The Daily Gamecock

PHOTOS: Hidden City Music Festival returns to Columbia with big names

Hidden City Music Festival returned to Columbia for its second year of Electronic Dance Music at the Columbia Historic Speedway on April 22, 2023. Headliners included Steve Aoki, NGHTMRE and Champagne Drip. 

Industry well known DJ NGHTMRE brings the heat to the main stage with the assistance of pyrotechnics during his set at Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023. He continues his DRMVRSE tour until September of 2023. 
Industry well known DJ NGHTMRE brings the heat to the main stage with the assistance of pyrotechnics during his set at Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023. He continues his DRMVRSE tour until September of 2023. 
The night sky of Hidden City Music Festival becomes illuminated in Steve Aoki’s firework finale on April 22, 2023, at Columbia Historic Speedway. The festival headliners also included NGHTMRE and Champagne Drip. 
The night sky of Hidden City Music Festival becomes illuminated in Steve Aoki’s firework finale on April 22, 2023, at Columbia Historic Speedway. The festival headliners also included NGHTMRE and Champagne Drip. 
Headlining DJ Steve Aoki prepares to heave a cake at a lucky fan during Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023, at Columbia Historic Speedway. Some festival goers prepared signs asking to get caked by the artist as it is a common tradition amongst his shows.
Headlining DJ Steve Aoki prepares to heave a cake at a lucky fan during Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023, at Columbia Historic Speedway. Some festival goers prepared signs asking to get caked by the artist as it is a common tradition amongst his shows.
Champagne Drip aims finger-pistols as he plays a bass-heavy track during the Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023 at the Historic Columbia Speedway. Champagne Drip was one of the three headliners with Steve Aoki and NGHMTRE.
Champagne Drip aims finger-pistols as he plays a bass-heavy track during the Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023 at the Historic Columbia Speedway. Champagne Drip was one of the three headliners with Steve Aoki and NGHMTRE.
A fan rides her friend’s shoulders during Champagne Drip’s Hidden City Music Festival set on April 22, 2023. The day was predicted to have thunderstorms, but that failed to come to true, giving festival goers a perfect sunny and partly cloudy day.
A fan rides her friend’s shoulders during Champagne Drip’s Hidden City Music Festival set on April 22, 2023. The day was predicted to have thunderstorms, but that failed to come to true, giving festival goers a perfect sunny and partly cloudy day.
Steve Aoki illuminates the main stage of Hidden City Music Festival during his set with the help of pyrotechnics on April 22, 2023, at Columbia Historic Speedway. Aoki was the primary headliner for the festival along with NGHTMRE and Champagne Drip. 
Steve Aoki illuminates the main stage of Hidden City Music Festival during his set with the help of pyrotechnics on April 22, 2023, at Columbia Historic Speedway. Aoki was the primary headliner for the festival along with NGHTMRE and Champagne Drip. 
A fan shouts and sings along to one of Steve Aoki’s singles during his set at Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023, at Columbia Historic Speedway. Aoki was the primary headliner to the festival along with NGHTMRE and Champagne Drip. 
A fan shouts and sings along to one of Steve Aoki’s singles during his set at Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023, at Columbia Historic Speedway. Aoki was the primary headliner to the festival along with NGHTMRE and Champagne Drip. 
Steve Aoki and fan pose for the crowd after he allowed her to come on stage, if only she could rap Lose Yourself by Eminem. Aoki was the primary headliner for the Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023 at the Columbia Historic Speedway. 
Steve Aoki and fan pose for the crowd after he allowed her to come on stage, if only she could rap Lose Yourself by Eminem. Aoki was the primary headliner for the Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023 at the Columbia Historic Speedway. 
A fan throws up a heart shape during NGHTMRE’s set at Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023. The artist gave multiple affirmations of his love and appreciation to his fans. 
A fan throws up a heart shape during NGHTMRE’s set at Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023. The artist gave multiple affirmations of his love and appreciation to his fans. 
DJ Sh!tty Princess finishes out the rest of the openers on the mainstage at Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023, at the Historic Columbia Speedway. This was the LA based DJ’s first time performing at the festival. 
DJ Sh!tty Princess finishes out the rest of the openers on the mainstage at Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023, at the Historic Columbia Speedway. This was the LA based DJ’s first time performing at the festival. 
Clothing vendors Treasured Trinket sells items to customers on April 22, 2023, at the Hidden City Music Festival. Customers at the festival could only pay digitally, making it a completely cashless exchange.
Clothing vendors Treasured Trinket sells items to customers on April 22, 2023, at the Hidden City Music Festival. Customers at the festival could only pay digitally, making it a completely cashless exchange.
Resident Five Points DJ Tony Chu begins the third set of the day on the mainstage at Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023, at the Historic Columbia Speedway. The festival included a variety of DJs including headliner Steve Aoki
Resident Five Points DJ Tony Chu begins the third set of the day on the mainstage at Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023, at the Historic Columbia Speedway. The festival included a variety of DJs including headliner Steve Aoki
Festival attendees grab a set of headphones so they can participate in the silent disco at Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023. This activity allows the person wearing the headphones to dictate their own music, choosing from a variety of stations.
Festival attendees grab a set of headphones so they can participate in the silent disco at Hidden City Music Festival on April 22, 2023. This activity allows the person wearing the headphones to dictate their own music, choosing from a variety of stations.