#NocturnalWonderland Headliner #TBT

When you have an event that’s been around for nearly two decades—and yes, I’m talking about our all-time favorite music festival, Nocturnal Wonderland—you can’t help but wonder what this strange and wondrous place looked like back in the day. It’s undeniable that a lot has changed over the past 19 years. The stages are bigger and better, the lights are brighter than ever, and when it comes to fashion, we’ve certainly given “less is more” a whole new meaning.

But don’t take my word for it; see for yourself! This week, Insomniac is celebrating #TBT with three unique Headliners whose different experiences span over 16 years. They were asked to send a photo that best describes their overall Nocturnal Wonderland experience. Here’s what they had to share.

Headliner: Alain
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Nocturnal Wonderland: 1997

What’s going on in this picture?
This is a photo from Nocturnal Wonderland 1997. My crew and I are posing in the parking lot after the event was over. Back in the day, Nocturnal Wonderland and other old school events went all night long, so this was around seven in the morning.

Why did you choose to share this one with us?
I chose to share this one because it not only brought back amazing memories, but it was also one of the very few photos I had that I was positive came from Nocturnal Wonderland. Back then, we didn’t have digital cameras, so I only took a few pictures, and not many have survived from then. This is a rare shot right here.

How does this picture best describe your overall Nocturnal Wonderland experience?
This picture captures the good times we’d have at Nocturnal Wonderland. From what I can recall, Nocturnal was usually held on Labor Day weekend, and that meant summer was coming to an end and school was quickly approaching. For us, Nocturnal was the last hurrah of summer, and we always went all out. This is the best photo to describe our experience because it shows that we partied hard and stayed until the very end to get the most out of our favorite festival.

Headliner: Kristy
Hometown: Fontana, CA
Nocturnal Wonderland: 2001

What’s going on in this picture?
This picture was taken at Nocturnal Wonderland 2001. What looks like a small wall of speakers (by today’s standards) was, to us, a huge haven of crystal-clear sound that drew you in to Never Never Land. The bass bin speakers on the floor could literally be climbed into, and many times we did! That feeling is simply indescribable. You can also see some people standing close by. Girls actually wore clothes back then, not the attire you see today that typically consists of bras and tutus.

Why did you choose to share this one with us?
Although it’s kind of blurry, I thought this photo best illustrated what the rave scene looked like back then: smiles shared across the dancefloor, no one reading newsfeeds on smart phones, and just sheer love for the music! I wanted to share this one because it really captures the old school style of ravers and the overall vibe of an old school Nocturnal Wonderland. My husband and I have been attending Nocturnal since 1999, and it has been so cool to watch all the different variations over the years.

How does this picture best describe your overall Nocturnal Wonderland experience?
This picture reminds us of all the friends we’ve made over the years, and even though thousands of people attended Nocturnal, you could always find plenty of space to boogie on the dancefloor. Now, there are so many people on the dancefloor that all you can do is bob or jump, and man, how I miss being able to groove and really cut a rug! Despite that, however, I believe that every Nocturnal is unique and wonderful in its own way. We will continue to attend and enjoy these events as long as they keep happening!

Headliner: Cayla
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Nocturnal Wonderland: 2013

What’s going on in this picture?
A group of our close friends decided to go to their first Insomniac event, Nocturnal Wonderland 2013. It was a special day, and we wanted to make sure we captured every memory that was made. In this picture, our group was in the middle of the crowd during one of the sets. We figured this would be the perfect spot to capture this Kodak moment.

Why did you choose to share this one with us?
I chose to share this picture because as a college student, it’s sometimes difficult to get our entire group of friends together. Everyone has different priorities that they must attend to, which makes things very complicated. So when I look at this picture, it makes me happy to see that we’re able to come together to experience an unforgettable night that Insomniac put together for us. Out of all of the pictures I have from that night, this one is my favorite!

How does this picture best describe your overall Nocturnal Wonderland experience?
My overall experience was great because of these people right here. I was able to spend Nocturnal with my close group of best friends. When you go to a music festival, there is a unique bond that’s created, and that’s exactly what happened to us. We already had a strong connection before attending this event, but going to Nocturnal brought us even closer together. Every time I come across this picture, it takes me back to a night that will never be forgotten. Thank you, Insomniac!

If you’d like the chance to relive your favorite Insomniac moments, email your best #TBT photo to [email protected].