As the first bass drop echoes across the misty peaks of Four Quarters Farm in Artemas, PA, I feel that familiar rush, the kind that pulls you from the chaos of everyday life and plants you firmly in the moment. This year, Big Dub celebrated its 15th anniversary, and for me, it’s been a journey since 2012. Back then, I stumbled upon this mountaintop gathering with no clue it would evolve into my ultimate reset button, a compass always guiding me back to my truest self.
More Than Music
Big Dub isn’t just an EDM festival; it’s a symphony of senses that lingers long after the final set. Sure, the music, from throbbing dubstep to euphoric basslines, carries you through the weekend. But it’s also the morning mist curling over the hills like a soft blanket, the distant hum of subwoofers vibrating through your tent as dawn breaks, and the instant camaraderie where strangers become family in a heartbeat. Every arrival feels like the mountain’s crisp air is custom-made to revive my spirit, washing away the world’s weight.
Where Community Thrives
Over the years, I’ve forged unbreakable bonds with fellow artists, dreamers, healers, and open-hearted souls. We’ve huddled around the Fire Drum Circle, mesmerized by fire spinners twirling flames under starry skies while drums pulse in rhythm. We’ve immersed ourselves in the whimsical magic of Theme Camps, danced and sipped drinks at the Catalina Wine Mixer, let loose at the HiScore Pavilion Stage where you can dive into video games in the gaming lounge, soak up pure underground artist talent, and catch those electrifying surprise back-to-back B2B DJ sets that ignite the crowd.
We’ve splashed, laughed, and grooved at Hemlock Hole’s refreshing waters, slung hammocks at the Stonehenge Circle Main Stage for epic headbanging sessions, wandered the venue’s winding paths, chatted until sunrise at Hill Top, and danced barefoot on the grass, utterly free from the outside world’s worries.
Check out what artists and fans had to say about Big Dub 2025!
Behind the Scenes Magic
Big Dub has been more than a playground. I’ve had the privilege of diving behind the scenes in hospitality and artist relations for several years. This insider view revealed the festival’s true pulse.
Teaming up with the stellar hospitality and artist transportation crews, we hustled to ensure every artist, manager, tour manager, and media member felt like royalty on the mountain. Early mornings blurred into late-night backstage and hospitality setups, with us grinding from dawn to dusk, often on just four or five hours of sleep. Coffee, Red Bull, adrenaline, and that unbreakable sense of purpose kept us going, knowing we were crafting something transcendent.
Through the Super Fam Ultimate VIP Experience, I helped deliver unforgettable perks: backstage and artist lounge access, heart-pounding side-stage views, meet-and-greets that forge lasting memories, and those rare moments where artists and fans connect as equals. These built a web of friendships with creatives that extend far beyond the gates. My fondest recollections are not the main stage spectacles, but those hushed backstage chats, swapping stories and laughs with the very talents whose beats unite us all.
Get to know Steff, who works in artist relations with Big Dub!
Click to read our short interview with Steff from Big Dub!
DF: What does Big Dub mean to you personally?
Steff: I joined the Big Dub fam two years ago and it opened up a new way of approaching festivals for me. This festival stays true to the value of community, which is why I love it so much. I will always come back to the mountain for the energy of our community.
DF: Do you have a “forever memory” from the festival that still gives you goosebumps?
Steff: Curating the secret set B2B bonanza with my best friend and business partner with The Vault, Jaméss was a memory I’ll remember for a lifetime. Working on our first curated festival set together was priceless. Getting to see my friends up on stage having a blast together, was very rewarding.
DF: How does the mountain setting change the way you experience the festival compared to other venues?
Steff: The mountain is set up like a community since we all camp inside the festival grounds. Between the theme camps and food throughout the grounds, anywhere can feel like home. It is a very interactive environment that encourages exploring. The decor team puts in the work to create a magical experience.
DF: If Big Dub were a feeling, how would you put it into words?
Steff: Gratitude! Grateful for the moments spent together.
DF: How did you hear about the B2B (back-to-back) secret set, and what was it like when it happened?
Steff: I planned it. It was madness in the best way. Pure happiness in the crowd!
DF: What was your reaction to the EAZYBAKED secret set? How did the crowd feel in that moment?
Steff: The team at the cube asked me for a secret set, so I talked to the EAZYBAKED boys and they were enthusiastically down. We worked with transpo to get us down there and surprise the crowd. It was so fun getting to curate such an intimate experience for our attendees. Not many people can say they were there, considering the capacity is like 60, haha.
DF: How did the idea for the B6B secret set come together?
Steff: I was tasked to figure it out. I walked over to Decimate and Blankface to say hi and Blankface smiles and says, “I have my USB.” We had a few friends on the mountain that wanted to play together, so we rounded up the troops and made it happen.
DF: How does the festival inspire you once you go back to “real life”?
Steff: I am reminded to appreciate the small moments of connection within our community. The world is a better place the more people you love.
DF: If you could describe Big Dub in three words, what would they be?
Steff: Playful, freeing, and creative.
DF: What advice would you give someone coming to Big Dub for the first time?
Steff: Buy some good shoes! Comfort over everything. Be open to connections with the people around you. Go participate in the activities. Immerse yourself in our culture and community. Love your neighbor! Be a good person. PLUR forever 🫶🏼. Leave no trace.
Finding Sanctuary on the Mountain
In a world that can feel overwhelmingly heavy, whether it’s personal heartbreaks, lingering funks, or the relentless grind of city life, Big Dub is my sanctuary. Stepping onto this Pennsylvania peak hits like a full system reboot. The energy envelops me, dissolving stress and reigniting joy, gratitude, and self-discovery.
What makes this corner of the world so potent? Perhaps it’s the seamless blend of nature’s raw beauty with the stages’ artistic flair. Or the genuine warmth in every embrace. At its core, Big Dub draws folks who get it, who know how to co-create pure magic.
Peeling back the curtain didn’t just heighten my appreciation; it reignited my passion. Experiencing it as both a starry-eyed attendee and a dedicated crew member proved the mountaintop magic is no fluke. It’s meticulously assembled, hour by hour, sweat drop by sweat drop, by a tribe of devoted individuals.
I’ve witnessed the all-nighters, the on-the-fly fixes, the quick bites shared amid giggles between sets, and those triumphant instants when fatigue flips to elation because you’re shaping someone’s peak memory. That is why Big Dub transcends festivals for me. It’s woven into my DNA, no matter life’s twists.
A 15-Year Milestone and an Invitation
This 15-year milestone isn’t just for the event; it’s a toast to my own evolution, the bonds formed, and the growth unearthed here. I don’t merely show up to Big Dub. I embody it, inhale its essence, and let its vibe echo in my soul well past the last note.
For fellow EDM enthusiasts chasing that same spark, mark your calendars. Big Dub awaits on the mountain. Dive in, and you might just find your forever home, too.
