Neon Carnival Sets Date for 2017, Reveals the Future of Popular Overnight Bash (Exclusive)
“We’re moving locations next year,” creator Brent Bolthouse tells The Party Report
Mikey Glazer | March 23, 2017 @ 7:00 AM
Last Updated: March 23, 2017 @ 9:32 AM
Neon Carnival, the all-night celebrity-stuffed party where Leonardo DiCaprio and Rihanna are regulars, is set to return on Saturday, April 15 in Thermal, California.
After 11 years at the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, where revelers ride ferris wheels and dance to DJs next to both an active runway and stars like Clint Eastwood, Usher and Lars Ulrich from Metallica, the iconic event will move to a new location in 2018, The Party Report has learned.
“It doesn’t mean Neon Carnival is going away,” creator Brent Bolthouse told TheWrap. “It just means we’re moving locations next year. It’s kind of bittersweet. [The airport] is a legendary joint for us.”
Rihanna and Leo at Neon Carnival 2017 (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Best Events)
Bolthouse and partner Jeffrey Best (who have produced the party since inception, when the late DJ AM, Steve Aoki and Danny Masterson simultaneously spun from three different turntable setups surrounding the dance floor) will be looking for a new location in the desert.
Kellan Lutz playing carnival games (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Best Events)
They already started searching “a while ago,” Bolthouse said.
DJ Ruckus will be back on the decks along with Kayper, DJ Politik, and Jesse Marco. (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Best Events)
The guestlist, invite-only event is nearly three-times the size of the entire population of the host town of Thermal. Good thing there are lots of wide open spaces in the desert. For this year, Bolthouse promises a revised traffic flow and easier drop-offs and pickups for the thousands arriving in the dark after a day of music and other spirited activities during Coachella.
Two Weekends of Neon Carnival? Because the physical production spans four days from load-in to load-out including importing full size ferris wheels, bumper cars, carnival games, food vendors and a giant dance floor under the stars — a new location could allow them to roll the carnival over to a second or even potentially third weekend.
After his dad played Coachella on Saturday night right before Guns ‘N Roses last year, O’Shea Jackson Jr. got the best table in the event: hidden inside Tequila Don Julio’s airstream trailer. (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Best Events)
That hypothetical template just so happens to coincide with the weekends where the most iconic American music festival and a country music festivals (Coachella and Stagecoach) take place a few miles west down the desert roads. All parties involved go out of their way to emphasize, correctly, that the event and the music festivals are not affiliated with each other in any way.
“Hopefully we’re going to find a location that we could maybe do it [more than once in the desert],” Bolthouse said. “I’m not saying that’s going to happen, but that could be an option.”
A Neon Carnival on back-to-back weekends presents an interesting thought experiment on how it would reorient the orbit of the marketing dollars and side parties thrown in the desert.
But back to this year.
This beats fighting in the octagon on a Saturday night: Heidi Northcott and “The Iceman” Chuck Lidell at last year’s event. (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Best Events)
The Return of Kayper Since Kayper spun NC last year, she has had a higher stakes gig: spinning Bolthouse’s wedding.
“In the London, New York, L.A., Miami scene, I don’t know another DJ that throws it down like her,” Bolthouse said of the British producer and music personality.
“Kayper’s taking you on a journey. She’s like the reincarnation of DJ AM in my brain. He’s the only other guy that I ever saw that really did it that way. That’s giving her, obviously, lots of love.”
On background, Bolthouse and the late DJ AM were extremely close personally and professionally, referring to themselves as the sober Batman and Robin of L.A. nightlife. This co-sign has heft.
Along with Kayper — DJ Ruckus, DJ Politik and Jesse Marco will return to spin for the 8,000 invited guests from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. Fun fact: They all have the same manager.
Old Friends are Back Corporate partners continue to re-up for this event with the consistency and persistence that is more frequently seen with the naming rights to tennis tournaments and college football bowl games.
This year, Levi’s returns as a lead sponsor, along with tequila Don Julio.
In a neat bit of synergy, three of the aforementioned DJs (Ruckus, Politik and Jesse Marco) are brand ambassadors for the top shelf pour, and will be showing off TJD’s new magnums.
Lokai, who made the bracelets given out in advance last year, will return as a sponsor for 2017.
For Bolthouse, who has been busy expanding the Bungalow lounge brand from Santa Monica to Huntington Beach and beyond, he’s already been fielding phone calls from business partners in their 50s, inquiring on access for their kids. It’s an institution, with two federally registered trademarks.
Warning: This party is a “don’t invite yourself, we’ll invite you” guestlist. Joyce Sevilla, Rembrandt Flores and EFG handle a slice of the celebrity attendees and media.
For everyone else, good luck.
Please send additional event info, bookings, and invites to TheWrap’s Party Report columnist Mikey Glazer here.
The Scene at Coachella 2016: Axl Rose, Slash, and Kesha, Sam Smith, and Snoop Dogg Surprises (Updating Photos)
Axl Rose leading Guns N' Roses back to a mass audience, Ice Cube's hit parade, and Kanye West's surprise appearance are amongst the highlights at the packed opening weekend of Coachella 2016.
