Bonanza: an extravaganza; a situation or event that creates a sudden increase in wealth, good fortune, and prosperity. No definition could have better described the party found at the River’s Edge. Tucked beneath the looming wall of the Jordanelle dam, music lovers and festival goers gathered and celebrated the third extraordinaire in the warm summer sun.
Split between two stages, the arena was interlaced with vendors, food and entertainment. Top-up stations and merch booths greeted guests at the door, followed by booze, food and booths. From henna to CBD oil, the Vendor Village had local businesses selling and promoting their wares. Moving further in, food trucks lined the path with the delicious treats of pork sandwiches, mini donuts and Hawaiian rice bowls. Housing could be found at the end of the path, Between camping, cabins and Airbnbs, there was a plethora of places to stay for the three-day party. Droves of people flooded the venue, awaiting the joy that comes from good music, friends and sun.
Bouncing between the Shade stage and the Bonanza stage, the music began to float through the air. The first night brought the electronic, hypnotic genres of music. Among them were lovely musicians like MΛX, Oh Wonder, Rufus du Sol and ZHU. MΛX was a joy to see, dancing and singing in a Michael Jackson–like fashion, silver shirt and shimmering pants glittering in the sun. Rufus du Sol kept the crowd going, dazzling the mood with orange and yellow lights and deep dance music. Long after the sun had set, Oh Wonder came on the Shade Stage. Darling, British duo Josephine Vander Gucht and Adam West partied with the crowd, glowing under the bright lights. For the headliner and final show of this electronica night, everyone headed over to the Bonanza stage, gathering for the godly wonder that is ZHU. Starting off deep, he dropped “Dreams,” immediately exciting the crowd into a frenzy of epic proportions. Playing deep into the night, fans danced until the music quieted, wandering back to their beds, turning in to ready themselves for the next days adventures.
The next day kicked off another epic show with the likes of Hippie Sabotage, Snakehips, Local Natives and Wiz Khalifa. The sun beat down over the valley of music goers as Hippie Sabotage brother duo Kevin and Jeff Saurer partied with the crowd. Snakehips followed up that show with some crowd-bumping electro dance music that set the mood for the night. Heading straight for the Bonanza stage, Local Natives cooled the crowd down with their indie tunes, but did not fail to keep the excitement high. Bouncing back and forth, fans wandered to the Shade Stage for BØRNS before heading back to the Bonanza stage for the might Wiz Khalifa. Walking onstage, smoking hot, Khalifa got the crowd pumped and ready before passing giant balloon doobies that sailed through the night. The party didn’t stop there as many people headed into the woods for the Yacht After Party, hosted on a makeshift boat. Running into the wee hours of the morning, people met the next day with no sleep, and the hope for another great night.
After at least a few hours of sleep, Bonanza goers headed back to the venue for the final night, mixed with anticipation and sadness. This last set of shows included bands like Moon Taxi, Phantogram, MadeinTYO and Halsey. Rocking hard on the guitar, with wavy blonde hair, Trevor Terndrup showed off his talent and invited fans to see him again at the late-summer Salt Lake Twilight show. Once again on the Bonanza stage, Phantogram thrilled the crowd with their electro rock tunes. The sun beating down and the crowds dancing, Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter played one of the best sets of the whole weekend. For the final performance on the Shade Stage, MadeinTYO interacted in with the crowd, picking up a watermelon and making a tribute to XXXTentacion. The sun set on his show before bringing Halsey onto the Bonanza Stage for the last show of the extravagant weekend. Under bright fireworks and bouncing beach balls, Halsey played “Bad At Love,” finishing off the third year of Bonanza with a bang. Fans streamed out of the venue, some headed home, others headed to the Yacht Party, high on the weekend of friends, music, and sun, already counting down the days for next year’s Bonanza.
Click images to view captions. Photos by ColtonMarsalaPhotography.com
Sasha Sloan performs on the main stage.
Sasha Sloan performs her afternoon set.
Fans catch some shade during the afternoon heat.
Max knows how to dress!
Fans try to capture the moment.
Bonanza goers dance in the summer sun.
Max stands above the crowd.
Max’s set was full of energy and excitement.
Max gets the crowd going!
Jammin’ out!
Fans wildin’ out.
Fans dance to Quinn XCII.
Quinn XCII takes the stage Friday evening.
Quinn encourages the crowd.
Quinn raps one of his top hits, “Another Day In Paradise.”
“No straitjacket could hold her.”
Quinn raps above the crowd.
Hayden James begins his set filled with deep house.
