Mark Stefanos
Escape Psycho Circus 2025 brought two spine-tingling nights of beats, bass and bedlam to NOS Events Center, last Friday and Saturday of Halloween weekend. Billed as the largest Halloween music festival in the world, Insomniac’s bash drew costumed ravers into a sprawling nightmare realm with five stages and over 90 artists, turning San Bernardino into dance music’s haunted heartland.
Originating in 2011 under the name Escape From Wonderland, the festival has built its legend over the years by fusing world-class electronic music with haunted-house theatrics and immersive storytelling, routinely bringing in over 75,000 guests. This year’s theme built on that narrative, delivering a twisted circus where the performers, production, and even the stage design blurred the line between nightmare and euphoria.
Festivalgoers’ experiences are always mixed and subjective, but overall, reviews noted more stage space, calmer (albeit heavy) crowds, incredible production, and an overall smooth and enjoyable two days with heavy PLUR vibes — and of course, the out-of-this-world lineup.
(Gina Joy Chong for Escape Psycho Circus)
The newly unveiled Big Top stage (formerly The Grimm) highlighted the festival’s carnival-themed centerpiece, powered by pyrotechnics, lasers, and a colossal animatronic ringmaster’s monkey. The lineup was as massive to match: Alesso, deadmau5, Deorro, Porter Robinson (DJ set), Gryffin, and Marshmello B2B DJ Snake.
The Warehouse and The Cage stages catered to the underground faithful. Factory 93’s takeover of The Warehouse on Friday brought the heat with Hannah Laing, Bad Boombox, and Pegassi, while Saturday belonged to RL Grime’s Sable Valley, unleashing a tidal wave of bass from the likes of What So Not, Rossy B2B Pauline Herr and others. Meanwhile, The Cage, also hosted by Factory 93, pulsed with relentless techno and house, with sets from The Martinez Brothers, Nicole Moudaber B2B Ilario Alicante, Amelie Lens, Klangkuenstler, and Sincerely, Manolo.
Down in the Feeding Grounds, Basscon hosted the hardstyle mayhem with Angerfist, Brennan Heart, and Kayzo, while Night Trip x Insomniac Records took over Saturday with groovier vibes courtesy of Matroda, Chris Lorenzo, and Walker & Royce. Across the festival, the Sewer District proved a bass-lover’s paradise with Bassrush curating a lineup of ATLiens, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Jessica Audiffred on Friday, and NGHTMRE B2B PEEKABOO, RL Grime, and San Holo on Saturday.
We caught up with Vintage Culture, NGHTMRE, Deorro, Gryffin, San Holo and Sincerely, Manolo to find out how their weekend went, what they have coming up, and why they love playing the world’s signature Halloween rave:
Vintage Culture (Gina Joy Chong for Escape Psycho Circus)
Vintage Culture
What do you like about playing Escape?
Performing at Escape was special. The production is cinematic and the crowd goes all-in on the Halloween spirit. The energy level is off the charts. I created a unique musical journey specifically for this festival. I can build a set with relentless energy.
Any highlights from this year’s fest?
This year’s show felt great from the first track. The crowd’s energy kept growing throughout the set. I played a few new songs alongside some favorites, and it was amazing to see how people reacted.
What do you got coming up?
I’m very excited about what’s ahead. My new label, Affairs Music, is fully in motion, with new releases lined up for 2026. Summer is about to begin in Brazil, so I’ll be touring across three continents in the coming months. I’ll be back in California in 2026, and I hope to see many of the Escape fans there.
NGHTMRE B2B PEEKABOO (Jake West for Escape Psycho Circus)
NGHTMRE
What do you like about playing Escape?
I loveee Halloween so Escape is always one of my favorites to play. I’ve been touring my album MINDFULL recently so being able to switch it up and do a B2B set with PEEKABOO was amazing.
Any highlights from this year’s fest?
