Beyond Wonderland

The history of Beyond Wonderland extends back before its inaugural 2010 date. The first festival was held at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, California. Insomniac Events announced Beyond Wonderland “serving as a springtime sister festival to Nocturnal Wonderland.”{{Cite web|title=How It All Began – Insomniac|url=https://www.insomniac.com/who-we-are/how-it-all-began/|access-date=2021-01-31|website=www.insomniac.com|language=en-US}} Fans of Insomniac Events called for a return to the past vibrant environment that the Nocturnal Festival once hailed. Insomniac believed Beyond Wonderland could provide this environment. With the success of Nocturnal Festival, Insomniac introduced the Wonderland series with Beyond Wonderland as its first expansion from the Nocturnal Festival, promising to "return to the amazing hues and vibrance of our original Wonderland event."{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=SN&threaded=1&hl=fr&v=r5-crcuRHRE|title=Beyond Wonderland 2010 Official Trailer|last=Events|first=Insomniac|website=YouTube |date=March 1, 2010|access-date=May 12, 2019}}

The festival features multiple stages of electronic dance music artists with such genres as: House, Trance, Dubstep, Drum and Bass, and Ambient. The festival has also been known for features such as a light maze, many modern art sculptures, and poi dancers. As the festival continues to grow, new interactive additions are added each year to help enhance the experience, such as various dancing characters and aesthetic decorations.

As Insomniac Events continued to grow, new art installations, characters, and themes that focused more on the Alice in Wonderland motif became the aesthetic for Beyond Wonderland. When Insomniac expanded Beyond Wonderland to include camping in 2015,{{Cite web|url=https://edmmaniac.com/beyond-wonderland-2015-camping/ |title=Don't Miss Out: Why You Need To Experience Camping at Beyond Wonderland 2015| date=February 26, 2015|access-date=May 12, 2019}} Beyond seemed to be a second wind for festival-goers who had experienced the Nocturnal Series in the Fall prior. However, when Beyond was moved from the San Manuel Amphitheater back to the NOS Center, it no longer offered camping.

The inaugural Beyond Wonderland was held at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, California on March 20, 2010 to a sold-out crowd.

Notable artists on the lineup included Sander van Doorn, Paul van Dyk, Groove Armada, Robbie Rivera, Caspa, Pendulum, and Wippenberg.

The second annual Beyond Wonderland was a great success, with another completely sold-out show at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, California.

Notable artists on the lineup included Calvin Harris, Dirty South, Dirtyphonics, Datsik, Infected Mushroom, Kaskade, Cosmic Gate, Noisia, and Showtek.

The first Beyond Wonderland to be held in the state of Washington took place at the WAMU Theatre.

Notable artists on the lineup included David Guetta, LMFAO, A-Trak, Datsik, Porter Robinson, and Gareth Emery. Beyond Wonderland marked Guetta's first appearance in Seattle.

The third annual Beyond Wonderland was a great success, with another completely sold-out show at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA with a special showing of A State Of Trance 550 with notable artists such as Armin van Buuren, Gareth Emery, Aly & Fila, Arty, Shogun, John O'Callaghan, Sied van Riel, and Fei Fei.

Other notable artists on the lineup throughout the festival included Dirty South, Hardwell, ATB, Magnetic Man, John Digweed, Netsky, Sidney Samson, and Steve Aoki.

This year marked the first year of Beyond Wonderland being expanded to Beyond Socal and Beyond Bay Area.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX_w8jiZGCA|title=Beyond Bay Area Announce Trailer 2012

|website=YouTube

|date=August 7, 2012|access-date=May 11, 2019}}

The first Beyond Wonderland to be held in Northern California was located at the O.co Coliseum parking lot in Oakland, CA. The lineup included artists such as Alesso, Sander Van Doorn, ATB, and Thomas Gold, amongst others.{{cite web|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/beyondBA2012/beyond-ba-2012-schedule.pdf?v=1}}

The fourth annual Beyond Wonderland Socal saw a change of scenery, moving from the NOS Events Center to the San Manuel Amphitheater.

Notable artists on the lineup throughout the festival included Afrojack, Arty, Dash Berlin, David Guetta, Markus Schulz, and Steve Angello.

The second Beyond Wonderland Bay Area was held in Northern California, this edition of Beyond Wonderland was held in Mountain View at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and was the first Beyond event to span two days. Roughly 40,000 fans attended the event for two days. Over 100 people were arrested, with people being charged with drug possession, drunkenness, illegal drug use, and furnishing.{{Cite news|url=http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/09/30/more-than-100-arrested-at-mountain-view-rave/|title=More Than 100 Arrested At Mountain View Rave|date=September 30, 2013}}

Notable artists on the lineup included David Guetta, Avicii, Zeds Dead, Gareth Emery, Hardwell, Dash Berlin, Tiesto, Calvin Harris, Benny Benassi, Carnage, and Datsik.{{cite web|url=http://beyondwonderland.com/docs/beyond-bay-2013-schedule.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007213719/http://beyondwonderland.com/docs/beyond-bay-2013-schedule.pdf|archive-date=2013-10-07}}

