Same Same But Different Recap
A Love Letter to Independent Festivals and Finding Joy in the Unexpected
By Callie Suppa
Same Same But Different is an independent, community-owned festival that was established in 2017. Since its birth, the festival has grown into a magical playground for music and art enthusiasts, welcoming all to partake in the weekend’s festivities.
After the SSBD Bass n Babes takeover in 2025, our team was excited to return, but skeptical about whether 2026 could live up to the hype of the previous year. We’re happy to confirm that it did not disappoint. Join us as we return to the same lake and the same festival, but to discover something different.
Into the Heat, for some Beats
I arrived at Same Same But Different on Thursday in the sweltering heat of Lake Perris, California. Setting up camp was not for the faint of heart, but we managed to build our home base for the weekend. We readily hastened to the Tiger Fox pre-party to catch Shortcvke, Ursa Major, Fiendi and more! Not long after, I interviewed Shortcvke and Ursa Major for our Babes of Bass series. Check out both interviews on Instagram @bass.n.babes. The sunset was beautiful that day and the vibes were high as we anticipated the fun weekend ahead of us.
Lake Days and Bass Nights
Friday greeted us with another hot day, but we felt energized because it was finally Day 1! We headed to the lake to soak up the sun and enjoy some sets at Coconut Cove while swimming with our extravagant floaties. Lake Perris was full of unique inflatables and people having the times of their lives. Later, we met up with Zoska for another Babes of Bass interview, viewable here, and chatted until the sun went down. We caught her set later that night and let me tell you, she had the Innerbass stage JUMPING! Steller also threw down an incredible set and of course, we congregated for Of The Trees.
Photo by Sam Stofko @samshootsshows
Festival Hack: Bring a coochie couch if you want to feel the bass vibrations throughout your entire body. We highly recommend trying it to rest your legs when you need a break from dancing all night.
Where Bass Meets Belonging
Photo by Alondra Mendiola @LONDYSLENS
On Saturday, I ventured to Nakey Island to groove with Kale B2B badtongUe. It was a refreshing switch-up from the bass-heavy sets of the previous nights. Nothing like a little ghetto tech and jersey club on an island to spark joy. As we entered the lake, a mermaid child swam up to give us seashells. So magical! Newly inspired to channel my inner child, I took a spin on the tree swing before venturing back to the mainland.
A quick shoutout to the team running Nakey Island. They kept the island popping all weekend and I wish I could have made it out everyday. Across the festival, every staff member, vendor, security guard, and volunteer we encountered was friendly and hospitable. You could tell that every worker genuinely wanted to be there and contribute to the festival’s magic.
After another beautiful sunset, we interviewed Baby Kush. Speaking with the founder of Bass n Babes was a pleasure and her Babes of Bass interview can be viewed on Instagram! We rallied to the front of the Innerbass stage for her set, which was my top highlight of the weekend. I was surrounded by dancing friends and happy people who shared the same ethos of acceptance, bass baddie energy and queer joy that we celebrate at Bass n Babes events. The love in our community was palpable!
Next, we caught Kasablanca's live set. The perfect blend of trance, progressive, synthy goodness to break up the bass-heavy lineup. I danced so much and it was barely 10PM! We later caught LSDREAM and I stayed up to experience Bass Temple's closing set for the Trippy Bee Records takeover. I was blown away by the ethereal bass that she threw down. When her set ended, I wasn’t ready for my night to end, either.
Photo by Ty Mullins @tyfoxphoto
I grabbed my fire hoop and walked to the beach where other fire performers were spinning. As the sun started peeking through the clouds, I thought to myself “Might as well stay up!” And before I knew it, I witnessed the sunrise. Unlike last year's CloZee sunrise set, there wasn't an official sunrise set scheduled this year, but that didn’t stop festivalgoers from keeping their music going till morning.
Photo by Ty Mullins @tyfoxphoto
Before the sun was hot again, I managed to get some sleep and unfortunately, missed Lightcode. I’ve heard glowing reviews about how healing and amazing the experience is. I'll definitely try to catch that one in the future, if I can wake up in time!
This shot is from LSDREAM’s Lightcode sound bath and meditation. Peep the person in Baby Kush merch!
Chasing Sunsets and Exploring the Unexpected
Sunday brought some relief with overcast skies and cooler temperatures. I was fortunate enough to witness Fur Elise's set in VIP during the Enchanted Collective takeover. Between taking a cold plunge and vibing to her set, we twerked, we laughed, we cried and we asked for track IDs. Before heading to the main stage for Truth, I stumbled upon the Superbloom Collective Takeover in an open-air dome on the beach. Somehow, this last sunset was the best one yet, as if the sun itself was bidding us one last, wonderful night. By the end of the weekend, we were exhausted but also creatively inspired, socially connected, and spiritually recharged.. Our festival squad made sure to take one last lap of the grounds to see all its wonders before the night came to a close.
A special mention goes to Butwood, a corner of SSBD filled with carefully crafted weirdness, including the But stage, Griffith Butservatory, Smell Museum, Chapel of But, But Cinema, a limo, and other wacky activations fit for any traveler's noble sidequest. This year’s theme, BUTWood, captured a uniquely unhinged version of Hollywood. Speaking of the silver screen, I took in the spectacle of But Cinema’s CornHub Live: The Stars of Cornography on Saturday night. Clowns and performers alike took the stage in an homage to silent films, complete with every sexual innuendo imaginable with a husk of corn. I could try to explain more, but this is truly something you have to see to believe.
Photo by Alondra Mendiola @LONDYSLENS
As our last night came to a close, you could tell that everyone was eager to keep the magic of the weekend alive. We climbed our last activation, took a final look at the art installations, said hello and goodbye to the friends we’d made throughout the weekend. Same Same But Different encapsulates that small-festival energy, bringing together ravers, artists, families, burners, musicians and industry professionals looking for an escape, not just to run away from everyday life, but to return to it feeling invigorated by music and the presence of the people we love. <3
