Hidden City Music Festival: A Return to Cayce

CAYCE, SC — The Midlands’ first electronic music festival, the Hidden City Music Festival, is gearing up for an exciting comeback at the Historic Cayce Speedway. Scheduled for two nights in April—April 17 and 18—the festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of electronic dance music (EDM) even amidst the challenges of local regulations.

A Nightly Party Ending Early

While the festival aims to create an unforgettable atmosphere, attendees should be prepared for the enforced early end at 10 p.m. This limitation comes after Cayce Town Council’s recent denial of requests for an extended noise ordinance and a fireworks permit for the event. Councilman Byron Thomas highlighted community concerns, saying, “A lot of dogs, a lot of veterans in the area do complain about the noise,” during a March meeting.

Despite the setback, festival organizers are determined to make a significant impact this year. Joseph McDougall, who joined the festival last year, stated, “We’ve decided to come back as big and bad as possible to really state we’re here.”

Festival Expansion and Afterparties

Expect a revamped experience this year. Not only will the festival span two days, but official afterparties will also extend the celebration beyond 10 p.m. Locations for these will be announced soon on the festival’s website, hiddencitymusicfestival.com.

Attendees can look forward to a lineup featuring both national and local DJs, designed to bolster the local EDM culture in South Carolina. McDougall emphasized that Hidden City aims to establish a space for EDM fans, attracting attendees from diverse locations, including as far away as Spain and Alaska.

“South Carolina does have quite a vibrant electronic community that’s continuing to grow,” he shared. He noted that the majority of ticket buyers hail from within a two-hour drive of Columbia.

Navigating Community Concerns

The relationship between the festival and the town of Cayce isn’t without its challenges. This comes four years after Hidden City faced fines for exceeding music volume limits. The council had granted three previous extensions to the noise ordinance, signaling a complex history between the event and community regulations.

McDougall acknowledged the importance of community feedback, stating, “We love everybody in Cayce, we were going to respect everything that they tell us.” The history hasn’t been lost on local leaders either; Cayce Mayor Elise Partin noted the ongoing noise complaints from nearby residents.

With that in mind, Hidden City organizers are making practical adjustments. For example, the stage will be shifted “about 10 degrees” to better direct sound towards industrial land, minimizing disruption to residential areas.

Ensuring a Safe Environment

In collaboration with local law enforcement, the festival is taking measures to ensure safety and accommodation for all. Assistant Police Chief Jonathan E. von Moltke reassured the community, saying, “We want people to go out there and have a good time. We want to make sure that we’re being courteous to everybody around the event.”

This year, the police presence will be robust, with plans for 20 officers on site Friday and 25 on Saturday.

Who’s Taking the Stage?

Hidden City Music Festival will feature a stellar lineup, expanding opportunities for artists and audiences alike. McDougall mentioned that they’ve significantly increased the artist budget to attract top-tier talents, asserting that Columbia lacks a premier EDM event despite its growing youth demographic.

Friday’s lineup promises a range of EDM genres, including renowned names, while Saturday will feature acts like:

• Zeds Dead: This Canadian duo is known for their captivating electronic/dance music.
• Malaa’s Alter Ego: An anonymous French DJ set to debut a new persona.
• YDG: A California DJ celebrated for his heavy bass and trap influences.
• Wreckno: A multifaceted DJ who amplifies queer identity through music.
• Cannabliss: A Toronto DJ known for experimental and future bass sounds.

In addition to these performances, the festival will host two designated areas for local talent. The Grotto will feature regional DJs, while the Silent Disco offers a unique listening experience with three DJs spinning simultaneously, allowing attendees to choose their vibe.

Ticket Information

Tickets are currently available, with pricing set at $90 for general admission on Friday and $95 for Saturday. VIP and additional options are also offered, which can be explored on the festival’s site.

The Hidden City Music Festival is aiming to make its mark as a notable event in the Columbia music scene, declaring its steadfast intent to foster a thriving EDM community in South Carolina.