagined. I don’t know if it is because I have only been raving for a year or have only attended events in Southern California, but I have yet to experience a festival I did not enjoy. Whether I know artists on the lineup or not, each time brings new discoveries and a deeper love for the scene than when I began.
Even with the unexpected turns and missed sets, this year’s HARD Summer felt more personal than my first. I came in with a plan, but left with something better. An experience shaped by the moment, the music, and the energy around me. Just like that, another year is in the books, with memories that will carry me into the next.
