Onset Festival is a grassroots music & aerial festival coming to the Berkshires this September.
We're showcasing rising independent musicians, aerialists, fire performers, and more in a beautiful natural setting, with the goal of fostering connection and community.
Our festival is built from the ground up, with the creators being artists and performers themselves.
Schedule & Activities
Tap any schedule to view it full-size.
Artists
Common Thread brings the funk from every angle: soulful samples, hip hop grooves, leftfield bass, and deep electronic cuts. French-born and Brooklyn-based, he threads together playful selections and feel-good low-end into a set built to keep the dancefloor smiling, moving, and locked in together.
Vincent Antone – our Saturday headliner – is a talented producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist who combines elements of future funk, hip hop, bass, and everything in between. Playing dozens of the biggest festivals in the U.S., and opening for artists like GRiZ and Pretty Lights, Vincent Antone is one of the fastest-rising names in dance music.
Supertaste is an indie dance band from Brooklyn, NY. The trio specializes in their live ensemble performance, instrumentation, and nods to intergenerational funk, disco, and dance music influences. Through yearly retreats to a cabin in Tennessee to hone in their sound, Supertaste has developed a colossal atmosphere of sparkling synths, Chic-inspired guitar riffs, and unforgettable hooks.
DAP The Contract is a Hip-Hop and Afro-Fusion producer/rapper, classically trained pianist, and entertainment lawyer from Lagos, Nigeria, currently based in New York City. An energetic performer with palpable stage presence and 9 solo self-produced projects to date, DAP continues to bridge worlds together with cross-cultural understanding and genre-bending sounds.
Combining elements of funk, soul, & blues with modern electronic synthesis techniques, Atlas.B's music relies heavily on sampling and live instrumentation. He's opened for numerous national touring artists including Maddy O'Neal, Michal Menert, Dirtwire, Manic Focus, and Marvel Years – and has helped custom-build the indoor soundsystem for Onset with his team, Raisin Sound.
Common Thread brings the funk from every angle: soulful samples, hip hop grooves, leftfield bass, and deep electronic cuts. French-born and Brooklyn-based, he threads together playful selections and feel-good low-end into a set built to keep the dancefloor smiling, moving, and locked in together.
Vincent Antone – our Saturday headliner – is a talented producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist who combines elements of future funk, hip hop, bass, and everything in between. Playing dozens of the biggest festivals in the U.S., and opening for artists like GRiZ and Pretty Lights, Vincent Antone is one of the fastest-rising names in dance music.
Supertaste is an indie dance band from Brooklyn, NY. The trio specializes in their live ensemble performance, instrumentation, and nods to intergenerational funk, disco, and dance music influences. Through yearly retreats to a cabin in Tennessee to hone in their sound, Supertaste has developed a colossal atmosphere of sparkling synths, Chic-inspired guitar riffs, and unforgettable hooks.
Gallery
Spread across more than 400 acres of forest, the venue features a private lake with its own island, beach, and boathouse stocked with kayaks and canoes, a lakeside amphitheatre, beautiful foliage, and stunning views.
Discover new musicians, catch aerial performances and fire dancers, eat s'mores and freshly-prepared meals, do yoga, meditate, and meet new friends. Set up a tent or book a cabin, and get ready for your first day back at camp.
Camp Timber Trails Map
Participation & Theme
Community and co-creation are at the root of Onset. Immerse yourself in the world of Onset by participating in our Saturday theme: Psychedelic Circus.
At Onset HQ (aka our living room), we're all volunteers dedicated to creating a unique, collaborative experience.
Want to help build something from the ground up, and make a friend or 5 in the process? Shoot us a message via the contact form below, or DM us at @onsetfestival.
Ways to involve include assisting with build/strike, suggesting an activation (e.g. acting, dancing, delivering postcards to campers), applying to perform or showcase a talent, contributing snacks, showcasing your art, crafting, and bringing surprises other campers would enjoy. No contribution is too big or small!
FAQ
What is the age policy?
Onset Festival is an 18+ event. Alcohol is permitted for attendees 21 and over, who must provide a valid ID to be served.
Will food be available?
Yes. Food will be available for purchase via our head chef in the dining hall, as well as food trucks by the main stage.We have a 24/7 free snack altar in the dining hall as well, which includes coffee and tea.Due to wildlife in the area, it is FORBIDDEN to store food or beverages in cabins or tents. We highly recommend bringing communal food for the snack altar, which can be left in the dining hall.
Is this a leave-no-trace event?
Yes. This is a leave-no-trace event. Please dispose of all waste properly.
Can I bring children or dogs?
Though we love children and dogs, they are unfortunately not allowed for this event.
When are water activities available?
Water activities are permitted during daytime hours (until sunset). Lifeguards will be on duty to ensure participants’ safety.
Will there be medical and security on-site?
Yes. EMS and security will be on-site all weekend.
How late does the music go?
Outdoor amplified music ends at 10pm. Music continues indoors late into the night.
Can I DJ?
We filled all our artist spots, but we’ll have open decks on the beach/lake on Saturday for anyone wanting to hop on the decks.
Can I volunteer at Onset Festival?
We would love to have you as a volunteer! We have free volunteer tickets available via our ticket link. Volunteering is a great way to meet new friends, give back, and experience something magical for free.Volunteering requires a $200 deposit that you’ll get back at the end of your shifts. We ask that you work 8 hours total throughout the weekend, and will do our best to give you your preferred duties/times (though we cannot guarantee this, and it’s on a first-come, first-serve basis).
What is the refund policy?
All ticket sales are final.
What should I bring?
We recommend bringing a sleeping bag, pillow, warm blankets (it can get cold at night!), a headlamp or flashlight, bug spray, a reusable water bottle, a bathing suit, a towel, a battery pack, a psychedelic circus outfit, earplugs, your ID, and cash. Cabins do not include bedding — please bring your own!