It’s always worth exploring new festivals when there’s a break between other events that you usually attend. That was us with Deep Tropics in 2025, where we attended the two-day EDM fest in downtown Nashville from August 15-16.
Placed between Lollapalooza and Labor Day Weekend (ARC, North Coast), we were first intrigued by Deep Tropics because of their sustainability initiatives. Other convincing qualities included an official afterparty with four stages going until 3 AM and a solid mix of bass and house music.
Lane 8 kicked off the festivities early on Friday with a 2 hour set that started in the afternoon and ended after sunset. It was easily one of the highlights of the weekend. The Deep Tropics mainstage is a large permanent bowl structure similar to the one at Movement Detroit. This setup allows for plenty of easily accessible spots that allow for both sitting and standing. As the sun set on the first day, Lane 8 stole the show with an emotional set that told a story.
Deep Tropics takes place at Bicentennial Park near downtown Nashville, a walkable distance from the neon-lit bars of Broadway. On the other side of the park away from the main Meru Stage lies the Lotus, which hosted bass music and a variety of heavier acts throughout the weekend. While this stage hosted the genre’s top names like Subtronics, Liquid Stranger, and Alison Wonderland, we usually spent our time at Meru or the Congo Stage.
The Congo Stage was a smaller area located in the middle of the venue, but the production here punched above its weight. Artists like Riordan, Dusky, and Will Clarke performed to intimate crowds next to well-lit art pieces and a waterfall. The stage was also near a misting station, which made a huge difference compared to other areas of the park. Having a fan and staying hydrated at Deep Tropics was essential.
The Deep Tropics aftershows both Friday and Saturday nights met our high expectations. Cannery Hall fit a huge crowd comfortably, with stages on various floors that were found after some exploring. The variety of the afters was a huge plus. Highlights included a surprise b2b from Chris Lorenzo and Ranger Trucco before Gentlemens Club closed the main room on night one, followed by a 360 set from Will Clarke on the venue’s top floor on night two. On the other side of town, Studio 615 hosted sets from Ameme, Sinca, Icarus, and Arvi Mala.
Overall, Deep Tropics was a satisfying festival weekend. A fully independently run event, it was a breath of fresh air to see a well-run show that clearly puts the attendees first. The venue was a carefully curated experience, with impressive production and art pieces as well as easily accessible amenities like water stations. Temperatures soared into the upper 90s all weekend, so it was a necessity to get to the festival later in the day prepared with a hydration pack or reusable water bottle.
We would 100% attend Deep Tropics again. Taking a trip to downtown Nashville to explore and attend a wholesome two-day fest is a great way to spend a summer weekend, and we’re excited to return to Deep Tropics as it continues to grow throughout the years.
Author: @michael_premier
Photos: @originalvisualphoto
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