In May, Washington, D.C. welcomed back its vibrant dance music festival, Project Glow, for an exhilarating fifth edition. This festival is a dazzling showcase of musical diversity, presenting a spectrum of genres and styles from renowned EDM stars and emerging talents. It features a thoughtfully designed layout with three stages, allowing festival-goers to explore various performances without the hassle of conflicting set times. Attendees enjoyed perfect weather, with clear skies and comfortable temperatures, making for an unforgettable experience.
Notable Acts – Saturday
Dimension kicked off the festivities on Saturday with an electrifying set that resonated through the bass-focused Pulse Stage. His high-energy DNB records and remixes captivated the audience, setting a dynamic tone for the weekend. Following him, Ray Volpe intensified the vibe with a heavy dubstep performance that left the crowd headbanging and energized.
Meanwhile, on the Eternal Stage, Sara Landry showcased her mastery of hard techno, affirming her reputation as the high priestess of the genre. The day also featured an incredible B2B set from Lebanese duo Nicole Moudaber and ChaseWest at the Secret Garden, captivating attendees with their joyously diverse tech house. Closing out the night was Eric Prydz, whose set was packed with exciting IDs (as always) and a stunning mashup of M83’s ‘Midnight City’ and The Temper Trap’s ‘Sweet Disposition.’
A noteworthy mention goes to Home By Dawn, the Discovery Project winner handpicked by Gryffin to open the festival’s main stage. His modern take on festival-progressive music promises to capture more attention moving forward.
Notable Acts – Sunday
Sunday at Project Glow witnessed a vibrant atmosphere as Ninajirachi drew a massive crowd, her main-stage energy palpable. Engaging the audience, she encouraged them to sing along to her hit ‘iPod Touch.’ Later, she returned to the stage with Porter Robinson to debut their exciting collaboration, ‘WannaCry,’ first played at Coachella.
The Pulse Stage buzzed with the anticipation of house music, featuring energetic sets from twin sisters Coco & Breezy and a riveting B2B experience from Discip and Roddy Lima. Max Styler elevated the energy with his unique style, leading into standout performances from LP Giobbi, Cloonee, and an electrifying closing set by Mau P.
As the sun began to set, Gryffin provided a heartwarming melodic performance, followed by Porter Robinson, whose distinctive DJ set tugged at the emotional strings of fans. This reflective vibe soon transformed as Excision B2B Sullivan King took the stage for an intense closing set, delivering a heart-pounding dubstep finale—perfect for those wishing to unleash their last bursts of energy for the weekend.
Logistics and Considerations
Attendees benefited from the convenience of D.C.’s metro, which provided an easy commute to and from the festival, with trains becoming increasingly lively as they approached the venue. For those driving, options like onsite parking and rideshare pick-up/drop-off were also available. Despite the festival’s compact grounds, the layout ensured easy navigation, allowing festival-goers to traverse the site with minimal hassle.
Project Glow features a smaller production than some of Insomniac’s larger events, but the immersive atmosphere created by the sets is undeniably satisfying, especially when fans are deep within the crowd. The festival’s relaxed policy on totems ensured a colorful array of signs, placards, and creative expressions dotted the audience, adding to the festive atmosphere. While some attendees faced inconsistent phone service, making it a tad tricky to connect with friends, it was advisable to establish specific meeting points near prominent tents or eye-catching installations once inside the festival grounds.
Since its inception in 2022, Project Glow has consistently enhanced its offerings, growing year after year into a fun, intimate festival with minimal logistical issues, making it an attractive weekend getaway. The festival is already set to return to Washington D.C. on June 5-6, 2027, with GA, GA+, and VIP tickets available for purchase and layaway through the official website.
