Photo: Ty Gunner
Returning to Arizona for the first time since 2019, Insomniac’s Halloween festival took over WestWorld of Scottsdale on October 30 and 31, bringing two nights of dance music, festival-scale production, and a crowd that came ready to celebrate.
The sold-out event drew a massive turnout, with packed stages and crowds that made even WestWorld’s enormous grounds feel busy. Some uncharacteristic Arizona rain added an unexpected element to the weekend, but it did little to discourage ravers.
View this post on Instagram
Two Nights, Two Stages, and Plenty of Heavy Hitters
Friday, October 30, kicked things off with a lineup featuring Zedd, Deorro, Maddix, Marie Vaunt, Restricted, Virtual Riot, and Zoe Gitter, among others. Saturday brought another strong roster, including The Chainsmokers, ACRAZE, Dombresky, James Hype, LEVEL UP, Seven Lions, Alyssa Jolee, and Trym.
Between the two nights, BOO offered a pretty broad range of electronic music. Fans looking for big, familiar festival anthems had plenty to work with, while those more interested in harder, underground-leaning sounds had reason to spend considerable time away from the headliners.
Techno Fans Ate Well
For techno fans in particular, the weekend delivered. One of the more interesting things about BOO Arizona’s lineup was how much room it gave to techno and harder dance music.
With artists like Maddix, Marie Vaunt, Restricted, and Trym on the bill, the festival had a strong selection for fans who prefer faster tempos and a little more intensity than the usual mainstream EDM fare.
Trym, in particular, leaned into the Halloween spirit with a Revenge of the Sith-inspired entrance, appearing dressed as Anakin Skywalker. It was a fitting choice for a festival built around costumes and theatrical production, and a memorable way to introduce his set.
There’s something especially entertaining about watching a DJ bring a recognizable movie character into an already over-the-top festival environment. On Halloween weekend, it fit right in.
WestWorld Made for an Interesting Festival Setting
WestWorld of Scottsdale is a massive venue, best known for hosting everything from equestrian events to major exhibitions. Seeing it transformed into a Halloween electronic music festival was an interesting change of pace.
For Scottsdale locals, BOO also offered an appealing alternative to the usual Halloween festivities in Old Town. Rather than bouncing between crowded bars, waiting in lines, and paying holiday weekend cover charges, festivalgoers could spend the night watching some of the biggest names in electronic music, surrounded by thousands of people who came for the same experience. With a major festival happening right in their backyard, there was no need to travel to Las Vegas or Southern California for that kind of production.
One of the better uses of the property was the way the existing equestrian and rodeo infrastructure helped organize foot traffic between the festival’s stages.
Rather than forcing everyone through a conventional open festival field, the layout took advantage of the venue’s existing spaces and passageways. It gave the movement between performances a different feel and helped make use of an otherwise unconventional setting for a rave.
The main stage also featured the kind of large-scale visual production that Insomniac fans might associate with Electric Daisy Carnival. Elaborate stage design, lighting, and festival visuals made the production feel appropriately ambitious for the occasion.
It was a welcome touch, especially for a Halloween event where the atmosphere is such a big part of the appeal.
Insomniac announced that BOO Arizona had sold out, and the turnout was hard to miss. WestWorld has no shortage of space, which made the size of the crowd especially noticeable.
The festival was packed, and while that certainly contributed to the energy, it also made navigating some of the busier areas more challenging.
For anyone debating whether VIP was worth the additional expense, this was one of those weekends where the upgrade made a convincing case for itself.
Having access to dedicated viewing areas and some separation from the densest parts of the general admission crowd was particularly valuable when the biggest acts took the stage.
A Welcome Return for BOO Arizona
After seven years away from the state, BOO Arizona returned with a lineup that gave fans plenty of reasons to make WestWorld their Halloween destination.
The techno selection was a particular highlight, the main stage production looked great, and the venue’s unusual layout gave the event some character of its own.
For those considering future editions, I recommend springing for VIP. Dedicated viewing areas, expedited entry, and private restrooms made a noticeable difference at a sold-out event, especially during the busiest sets. The massive turnout came with some crowding challenges, but also spoke to Arizona’s growing appetite for large-scale electronic music events.
For those who chose to spend Halloween weekend in costume, surrounded by thousands of other music fans, BOO Arizona offered a pretty memorable way to celebrate.
Whether Insomniac brings BOO back to Scottsdale next year remains to be seen, but the festival’s return certainly gave the Arizona dance music community something to talk about.
Learn more about the festival through Insomniac’s official BOO festival page or visit the BOO Arizona website.
For more concert recaps, festivals, nightlife, and live experiences, explore Legendary Life Media’s Events & Entertainment coverage.
About The Author
