Desert Air Festival Makes Smooth Landing After Years-Long Hiatus

Acting as a spin-off of the popular after-hours Splash House events, Desert Air Festival was rebooted this past weekend after a three-year hiatus.

The two-day festival was held at the Palm Springs Air Museum and immersed guests into an electronica-fueled spectacle surrounded by aircraft of a bygone era. This year, the not-so-traditional venue was split in two: an outdoor airfield-adjacent dance floor known as The Terminal, and an indoor bass-thumping clubland known as The Hangar. 

Tyler Borchardt

Produced by Goldenvoice, the aviation-themed event leaned heavily on its setting. As guests entered the museum, a row of World War II airplanes were on display, ready for those Ista-worthy photo ops. Furthering the immersion, bartenders and other event employees donned flight attendant gear as they aided the needs of the attendees. 

The skies above also played a major role in engaging guests, as one of the Palm Springs International Airport runways abutted the festival grounds. Throughout the night, attendees were treated to passenger airlines taking off and landing on the runway, adding to the immersion as they danced their cares away.

Tim Hans

The collection of artists who performed at this year's Desert Air was a more eclectic showcase than the previous iteration. With a strong lean on Gen Z aficionados, the festival diversified its roster with new faces mixed in with electronic veterans. 

Notable acts from Friday include COBRAH, Shygirl, VTSS, Kaytranada, and the special Club Heat presentation by Tove Lo and SG Lewis. 

Tyler Borchardt

On Saturday, the night started strong with performances by Pretty Girl, Kelly Lee Owens, and Mall Grab. As the evening came to a close, Sammy Virji, Avalon Emerson, Jamie XX, and Ketboi69 all contributed to a proper sendoff. 

Ultimately, Desert Air Festival fulfilled its purpose of reviving its brand after its 2021 debut. The festival's partnership with the Palm Springs Air Museum remains its strongest point, creating a unique space for music lovers seeking immersive experiences. Here's to hoping we take to the skies again in 2025. 

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