7 Must-See Acts at Hulaween 2023

Headed to Hulaween 2023? Add these seven performances to your schedule ASAP.

Hulaween truly is one of the most magical music and arts festivals in the US. There’s just something about the mystifying essence of Suwannee that can’t keep us away. After all, it’s hosted at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park for a reason! In addition to being held at one of the most beautiful campgrounds on the East Coast, Hulaween routinely enlists some of the most widely-regarded acts in dance music and beyond at its yearly Halloween celebration. 

This year, the festival won’t fall short of its legacy. In fact, Hulaween 2023 will only amplify the special space it has carved out in our music scene. The culture, the intimacy, and the unbreakable spirit of Hulaween owes its thanks to the event organizers, the visual artists who build the beloved Spirit Lake year after year, the park officials who keep the peace, and of course, The String Cheese Incident (missing their Saturday night show is a highly offensive crime). We should also give thanks to the indigenous tribes whose sacred land we gather around year after year. Oh, and we can’t forget to thank whoever was in charge of booking these headliners for Hulaween’s 2023 edition:

1. Pretty Lights

This one’s obvious, so there was no point in saving the best for last. Pretty Lights’ return to the music scene after a 5-year hiatus was perhaps the biggest and greatest plot twist of 2023. Not only will he be gracing Hulaween fans with his best show yet, but Pretty Lights will be offering TWO sets throughout the weekend. That’s right–Hulaween attendees will experience two sets from the DJ and musician, one late-night Saturday set and another on Sunday around dinnertime. Imagine experiencing the best set of your lifetime, and then remembering you get to do it all over the next day?

Get hyped by watching Pretty Lights’ recent Mission Ballroom set:

 

2. Channel Tres (DJ Set)

The Compton-born and raised artist knows no limits to his talents. From producing to DJing to rapping to singing to songwriting…this man can literally do it all. However, Hulaween attendees will experience perhaps the most coveted sides of Channel Tres. The artist will be performing a DJ set at The Amp (pssst, everyone knows that’s the party stage) on Friday night to get the weekend festivities started.

Watch Channel Tres’ recent Boiler Room set below:

3. ISOxo

If you’ve ever seen a video from an ISOxo set you might either be terrified or in awe. But terrified is a good thing when it comes to bass music, right? Although the average dance music fan might know ISOxo for his aggressive basslines and hardcore trap, the DJ also plays electro-house and a variety of other genres. He holds notable collaborations with RL Grime and Skrillex, proving how much he’s no stranger to the filth. If you’re looking for some excitement in your life, you’ll be at ISOxo at Spirit Lake on Friday night.

Watch ISOxo’s Electric Forest 2023 set here:

4. Eprom

Experimental bass mastermind Eprom recently shared his coveted album ‘Syntheism’ paired with a live show featuring robots. You heard that right—for the producer’s Syntheism tour dates, he enlisted robots to assist him on stage with the visual elements. He’s also recently been doing Vault sets, which are non-visual and include a masterful catalog of deep cuts and rare edits. It’s unclear exactly what sort of performance he’s bringing to Hulaween, but if you want to indulge in one of the most innovative and unique projects in dance music right now, look out for Eprom’s Friday night set at Spirit Lake.

Experience and Eprom Vault set below:

5. The String Cheese Incident (Saturday Night Shebang)

Yes, we had to point out which set specifically, because there’s a big difference. The String Cheese Incident has six sets throughout the weekend, so Hulaween-goers really have no excuse to miss them, but preferably, they shouldn’t miss this one. As the legend goes, anyone who misses a Saturday night Cheese set will be…cursed! Just kidding–but they will regret it deeply. The band historically reserves their most theatric, energetic, and magical performance for Saturday night. The cover-filled set is called the Shebang and it’s a Hulaween 2023 must-see! 

Although the video won’t do it justice, get a sneak peek from SCI’s 2022 Hulaween Shebang set:

 

6. Apashe (Live Brass Ensemble)

Sitting at the intersection of deep dub, hard trap, and classical music, Apashe’s live brass ensemble is a must-see at Hulaween 2023. For this type of set, the musician will be queuing up the tunes while surrounded by an orchestra of trumpets, trombones, tubas, and more to add to the symphony. It will prove to be a glorious Sunday evening at the Spirit Lake stage!

Watch Apashe’s live brass ensemble at Electric Forest earlier this year:

7. Mt. Joy

What better way to close out a wonderful weekend at Hulaween 2023 than with some indie jams? Mt. Joy’s Sunday set will be healing, cathartic, and an all-around good time. The band’s 2018 self-titled debut album arguably propelled them to alternative superstardom in 2018. Since then, they’ve released two more full-length albums, dazzled with hits like “Strangers,” “Orange Blood,” and “Rearrange Us.” But if we’re lucky, we’ll hear their OG classic, “Astrovan.” It’s too easy to get carried away with speculation, so you’ll have to be there to witness the Mt. Joy magic!

Listen to Mt. Joy’s top tracks below:

If you haven’t already, secure your Hulaween 2023 tickets and camping passes here, and don’t forget to download the app to view the full schedule!