Goldrush: The Return to the West gallops back into Rawhide Western Town in Chandler, Arizona. The western‑themed dance‑music festival, produced by Relentless Beats with Universatile Music and Global Dance, takes place September 12–13, 2025. Organizers promise a weekend of top‑tier production, epic collaborations and a nostalgic Wild West vibe that fans have missed since Goldrush last occupied Rawhide in 2022. Ticket holders for Goldrush 2025 must be at least 18.
A festival rekindled
Relentless Beats founder Thomas Turner says there was a lot of pressure to deliver a standout lineup for this year’s return. “With Goldrush being one of our biggest and most prominent festivals and with our return to Rawhide Western Town after this hiatus, we knew we had to deliver a lineup that stood up to the immensity of what we are building,” Turner told the Phoenix New Times. Turner added that Relentless Beats strives to keep things fresh by combining different styles and dream collaborations, pointing to the globally anticipated Illenium b2b Zeds Dead performance as an example,
The Goldrush 2025 lineup
The two-day lineup at Goldrush 2025 is a genre-spanning showcase of electronic music’s most electrifying acts, with sounds ranging from bone-rattling bass and pulsating house to driving techno and high-energy hardstyle. Headlining the festival are heavy-hitters like Excision, along with the globally anticipated debut of Illenium b2b Zeds Dead, a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration set to shake the desert.
Major Lazer Soundsystem brings their signature fusion of dancehall and EDM to the stage, while crowd favorites Crankdat and Disco Lines add their own high-octane flair. In a surprise addition that thrilled fans, party-starter Dillon Francis joined the lineup after the initial announcement, rounding out an already powerhouse roster.
The undercard mixes established acts with rising stars:
- Arius presents Prism Warp (a multi‑sensory show blending bass music with finger‑drumming and dance)
- Benny Benassi, ChaseWest, Dennett, Destructo, Drinkurwater, Eliminate
- Getter (returning for a special “Resurrection Set”), Hi‑Lo, IIglesias (Hybrid Live), Infekt, Kompany, Kyle Watson, LF System
- Nikita, The Wicked, Ninajirachi, Rinzen, Roddy Lima, Showtek (Hardstyle Set), Slamm b2b Dan Molinari, Space Laces, Steller, Sub Zero Project, Versa b2b MVRDA, Wax Motif, Wilkinson and William Black.
Several newcomers also make their Goldrush debut: Animate, Ema, Jimii, Pat Riot and Turbo. The diverse lineup underscores Turner’s goal of exposing fans to multiple styles while still offering the heavy bass music for which the festival is known.
Day‑by‑day schedule
Although set times will be released closer to the event, organizers have indicated which acts will perform each day.
Friday, Sept. 12 will showcase Arius presents Prism Warp, Crankdat, Destructo, Dillon Francis, Eliminate, Excision, Getter’s Resurrection Set, Hi‑Lo, Infekt, Kyle Watson, LF System, Nikita, The Wicked, Rinzen, Steller, Sub Zero Project, Wax Motif, William Black, Pat Riot and Turbo.
Saturday, Sept. 13 features Benny Benassi, ChaseWest, Dennett, Disco Lines, Drinkurwater, IIglesias (Hybrid Live), Illenium b2b Zeds Dead, Kompany, Major Lazer Soundsystem, Ninajirachi, Roddy Lima, Showtek (Hardstyle Set), Slamm b2b Dan Molinari, Space Laces, Versa b2b MVRDA, Wilkinson, Animate, Ema and Jimii.
New experiences and competitions
DJ competition and charity partnership
Before the main event, Goldrush will host the 8th Annual Goldrush DJ Competition at Sunbar in Tempe on Friday, July 25, 2025. Finalists will compete for a coveted main‑stage time slot at the festival. Live auditions for Weird & Wonderful performers will also take place that night. A portion of proceeds from the competition benefits ChildHelp, a nonprofit that works to end child abuse and neglect.
Oasis Pool Party
A major addition for 2025 is the Oasis Pool Party, taking place on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Gila River Resorts & Casinos in Chandler. Presented in partnership with the award‑winning Oasis Pool Party Series (which the local publication Phoenix New Times named the “Best Pool Party in the Valley”, the daytime event features 17 cabanas, day beds, stage‑side tables, an expansive VIP area with private bars and state‑of‑the‑art production. Tickets for the pool party are limited and sold separately.
Afterparties
For those who don’t want the music to stop, official afterparties will be held on Friday and Saturday nights. Details are still forthcoming, but organizers promise more opportunities to dance into the early hours.
Tickets and packages
Relentless Beats offers several ticket tiers for Goldrush 2025. Two‑day passes are available in General Admission, GA+, VIP and Platinum levels, starting at $227 (before fees). Single‑day tickets begin at $138 (before fees). Add‑ons such as shuttle passes, lockers, merchandise, parking and hotel packages can be purchased through the festival website.
Travelers looking for a seamless experience can book hotel‑and‑ticket packages through Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass. Premium packages include complimentary Oasis Pool Party tickets and shuttle service to and from the festival.
What to expect at Rawhide
Goldrush’s return to Rawhide Western Town revives a unique festival setting. The venue is designed to resemble an Old West town, with dirt streets, saloons and frontier‑themed facades. The festival builds multiple stages around the town; previous editions featured pyrotechnics, lasers and large‑scale art installations. Relentless Beats released the Goldrush Wild Card 2024 aftermovie to showcase the energy and immersive production from last year’s edition. Watching the aftermovie (available via the festival’s social channels) provides a taste of the dust‑kicking dancefloors and wild‑west costumes attendees can expect when Goldrush returns in September.
Final thoughts
Goldrush’s long‑anticipated return to Rawhide Western Town feels like a homecoming for Arizona’s dance‑music community. The 2025 edition offers more than 40 artists across multiple genres, a historic collaboration in Illenium b2b Zeds Dead, and brand‑new experiences like the Oasis Pool Party. Turner notes that delivering a fresh, inventive lineup was crucial to mark the festival’s return. With its combination of frontier aesthetics, high‑octane bass, house grooves and supportive community events, Goldrush: The Return to the West aims to reclaim its place as one of the Southwest’s premier electronic music festivals.
For tickets, packages and the latest updates, fans can visit goldrushfestaz.com and follow @GoldrushFestAZ on social media.
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