As the Halloween spirits crept through the streets of Austin, the city brimmed with an electrifying buzz, hosting the fifth-anniversary debut of Freaky Deaky at the Travis County Expo Center. Hosted by Disco Donnie Presents, this two-night extravaganza of EDM, art, and Halloween shenanigans captivated the attendees with its spine-tingling blend of spooky thrills and beats that echoed into the night.

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A Festival of Chills and Thrills

At Neon Owl, we’re always eager to delve into the vibrant world of EDM, and Freaky Deaky’s latest edition provided an ideal backdrop for our exploration. The festival’s relocation to Austin injected new life into its Halloween theme, manifesting a spooky yet exhilarating atmosphere. It was a visual and sensory feast, with unique attractions like a haunted house that sent chills down our spines, a disorienting upside-down room, and a horror-themed theater that showcased chilling visuals.

The Stages of Spectacle

Freaky Deaky’s layout was a maze of musical wonder, featuring four distinct stages, each a universe of its own. For the dubstep enthusiasts, the Boneyard stage was the place to be. The Shrine, the festival’s centerpiece, was where the headliners captivated the crowd. The Crypt stage was a haven for deep dub fans, while Haunted Hallow offered a mix of techno and drum and bass.

Photo by Tyler Church

Each stage was meticulously designed and built, able to accommodate sizable crowds without feeling cramped or sacrificing sound quality. In addition, navigating between stages felt like a breeze within an hour or two of getting used to the festival layout. This is in stark contrast with certain other festivals where stages have been either positioned too far apart for convenient set-hopping, or too close together which resulted in sound bleed. We tried to soak in the mainstage vibes as much as possible on Day 1 at the Shrine, camping out at the Crypt earlier in the day to stay cool. For Day 2, we explored a bit of every stage, but were ultimately most drawn to the infectious drum and bass grooves at Haunted Hallow.

Here are some of our favorite moments captured below:

DnB in the rain with ÆON:MODE (Photo by Jon Jen)

Fans decked out in their favorite costumes & artist gear during Ray Volpe’s mainstage set, followed by Alison Wonderland and Knock2’s birthday performance (Photo by Jon Jen)

Lasers light up the Crypt for JOYRYDE’s set (Photo by Jon Jen)

Browsing the extensive merch collection, featuring artist and festival designs (Photo by Jon Jen)

Checking out one of many eye-catching local vendors (Photo by Jon Jen)

Weather Whimsy: A Mix of Cold and Hot

True to Texas’ unpredictable weather, the weekend swung between chilly breezes and warm spells. However, the fluctuating temperatures did little to dampen the spirits of the festival-goers. Cloaked in a mix of costumes and rave gear, everyone embraced the weather’s whimsy, adding an extra layer of excitement to the festival’s Halloween theme.

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Exclusive Interviews: ALLEYCVT, DEEPFAKE, and ÆON:MODE

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One of the highlights of our experience was the opportunity to interact with phenomenal artists. We got the chance to dive into the creative minds of ALLEYCVT, DEEPFAKE, and ÆON:MODE. Each artist brought their unique flair to Freaky Deaky, contributing to the diverse musical tapestry that defines this festival. Check the interviews by clicking the artists’ names above!

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Freaky Deaky 2023 was more than just a music festival; it was a Halloween-themed carnival of sounds, sights, and spooky surprises. From the bone-chilling experiences to the exhilarating performances, every element of the festival was curated to deliver a memorable Halloween weekend. As we bade goodbye to the ghoulish festivities and the eclectic mix of music that filled the air, one thing was certain: Freaky Deaky is a graveyard smash that’s here to stay!