Lightning in a Bottle 2025 Recap
Story // Will Bollini and Satchi Metaxas
This year’s Lightning in a Bottle transformed the Bakersfield desert into a kaleidoscope of music, art, and radical expression. From dusk till dawn, festival-goers wandered between immersive art installations, healing workshops, and five epic stages—each packed with genre-pushing talent. Among the standout performers, six artists delivered unforgettable sets that defined the weekend.
Sammy Virji
Photo by: Jess Gallo
UKG maestro Sammy Virji kicked things off with a vibrant jolt of high-energy basslines and smooth 2-step grooves. Known for his genre-blending finesse, Sammy had the crowd bouncing from the first drop, weaving in bouncy garage with touches of grime and funky house. His charisma behind the decks was infectious, turning the Woogie stage into an all-out dance party.
Four Tet
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Four Tet’s set was nothing short of a spiritual experience. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Kieran Hebden took the Lightning stage on a sonic odyssey—delivering textured rhythms, ambient interludes, and bursts of glitchy house. His ability to build tension and release with minimalist precision made for a mesmerizing performance that reminded us why he’s a master of the craft.
Khruangbin
Photo by: Julian Bajsel
Khruangbin’s sunset set was pure magic. The Texas trio floated onto the stage with their signature blend of Thai funk, surf rock, and psychedelic soul. Laura Lee’s smooth basslines and Mark Speer’s dreamy guitar riffs wrapped the crowd in a warm, hypnotic haze. Their genre-defying set felt like a love letter to global grooves and timeless vibes.
Jamie XX
Jamie xx brought a wave of UK underground energy to the desert. Blending UK garage, classic house, and breakbeat, his set was a journey through sound that constantly evolved. Tracks like “Gosh” and “Idontknow” hit with emotional intensity, and his tasteful use of visuals and silence made for a performance that felt intimate, yet immense.
Subtronics
Subtronics unleashed a bass-heavy storm at the Thunder stage, dropping head-rattling dubstep with psychedelic flair. Known for his technical prowess and glitchy textures, his set was a full-body experience. With lasers slicing through the desert sky and the crowd in full frenzy, Subtronics proved once again that he’s a mainstay in the bass music scene.
John Summit
Photo by: Ivan Meneses
Closing out the weekend with euphoric energy, John Summit delivered a powerhouse set filled with uplifting house anthems and cheeky vocal samples. His crowd control was magnetic, shifting effortlessly from deep, rolling basslines to big-room drops. Tracks like “Where You Are” had everyone singing at the top of their lungs, ending the festival on a high note of pure bliss.