The third Beyond Wonderland Bay Area to be held in Northern California, this edition of Beyond Wonderland was again held in Mountain View at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and again spanned two days. More than sixty people were arrested due to noise complaints and drug possession.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/More-Than-60-People-Arrested-at-Beyond-Wonderland-Rave-Concert-in-Mountain-View-275965981.html|title=More Than 60 People Arrested at Beyond Wonderland Rave Concert in Mountain View|date=September 21, 2014}}

Over 60 acts were performing on this two-day festival at the San Manuel Amphitheater, which was visited by an estimated 70,000 fans.{{cite web|url = http://www.sbsun.com/arts-and-entertainment/20150322/best-and-worst-of-beyond-wonderland-2015|date = March 22, 2015|first = Wes|last = Woods|access-date = September 4, 2015|website = The Sun|title = Best and worst of Beyond Wonderland 2015}} The lineup featured artists such as [Benny Benassi], [John Digweed], and foreign acts as such as hardstyle duo D-Block and S-Te-Fan, or DBSTF. At this festival there were reports of a 22 year old man that died from a seizure.{{cite web|url = http://www.ocregister.com/articles/events-656029-death-san.html|date = March 28, 2015|access-date = September 4, 2015|title = UC Irvine student, 22, dies at music festival|last = Cuniff|first = Meghann M.|website = The Orange County Register}} Additionally, 300 people were arrested and 32 people were hospitalized.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sbsun.com/arts-and-entertainment/20150912/32-hospitalized-300-arrested-at-nocturnal-wonderland-in-devore|title=32 hospitalized, 300 arrested at Nocturnal Wonderland in Devore|last=Nelson|first=Joe|date=September 5, 2015|website=San Bernardino Sun|publisher=The Sun|access-date=March 20, 2016}}

This 5th anniversary of Beyond Wonderland Socal was the first year the festival offered camping options for the festival.{{Cite web|url=https://edmlife.com/insomniac-reveals-lineup-for-beyond-wonderland-socal-2015/|date=February 26, 2015|website=EDM Sauce|access-date=May 12, 2019|title=Insomniac Reveals Lineup for Beyond Wonderland SoCal 2015!}} With the success of camping options at Nocturnal Wonderland the year prior, Insomniac expanded the camping experience to Beyond Wonderland as well. The campground offered a new layer of festival-going that included day time activities before the festival began. Yoga, arts and crafts, and a silent disco were all different options for campers in this year of Beyond Wonderland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.insomniac.com/magazine/5-reasons-to-camp-at-beyond-wonderland-2015/|title=5 Reasons to Camp at Beyond Wonderland 2015| date=February 13, 2015|website=Insomniac Events|access-date=May 12, 2019}}

The fourth Beyond Wonderland Bay Area to be held in Northern California, this edition of Beyond Wonderland was again held in Mountain View at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and again spanned two days. The lineup included Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Loadstar, Knife Party, and Yellow Claw.{{cite web|title=Lineup|url=http://bayarea.beyondwonderland.com/experience/lineup/|access-date=28 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928230437/http://bayarea.beyondwonderland.com/experience/lineup/|archive-date=28 September 2015}}

The sixth Beyond Wonderland Socal was held at the Glen Helen Amphitheater—at the time the San Manuel Amphiteater.{{cite web|url=http://globaldanceelectronic.com/beyond-wonderland-2016/|title=BEYOND WONDERLAND'S 2016 LINEUP HAS FINALLY ARRIVED |date=Jan 19, 2016| access-date=May 12, 2019}} This year of Beyond Wonderland Socal offered a new type of format for music festivals, expanding into the various music label brands of Insomniac Events, specifically the Bassrush and Dreamstate brands. In this year of Beyond Socal, Insomniac created curated stages by the two brands to feature the various artists under each label.{{cite web|url=https://www.insomniac.com/news/beyond-wonderland-socal-2016-lineup-announced/|title=Beyond Wonderland SoCal 2016 Lineup Announced |date=Jan 19, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2019}} This year featured an expansion of the campgrounds that were introduced in the year prior, and featured interactive art and activities in a whole new light to expand on the Beyond experience.

The Beyond Wonderland Bay Area series was cancelled this year along with EDC Puerto Rico, in an effort to "focus on exploring new cities and enhancing the experience at some of our other festivals," as stated by founder Pasquale Rotella. This marked the last year of a Beyond Wonderland Socal and Bay Area.

The seventh Beyond Wonderland was again held at the Glen Helen Amphitheater. In this year of the Beyond series, Insomniac Events created the "Endless Sea," featuring an aquatic aesthetic throughout the festival.{{cite web|url=http://relentlessbeats.com/2017/04/beyond-wonderland-2017-the-endless-sea-recap/|title=Beyond Wonderland 2017: The Endless Sea Recap|last=Petriw|first=Nicole|date=April 14, 2017|access-date=May 12, 2019}} Expanding from the typical Alice in Wonderland aesthetic that had been seen in years prior, this year of Beyond showed an expansion of immersive experiences and interaction from performers and art pieces.

