Getting To Know Camp OG – A Series – Part 1 – Featuring D1AL A FR3AK, TANKDUBZ, MAXIMUS CARNIVOROUS, COOLHANDLUKE, ERIC SCOTT & THEE-O

This year has been a big year for Camp OG, with EDC Las Vegas posing as the first big leap for the Camp; having hosted many Camp artists on Parliament 2.0, the 30 Year Anniversary Art Car, over the weekend, bringing “old school” vibes through Drum & Bass, Breakbeats, and a ‘classic’ approach to mixing, the first taste of Camp OG inside the festival was a massive success. Creating the opportunity to catch rare sets from some of rave culture’s most iconic Pioneers of Underground, a much appreciated chance to switch up your musical experience from the typical, more popular ‘mainstream’ type of music you see on the rest of the stages.

Check out the lineup we were blessed with:

EDC Las Vegas 2023 30 Yr. Anniversary Art Car Lineup

Following EDC, Camp OG was given their own stage inside Nocturnal Wonderland this year; in addition to their annual renegade stage in camp. Up on top of the hill, Camp OG hosted a healthy lineup of Camp DJs, along with a number of respectable icons from the depths of the Underground. The stage over the weekend turned out to be a genuinely valued experience for many, proven by the packed crowd that never stopped dancing. The ample love and appreciation for DNB and Breaks was astonishing to see first hand. The excitement for a stage dedicated to a style of music we all love and rarely get at most festivals; the vibes were infectious. The energy was flying high all weekend through attendees, campers, and all of the Camp OG Family, we even saw staff getting down and having a good time while the OG’s swiftly delivered magic through the beats; completely controlling the energy of the crowd. A truly exceptional experience that put Camp OG even more ‘on the map’ with the Insomniac Events; where Camp OG is ‘home’.

This massive opportunity brought many of the Camp DJs the chance to play individual, life-changing sets on stage inside the event, a chance they may not get frequently. It was also a chance for fans to see some of their favorites on larger scale, with even bigger sound than the  production set ups used in camp. All of the artists on the lineup gave it their all, throwing down impeccable sets that blew fans away and kept the entire audience moving all weekend long.

The Nocturnal Camp OG Stage Lineup: Nocturnal Wonderland 2023 30 Yr, Anniversary Camp OG Stage LineupShot of the audience during JS2’s Set on the OG Stage inside the venue

The pre-parties and after-parties were poppin’ this year in camp at Nocturnal, the OG’s held the attention of one of the largest turnouts in the history of the camp parties, for all 3 nights! Night after night the crowd grew far beyond the boundaries of the massive tent that was built for a comfortable, shaded dancefloor; filling the camp roadway with an endless number of happy, dancing ravers. Every night campers would flood in, filling the empty space with joy, dancing on the speakers, and getting to know the OG members personally, bringing true, historic, rave culture vibes back to life, something we don’t get often at larger festivals these days.

Check out the size of the crowd at 5am during the final song of the weekend, on the Camp OG camp stage, brought to us by TankDubz.

As we begin on a journey of getting to know the Camp OG DJs that are committed to throwing down energy-filled underground sets for us, lets dig into some of the history on how Camp OG came to be what it is today. What is Camp OG?

Camp OG is chosen-family, a group of old school, original ravers who have been heavily involved in the scene since the beginning, we’re talking illegal warehouse days. From creating the first Insomniac Event flyers, to the DJs that played through it all, the original Insomniac attendees, as well as promoters and organizers of numerous iconic underground parties of the past; these are the pioneers of the 90s rave scene; deeply dedicated commandeers of countless dancefloors over 30+ years. They’re die hard ravers that have helped the culture advance and emerge into the impressive standard we see across events today. Many OG’s hold long term, personal relationships with Pasquale and his family, on account of knowing each other since the very first events took place.

