Desert Hearts co-founder Mikey Lion has lastly dropped his nostalgia soaked single, ‘License to Groove.’ Derived from a cheeky 007 pattern that audibly intones “James Bond,” the monitor manages to offer Mikey’s signature dancefloor muscle some cinematic aptitude. Its jazzy, spy film melody rides over a punchy high finish whereas a propulsive, groovy bassline retains the momentum locked in for the period.
The unabashedly on-the-nose enjoyable that ‘License to Groove’ brings is an ideal illustration of the “Home, Techno, Love” ethos that the Desert Hearts model lives by. This deep-seated, group pushed philosophy was on full show final weekend at their Haunted Hearts social gathering in Phoenix, the place the Desert Hearts crew remodeled the Walter WhereHouse right into a full blown festive rager. Mikey turned up in a tux, sparking a working joke within the crowd about whether or not he was channeling James Bond, a lodge concierge, or going full Bob Saget. If metropolis events like Haunted Hearts are the motion’s pulse, the Desert Hearts Competition is the place that pulse emerges right into a sustained, household sized heartbeat.
Returning to Playa Ponderosa in Flagstaff, AZ from July 2–6, 2026, the Desert Hearts Festival is a single stage, marathon rave the place a steady onslaught of home and techno form the weekend. Two hour lengthy slots create an unhurried schedule that favors sluggish burning units and people uncommon moments when a monitor turns into a group reminiscence. Tucked away within the Northern Arizona pines, the location fills with artwork cubicles, group occasions, and spontaneous connection. For a lot of, the competition is much less a few lineup and extra a shared expertise; a spot to give up to 1 vibe, meet your folks, and dance till the world feels remade.
