Imagine Music Festival, one of the largest independent music festivals in the United States, returned to Georgia’s Atlanta Motor Speedway, September 22nd-24th to give over 30,000 music-lovers and fun-seekers an experience they will never forget.
Founded by IRIS Presents, Inc. in 2013, the festival continues to thrive and attract a dedicated fan base. Musicians, artists, performers, and merchants came together to form a festival themed around fire and water, with main stages Oceania, Disco Inferno, and Amazonia. Giant jellyfish floated through the air rippling as if they drifted along an ocean current. Mermaids walked the Earth, towering 10-feet tall, high above the heads of the crowd. Fire spinners put on flaming displays of spinning light that illuminated the grounds. This dichotomy created an atmosphere of balance and beauty.
Nore En Pure at Disco Inferno, Photo by Victor Tranfield (continue below)
The production alone was worthy of mention and the performances by a diverse group of electronic and instrumental musicians was not to be overlooked. Imagine boasted a plethora of headliners such as Above & Beyond, Tiësto, Pretty Lights, Big Gigantic, Illenium, and many more. The crowd was surprised by unique sounds and unreleased tracks. Illenium wowed the crowd with a taste of his unreleased collaboration with Kill The Noise and tracks off his newest album, Awake. The Floozies played a newly released remix with Kendrick Lamar. The list goes on.
All of the feels at Illenium at Imagine 2017, Photo by Victor Tranfield (continue below)
Imagine Music Festival kicked off just 12 days after Hurricane Irma struck the coast of Florida as a Category 4 storm, knocking out power to more than 12 million people in Florida. The destruction spanned from the Caribbean through the southeastern US, affecting millions and nearly every patron and participant at the festival. This however, did not stop Imagine Music Festival or its fans. Imagine was able to help provide support to the response and recovery efforts in communities devastated by this disaster by partnering with the American Red Cross with a donation campaign.
The Imagine Music Festival community is filled with a brilliant variety of freaks, geeks, nerds, and weirdos who all bring something special to the event. Running into long lost friends or brand new ones is not just possible, it is inevitable. The community buzzes with a sense of care and love. Stop and chat with an artist, dance with a performer, hangout with your favorite musician; it’s all possible with a sense of confidence, friendship, and a can-do attitude. It is this collective joy and compassion from one another that helps catapult the crowds of music lovers into a beautiful world of life, love, and music where all cares are easily forgotten.
In light of the recent darkness, patrons of Imagine Music Festival came together for a weekend of fun, love, laughter, and music. Another successful year for the Imagine team and another great experience for all those involved.
Stay tuned for additional Imagine coverage, detailing the experience of the Disco Inferno Stage, with commentary from Incendia owners Cory and Tyler Glenn. Scroll below the editor’s note for photos from Imagine.
Editor’s Note: Imagine Music Festival and its surrounding areas were directly affected by Hurricane Irma in the weeks leading up to Imagine. However, during the festival weekend, Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria, the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Puerto Rico since 1928. 3.4 million US Citizens were left without power and water, and limited access to food, gasoline, and other basic life necessities. It will take months to rebuild after the damage of Hurricane Maria. If you are interested in contributing to the relief effort in Puerto Rico, check this list of trusted organizations offering aid to Puerto Rico.
Imagine Music Festival 2017 Day 1 Photos