The eighth Beyond Wonderland saw a change of venue to one of its former venues, the NOS (National Orange Show) in San Bernardino. This year of Beyond featured acts such as Tiesto, Kayzo, and Chris Lake.{{cite web|url=https://edmidentity.com/2018/03/12/beyond-wonderland-socal-2018-essentials/

|title=BEYOND WONDERLAND SOCAL 2018 SET TIMES, FESTIVAL MAP, & MORE!|last=Gilmore|first=Grant|date=March 12, 2018|access-date=May 12, 2019}}

Because of the venue change, Beyond Wonderland no longer offered camping starting in 2018.

The ninth Beyond Socal was at the NOS Events Center.{{cite web|url=https://beyondwonderland.com/guide/hours-and-info/

|title=Hours and Info|access-date=May 12, 2019}} This year marked a good year in ticket sales for Beyond, with the first day selling out in less than 24 hours.{{cite web|url=https://edm.com/events/beyond-wonderland-2019-ticket-sales-records/ |title=BEYOND WONDERLAND 2019 BREAKS ALL-TIME TICKET SALES RECORDS|date=February 12, 2019|access-date=May 12, 2019}} This year featured a good amount of music surprises, such as Deadmau5, REZZ, and ZHU.{{cite web|url=https://electronicmidwest.com/news/lineup-announced-socals-beyond-wonderland-2019-festival/ |title=Lineup announced for SoCal's Beyond Wonderland 2019 festival|last=Otto|first=kent|date=January 7, 2019|access-date=May 12, 2019}} as well as a return to the classic Alice in Wonderland aesthetic that characterized the Beyond series.

The debut of Beyond Wonderland at The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington. This year of Beyond featured acts such as Alison Wonderland, Dr. Fresch, The Chainsmokers, Alan Walker, and Wax Motif. Because of Covid-19 proof of vaccination or a negative test was required for entry. The festival's debut at The Gorge came after the cancellation of Paradiso Festival, another EDM festival held at the amphitheatre which was co-promoted by Insomniac with USC Events.{{cite web|url=https://nightlife360.com/2020/02/03/insomniac-sues-usc-events-over-mishandling-of-funds-during-paradiso-festival-2019/|title=Insomniac Sues USC Events Over Mishandling of Funds During Paradiso Festival 2019|website=Nightlife 360|date=February 3, 2020|access-date=February 16, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/after-paradiso-turmoil-new-beyond-wonderland-festival-reveals-gorge-lineup/|title=After Paradiso turmoil, new Beyond Wonderland festival reveals Gorge lineup|last=Rietmulder|website=The Seattle Times|first=Michael|date=March 3, 2020|access-date=February 16, 2022}}

The 11th Beyond Wonderland was held at NOS Events Center

Second appearance of Beyond Wonderland at The Gorge Amphitheatre.

Originally the show was scheduled for June 17 and 18, but due to a mass shooting that occurred outside The Gorge Amphitheatre on June 17, the June 18 show was canceled.{{cite web|last=Willman|first=Chris|title=Two Dead, Three Injured as Shooter Opens Fire Outside Washington's Gorge; Day 2 of EDM Festival Canceled|url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/gorge-gunshot-victims-beyond-wonderland-edm-festival-suspect-washington-1235647839/|website=Variety|date=June 17, 2023|access-date=June 18, 2023}}

The 12th Beyond Wonderland was held at NOS Events Center.{{Cite web |title=Hours & Info – Beyond Wonderland SoCal 2024 |url=https://socal.beyondwonderland.com/guide/hours-and-info/ |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=socal.beyondwonderland.com |language=en-US}} 2024 was a good year for ticket sales, which were sold out in about 2 weeks. Big artists, such as Subtronics, Sullivan King, Slander, Dabin, and Chainsmokers appeared at the event. Overcrowding at the venue was a major problem with about 1500 people coming over the fence into the venue. Walking around felt as if there was little space and no open areas. Despite the overcrowding, attendees stated the vibes, including the Alice in Wonderland ambience, and production met event standards.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-12 |title=Beyond Wonderland SoCal 2024 Set Times and Essential Info {{!}} EDM Identity |url=https://edmidentity.com/2024/03/12/beyond-wonderland-socal-2024-essential-info/ |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=edmidentity.com |language=en-US}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Beyond Wonderland}}

• [http://www.beyondwonderland.com Official festival website]
• [http://www.insomniacevents.com Insomniac Events]
• [http://simfonik.com/tag/insomniac/ DJ Mixes From Insomniac Events]

{{Insomniac Events Concerts and Festivals}}

Category:Music festivals established in 2010

Category:Dance in California

Category:Music festivals in California

Category:Music festivals in Washington (state)

Category:2010 establishments in California

Category:Electronic music festivals in the United States