#NocturnalWonderland Headliner #TBT: 20th Anniversary Edition

Over the years, rave culture has become a second home for like-minded individuals, a place where ravers big and small, short and tall can come together to celebrate the beauty of life, love and music. With the rave scene so widely welcomed in today’s society, you would never think that our favorite festivals were once small, hidden gems in the world of live entertainment.

This year, ravers are reuniting to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the festival that started it all: Nocturnal Wonderland. In honor of the iconic event, Insomniac celebrates #TBT with three Headliners who have seen the festival grow over the years. Here’s what they had to share.

Headliner: Adam
Hometown: London, UK
How many times have you been to Nocturnal Wonderland?
Twice: in 2005 and 2006.

What’s going on in this picture?
I used to shoot for Pasquale about 10 years ago, and this is one of the photos I took at Nocturnal 2006. This is a cute candid shot of a kandi raver waiting in line to get in. “Kandi ravers” were a small but overtly friendly subset from the really diverse collection of fashion styles found at these events.

If you could go back in time to the first Nocturnal Wonderland in 1995, what’s one thing you would be sure to do?
I would probably be surprised that all of the down-to-earth, open and welcoming people believe me when I say I’m a 47-year-old time traveler from 2015. Then I would run off and buy a shit-ton of Apple stocks.

Headliner: Monique
Hometown: San Diego, CA
How many times have you been to Nocturnal Wonderland?
12: from 1995 to 2006.

What’s going on in this picture?
Sumo wrestling was available for fun at the 1997 event, and at that time, we thought it sounded like a great idea!

How do you feel Nocturnal has changed over the years?
The significance of what music used to be, and what it once represented, has been lost for many years. I don’t mean to sound like a jaded old lady, but while some see progression, I don’t view it that way. I’m not a fan of this so-called new “EDM,” because the culture and camaraderie that I once felt is gone. I still support and love the house music culture, but I miss the real house—that funky, disco, deep, dirty, soulful house.

If you could go back in time to the first Nocturnal Wonderland in 1995, what’s one thing you would be sure to do?
I wouldn’t change a single thing, because we had so much fun. The best thing about my first Nocturnal in 1995 was that it was all so new to me. I fell head-over-heels in love with everything about our scene. I met some of my best friends that night, people who are still some of the most caring and supportive friends I have to this day. Nocturnal Wonderland was always a magical time.

Headliner: Leah
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
How many times have you been to Nocturnal Wonderland?
Every Nocturnal since 2007, so eight times, soon to be nine!

What’s going on in this picture?
This was taken at Nocturnal Wonderland 2007. I was on a first date with the guy who would soon become my king and partner in life (so yes, Nocturnal is our anniversary, and we’re celebrating eight years this September). That night, he brought two other girls along with him, but we ended up breaking away from them and spent the rest of the time adventuring together, dancing and reminiscing about our early raver years. That night changed my life, because Oliver has proven to be the biggest gift in helping me to unfold as a human.

How do you feel Nocturnal has changed over the years?
Nocturnal has been held at many different venues over the years. I miss the 2007 event, where we could dance in the heart of downtown L.A. among the high-rise buildings. It was very surreal. That show was my first taste of a big L.A. rave since JuJu Beats 1999. It was such a special experience, and because we aren’t able to have raves like that in L.A. anymore, people who start raving today will never know what that feels like.

If you could go back in time to the first Nocturnal Wonderland in 1995, what’s one thing you would be sure to do?
I would probably run around all giddy and excited, knowing that the full blossoming of a culture was going to grow beyond our wildest dreams. We dreamt of a day when rave culture would be embraced on a wide scale. That time has finally come. I would be so excited to bask in the flavor of the 1995 source of our future awakening, to laugh, hug and celebrate the truly special thing that is brewing.

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

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