Hayden James plays in the colorful lights of the Bonanza shade stage.
Hayden James dances in the lights.
James Hunt of Rufus Du Sol.
Rufus Du Sol
Rufus begins their magical set.
A colorful stage production hypnotizes the crowd.
Keyboardist Jon George of Rufus.
James Hunt plays in the colorful light.
Jon George looks toward his fellow band members.
Lead singer Tyrone Lindqvist.
Rufus jams out in a plume of smoke.
Rufus Du Sol set the bar high on the first night of Bonanza.
Oh Wonder!
Josephine Vander gives a leg kick during their Friday night set.
London-based duo Oh Wonder.
Oh Wonder playing in the cool colors of Bonanza.
Oh Wonder.
Oh Wonder.
Oh Wonder’s set was filled with great energy.
Oh Wonder.
Oh Wonder.
Josephine Vander Gucht of Oh Wonder.
Anthony West of Oh Wonder.
ZHU the main headliner of the night.
Fog fills the stage during the beginning of the set.
Lights, camera, action.
Dramatic light strikes the saxophone player of ZHU.
Zhu’s guitarist waves to the crowd.
Zhu headlines the opening night.
Engulfed in thick fog.
Zhu.
Fire spinners dance during Zhu.
Save me.
The “Never Have I Ever” wall.
Bonanza was filled with beautiful art.
Fans snagged photos in front of the basic installation.
Fans hang out on top of a swingset.
Nothing but sunshine and smiles.
LA native Ella Vos.
Ella Vos Serenades the crowd.
Ella Vos put performed a beautiful set Saturday afternoon.
A beautiful smile from Ella Vos.
Ella Vos, a singer and drummer.
Fans show their excitement.
A member of Hippie Sabotage gets into the crowd.
Hippie Sabotage pumps up the crowd
Hippie Sabotage and funky visuals.
A Bonanza goers snaps a quick photos.
Hippie Sabotage.
Fans show their excitement.
A Bonanza surfer lets loose.
Fans stay cool in the VIP area.
All ages were welcome at Bonanza 2018.
A groups of friends take a break from the action for a quick photo.
Smiles and good vibes seemed to be the theme at this year’s Bonanza.
Snakehips on Saturday evening.
Snakehips on the Shade Stage.
Local Natives became quick fan favorites.
Taylor Rice of Local Natives.
Local Natives played a vibrant and beautiful set.
Taylor Rice of Local Natives.
As the sun began to set, the show picked up intensity.
Ryan Hahn chips in some vocals of his own.
Local Natives with an action-packed set.
The keyboardist bathed in colorful stage light.
The warm colors of the stage against the cool colors of the night.
Borns was the last to play before the headliner Wiz.
Dramatic stage light plays with guitarist.
Borns
Soft notes.
Slapping the base during the second night of Bonanza.
Wiz steps onto the stage for his opening song.
Wiz Khalifa in the bright lights.
“I got so much money I should start a bank.”
Wiz swallowed in Bonanza smoke.
“Work hard, play hard.”
“I’m a star. Feels good.”
“When the sun comes up I’m spending money, spending money.”
Wiz Khalifa headlines Saturday night.
“Last night I let the party get the best of me.”
“Black and yellow, black and yellow.”
Wiz Khalifa.
Wiz stares down the crowd.
Wiz Khalifa.
“’Best friends’ has 11 letters, but so does ‘backstabber.’”
Moon Taxi on the final day of Bonanza.
Trevor Terndrup of Moon Taxi.
Moon Taxi on the Bonanza Main Stage.
Trevor Terndrup was full of energy and fun to watch.
Wes Bailey of Moon Taxi.
Be sure to catch Moon Taxi at the Salt Lake Twilight later this summer.
Trevor Terndrup of Moon Taxi.
Moon Taxi did not lack emotion and entertainment.
Ekali turns it up.
Ekali at Bonanza.
Fist pumping and finger pointing.
Josh Carter of Phantogram.
Sarah Barthel of Phantogram.
Phantogram Saturday night.
JC strums on the guitar.
Phantogram.
Sarah Barthel lets out a roar.
Phantogram’s set was filled with high energy.
Sarah gives it all she’s got.
Sarah Barthel displays her talents.
Red light fills the stage during Phantogram.
Phantogram.
“I’d rather die than to be with you.”
“Black Out Days.”
The Shade Stage ignites Madeintyo.
Madeintyo.
Madeintyo walks the stage.
Bright lights hypnotize the crowd.
Late-night Shade Stage.
Madeintyo goes wild.
Halsey headlines the third night.
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