[Event Review] Decadence Arizona Ends 2025 On A High Note

The close of 2025 witnessed the eleventh iteration of Decadence Arizona, the southwest’s preeminent New Year’s Eve dance music festival. Produced by Relentless Beats, the event took place on December 30th and 31st at the Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. Operating under the thematic banner of “The Portal of Illusions,” the festival curated an immersive, multi-sensory environment that bridged the gap between mainstream spectacle and underground sophistication. 

Decadence has historically leaned heavier into bass music bookings, as that’s what has been favorable for the Phoenix market. However, the 2025 edition signaled a broader expansion of genres, reflecting the rising popularity of house, techno, and UK Garage. This shift was most evident in the organizational layout. The festival footprint at the Raceway was expanded to accommodate larger production rigs while maintaining a flow that minimized sound bleed between the three primary stages. The production design for “The Portal of Illusions” moved away from the standard flat LED walls seen in previous years. Instead, the stages utilized 3D mapped structures and tiered lighting arrays which provided more depth, particularly at the Grand Palace Main Stage, which served as the festival’s high-energy anchor.

The most significant addition this year was the introduction of the Conservatory. This stage represented a direct integration of the Body Language brand (Relentless Beats’ house and techno-focused property) into the Decadence framework. Housed under a massive, darkened dome structure, the stage provided a stark contrast to the open-air pyrotechnics of the Grand Palace.

The Conservatory’s programming focused on an underground ethos, prioritizing groove and atmosphere over the aggressive drops characteristic of the main stage. Early in the evening, the dome served as a platform for rising talent, but as the sun set, the energy shifted toward established tech house and minimal producers. Gio Lucca and Brunello B2B KinAhau had the stage packed out early on night one, while Prunk led perfectly into Wakyin‘s energetic ball drop set on New Years Eve, drawing a massive crowd that tested the stage’s capacity. The acoustics within the dome were surprisingly crisp, handling the low-end frequencies of tech house without the muddiness often found in temporary festival structures.

While the Conservatory catered to the house purists, the Grand Palace and the Royal Ballroom delivered the large-scale performances expected of a New Year’s Eve event. On December 30th, Zedd anchored the main stage with a set characterized by high-fidelity visuals and a sequence of hits that spanned over a decade. His performance was technically precise, utilizing the lighting rig to its full extent. However, it was Subtronics who arguably commanded the largest crowd of the event. His set was a showcase of intricate sound design and rapid-fire mixing, catering to the region’s dedicated bass music fanbase.

The Royal Ballroom offered a more eclectic mix on the second night. VOYD followed by SG Lewis was a jarring genre shift. However, the inclusion of Chase & Status was a strategic move that paid off; their drum and bass set provided a frantic, high-energy pulse that felt distinct from the dubstep-heavy lineups of years past. Sara Landry also drew a significant audience, proving that hard techno has found a permanent and enthusiastic home in the Arizona desert.

The New Year’s Eve countdown was helmed by GRiZ, whose return to the stage was a focal point of the weekend. His set functioned as a bridge between funk, bass, and melodic house, culminating in a well executed midnight celebration. The transition from the countdown into the final sets of the night was seamless, with the production team managing the transition of thousands of attendees between stages without significant bottlenecks.

From a logistical standpoint, the use of Phoenix Raceway continues to be an advantage. The paved grounds and permanent infrastructure mitigate many of the dust and mud issues common at outdoor festivals. The Bazaar area provided a central hub for food, water, and merchandise, and the addition of carnival rides added a layer of traditional festival atmosphere without distracting from the musical focus.

Decadence Arizona 2025 demonstrated a successful evolution of the brand. By incorporating the Conservatory stage and leaning into the sophisticated curation of the Body Language style, Relentless Beats has managed to diversify the festival’s appeal. It no longer functions solely as a rave for the New Year; it has become a multi genre destination that respects both the mainstream and the underground.