Insomniac Events brought the Beyond Wonderland rabbit hole straight to the Midwest for the second year in a row, transforming Huntington Bank Pavilion into a kaleidoscopic dreamworld with a distinctly Chicago twist. The skyline loomed behind Queen’s Domain, LEDs glitched like portal illusions, and everywhere you turned, it felt like you were somewhere between a rave and a fairytale.
From the moment gates opened Saturday, it was clear this wasn’t just a music festival. It was a world meticulously built to get lost in. Themed stages—Mad Hatter’s Castle, Caterpillar’s Garden, Queen’s Domain, Cheshire Woods—were stocked with giant glowing mushrooms, roaming actors, and even a tea-party lounge. Every element felt intentional, cohesive, and wildly playable.
Saturday’s lineup was a powerhouse. James Hype took over Caterpillar’s Garden that night, flexing his technical chops and crowd command. There’s nothing quite more refreshing than experiencing a a performer with stage presence. Other highlights included Crankdat, slamming peak-time energy, and Marshmello, who brought emo-pop fireworks to Queen’s Domain. Audien, ARMNHMR, Ganja White Night, and William Black offered standout melodic and bassy moments across the day.
Sunday’s schedule shuffled the vibe toward house and techno champions. Green Velvet closed out Caterpillar’s Garden, delivering a hometown-legend set that felt deeply rooted in Chicago’s musical soil—his quirky, hypnotic style was a perfect complement to the festival’s logic-bending atmosphere. There’s nothing quite more Chicago than hearing Green Velvet (*ahem-ahem*, Cajmere) play the Percolator to a home-town crowd.
But before that, the sky opened. A sudden thunderstorm forced a shutdown, and thousands of drenched festival-goers were turned away. Once the rain lifted and gates reopened, the energy shifted. Sets from Walker & Royce, dubstep fireworks from Subtronics, and Rezz reigning over Mad Hatter’s Castle with her dark, cinematic universe helped reset the vibe.
Beyond Wonderland Chicago wasn’t perfect—Sunday’s rain delay exposed logistical cracks, tested psychic stamina, and made entry a game of patience. But it also proved how powerful a shared fantasy world can be when executed right. This edition leaned deeply into Wonderland. It wasn’t gimmicky—it was immersive. You feel like you’ve escaped the real world entirely, but as a true Alice in Wonderland homage, “we’re all mad here,” anyway.
Premier EDM 