Spooktacular Thrills at Freaky Deaky 2024
As I write this, the apparition of All Hallows Weekend is still lingering in my mind. Disco Presents long running Freaky Deaky took place for the second year recently in Austin, Texas. Although Houston misses having Freaky Deaky in our own backyard, Austin’s Travis Country Expo Center is a welcome location for all the ghoulies that traveled from all over the state and even country. The Center is spacious and has indoor areas that help escape from the Texas heat, which still gets the better of us, even at the end of October. The Shrine stage and the beautiful Austin skyline against an autumn sunset made for a spectacular view.
Freaky Deaky Day 1
Quickly after arriving at the entrance gate, I was greeted by so many treats. Festival attendees dressed in amazing and inventive costumes, scary or otherwise, made even getting in the gates fun. People watching was 10/10!
After happily getting lost in the throngs of spooky costumed revelers, I found myself in an area filled with food booths and vendors. Every rave item you can imagine was available. For all you fan-clacking, pashmina-wearing, kaleidoscope-googling, live music fans; here is your panacea. Festie Bestie, Sick Beets, Holo Eyes, and Evol saw packed booths for those last-minute must-have festival items. Beauty By Storms had spell-binding hair braiding action going on in the VIP area. Many ghouls and guys were picking up official Freaky Deaky merch, like hoodies, tee shirts, and eye-catching jerseys.
When the time came to revive my spirits, every type of food imaginable was lurking around each corner. Haunting my tastebuds still to this day are the Texas sized portions from Shawarma Point, and the pizza slice bigger than your face at Spicy Pie. Countless corn dogs and chicken strips met their fate by ravenous EDM enthusiasts during this two-day event.
Anchoring all the ghoulish activity were four stages: The Shrine, The Crypt, Haunted Hollow, and the Boneyard. Each hosted neck-breaking beats all day and night. LF System, Austin Mills, and Dombresky had the Crypt quaking. Haunted Hallow beats did not miss with Wavedash, BOU, and Juelz. Freaky Deaky also showcased local artists, including Alex Lauter, Emski, and Flatline, who woke the dead with out-of-this-world sounds. Houstonian Tamashi was first on the Shrine stage introducing us to this fever dream. The stage was kept ablaze with beats by Gudefella, Laverne, BUNT., and KREAM. As twilight arrived, Sullivan King, Chase and Status, and Louis the Child took the stage. Through mist and lasers, DeadMau5’s famous mouse head came into focus. As the music crashed into the audience, he watched with interest as he took the fans further into musical mayhem. After his set, some began slinking back into the depths of the night. Others with an insatiable thirst for music and revelry headed into the witching hours of both nights to attend official afterparties which featured Dombresky, Austin Millz, Mersiv+ DeathPact, and Dj Susan + Kalena Sanders.
Freaky Deaky Day 2
A possessed crowd was clamoring at the gates for the start of day two of Freaky Deaky. Traveling through a haunted landscape of amazing props, backdrops and decorations made for tons of social media friendly snaps, guests were excited to get in the photobooth, pose in their costumes, and put them to the test in the costume competition.
The 4 stages were already howling with mystical sounds from heavy hitters like Apashe, Vampa, and Infekt. The Boneyard stage hosted a Blood Rave this year, and it was a diabolical time! Imagine the music pumping while the audience gets completely drenched in the goriest way possible with fake blood sprayed everywhere. There were so many happy bloody faces after this unique experience.
All the grim creepers relaxed in between sets by attending the Twilight Cinema, quenching their thirst at any of the bars or booths with Voodoo Ranger, Bang, or White Claw. Many guests made their way to the monstrously great VIP areas of the event for special perks and access. Eternal VIP next to the Crypt had amazing views of the grounds from the second-floor balcony, plus a huge window for viewing of the Crypt stage laser shows. VIP attendees could play games such as Jenga, visit the exclusive bars, and make Kandi. Ever important for festival life, the VIP restrooms were air conditioned, clean, and well appointed. Backing up respite activities, the Mental Health and Wellness Outlet was ready to support anyone who needed care during their festival visit. The event also hosted Rave. Today., a group that registered attendees to vote to encourage everyone to participate in their future.
A cover of darkness snuffed out all the natural light from the sky as lasers, pyrotechnics and fireworks greeted the artist and audiences at every stage. So much variety was offered, no guests had any bone to pick about finding something they could love. From the sounds of Kause to Ian Asher, Deathpact to the breakneck sounds of Andy C., there was truly something for every ear.
As the hours started to dwindle, many gathered at the Shrine for a set by Liquid Stranger that held a spellbound audience completely rapt. While break dancers, stilt walkers, and dancers dressed like demons and mummies scattered down the front of the stage enchanting the audience, Liquid Stranger took the listeners deep into the rave rabbit hole, showing no mercy. It was amazing to see each person having a personal moment but at the same time experiencing those feelings in unison with everyone around them.
The closing act for Freaky Deaky this year was Subtronics. His enthusiastic style and creative music made it a soul-shattering ending to this great festival. The crowd headbanged at the rail and shouted their approval when Levelup, (his wife!) joined him on stage for a bit of his set. The visuals were death-defying, with fireworks, lasers, and other pyrotechnics that illuminated the entire night sky. Just when you never wanted it to end, that's exactly what happened. Subtronics bid us goodnight and the stage went dark, snapping us out of a dream we never wanted to end.
Now, we are left to savor our treats and memories made and wait for next year. The countdown to the next haunted weekend is on!
