This past weekend, thousands of party-goers took over the resort desert city of Palm Springs to partake in the last Splash House of the summer. Held over two-days and spanning three different resort hotels, Splash House has grown to become one of the best pool party destinations in the country. The multi-venue pool party/music festival hybrid is known to bring the best in house and techno as well as having unique experiences not found anywhere else. From balcony decoration contests, dancing alongside World War II aircraft, to DJs freely walking around the venues ready to party with guests, Splash House definitely stands out as an unmatched scene amongst its peers.
Photo: Gina Joy.
The festivities began Friday night at the Palm Springs Air Museum and set the tone for the weekend. Known as the After Hours events, the underground rave scene comes alive as revelers dance the night away under a massive hangar housing combat aircraft from the bygone eras of warfare. Here, you come face-to-face with the museum's Flying Collection while sippin' on vodka tonics and groovin' to the beats of The Black Madonna, Goddollars & Paradise, and Monsieur Frazier and Jordan V. On Saturday, the techno and house continued with Fisher, Mija, Noizu, Troy Kurtz, and BANTER.
Photo: Gina Joy.
Daytime temperatures hovered around 106 degrees Fahrenheit, but that did not slow down any of the attendees who found themselves hopping around the city to the three different venues that hosted Splash House. While only a mile or so apart, guests had access to free shuttles that would transport them to and from the resort hotels all day. Those hotels (The Rennaissance, The Riviera, and The Saguaro Hotels) were the epicenter of the weekend.
Photo: Gina Joy.
The Renaissance, one of the nicer resorts in the city, greeted fans with open arms as the largest pool complex in Palm Springs presented some of the best artists on the lineup. Saturday saw performances by Walker & Royce (minus one member), Louis The Child, Joe Kay, Strange Club, Rambo, Monoky and Lindsay Rose. Access was denied to many patrons on Saturday evening (INCLUDING MEDIA ACCESS) due to the pool area hitting capacity. On Sunday, The Rennaissance was home to Gorgon City, Camelphat (both standouts of the weekend), Latmun, Detlef and Max Chapman.
Louis The Child performing at The Renaissance. Photo: Miranda McDonald.
The kitschy, colorful Saguaro Hotel was another setting for music, bathing, sun, and fun. Balconies surround the entire pool complex at The Saguaro, allowing hotel guests to let their creativity run wild and decorate their terraces with some of the wildest, kookiest and funniest pop culture related references. Those posters and banners adorning the iron fences made for the perfect backdrop as artists like Cut Snake, Hannah Wants, Eli Brown, Dateless, and BONES took to the stage on Saturday. Saturday saw tech house favorites Will Clarke, Dombresky, Kyle Watson, and MK, among others.
Will Clarke at The Saguaro. Photo: Jesse Fulton.
Some of the many decorated balconies surrounding the pool at The Saguaro. Photo: Gina Joy.
The Riviera, with its vibrant, chic and retro mid-century vibes, continued the tradition that Splash House has established. Saturday's performers included Win and Woo, Gryffin, Fakear, and Lady Ocean. On Sunday, fans danced along to the beats of Wheathan, Droeloe, Starfari, and special guest Fisher.
Starfari takes the stage at The Riviera. Photo: Gina Joy.
If pool party vibes and great house and techno beats are what you desire, then Splash House Palm Springs should definitely be on your bucket list. Not only is the festival set in one of the most picturesque resort cities in the nation, but its multi-venue approach (alongside free shuttles) give you a unique experience found nowhere else. The After Hours event is a stand-out of Splash House and could stand on its own—where else can you enjoy underground rave vibes while historic World War II airplanes cradle the dancefloor?
photo: Michael Drummond.
Splash House Palm Springs is held twice every summer. Go to SplashHouse.com for info on 2019 dates, tickets and hotel packages.
