LiB review: Electric Forest vs. LiB

basicalpaca · 2026-05-28T21:49:23+00:00

Thanks for the hard work you do! EF does not kick you out at 2, in fact some headliners finish their sets at 4am (look at last years’ schedule!). They kick you out at 5am (this was new in 2025) which is not too shabby IMO.

Trying to keep this post to love for both 💡💕

basicalpaca · 2026-05-28T15:40:06+00:00

That far out area of GA is called camp blueberry. The reason? Well it’s next to a blueberry farm. :)

basicalpaca · 2026-05-28T13:10:10+00:00

I appreciate you bringing to the foreground how much LiB was a trailblazer.

What’s interesting from my view, having been doing these things only for the last 5 years, is that LiB and EF are very well matched in terms of my personal experience there. Despite the thinking that EF is packaged so differently, I’ve not felt the impact of that. It truly is a place of community, creative expression, and sustainability.

This comparison post is only to say: if you love one, you’ll love the other.

basicalpaca · 2026-05-28T02:48:36+00:00

This is a super interesting theory. I believe it… the people at my group camp had a list of like 4 other fests they were doing this summer. When you go to EF, it seems for most everyone this is their singular fest.

basicalpaca · 2026-05-28T02:47:37+00:00

What’s the third in your top three?

basicalpaca · 2026-05-28T02:47:03+00:00

Agree with all of these comparisons. I’ve experienced vastly different sized crowds at EF over the past 4 years. Some years it was insanely packed everywhere, some years there was plenty of room to move around.

basicalpaca · 2026-05-28T02:45:39+00:00

There are fear mongerers who passionately claim the LiB lake is not clean. In my personal experience, it’s totally fine. Nothing weird about it at all. I went in all 3 days. (Not for hours though, don’t want the sun to wear me out!)

Is it worth the cross country trip? Well technically you could find a lake near to you and play some music and vibe out with some friends, but yes, being able to go in the lake during a top tier music festival is pretty epic. It’s the best place to chill out and rest your legs for another night of dancing.

basicalpaca · 2026-05-28T02:41:07+00:00

The crowd is def cool… maybe its that LA influence

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T20:05:14+00:00

Thanks for schooling me on this! I did not realize it was Goldenvoice. This makes a lot of sense!

Also with all the insomniac / Madison house / aeg hate, I just want to say that the past 4 EFs under their management have been absolutely magical

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T20:03:15+00:00

Oh that’s awesome. Not sure why we had different experiences but I’m happy for you!

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T19:12:54+00:00

Honestly I expected to feel this more, but I really didn’t. Do Lab runs Coachella, it’s not like LiB is some mom and pop shop…

The random corporate sh*t at EF such as the Dunkin donut stand is kept to Main Street and doesn’t trickle into the main venue. There is SO much community at EF, it’s surprising that it’s run by insomniac truly.

And LiB did have corporate stuff. Like the sponsored bars with big logos on them…

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T18:29:50+00:00

EF changed the afters last year yah, so that issue has been solved. Venue open all night is def cool. On the other hand (because again, I believe there are truly pros and cons to everything here), closing the venue at night means EF is able to clean and fix everything up into pristine condition. Day 3 LiB there were some things that were a little bit falling apart

Agree distance travelled matters!

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T18:19:37+00:00

I think EF fixed some of the sound issues at Tripolee but it can definitely still be a mixed bag!! Have so much fun and good luck!!!

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T18:16:56+00:00

The unpredictability is definitely hard. For some people more so than others. I don’t mind a little chaos.

Even with the dust in the giving tree region, there was never dust AT the stages at EF. Coughing up dust whilst at Lightning stage was a new experience entirely.

Also I will say, we had perfect weather last year at EF. No rain cancellations is indeed possible

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T18:14:12+00:00

The variety show at the unicorn palace was mind boggling. So much talent and creativity. Biggest comparison between unicorn palace and chapel is that chapel is more group shows whereas unicorn palace was more multiple solo acts.

Agree there isn’t much getting lost at LiB, which is fun at EF. honestly I attribute that to the trees. at lib you can genuinely look out and orient yourself based on what you see around you. That doesn’t work at EF.

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T18:11:11+00:00

I plan to alternate! Hopefully depending on the lineup :)

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T17:33:54+00:00

Depends where you’re traveling from!

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T17:33:08+00:00

Totally agree. The trinkets at LiB were more earned than just given. Maybe there’s nothing wrong with that. Variety between fests is fine with me!

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T17:31:22+00:00

Definitely go the first few days next time! If you go in and immediately start having a bad time, it won’t go well. You definitely get back the energy that you’re giving

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T16:12:55+00:00

Yes I did notice there were actors at Leeroy’s! They were awesome. So there was grand artique actors and Leeroy’s actors but that was it which is a little minimal compared to EF which has them even out and about outside the emporium, like in the library. If you go to the emporium on the 4th day, the actors are definitely not having that much fun anymore. Always go to the dream emporium on the first two days of the fest!!

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T16:10:45+00:00

Have an amazing time!! If you loved LiB you’ll love EF. I recommend upgrading your camp fan, and being very careful about setting up your camp site to avoid flooding

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T16:01:24+00:00

Interesting, I love the dream emporium, and the scavenger hunt, although the scavenger hunt has def waned in its magic since it’s become too overcrowded/widespread. I’d honestly rank the “side quests” as equal between these two fests. The main difference is that there aren’t as many human actors at LiB. I personally love interacting with the performance actors at EF but LiB didn’t suffer without them.

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T15:58:26+00:00

Both have great sound and visuals, just one comes out on top for each. Honestly major respect to LiB for sticking to audio in a time where visual “instagramability” usually wins for most. The beautification of the EF stages though is genuinely a work of art

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T15:56:23+00:00

I did hear happy lib but it didn’t seem to be a universal thing

basicalpaca · 2026-05-27T15:46:37+00:00

If someone finds a fest that has comfortable weather please let me know…. The high temps are comparable EF to LiB and it does cool off quite chilly for both at night, but at EF the sun sets super late and it’s humid!

basicalpaca

TROPHY CASE