Live Report: Rise Festival 2024

As you wind your way up the increasingly steep slopes that take you to Les Deux Alpes, the French town that hosts the yearly snow-sports centric electronic festival Rise, an astonishing setting unfolds in front of you. Through light snowfall you catch sight of stunning mountain views, dark, snow laden forests and even a strikingly blue lake, culminating in the intimidating form of Chambon dam. 

This is my first ski festival, and despite skiing numerous times in the past, every time I reach the mountains it takes my breath away. Les Deux Alpes is no exception, filled with charming wooden chalets and glistening strings of lights, the French town radiates alpine comfort. As the huge arch that greets you as you drive into this dreamy town proclaims, this is the tenth edition of Rise Festival, and it truly is a “party on top of the world.”

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Over the course of a week this section of the alps is completely taken over by music lovers and adrenaline seekers, spending the days deftly navigating the slopes and the nights dancing away to pounding rhythms. The festival wraps itself around this small town, turning its central square into the main stage where legends including Shy FX, Bicep and Craig David have performed in previous years. Even the local restaurants and pubs are pulled in, hosting events that run parallel to the festivals lineup, including raclette and fondue nights that are accompanied by fittingly cheesy tunes.

The organisers of Rise know they have something special with this setting, and they take every opportunity they can to emphasise the beauty of the town and its surroundings. The backdrop to the main stage is the base of the mountain, meaning as the sun sets and amber light cascades across the landscape, you can watch skiers and snowboarders whizz down the interwoven array of runs that lead them back to town. 

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During the day in the heart of the mountain you will find the Pano Bar, 2600 meters up and tucked between a tapestry of blue runs. Here, among the view of the mountaintops and darting skiers, DJs take to the stage, blasting out tunes that echo among surrounding hills. It is here that Arielle Free ushers in the start of the week, and a few days later Mixmag host their electric pop up with Riordan. Pano Bar feels like the epitome of apres-ski, capturing the euphoria that comes after a long day of skiing, as you crack open a beer and let the music flow over you. Throughout the week it has consistently brilliant vibes. 

Skiing and partying for six days straight is a pretty relentless task, especially for those getting up early to catch the best snow and staying up late at the numerous afterparties on offer. Luckily all the festival’s stages and activities are accessible by foot or gondola, meaning you can take a rest day without missing out. This includes the luxurious ‘Lunch in the Clouds’ which is a quality three course meal offered high in the mountains, with the most beautiful backdrop and flowing wine. 

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But of course, regardless of setting, a festival is at its heart all about its music. This year saw Rise deliver headline sets from the iconic Chase & Status, alongside an array of solid acts including Girls Don’t Sync and Gorgon City. Chase & Status’ headline set did not disappoint, and despite only Will Kennard (aka Status) performing, the atmosphere created and crowd reaction proved the act’s status as trailblazers in the genre. Another big win of the week was found in the set of Sami Virji, whose adrenaline filled performance was so popular that its queue snaked from the main stage well down the road.

However, the festival’s real highlights were found at the Muzelle, a tent stage that by day transformed into a beerhall featuring the immensely fun live cover band Groove Anatomy (including a grooving sax) and by night brings a club atmosphere to the snowy mountains. Here Subfocus delivered a phenomenally immersive set, one that became a fixed highlight for the week with its pounding base and stunning light show. Other highlights include the brilliant Joy Anonymous, whose set finished just as Sami Virji took to the main stage, keeping the vibes high as crowds flowed between the icy street connecting the main stages. 

It is the way the music permeates the atmosphere of Rise that makes it a truly special experience. From the daytime sets up in the mountain to the afterparties that sprawl out into the early hours of the morning, there is a constant buzz of energy among the festival. Even the bars and restaurants unofficially join in, and you would struggle to find a place for a beer or a snack that isn’t accompanied by bouncing tunes. This energy culminates in the final night, where dark horse highlight Fish56octagon takes to the packed Muzelle stage and delivers knockout set, filled with classics that leave the room dancing. This set is elevated by the elated experienced by Fish’s reaction, beaming to the crowd as they party to his tunes.

Then night continues with a knockout performance from Dimitri in Paris on the Alpine Stage, accompanied by fireworks over the mountain to celebrate the culmination of the week. The mood is bittersweet as the crows weave their way to various afterparties, including an atmospheric, grooving set from rising star Josh Baker at the Rise Arena. It feels like everyone is grasping for one last moment from an adrenaline filled week, before they make their descent down the snowy mountain roads, away from the music and back to reality. 

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Words: Eve Boothroyd
Photography: Samuel Onamusi, Matt Greenwell, Giulia Spadafora, Joe Hart

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