Beyond Existence 2025: A Portal To Sound, Art, and Connection
- Aeisha
- 11 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Some festivals feel like a party, and others feel like a portal. In this place, sound, art, and human energy blend into something larger than ourselves. Hosted deep in the Texas Hill Country, Beyond Existence is one of those rare spaces. It’s about fostering community, igniting creativity, and experiencing that indescribable magic that happens when everyone shows up with an open heart.
The gates opened to a sunlit morning, the Texas wildlife welcoming us as we drove up the hill into the festival grounds. After securing our wristbands and setting up camp, we were ready to explore by mid-afternoon.
Our first destination was the Crystal Stage. Hammocks swayed behind the dance floor, light filtered beautifully through the trees, and the crowd was a vibrant mosaic of majestic, colorful outfits. The atmosphere was immediately immaculate. We captured memories of early attendees against the sunset glow over a small pond before diving back into the music.
Then, the moment of pure, unexpected joy: a whole crew of clowns descended upon the crowd. Rainbow wigs, glitter, inflatable props - they were wonderfully hilarious and chaotic in the best way, instantly becoming one of the highlights of the day. All around, artists painted and created live; canvases grew into glowing murals as the beats rolled on.
By sunset, the energy shifted into something surreal. The resting area, sponsored by QuiteTheSetUp, felt like a cozy, nostalgic escape, complete with couches, flow artists, and even an N64 setup for anyone needing to slow down. Next door, the art gallery cabin was alive with sound and color as DJs spun while attendees browsed the curated paintings.
The night exploded when Caspa finally hit the stage. His set was heavy, clean, and full of satisfying nostalgia - exactly the fuel Day 1 needed. The night ended in a spectacle of fire performers lighting up the crowd, bubbles floating through laser beams, and the massive butterfly art piece glowing like a true, ethereal portal. Day 1 was a seamless blend of sound, art, and connection, a powerful reminder of why these intentional gatherings mean so much.
Beyond Existence 2025 Day 2
Day 2 began with a slow, easy rhythm. We woke around 9 AM to the sounds of soft laughter and distant music. The morning felt calm and deeply connected as our camp eased into the day. After breakfast and chats, we headed to the first yoga session. The festival’s daytime workshops were a true treat - grounding, intentional, and a beautiful way to reconnect with the body before the music ramped up.
The Texas sun climbed fast. After a break to regroup in the shade, we returned to the Crystal Stage for early sets. Around 4 PM, I attended a hands-on workshop hosted by SubCulture that focused on the intricacies of sound design. It was incredibly insightful, and it reveals the depth of intention that goes into the music that moves us.
As the day unfolded, the vibes shifted from chill to electric. By sunset, Supertask took the stage and completely captivated the crowd. His set was a true journey - cinematic, emotional, and profoundly moving.
Toward the end, a beautiful moment unfolded: a message celebrating one of our friends' anniversaries appeared on the big screen. We ran across the crowd to find them, already celebrating with champagne, tears of joy streaming down their faces. It was a pure, loving moment - the kind that reminds you how music connects hearts in the most unexpected ways. Shout-out to Smudge Visuals for that wholesome moment we all experienced together as a family!
Still basking in that warmth, I caught up with Julia, the woman behind the anniversary message.
EDM Texas: Julia, what makes Beyond Existence so special for you?
Julia: My friends were part of the team that started this festival a few years ago. We’ve been coming every year, watching their vision come to life. It’s so special to see it expand and evolve. The best part is the sense of safety and freedom here. You can put away the worries of the outside world for a few days and just be. Honestly, what could beat that? Nothing. It’s incredible.
EDM Texas: How was the drive getting out here?
Julia: Not too bad, only about two hours from H-Town to Paige, Texas. It’s incredible seeing so many familiar faces from Houston out here, bringing that same energy to Beyond Existence. The underground scene is rising, and we need more of this deep, experimental bass and dub energy. It’s refreshing to see people traveling for it.
EDM Texas: Describe Beyond Existence 2025 in one word.
Julia: Dope! (She says without hesitation.)
EDM Texas: What does PLUR mean to you?
Julia: If we’re going OG, it’s Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. But I’d add one more: responsibility. To me, PLUR means looking out for your people. Have each other’s backs, stay safe, and be considerate. Say ‘excuse me.’ If you don’t say ‘excuse me’ at a rave… you’re not doing it right.
The energy rose when Smoakland came in with a filthy, high-energy drum-and-bass set that had everyone dancing nonstop. It was an incredible surprise and precisely what the night needed. Inzo followed, closing his set with an emotional and grounding performance that left us reflective and filled with gratitude. Fire performers lit up the stage, artists were painting live along the edges, and the whole space felt alive with color and light. After Inzo’s set, we returned to the art gallery cabin. We came across an artist named Rose working on a massive, interactive piece that invited people to contribute. It was a powerful reflection of community art in motion. Before leaving, I stopped by Wired Child’s booth. I found the most unique little treasures, including a fossilized oreodaunt tooth, which is now one of my favorite keepsakes.
I was curious what it felt like to debut a shop in this energetic space, so I chatted with Sonia, the artist behind Wired Child.
Sonia started wire-wrapping five years ago during COVID as a creative outlet. She needed a way to create without overthinking, and she found online tutorials online that led to a free-flowing, grounding process.
EDM Texas: How did you first hear about Beyond Existence?
Sonya: I have a friend, another vendor, who’s been coming out here for years. He always said, ‘You need to vend here, you’d love it!’ This year, the vendor coordinator personally reached out and asked me to join. And here I am, my first time!
EDM Texas: What does the word ‘wook’ mean to you?
Sonya: To me, it means you do what you’ve got to do. I grew up with my brothers in Boy Scouts, so I camped all the time when I was little. I picked up a lot of those skills back then and brought that knowledge here. At festivals like this, you learn to adapt, figure things out as you go, and just wing it. That’s the wook way, being resourceful, grounded, and still having fun!
EDM Texas: What does PLUR mean to you?
Sonya: PLUR, to me, is about being the best version of yourself — for you, for everyone around you, and for everything you touch. It’s about bringing love, peace, and respect into every space you enter.
The night ended back at the Crystal Stage for G-Space, whose set tied the late-night hours with deep bass and flowing transitions. We soaked it all in until finally drifting back to camp, falling asleep under the sound of music still echoing in. Day 2 was a perfect culmination of learning, connection, emotion, and shared experiences.
Beyond Existence 2025 delivered more than just music; it created a vibrant, living space for community, creativity, and genuine human connection. From grounding yoga and insightful workshops to spontaneous laughter and heartfelt moments, every detail felt intentional. As the bass faded into the early hours, one truth remained clear: PLUR is still well and alive, thriving here. Beyond Existence is a powerful reminder of how vibrant, supportive, and inspired our community truly is.
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