On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the Monegros Desert exploded into life, or more aptly, into sound. Over 50,000 ravers from 90 countries converged in the arid plains of Aragón, Spain, for a 22‑hour marathon of electronic music across 13 stages, hosting more than 150 artists.
At the core of this sonic city stood the UNREAL stage, a vast dystopian temple devoted to hard, imposing techno. With its towering LED structures, fog-shrouded runways, and brutalist visuals, it emerged as the most celebrated stage all day in our view. The production felt on another level: powerful sound systems, laser blades cutting through the dust, and visuals perfectly synchronized to the pounding beats.
One of the most explosive highlights came with Pendulum (Live), whose long-awaited return to the Spanish desert was met with sheer delirium. Their drum & bass-driven live show tore through the heat like a storm: pounding breaks, explosive drops, and crowd-igniting riffs that brought raw rave energy back to the main stage. It wasn’t just a set—it was a full-blown spectacle, and one of the most memorable moments of the day.
Meanwhile, Richie Hawtin and Laurent Garnier, two titans of techno history, offered something far more refined yet equally magnetic. Their sets were like sonic essays: meticulously constructed, flowing between minimal landscapes, deep house grooves, and elegant rhythmic progressions. They didn’t need fireworks—just masterful control and decades of craft to hypnotize the crowd.
Andrés Campo, the festival’s hometown hero and emotional core, had multiple appearances throughout the day, but his individual set stood out as a perfect bridge between the festival’s identity and its evolution. Blending powerful, punchy techno with unexpected melodic detours, he injected his trademark charisma and warmth into a space often dominated by cold brutality.
Then came one of the most original additions of this edition: the F2F (Face-to-Face) battles. These DJ duels turned back-to-back sets into adrenaline-fueled showdowns. Adrián Mills vs. Andrés Campo built a set full of tension and swagger, a tug-of-war between rising talent and established force. Blawan vs. SHDW leaned darker, more mental, pushing the crowd into a trance-like state of intensity. Meanwhile, Adam Beyer B2B Ilario Alicante delivered a high-energy, polished performance that contrasted styles with dramatic flair. These confrontations weren’t just gimmicks—they were fully developed musical dialogues, thrilling and unique.
For those seeking something less industrial and more groove-oriented, Seth Troxler, Ben Sims, and Cinthie offered welcome shelter from the sonic assaults elsewhere. Their sets, rich in funk, house, and classic rhythm, served as essential palate cleansers, letting the crowd catch their breath while still dancing. These moments didn’t fight against the Monegros energy—they flowed with it, proving that soul and swing still have a place in the desert’s relentless pace.
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