SOULS made a huge impression this year and became one of the most memorable ways to spend Halloween weekend in the city. Phase 3 and Amore World produced a two night takeover inside the historic Monroe St. Abbey, and the atmosphere alone was worth the trip.
The Abbey is already visually striking. It’s a preserved church structure with deep history, including a devastating fire in the 1980s that left visible aging in the walls and architecture. That weathered, ancient texture made the setting feel like an industrial cathedral which instantly set a tone that no normal nightclub or warehouse could replicate. The result was spooky in the best way. Mysterious. Magical. Eerie without being negative. The kind of Halloween aesthetic that feels cinematic but still welcoming.
People showed up dressed to match the world they were walking into. Gothic couture, veils, dark glam, rosary metal, priest-inspired looks, saint-core, vampire, cinematic occult… every part of the room was visually alive. It made the entire environment an experience before the music even started.
Standout Performances
The lineup featured producers who know how to build tension, mystique, and emotional lift through sound in a way that perfectly matched the setting. Every artist approached their set with intention, pacing, and a sense of mood that felt made for a historic structure like this.
Yamaguchi set the tone early with hypnotic rhythm design and deep groove control that eased the room into flow. The crowd gradually locked in as he guided the energy upward with precision.
Marco Lys brought peak power impact. His set had that unmistakable high energy momentum you feel in your chest, creating a collective charge across the floor under the stained glass, lasers, and shadow texture bouncing across the ancient walls.
Mita Gami delivered one of the most artistic sonic arcs of the weekend. The way she blended texture, melody, and tension created a dreamlike, cinematic atmosphere that felt right at home in a space that already carried history in every direction.
The curation across the entire weekend was clearly intentional. Each set contributed to the world SOULS wanted people to step into, serving the storyline and environment instead of just playing through a typical festival routine. Every moment felt crafted for immersion.
The Layout Elevated Everything
The upstairs level served as one of the best surprises of the weekend. The VIP balcony view turned into one of the best vantage points for anyone who wanted full immersion from a cinematic angle. Watching the lights move against the burnt, historic church walls while the crowd moved below felt unreal.
The second upstairs stage also added value as a place to catch breath and air while still staying in the world of the event. It never felt like stepping away meant losing momentum.
Why This Was Such a Perfect Use of Halloween Weekend
This event delivered a version of Halloween weekend that felt elevated, intentional, and creatively immersive. It wasn’t a gimmicky Halloween club night. It felt like a cultural moment and a curated artistic ritual. Everyone who was there seemed to be there for the culture, the sound, the aesthetic, and the shared experience of stepping out of normal life for two nights.
It was spooky in the way that makes Halloween special, but with good people, great energy, intentional production, and elite sound. It was fun, elevated, creative, immersive, and connected.
This is exactly the type of event Phoenix needs more of. And this weekend proved that this city is ready to show up for it when it happens.
SOULS Halloweekend was a portal into a different world and easily one of the most memorable ways to celebrate Halloween weekend in Arizona this year.
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