When it comes to immersive music festivals, you already know Mic Drop has you covered. One standout festival right around the corner is Same Same But Different. What started as a humble, grassroots, community-led gathering has now evolved into a full-blown immersive music festival that brings in more than 7,000 attendees each year. Not only does the lineup feature pioneers in electronic music, but festival-goers also get the rare chance to fully immerse themselves in the culture and even become part of the production. Today, we’re breaking down exactly who you should see at Same Same But Different this year. Stay locked.
Same Same But Different: “Escape the Same, Experience the Different”
From interactive live art installations to knowledge workshops, from live painters to surprise performances, Same Same But Different curates a playground for every creative soul. The festival’s heart beats with community, expansion, and connection, offering endless opportunities to grow, express, and share experiences with others.To keep that intimacy alive, the organizers cap attendance at 7,500 every year. And since it all goes down at the Lake Perris campgrounds, attendees carry the responsibility to leave the land better than they found it. With the vision set, let’s dive into the real question: who should you see this year?
Bass N Babes Crew
(Auracle, Baby Ku$h, Farley., Lex Looper, Shortcvke and Violet)
These powerhouses represent only a slice of what the LA-based, women-owned collective Bass n Babes has to offer. After launching their debut compilation album and announcing their label, Bass n Babes Records, the collective continues to rise. You can get a taste of their sound with Bass n Babes Vol. I—then prepare to hear it shake the festival grounds.
PHRVA
Bass, bass, bass in your face. If you’re looking for something dark, heavy, and bass blaring through the sound system, PHRVA’s set will be one you don’t want to miss. This dubstep force has been making waves with unforgettable sets at Shambhala and Sound Haven, while also dropping heat on Deadbeats. Fresh off tour with Tape B, PHRVA’s energy spreads like wildfire, and his set promises to level up your Same Same experience.
Listen to his latest release “Collected.”
Sumthin Sumthin
Next up is a longtime favorite of mine—sumthin sumthin. His sound blends downtempo bass, heavy dubstep, and wonky 140 flows, creating sets that feel like a full-on journey. What’s more to love? With Conrad behind the decks, expect the unexpected: bassy, melodic, moody, heavy, and guaranteed to make you move.
Check out some of his essentials:
parkbreezy
Founder of the all:lo collective, parkbreezy always brings chill vibes and wonky rhythms that carry you into a new state of mind. When I need a cool-down or detox, I turn to all:lo mixes, often filled with parkbreezy’s standout tracks. His set will serve as a perfect reset moment during the festival.
Explore parkbreezy here:
A Hundred Drums
LA’s own A Hundred Drums, aka Gabrielle (G), brings hypnotic, mysterious, and bone-rattling bass wherever she goes. As the founder of B-Side, she continues to push underground bass forward and uplift women in the scene. Her stage presence commands attention, and her sets always transport listeners on a transformative journey.
Check out her latest release:
Mango and Ginger
Last but nowhere near least, duo Mango and Ginger flip the script with their blend of baile funk, drum and bass, and R&B mashups. They’ve been catching fire online with sessions recorded from the backseat of a red convertible cruising through LA (@heds.world).
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a good taste of what to expect. Expect heat, innovation, and vibes that feel brand new yet timeless.
Same Same, We Are So Back
Now that you’ve got the inside scoop, it’s time to lock in your set list. While set times haven’t dropped yet, the festival promises zero conflicts thanks to precise scheduling across its two stages. That means you can catch every act on this list without missing a beat.
Honestly, this lineup is one for the books. And yes, there’s still time to grab your tickets—so secure yours now and prepare to escape the same while experiencing the different.
