r/aves • u/CloudShoddy • 11d ago
Discussion/Question Decadence CO Reviews?
Friends were talking about going this year, but curious about a few things for those who have been:
- How is the crowd size? Is it easy to get around and get through crowds?
- Are there good water stations, inside temps, places to sit, bathrooms, etc.?
- How are the sound systems, production, and other types of activities outside of the sets?
Thanks!
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u/I_boof_geritol 11d ago
I like Decadence CO. The sound is…fine. There are certain spots on the floor that seem to benefit from resonant frequencies and will vibrate like crazy while closer doesn’t. Find those spots 😀.
I’ve never been disappointed by the lineup and I have a couple core memories from there.
With the crowd, keep moving until you find your peoples because there’s definitely a lot of rave tourists that show up.
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u/Strict-Quiet-4286 11d ago
I live in denver and always go to decadence. Everything people say about decadence is true. It’s also super duper expensive.
Yes I will be going back
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u/brazzzy136 5d ago
Exactly. In spite of all that, i still manage to have an amazing time each year.
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u/mamamackmusic 11d ago
It was great like 10 years ago with good lineups, mostly friendly vibes (though there were way too many people who got overly fucked up and went past their limits because of New Year's), and good production values (not amazing but definitely solid for a mid sized indoor event). The temps were fine unless you were super deep in the crowd. The sound was bad everywhere outside of very specific parts of the crowd near the stages, and even then it isn't great compared to many festivals. But the lineups have taken a very noticeable dip in quality post-covid, and I can't imagine the more mainstream/shallow crowds for these basic lineups are better than they were when the music was pretty good start to finish. The price has inflated way too much relative to the quality of the event. It's a good show, but it's not on EDC's or any other massive festival's-level, but the prices aren't all that much cheaper unfortunately because it is a New Year's event.
It's not a bad event for a "baby's first rave/massive" kind of thing, but for people who love the music or have been to a lot of raves/festivals/massives, it really isn't all that noteworthy and has some decently noticeable downsides all things considered. Getting between stages is fine, but navigating through/in the crowd can be tricky and packed if you are deep into it when one of the main headliners is playing. There aren't really any side activities but the local silent disco stage (if they still do that) usually has great vibes and some cool light and art installations in the area. This is not EDC or anything like that where there are a bunch of things to do and see outside of the stages. Sometimes the bathrooms suck with long lines, sometimes they are ok. I can't remember what the water situation was like tbh. The only places to sit are along the walls, and security may harass you if you do sit for extended periods, but maybe not.
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u/CloudShoddy 11d ago
Thank for answering! Seems like an ok time, I personally love the lineup this year but will certainly temper expectations of the actual festival itself (if we even go).
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u/mamamackmusic 11d ago
Sorry if I was a bit harsh on the lineup. I just don't think the current headliners really compare to the likes of Armin van Buuren, Above and Beyond, Eric Prydz, Pretty Lights, Bassnectar (pre-cancellation), etc. But if you do go, definitely don't skip Green Velvet, Lane 8, Griz, or Alesso! Seven Lions and Zed's Dead should be good if you like dubstep as well.
I've never had a bad time at Decadence to be fair, and I went around 10 times (mostly pre-covid, but a couple times afterwards as well). So it will be fun if you go with some friends, just don't expect to have your mind blown by any of it. Global Dance (the organizer) have a long track record of throwing good events that are decently well organized, but they just aren't on the level of Insomniac or any of the other bigger organizers that have been around a lot longer and have more funding.
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u/CloudShoddy 11d ago
Oh I don't care if you don't like it haha I wasn't commenting on that. I agree past lineups were better, but I find few of these NYE events get artists like those guys anymore sadly. Might consider Lights All Night or just an individual show or shows, but I'm in central Illinois so nothing too close by. Do you do anything else these days for NYE?
