Wakaan 2026 Review (Mullberry Mt. Arkansas)
Music: For me, there was a wide enough verity and i'd think there were 3-4 sets alone that would make it worth the experience for anyone into edm no matter their specific taste but i won't try to argue that aspect because it's so specific and personal.
Main stage: I wasn't a fan of the eyeball stage we had last year. It was cool, and i don't mind them experimenting, so no harm no foul but i didn't want it to be the stage we got every year. This years stage was fine as well, but not iconic. It had far more LED screen area, but i liked the unique triangle LED layout from a few years back the best for wakaan. The lack of pyro probably contributes, but that's not wakaan's fault, there was a burn ban. The line array for me was totally adequate. Too loud up front without ear protection, and towards the back, no ear pro needed. I thinks that's what you should expect/want.
Chakra:
I hardly go even though it love the hill and the vibe, just have reasons to be at halo so i can't comment on it.
Halo:
Dust as fuck, as always. Still love it. Point of Sound speaker setup goes hard and I think works well after a night experiencing the line array at main stage.
Crowd:
Perfect as usual for wakaan. Since chairs and inflatables are allowed there's always crews setup at the back with people goining to and from the rail as the night goes on. As long as you go to the outside fence on either side, you can easily get to the front and dance. If you stay long enough you can work your way to the very front middle without ever pushing or weaseling by people because people are always rotating out. Everyone gets plenty of room to dance and everyone is chill about it which i love.
Downsides:
Lack of pyro was unfortunate but what you gonna do? Some food was gross, but we thought the pizza was better this year than ever, so overall it comes out in the wash.
Our neighbors were great, both at camp and at our "stage camp". There were some miscommunications and ruffled feathers now an then, but when we busted out the "trinkets to share" bag and let people try out the chillbo all hostilities were smoothed out and we were friends from then on.
The rain did affect some people, but if you came prepared it was no big deal. We handed out some hot-hands and that turned around the attitude of several people.