Years active 2012–2016 | Dates 10 Jun – 12 Jun 2016 | |
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Location Addams/Medill Park, Chicago, Illinois, United States Genres Progressive house, Electro house, Techno, Trance music, Trap music Similar North Coast Music Fe, TomorrowWorld, Electric Zoo, Ultra Music Festival, Mysteryland Profiles | ||
Spring Awakening Music Festival is an electronic music festival that takes place in Chicago, Illinois. The festival took place at Soldier Field 2012–2015. The festival had announced it was being held at Jefferson Park (2016). However, Jackson Park has fallen through (due to an overly active mole population ruining facilities) since the announcement and the new location is Addams/Medill Park. As the Midwest increases its tastes of the subgenres in electronic dance music (EDM), Spring Awakening Music Festival (SAMF) is the place to be for a festival season kick off.
Contents
History
Spring Awakening was founded as a concert series in 2008. The event eventually outgrew the theater, and in 2012 SAMF was turned into a two-day outdoor festival at Soldier Field by the Chicago-based promoting agency React Presents. In 2013,Spring Awakening Music Festival expanded to three days with over 90,000 people in attendance. SAMF has been held either the second or third weekend of June Over the years, the Festival has become increasingly popular due to the large fan base of electronic dance music in the Chicago area. As people now come from across the globe just to attend the Festival, there are discussed rumors that the Festival could be extending onwards towards many other states.
2012
SAMF was made into a two-day festival held on June 16–17, 2012 at Soldier Field.
The festival was initially announced to occupy the "Stadium Green" surrounding Soldier Field, but after overwhelming demand, the festival moved from the main stage inside of the stadium to the north end zone of Soldier Field. Over 50,000 people attended Spring Awakening Music festival 2012.
Some of the main performers included Skrillex, Afrojack, Diplo, A-Track, Benny Benassi, Dillon Francis, Moby, Flux Pavilion, Hardwell, Datsik, Crlcox, Morgan Page and more.
2013
SAMF had its second annual electronic dance music (EDM) festival from June 14–16, 2013 at Soldier Field.
This year was much more organized and bigger. The festival created a three-day "rave". It was attended by kids in funky vibrant colors and Kandis to enjoy their favorite artist's music.
Spring Awakening Music Festival had expanded to three days, adding another stage, totaling two stages and two tents, for over 100 world renown artists and over 75,000 attendees.
Some of the main performers included Bassnectar, Calvin Harris, Bingo Players, Carnage, Chuckie, Excision, Flosstradamus, Krewella, Nicky Romero, Nervo, Porn and Chicken, Porter Robinson, ZEDD, Zeds Dead and Zomboy.
2014
Spring Awakening had its third annual concert on June 13–15, 2014 with a new addition of a second main stage. In the 2014 season, Spring Awakening was one of the few remaining all age festivals. Spring Awakening Music Festival launched SAMF Safe & Sound, an initiative which encouraged attendees to contact security or the wellness team if they felt unsafe. React was purchased by SFX Entertainment last February.
Some of the main artists included Tiesto, Pretty Lights, Diplo, Knife Party, Kaskade, Big Gigantic, Benny Benassi, Bingo Players, Dillon Francis, Eric Prydz, Flux Pavilion, A-Track, Borgore, Caked Up, Carnage, Chuckie, Datsik, DVBBS, Nervo, Dj Snake and more.
2015
The 2015 SAMF took place June 12–14, 2015 at Soldier Field.
This year the festival had four stages to better accommodate more than 75 acts. SAMF had also changed its age requirement to 18. The new changes come in the hope of making sure that safety is the number one priority for the fans, artists, and staff. An official spokesperson of SAMF quoted that they, "believe the festival is an experience for adults. This difficult decision was made to promote safety amongst our fans and ensure the best experience for our attendees and future attendees".
A 19-year-old died Sunday after attending the weekend music festival at Soldier Field. Steve Vongkoth's death is thought to be drug-related.
Some of the artists include ZEDD, Hardwell, Tiesto, Diplo, Afrojack, Dada Life, Excision, Flosstradamus, Martin Garrix, Zeds Dead, Zomboy, Paul Van Dyk, Adventure Club, Borgore, Bro Safari, Headhunterz, Party Favor, Tommy Trash, Yellow Claw and more.Jack ü
2016
SAMF 2016 was held June 10–12, 2016.
This year's festival will include five stages, including two main stages for the very first time in the event’s history, and will host a wide array of over 100 highly coveted acts from across the electronic music spectrum.
Spring Awakenings Facebook page recently had posted:
The first main stage, dubbed the Dj Stage, will feature unforgettable performances from the likes of Above & Beyond, Kaskade, The Chainsmokers, Steve Aoki, Dillon Francis, Carnage, Nicky Romero, DVBBS, Dash Berlin, among many others
Meanwhile, on the second main stage, dubbed the Electronic Stage, production legends Deadmau5, Zeds Dead, Jamie xx, RL Grime, Flying Lotus, Crystal Castles, Flux Pavilion, Gramatik, Gesaffelstein, A-Trak, Madeon and more will introduce a monumental series of live sets.
The Bass Kitchen, Body Language, and Trance Arena stages will also be touching down at this year’s stop, providing attendees with the opportunity to experience nonstop variety in both music and visual displays. Finally, record label Dirtybird, publication DJ Mag and Pete Tong himself will act as stage curators during the festivities, each hosting a slew of acts from all across the production spectrum throughout the weekend.
In 2016, attendees experienced the event on the sprawling, grass-laden fields of Addams/Medill Park, location in the near West side community of Chicago. Visitors enjoyed easy public transportation options from both the CTA Pink Line and Blue Line trains. The park was accessible from the Ashland, Roosevelt, and the 18th St. CTA buses.
About React
Founded in 2008, React Presents is a full service club, festival, and concert festival promotion company based in Chicago, IL. React Presents owns and operates the MID and Concord Music Hall. And books select events in venues across the Midwest, with offices in Detroit & Milwaukee. React Presents produces four festivals: Spring Awakening Music Festival, North Coast Music Festival, Forever Festival, and Summer Set Music & Camping Festival.