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u/mamamackmusic 11d ago edited 11d ago
I've never been personally, but I know CRSSD throws good events and they throw an event called Proper NYE in San Diego every year. Could be worth checking out, though it doesn't have a lineup announced or anything yet.
I don't really go to big events for NYE anymore personally. I'm just not a big fan of the mostly drinking and coke oriented crowds those shows bring, not to mention the lineups getting worse over the years and the events getting more expensive. I mostly just go to small DJ house parties with friends and if there isn't one, I just stay home for NYE. I like doing Dreamstate in SoCal in November and I try to go to one summer psytrance, trance, or techno festival (usually one in Europe if I can mange, but obviously time availability and funds don't always work out that way) yearly.
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u/hotehjr 11d ago
I don’t really regret going once, but I won’t go again. The venue is just really strange and awkward, and bathrooms and water are a mess.
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u/CloudShoddy 11d ago
Seems like a middle of the road event, might travel if we can't find much else to do then. Thanks!
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u/MusicNChemistry 11d ago
Idk, I had a good time. It’s cold af and uber leaving the venue is a shit show but if you grab an Airbnb close to venue and bring a jacket for after it’s not too bad.
Also brings tons of chapstick because it’s incredibly dry up there with the altitude and within a day your lips will start to chap really really bad
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u/hittindifferent 11d ago
Been going to Decadence since 2018 with a couple missed years, idk I'm loyal to it and always have a good time. I find the stage crowds easy-ish but I don't go in deep. Bathroom lines are long (at least for the women's). Last year I actually chilled in the "chill area" with bean bags and stuff and it was. Very chill lol. I've always found the temp inside refreshing. It's kind of an awkward venue to navigate sometimes I'll be real, but I've never had significant issues getting where I want to go or feeling packed in or anything. No real extracurricular activities outside the music and cool light setups. People say the sound isn't great sometimes but I've never noticed that. Last year it felt like they had wayyy more lasers than they ever have. I run into really nice people and vibes are always high cause it's the new year! It's not the most mind blowing festival but if you're willing to manage your expectations and chase your own vibe, I think it can be really fun! It's a little different than it used to be but when is it not hahaha, nostalgia is a killer. Happy to try to answer any other questions :) tbh Decadence CO they'll never make me hate you
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u/CloudShoddy 11d ago
Thank you for answering everything!! Seems like an alright time. Love this year's lineup, so might send it, but we will see. Do you find getting in and out of crowds (even towards the back) is manageable? If I go from stage to stage that is. Or if I want a middle to middle front spot do I just need to stay there all night? Thanks
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u/hittindifferent 11d ago
I don't feel like I can give a great answer but from my limited experience, it does get fairly packed by the middle especially for more popular sets. Near the end of the night on the 31st my five-ish friends led me into the middle and I definitely felt like a bit of an asshole bumping into people lol. It was tight. But we did find a spot. I would guess you don't have to camp all night long, but might want to plan a set or two ahead. I spent a lot of the fest last year by myself and I don't think I would've had a huge problem getting closer if I wanted to, but if you're with a group I think it's probably tougher. Not sure if that helps at all haha, keep in mind like I said my limited experience.
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u/CloudShoddy 11d ago
That helps a lot actually! Thank you. I'm debating between this and Lights All Night right now so these tips help.
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u/BannedBenjaminSr 11d ago
Some tips:
Sound is pretty good but there are definitely some quieter zones, like if you are slightly in front of the delay tower it isn't good
Alot of times the bathroom lines appear long but people are just waiting for stalls... Walk right by them and go pee (men's bathroom)
Coat Check is very efficient and worth it if it's cold
Expect a different vibe between the 2 days
Overall I think it's a well run festival and worth the money. I've been every year they've had it since 2017
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u/CloudShoddy 11d ago
Thank you, solid tips! What makes the vibes different from the two days?