This year’s Escape Halloween set was one of my favorites in a long time. Going B2B with PEEKABOO went even smoother than I imagined. Because of our close friendship, it made the set chemistry even better. The blend of our two sounds really worked perfectly and kept the energy high for the entire set. Crowd reactions, energy on stage, and festival production was all top notch!! It ended up being one of my favorite sets in a long time.
Deorro (Skyler Greene for Escape Psycho Circus)
Deorro
What do you like about playing Escape?
I play at a lot of festivals throughout the year but there’s something about Escape that makes it one of my favorites. I feel like at this festival I can really tap into the Halloween spirit and play around with a lot of different sounds. For example, for this set I created a few mixes with my friend Bolo — shout out Bolo! — that incorporated some iconic Halloween soundtracks and songs which I was really excited to play. Also at Escape I get to put on a costume and dress up which is something I don’t do all the time. This year, my wife and I did our first couples costume and we went all out with the face paint and outfits so I think that also made this show a little extra special. Also shoutout to everyone who dressed up! I saw a bunch of cool and creative costumes in the crowd.
Any highlights from this year’s fest?
Being joined on stage with my friends CloseFriendsOnly and Jessica Audiffred. It’s always a vibe. For some reason my USB stopped working halfway through my set so I kind of had to roll with the punches. But I feel that because of that I was able to be more creative and have fun. So I guess I could say that was another highlight. And the crowd’s energy was so insane, so fun to play for.
What do you got coming up?
Right now I’m working on a lot of new music, new projects, and an album that fans can expect in 2026. Not going to share too much yet but definitely keep an eye out for that.
Sincerely, Manolo (Gina Joy Chong for Escape Psycho Circus)
Sincerely, Manolo
What do you like about playing Escape?
There’s nothing like Escape. It’s huge, but somehow still feels intimate. You look out and see thousands locked in, all feeling the same thing at once. And the costumes?? Craaazy. Halloween brings out the fun in everyone. Some of the best fits and characters I’ve seen. My favorite was a totem that said “Back & Body Hurts,” hahaha — had me cracking up.
Any highlights from this year’s fest?
First time playing the Factory 93 stage, but it felt like home right away. The energy from everyone was next level. Tested some new unreleased stuff, and it hit, definitely a highlight.
What do you got coming up?
Now I’m shifting focus to Devoción, my art, event, and podcast series. Taking it out of state for the first time next week in Cleveland, then back to LA at Soho Warehouse in December. Got a few new collabs dropping early next year with legends I’ve looked up to for a long time.
(Escape Psycho Circus)
Gryffin (Asher Edwards for Escape Psycho Circus)
Gryffin
What do you like about playing Escape?
There’s something about Escape as a festival and people dressing up that brings the best crowds and energy. Such a fun vibe seeing all the cool costumes and creativity. Honestly no better way to spend my Halloween.
Any highlights from this year’s fest?
Each year keeps topping the last. A highlight I’d say was seeing the crowd go crazy not only for my older music, but a brand new remix by young producer Avello that he did for my song “Higher Power.” Seeing the diversity in the crowd, and people genuinely being here for the music is what makes these moments never get old.
What do you got coming up?
Lots of really cool and big things on the horizon — bigger venues than I’ve ever played in my career. New music with some of my personal fav artists. Without giving too much out, my goal next year is to really highlight all eras of the Gryffin project and story. Truly stoked for what’s in store for 2026.
San Holo (Vero Nafarrate for Escape Psycho Circus)
San Holo
What do you like about playing Escape?
The production gets better every time! I was impressed by all the stages and the crowd definitely feels so immersed in the spookiness. It just all makes sense. Feels like a different world!
Any highlights from this year’s fest?
The crowd at my set this year had incredible energy ↑%! Felt like everyone there was putting out good energy and I felt a lot of love radiating from the crowd! Fav festival I’ve played in a while! Loved seeing everyone’s costume (and of course showing off mine!).
What do you got coming up?
You can expect a lot more wholesome riddim from me in 2026! ↑%