This year’s theme, WHOLE New World, casts the festival as a portal to another dimension — a site of queer futurism and sonic possibility. The official teaser, directed by Liam Schnell and soundtracked by SOPHIE’s “Whole New World / Pretend World,” reframes the rave through the lens of sci-fi camp: a butt plug-shaped spaceship, glitchy visuals, and delirious alien avatars. It’s a charged tribute to SOPHIE, whose legacy continues to pulse through contemporary queer culture.

The festival unfolds across six stages — Arena, Beach, Crane, Forest, Ambient, and Performance — each shaping a unique sonic and spatial experience. The Crane Stage extends into the early morning, intensifying the nocturnal momentum, while the Ambient Stage offers a slower, introspective pace. Beyond music, WHOLE builds space for panel talks, workshops, cruising zones, and somatic practices — expanding the rave into a fully embodied ecosystem.

This year’s lineup bridges global and local scenes. I. JORDAN, Romy, Tygapaw, AHADADREAM, Ellen Allien b2b Dr. Rubinstein, and The Blessed Madonna lead a multifaceted program of DJs and live performers. Notable back-to-back sets include Shaun J. Wright with Kiddy Smile, closing the festival with a moment of collective joy, and Shanti Celeste with Jennifer Loveless for a rhythmically rich dialogue behind the decks.

At the Performance Stage, Italian icon M¥SS KETA and the surrealist duo Miss Bashful x DBBD headline a charged bill of experimental electronic acts. Also featured: SWEAT (Copenhagen/Berlin), and ADIRA — a queer Arab* collective reclaiming Arabic pop and remixing anti-orientalist aesthetics into something radically new.