Splash House is ready to pool party
EDM fest to bring Polo & Pan, John Summit, many more over 2 weekends
As a Palm Springs native, Tyler McLean has grown alongside a city that continues to evolve as a popular travel destination.
While the city embraced the hospitality and travel industries, McLean, co-founder and producer of the EDM Splash House festival, saw an opportunity to embed the resort atmosphere — with custom pools and posh hotel amenities — into the festival experience.
“We created Splash House as a music experience built on and in celebration of those pools and hotels,” McLean said during a recent phone interview. “They are a defining characteristic of the Palm Springs identity and it’s part of the fabric that makes the event so great.”
For its ninth year, Splash House announced an extended, triple festival weekend, which included an event back in June and two additional weekends today through Sunday and Aug. 19-21. The lineups for each weekend are different but all feature toptier EDM acts that will take over three resorts: the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel, Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs and The Saguaro Palm Springs.
“I think the roots and core of our booking is dance, house, disco, indie and indiedance, but really classic house is the defining factor of who we book,” McLean said. “House is right there in the festival name.”
Splash House will also offer some off-site experiences at Palm Spring businesses, including a disco drag brunch, tequila tasting and more.
“Every year is an opportunity for us to continue to add new layers of experiences to the programming to make it a spectacularly fun weekend,” he said.
Here’s what you need to know before heading out to Palm Springs. For the most current entertainment lineup, ticket information and more, go to splashhouse.com.
Splash House, with daytime and nighttime segments, is this weekend and next.
“These two lineups are some of the strongest and most well-rounded lineups we’ve put out,” he said. “Overall, it will be a fun, eclectic mix of sounds.”
Hotel hoppin’
McLean said he and the festival organizers chose each hotel lineup with the same organizational framework fans would expect from other multistage fests. Guests can opt to party at one poolside stage all day or travel between venues to take in all of the stages.
“We try to program artists that make sense for each stage and each venue,” McLean said. “They each have their own little taste that sets them apart.”
McLean said The Saguaro is the most intimate venue and will host deep house acts. Meanwhile, Margaritaville has an eclectic vibe and will feature more bass acts, and the Renaissance, the largest venue, will include more of the major house performers.
The three hotels will offer shuttle service from noon until sundown between hotels and from 9 p.m.- 2 a.m. for the After Hours events Fridays and Saturdays.
After Hours parties
The Splash House After Hours series will take place at the Palm Springs Air Museum and feature Claude VonStroke, Lewis, Seth Troxler and a surprise guest. After Hours events are from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. They require an additional ticket ($60-$100).
“It’s such a unique environment for a live music experience and it’s become a special part of the show,” McLean said. “We host the event on Fridays to kick off the show and then on Saturdays as the After Party.”
There are also off-site events that are new to Splash House this year including a disco drag brunch at Oscar’s, a mixology class at Mr. Lyons and a sushi and whiskey paring at Sandfish.
“They’re all either culinary or food and beverage related,” McLean said. “We wanted to plug in local places in Palms Springs that we think are unique and fun.”
The EDM-heavy festival will take place at The Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel, The Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs and The Saguaro Palm Springs.
SPLASH HOUSE
When: Noon-sundown today through Sunday and Aug. 19-21 Where: Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel, 888 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way; The Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs, 1600 N. Indian Canyon Drive; The Saguaro Palm Springs, 1800 E. Palm Canyon Drive
How much: General admission passes are $159-$219, combo passes that include After Hours are $199-$264, After Hoursonly passes are $60-$80for general admission and $100VIP. Tables, daybeds and cabanas require a $150-$300 reservation fee and drink minimum and start at $1,500. All guests must be 21or older. All passes are available at splashhouse.com. Parking: Hotel parking is only available for attendees who purchased hotel packages and is limited. General admission parking will be available at the Palm Springs Convention Center’s East Lot, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros. Parking is available Fridays-Mondays, including overnight.