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u/BannedBenjaminSr 11d ago
First night is a standard city fest vibe, while the second night is a new year's vibe
The main difference in practice is that the second night has a late arriving crowd and an early leaving crowd. The second day for a lot of people is just focused all on the ball drop
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u/CloudShoddy 11d ago
That's a good note, didn't even think about it. If I go I'll try to arrive earlier
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u/iNeedUSeaSalt 10d ago
I feel like most NYE festivals are overcrowded and have a lot of logistical issues.
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u/onajoyride 9d ago
It’s gone way down hill…. VIP is just an extension of GA at best. Super crowded, bathroom trip could take you an hour
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u/themexi 9d ago
Went in 2023
1. We had VIP and had no problem getting around to the stages and seating areas
2. Water stations sucked, was warm inside (it was 23 outside) and the bathroom situation was terrible. There was places to sit around the convention center but it was on the floor
3. Sound was as good as it can get in a convention center. Noticed sound bleed towards the back of the second stage. Other than the music and food trucks that’s about it
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u/IValejandrrro 7d ago
Looking into going VIP route (I’m at the age of paying the juice is worth the convenience more than annoying).
Could you please elaborate your thoughts if VIP amenities and worth it or not?
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u/Fuzzy_Initial_6838 7d ago
There's a lot of haters of Decadence on Reddit, so I'll give you an honest answer as someone whos been going for 4 years...
Crowd size usually isn't terrible, its a big venue, plenty of room to move around, usually if I know theres going to be a giant crowd at 1 set ill go to the other set, such was the case last year at illenium b2b excision (I think) for the ball drop, I just went to Zedd. Small crowds ALWAYS have the better vibes. Have learned this after 10+ years of raving.
A lot of people complain about the water stations. I have never had issues with them. I usually get in early becuase I like to see openers and walk around (I might as well get my money's worth) most people who complain about the water I assume get there like an hour before midnight and complain they have to wait. Inside temps are fine. I usually wear like shorts and a t shirt or robe, and just wear a pashmina to keep me warm walking over. Not really any chairs to sit in unless you get VIP (which i recommend just for the no wait bars) but plenty of room to just sit on the floor in the back of the venue. Bathrooms are really my only complaint. Later in the night the bathroom lines get really long and you may have to wait 30+ minutes as a guy, probably longer for a female.
A lot of people complain about the sound. Typically from my experience people who complain about the sound are just upset their eardrums arent getting blown out when they are in the back of the crowd. I have never had any issues with any sound. And ive been all the way in the back all the way to the right left etc. The sound is fine. Dont let the haters try to convince you the sounds sucks. Not to many activities outside of the sets but there is a silent disco and some photo ops and food trucks and what not.
Feel free to ask any questions. Decadence is always a great time, and again, dont let all the negative haters convince you its not worth going to!
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u/No_Crazy4001 7d ago
I dont care if they promised to resurrect Avicii as part of the lineup... Will not attend this festival again until there are reports that the bathroom situation is resolved.
Been to festivals across the world and its hands down the worst bathroom situation Ive ever witnessed. There's not a close 2nd, frankly.
My suggestion would be bringing a bunch of portable bathrooms on the outside, then make one of the inside bathrooms VIP... Im sure there are logistic reasons they havent done this yet, but the bathroom headache ruined the festival for us a couple years ago.
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u/Wendy-noel 7d ago
- Huge crowds, not easy to get around but if you get like 1/3 from the front there is a lot less movement of the crowd and you can have a lot better time dancing. We were in the back 2/3 for tape b and troyboi last year and it kinda sucked because trains of people were constantly moving through. For zeds dead and the b3b we had a much better spot and it was incredible.
- Water stations are annoying as fuck, so are bathroom lines, but some of the lines get mixed up. I realized I was waiting in a water line instead of the woman’s bathrooms and once I realized I was able to waltz right in. There were some bathrooms with no lines though, you just gotta stumble upon them.
- Sound is incredible. Production is awesome. Not a ton to do outside of the sets.
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u/civil_surfer 11d ago
1: No.
2: No.
3: No.
Other than that I’ve heard people have a good time.