Splash House embraces poolside desert revelry in June 2017 edition

by: Katie Daubert Jun 23, 2017

Since its inception five years ago, Splash House has been thriving in the heart of the southern California desert due to its high-class catalog of music and inexhaustible sun-soaked revelry. Fit with a more laid-back, intimate atmosphere compared to its Coachella counterpart, the booming Palm Springs affair has spent the last couple of years perfecting the venerable art of mixing top-of-the-line musical talent with resplendent poolside leisure.

From June 9-11, the bi-annual festival supplied a select palate of subgenres that catered to a consistently rowdy, yet high-spirited crowd. This year’s weekend one edition of Splash House returned to the Saguaro and Riviera with the addition of a new venue at The Renaissance, and featured a top-notch billing of talent consisting of Bonobo, Hot Chip, Thomas Jack, and Sam Gellaitry. Much like years past, a growing attendance and neighboring venues were cared for with non-stop shuttle services to each hotel, giving attendees the leisure of hitting up one party to the next with ease.

J. Phlip rings in the weekend at Palm Springs’ Air Museum.

The weekend kicked off with a windy introduction at the Palm Springs Air Museum Friday night as the anticipation of the festival allowed the crowd to experience the magnetic energy of J. Phlip‘s delectable grooves and the beat-driven bedlam of Malaa. As the show drifted into the night, the After Hours party reached its prime level of debauched celebration and the jamboree of this year’s Splash House was in full swing.

Saturday experienced more celebratory vibes as festival-goers enjoyed balmy temperatures and the airy decadence of bouncy synths and boisterous beats across the Palm Springs locale. Los Angeles-based producer Bones heated up the day with a dirty house and techno set at the colorful Saguaro venue, later followed by an effervescent performance by Hayden James to a sprightly audience at The Renaissance. The day was further highlighted by Sam Gellaitry’s poolside production at the Riviera, where he dove into his signature experimental trap mastery with carefully selected features from his Escapism trilogy.

Sam Gellaitry soaks up some rays at the Riviera.

Leading into Sunday, one would expect the heated revelry of the weekend would have taken its toll on its festival attendees; however, there was no stoppage of sun-dipped celebration and sonic divinity. The bulk of the festival crowd wrapped up the festival with Lane 8‘s set at The Saguaro, where he played prime releases like “In My Arms,” “With Me,” and “Little Voices,” before Bonobo rounded out the weekend with an entrancing, organic performance that solidified another successful run of the enamored Palm Springs festival.

Lane 8 mesmerizes The Saguaro.

In many respects, Splash House remains an exclusive oasis with much to offer. The boutique festival takes advantage of its desert-encased environment and spring break-tinged atmosphere to create a provocatively good time, giving attendees the pleasure of experiencing the hottest acts in music while partying in the gaze of the summer sun.

Luckily for those who missed out or want to repeat the madness, Splash House will return on August 11-13 with a stacked billing featuring Big Gigantic, Bob Moses, Kaytranada, and more. In the months remaining until Splash House circles back at the end of summer, fans can tide themselves over with Splash House’s tailored “Splash House Guest List” Spotify playlist.