Bass Coast 2025 felt like a step in a new direction, but in a way that still held onto the things people return for. The crowd was noticeably smaller this year compared to the last, and while that may not have been the original plan it ended up creating a more spacious, relaxed atmosphere that gave people time to actually take things in. The result was a weekend that gave people room to breathe, whether on the dance floor or tucked into a workshop tent. There was a clear shift toward presence and pacing.
Looking ahead, organizers have announced plans to reduce capacity for 2026 to better reflect the vibe of this year. For many, that felt like the right move. The overall mood on site was less frantic, more grounded, and noticeably easier to navigate. Without the pressure of oversold stages or massive crowds, people seemed to stay longer in one place, moving through the weekend at their own pace.
The most noticeable change going into the weekend was the replacement of both Main Stage and Cantina with a new stage called Somewhere. In the weeks leading up to the festival, there were mixed feelings about that. Main had a legacy, and Cantina had its own vibe, so combining them was going to be a shift. But by the time people were actually there, most seemed to agree it worked.
Somewhere had an open layout, minimal design, and a warmth that invited people in. Sunday night especially stood out, with back-to-back sets from Stickybuds, the Librarian, Player Dave, and Justin Martin keeping the energy steady without trying too hard to impress.
Slay Bay and the Cabin held it down as usual. Both stages felt consistent and well-paced all weekend, and the Cabin in particular drew a lot of praise for its sound and vibe. Neffa-T and Matrixxman had strong, focused sets that pulled people in and didn’t let go. JAEL brought a lot of movement to the floor, and G JONES delivered one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend. Barisone b2b Alex Moon created a slower, more reflective moment that people seemed to really appreciate. Those who stayed up through sunrise were rewarded with sets from the Glitch Mob, Chrome Wolves, and Dairy Free that helped close the loop on long, rewarding nights.
During the day, the Slow Tempo zone remained a grounding presence, with yoga and movement classes that balanced out the rest of the programming. The Brain was active all weekend with a thoughtful range of workshops. Festival Safety Trivia, hosted by Stacey Forrester and Farah Sandhu, drew a big crowd and managed to be fun and useful at the same time. Protest Rights! was practical and engaging, and other sessions explored topics like hearing protection, Indigenous sovereignty, and even AI and the future of consciousness. It all felt like part of the same ecosystem, not just side programming.
A lot of people described this year as one of their favorites; not because it was the biggest or flashiest, but because it gave them room to feel present. That presence showed up in small ways: in how long people stayed at stages without jumping around, in conversations that didn’t feel rushed, and in how the crowd moved together instead of through each other. Bass Coast 2025 didn’t overextend itself. It trusted its own pace and trusted that the audience would meet it there. And if you’re already thinking about next year, 2026 tickets are up – with payment plans to make it easier.
Did you attend Bass Coast 2025? Let us know in the comments, and on our socials. Hope to see you on the dance floor!
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