Desert Hearts Taps Walker & Royce, VNSSA and Nala for Inagural Arizona Festival

After a turbulent 2023, which saw the Desert Hearts crew nix their multi-day lakeside plans for a city spinoff, the team behind the quirky transformative festival is gearing up for a whole new experience in 2024.

Set to take place July 4-8, this year's Desert Hearts Festival will say goodbye to the Golden State and hop over to the scenic Arizona mountains for four days of non-stop revelry. The picturesque locale, which sits 30 minutes outside Flagstaff, will envelop attendees with its ponderosa pine forest 7,000 feet above the Grand Canyon State. 

Speaking about the move from their longtime California home, Desert Hearts co-founder Mikey Lion echoed the frustration felt across the industry. "The festival industry is in a make-or-break moment as it grapples with rising costs, market saturation and a stalling economy," he said. "Independent festivals and the communities that grow around them are the heart and soul of the music world, but they are struggling to survive."

With a little less than two months before the sounds of house and techno envelop the Coconino National Forest, the Desert Hearts Crew has unveiled the roster of artists who will be performing throughout the Independence Day Weekender.  Notable artists include Walker & Royce, VNSSA, Mary Droppinz, Nala, Rinzen, Ardalan, Lubelski and Anja Schneider, among others.

Lion also emphasized the unique approach taken to the programming at Desert Hearts compared to other festivals.

“While many festivals focus on recycling the same trending headliners to compete with festival giants, Desert Hearts is taking a different approach," he explained. "This year our festival is focused on building up our community, showcasing label friends and family, talented local DJs, and a number of our favorite international touring artists... We’re essentially programming a 72-hour DJ set with the right artists playing the right music at the right time. Everything Desert Hearts Festival does is geared towards creating the best possible vibe, and on July 4th weekend, we're going to throw the best party in the world."

Desert Hearts Festival is set to take place July 4-8 at Playa Ponderosa outside of Flagstaff, Arizona. For tickets, camping and other information, navigate here.

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