First Nocturnal Wonderland Flyer 1995

What started as one RV, camped backstage at EDC;  flourished into the idea of a dedicated camp for the matriarchs of the scene, and has continuously blossomed into a genuinely cherished renegade stage for campers to enjoy and experience a taste of the ‘Underground’. Camp OG came to be an established camp at the 20-year Anniversary of Nocturnal Wonderland in 2015. As part of the show’s celebration, Pasquale Rotella booked a few alumni who played some of Insomniac’s earliest parties; local Los Angeles legends like Fester, Mojo, Oscar Da Grouch, DJ Trance, Donald Glaude, and R.A.W; just to name a few. Since then, Camp OG has been a staple to Nocturnal Wonderland Camping. These Veteran Ravers, along with friends who’ve been loyal to Insomniac dating back to the early ‘90s; have teamed up year after year to share a glimpse of the underground with us, while encouraging a unspoken respect for the significance of rave culture’s roots.

For many, Camp OG is a place where they can discover and enjoy a different style of music from what they are used to; while dancing the night away with those who have contributed to ‘paving the way’ for our community’s culture today. Hosting original, and underground sounds, you can expect to see a generous blend of genres boasting from the powerful sound systems they bring in, with a healthy serving of a variety of Drum & Bass styles, multiple forms of Breakbeats, House and Techno displays, and even the occasional appearances of Jungle, Trance, and Hardstyle debuts; abundantly blessed with talented MC’s who are committed to adding that extra flare to hype up the dancefloor. The music is always a top notch, timelessly enjoyable, with tunes that aren’t overplayed. It’s a pleasant change from what we typically get at festivals nowadays, where the top hits seem to take over every set on every stage.

1994 Insomniac Flyer by Jason SplatInsomniac Fridays Flyer by Jason Splat

All are welcome on the OG dance floor, and all are immensely encouraged to come join the fun. A lot of effort goes into creating an environment that represents Camp OG; from lights and lasers, to props and UV art, there is no shortage of rave culture vibes. Held together by Camp OG’s front-man, James Warner, along with the bountiful efforts in managing the stage and OG Grounds from PJ Yates; Camp OG strives to continuously deliver a memorable experience to those who join them on the dancefloor. Operating on a low budget, the OG’s work endlessly to create new props, and bring the equipment they have together to manifest an ‘underground nightlife’ in the camp grounds.

Camp OG Dancefloor in Camp – Nocturnal 2022 – Photo by: TrippyWorld101Camp OG Dancefloor in Camp – Nocturnal 2022 – Photo by: TrippyWorld101

One of my personal favorite perks of having Camp OG in camp, for Nocturnal specifically, is that it’s the alternative option for Afters in camp, compared to the silent disco parties; NO LINES TO GET IN, AND NO HEADPHONES NEEDED. There is a wide spread, overflowing gratitude for live sound!

You can always count on Camp OG to be going hard until the sun comes up.  Photo by: TrippyWorld101

Camp OG is filled with talented creators, aside from the music, who offer their creations in camp;  while you boogie, you have the opportunity to score awesome Camp OG Merch and one-of-a-kind finds; like cups, wind chimes, keychains, and more. Brought to you by the Camp OG Family directly, Nifty Nubez & TankDubz work endlessly before festivals to build up an awesome inventory to offer the campers that hold Camp OG in their heart. Along with the Merch and trippy trinkets, Camp OG also offers many other one-of-a-kind creations from a number of other exceedingly talented Camp Members, available for purchase throughout the camp at each event via pop up booths, or by just stopping to have a good chat.

Camp OG, is an ode to the roots of our culture, and the history that brought us this far, paying respect to the underground and keeping the renegade vibes alive.  Nocturnal Wonderland 2023 Camp OG Group Picture

With the presence of Camp OG inside the festival this year, hopes are high that a new Camp OG tradition has blossomed. We are ecstatic to see Camp OG grow attention in the scene and hope to see more of Camp OG at more events, maybe even some hosted events of their own in the future.

Now lets begin the Camp OG Artist Spotlight Series! Follow this collection of articles to get to know the OG’s that bless us with phenomenal sets year after year. D1AL A FR3AK 

TANKDUBZ

TankDubz comes straight from the underground Southern California Jungle and Drum n’ Bass scene. He is known for consistently bringing his high energy talent of mixing, blending and turntablism to the dance floor. This DJ/producer is influenced by classic techno breakbeats, hip-hop, hardcore and jungle music of the early 90’s. You can find TankDubz holding down the vibes and electrifying festival dance floors at Nocturnal Wonderland, EDC Camp OG, and other yearly events.

Written by thatDROP