It seems like it was just yesterday when we entered the realms of 2022, after experiencing the two most uncertain years we could have imagined. And in one week, we’ll have to say goodbye to the past year and greet the new year at Dallas’ most coveted New Year’s Eve festival, Lights All Night! Featuring names such as Zeds Dead, John Summit, Excision, and Porter Robinson, and larger-than-life art installations, there is no doubt that the festival will be an experience like no other. However, what makes Lights All Night stand out is the variety and caliber of local artists and concepts representing Dallas itself!
The Dallas area is fortunate to have an abundance of talented individuals that span various genres. Whether you like trap, house, dubstep, or even some of those weird noises you cannot describe, the local scene has something for everyone. These are just a few of the finest local artists that are bringing their own unique style to the ultimate Texas-style NYE party!
Baelien
Infusing deep alien frequencies and spiritual journeys into one, it is no surprise that Amanda Luznar, aka. Baelien has made a name for herself throughout the DFW region! Her support has included Minnesota’s Break The Mold tour in Houston and Freaky Deaky last year, as well as many other local Disco Donnie and Prickley Pete events. As this is her first Lights All Night, she is extremely excited to show off her musical abilities with the finest vibrations one could ever hear!
“It is always such a pleasure to work with the Disco Donnie team and watch their amazing concepts come to life!” she says. “It was something I really wanted to do, set a plan to achieve, and to now see that dream manifest is truly a wonderful blessing. I am looking forward to sharing this night with my husband and friends and enjoying what Disco Donnie brings to Lights All Night. With intense heavy drops, melodic world bass, and samples from many different genres, my sets are always different and will take you on a journey straight to space!”
Baelien will perform at The Watering Hole at 8 PM on Day 1.
Cookie Doe
As a tech and bass house master, Cookie Doe has been making groovy waves across Dallas dance floors! His sound is timeless and eclectic, with experiences that include playing festivals all the way up in Canada and opening for artists such as Nitti Gritti and Wax Motif. As for his performance at this year’s Lights All Night, he is looking forward to the inspiration that will accompany him throughout the weekend.
“Nothing compares to being surrounded by so many friends at your hometown festival while watching world-class talent perform – I don’t think that magic will ever fade for me,” he says. “My set will feature a lot of unreleased music from myself and other talented up-and-coming artists from all over the world, so everyone can expect to hear things they’ve never heard before. It will be a mixture of a forward-thinking groovy tech house with disco and jazz influences, as well as some dark, driving, ethereal bass house. We’re going to go on a journey and get the dance floor nice and warmed up!”
Cookie Doe will perform at The Lonestar at 6 PM on Day 2.
JFrank
Throughout the southern and midwestern United States, Justin Franklin, aka JFrank, has been making waves. His trademark blend of melodic dubstep, trap, and future bass has captivated dance floors as far away as Iowa, Missouri, and even on the Dubbi stage at this year’s Ubbi Dubbi Festival! As he has spent time at ICON Collective honing his skills even further, he is now ready to showcase all he has become at this year’s Lights All Night.
“It’s surreal to say that the first time I experience this festival will be as a performing artist,” he says. “I got a lot planned for this set, from unreleased music, new edits, mashup – the whole nine yards. I plan to take everyone through a journey of melodic bass, trap, some DnB, and more are all on the table!”
JFrank will perform at The Watering Hole at 1 AM on Day 2.
Pass The 40
Over the past ten years, Pass The 40 has established himself as a mainstay in the Dallas electronic dance music scene. Whether it’s at It’ll Do or a festival ground, any crowd will be dancing all night long to the DJ/producer’s trademark beats. David has been blessed to perform at various Disco Donnie events throughout the years, including the inaugural Ubbi Dubbi Festival in 2019! And according to the 40 himself, he plans to make Lights All Night a certified good time this year.
“My friends and I endearingly refer to Lights All Night as ‘Homie Fest’, because all of our friends are typically there each year, and it’s always such a squad event for us,” David says. “One memory that always stands out is when I met Wongo a few years back! He had recently signed a track of mine to his label Box of Cats, and it was my first time meeting him in person. I remember him being so down to earth and being a good guy, and we have been buddies ever since!”
Pass The 40 will perform at the Disco Rodeo on Day 1 at 6 PM. Go to the Disco Rodeo for some energetic drum-heavy groovers, a few unreleased tunes, and of course, a splash of disco!
Tension
Lonnie Wright, aka. Tension has already established himself within the Texas dance community, with sensational performances at Ubbi Dubbi in 2021, Freaky Deaky back in 2021, as well as direct support for names like Midnight Tyrannosaurus and Hekler. This year is Lonnie’s first time playing Lights All Night in his hometown, as it is one of the only big festivals he hasn’t played yet.
“With only two years under my belt, I can’t believe I’m already closing a festival stage,” Lonnie says. “This opportunity to perform this year has actually made me realize that I am capable of setting a goal, putting 100% focus into it, and working diligently to achieve it. I want to make new memories all across the US – not just in my hometown of Dallas.”
Tension will close the Waterhole stage on Day 1. His performance will feature mostly dubstep, hip-hop, hard trap, drum & bass, with some funny edits thrown in for good measure.
Vanilla Guerillaz
It is amazing how much traction Nick Perlmutter and Alex Bailey, aka Vanilla Guerillaz, have gained in not just Texas, but across the country. They have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some of bass music’s most influential local artists, including Megalodon, YAKZ, Rico Act, DirtySnatcha, Jessica Audiffred, and more! The duo claims that Lights All Night is not only an important component of Dallas nightlife but also a source of great pride for the community.
“You could compare it almost to a check of approval,” they say. “There will be a lot of unreleased heavy hitting bass, with a few of everyone’s favorite genres thrown in – think of it more so as ‘pop riddim’.”
Vanilla Guerillaz will perform at the Watering Hole on Day 2.
The Watering Hole is the 4th stage at this year’s Lights All Night, which features the most talented Dallas-based local artists one could ever listen to. Check out their schedule below to support your locals!
Tickets for Lights All Night remain available, but there are still very few left. You can buy them here.