Getty Images
Calvin Harris closed out the first weekend of the festival on Sunday night with an abbreviated set on the main stage, shorter than most of his Vegas club appearances. He hit what might have been a hard curfew, ending exactly at midnight.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella
Speculation swirled about who of his many collaborators could join him on stage. Taylor Swift's name had been mentioned as a probable to attend, but not perform. Instead, it was...
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella
...Rihanna appearing on a separate stage in the middle of the crowd.
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella
Taylor Swift, with Lorde and other friends, watched "We Found Love" from the middle of the crowd in full freak out mode.
Mark Davis/Getty Images for Coachella
The night, and weekend, ended with an array of fireworks.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella
Earlier on Sunday, Sia's hour-long performance played like a Broadway musical.
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella
Thank this crew for bringing you last year's "can't escape" song: "Lean On". Major Lazer arrived with all their collaborators (including vocalist MØ and DJ Snake) to the sunset slot on the main stage.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella
The Chainsmokers, who are on a ride of consecutive radio-friendly crossover dance hits, were the de facto headliners in the Sahara on Sunday, nearly causing an earthquake with their Red Hot Chili Peppers intro to "Roses". After the Chainsmokers appeared with Tiesto at last month's Ultra in Miami, the elder statesman returned the favor for the boys. A moderate surprise by comparison to the bizarro but beloved appearance from Third Eye Blind, an idea the boys hatched in a bar in Baltimore 48 hours earlier.
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images for Coachella
For reference, this is Stephan Jenkins (lead singer of Third Eye Blind) a month ago at SXSW in Austin. It's a universe away from this scene he walked in to.
Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
Defying all odds, Guns N' Roses took the stage on time for their Saturday night headlining set (10:36 p.m.) and rocked for 2.5 hours straight. From a review of footage of their first four shows over the last two weeks after a 23 year hiatus, this performance had the most hug. In the giant festival setting, they seemed to click-in and have fun for the first time.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella
Hamstrung by a foot injury, Axl's throne has gotten some upgrades since last weekend's shows in Las Vegas. He can move it around stage, which makes it the most rocking Walmart scooter ever. The Periscope and Youtube footage of reunion concerts to this point do not do Axl's voice justice - he sounded great.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella
They opened with "It's So Easy" and "Mr. Brownstone", as has been the trend in their comeback tour so far. The set included super-sized Illusion era songs "Estranged," "Coma," and "November Rain". AC/DC's Angus Young joined the group for a few songs, as Axl will be leading that band on their tour this year.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella
Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube performed the Dr. Dre classic "Next Episode", with Cube singing Dre's parts.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella
In the battle of the guest stars, as Snoop joined Cube, one stage over Kesha made good on a much-rumored appearance with Zedd on the Outdoor stage.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella
Back at Cube's set, his "Barbershop" co-star Common joined him on stage. The two began the week on "Good Morning America" plugging the movie that opened this weekend. And speaking of Oscar winners (Common)....
Christopher Polk/Getty Images
...Sam Smith had just gotten off Common and Cube's stage, where he performed hits "Omen" and "Latch" with Disclosure. Disclosure also slid Lorde in to their set for "Magnets".
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella
The scene on Saturday afternoon.
David McNew/Getty Images for Coachella
James Bay proved to be under-booked in the Mojave Tent. A spillover crowd could not get in to see his 4:30 p.m. set on Saturday. He plays at the Ace Hotel downtown in L.A. in between the festival weekends.
Mike Windle/ Getty Images for Coachella
Over in the Sahara, Matoma came out throwing fastballs, opening with his hit "Running Out" and dabbling one chorus of The Chainsmokers' "Roses", a preview of the anthem that will arrive later in the festival on the same stage.
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images for Coachella
Away from the festival, the Neon Carnival remained exceedingly popular, a talk of conversation on the fields and on the after party circuit.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Best Events
As always, you never know who you're going to see here...except Leo. He's a regular. From the celebrity stew, DiCaprio and Rihanna get a word in the VIP risers...
Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Tequila Don Julio
...UFC legend Chuck Lidell looking festival fresh...
..and after taking the stage with his father Ice Cube at the festival, O'Shea Jackson Jr. got the sweetest table in the whole carnival: a hidden nook inside the Tequila Don Julio airstream trailer. (This columnist's seat of choice in past years.)
Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Tequila Don Julio
DJ Ruckus showed support for the headliners over at the festival.
Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Tequila Don Julio
Kellan Lutz wore the uniform of choice for Saturday, a classic GNR tee, while playing a game.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Best Events
For the festival regular, it was a wardrobe change from earlier in the day where he got ready for "neon" with the Diadora kicks being given out at the Vegas-sponsored "What Happens Here Stays Here" party in Palm Springs.
Tiffany Rose
Levi's and Re/Done sponsored the multi-thousand person party at a private airport, where rides, food, carnival games, beauty stations, and an outdoor dance floor was packed until early on Sunday morning.
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Best Events
After getting a huge response to his set on Friday, G-Eazy got to relax. On Saturday, he was poolside at Interview Magazine's Paradise House in Palm Springs.
Michael Bezjian/Getty Images for Best Events
The "Me, Myself, & I" singer unintentionally matched with Amber Rose at the "What Happens Here, Stays Here" Beer party presented by the city of Las Vegas at The Music Lounge.
Vivien Best/Getty Images
Rachel Zoe and Brooklyn Beckham at the stylists's "ZOEasis" event.
Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images
TheWeeknd played the main stage at Coachella last year. This year, he got to hang at Bootsy Bellows' party that had cars parked all over the grounds of the estate like a tailgate, promoting Chevy Cruze.
Rick Williams
Two festival regulars: Derek Hough and Aaron Paul at the McDonald's All Day Breakfast party on Saturday.
Via Narrative Group
Meanwhile at the Ace Hotel, Questlove had audiophiles nodding their heads. The festival-hopping musician immediately put on the B&O Play headphones he had just gotten and put them to use for his set.
Courtesy of The Avenue West
Ellie Goulding sparked the energy on the main stage after dark on the opening night of Coachella 2016.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella
Allison Mosshart of The Kills on stage earlier on Friday, where the winds were high and hats were flying. In the background, one of the art installations that towers over the grounds. When lit at night, it looks a Miami Beach condo building.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella
Instagram alert: This phrase had been tagged nearly 20,000 times by 5 p.m. in photos from the festival. In english it means "Kiss Me A lot" (in an imperative/command form).
Courtesy of @SummerofSeventyEight on Instagram
Even tennis star Maria Sharapova (far left) got in to the act.
Courtesy of @TeamSharapova on Instagram
Kanye West was the big surprise guest on Friday. He took the impossibly crowded outdoor stage with A$AP Rocky.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella
Kanye reappeared briefly on the same stage during Diplo and Skrillex's Jack U set, clapping along to his own song, "Power." An instagram video from backstage purports to show the active Mr. West competing in a foot race against Tyler the Creator.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella
Jack U's set involved a 1990-era Mac computer, complete with a chunky mouse and a giant floppy disc that Diplo picked up over head. They DJ'd from on top.
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images
Check out the clean shaven, glasses-free and newly renovated Skrillex. He popped by Nylon's party after playing the festival and took over the decks there too.
Getty Images for Nylon
Zach Braff got a perch far from the Jack U blast, taking an outdoor day bed at the Retreat in Palm Springs. He's with Janell Shirtcliff.
Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Lodger Films
Elsewhere in Palm Springs, Kieran Shipka and Emily Ratajkowski linked up at a POPSUGAR cocktail party.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for POPSUGAR
Back on the grounds, the fashion show included wings.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella
The winds on Friday blew a few sips off the tops of drinks and had many festival fans wrapping bandanas around their mouths in the daylight, hours before the typical dust storms at night.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella
The dancing was not all amateur. Ghastly added to his stage show with a duo more frequently seen in Vegas.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Coachella
Darren Criss faked a tap-out at H&M's official on-site pop up shop.
Mike Windle/Getty Images for H&M
Sufjan Stevens was one of the most anticipated "new faces" acts of the festival...
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella
...as was Maryland-based R&B singer Gallant. Seal (pictured) joined Gallant on stage, a week after Gallant's album "Ology" debuted.
Mike Windle/Getty Images for H&M
"That girl" is here.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella
Suki Waterhouse with Lyndsey Rodrigues, who hosts a daily fashion series on Amazon. Suki hosted a party for them at the Retreat.
Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Lodger Films
Zoe Kravitz and a friend inside one of the coolest (literally) places on the fields, the indoor Heineken House.
Splash
Sunset on Day 1.
Mike Windle/Getty Images for H&M
DJ Mustard led the hip hop invasion of the dance-mecca Sahara tent. YG joined him on stage, asking everyone in the crowd to raise their middle fingers as he led a chant of "F--k Donald Trump!"
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images for Coachella
Ellie Goulding catching air. Her collaborator Calvin Harris will be on the same stage on Sunday night to close out the festival.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella
In a sea of fashion bloggers and wannabes, two real deal influencers join forces: Chiara Ferragni and Aimee Song. They hit up a dinner thrown by clothing line Revolve (who is doing two days of major pool parties) and Moet & Chandon out in Palm Springs.
Ari Perilstein/Getty Images for Moet & Chandon
Another legit social-media star on the scene: Viner Brittany Furlan at Nylon's party on Friday night. It went late.
Michael Bezjian/Getty Images for Nylon
Hannah Bronfman (who DJ'd) and fiance Brenden Fallis (also a DJ) at POPSUGAR's Cabana Club on Friday afternoon.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for POPSUGAR
More to come...check back for updates throughout the weekend.
Matt Cowan/Getty Images for Coachella
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Inside and backstage at the festival, the parties and the scene with the Party Report’s Mikey Glazer
Axl Rose leading Guns N' Roses back to a mass audience, Ice Cube's hit parade, and Kanye West's surprise appearance are amongst the highlights at the packed opening weekend of Coachella 2016.