ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The beats, lights, and creativity of New Mexico’s electronic music scene took center stage once again at the second annual Wavetrails Festival, a celebration of sound and visual innovation that’s quickly becoming one of Albuquerque’s most unique cultural events.
Hosted at the Fusion venue in northwest Albuquerque, the festival transformed the space into a multisensory wonderland, filled with vivid light displays, experimental soundscapes, and a lineup of talented local artists eager to push creative boundaries. The event was designed to do more than entertain—it aimed to immerse audiences in a one-of-a-kind experience that celebrated both electronic music and digital art.
A Fusion of Sound and Vision
Wavetrails Festival co-founders and producers, including longtime music innovator Jim Coker, said the idea behind the event was to create an atmosphere that blurs the line between performer and audience. Unlike traditional concerts where fans stand back and watch, Wavetrails encourages participation through light, movement, and sound.
“The goal is to bring together artists who are experimenting with electronic sound—whether that’s dance beats, ambient music, or cinematic-style compositions—and pair them with visual artists who can amplify those performances with their light installations and projections,” Coker explained. “It’s about collaboration, exploration, and creating something that couldn’t exist anywhere else.”
Inside Fusion’s performance space, the crowd was surrounded by walls of light that pulsed and shifted in rhythm with the music. Lasers, projections, and LED panels combined to form a kaleidoscope of colors that synced perfectly with the beats coming from the stage. The result was an immersive environment that felt more like a shared dreamscape than a typical concert.
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Elevating New Mexico’s Electronic Scene
While major cities like Los Angeles and New York have long been hubs for electronic music, Wavetrails is giving Albuquerque a well-deserved place on the map. The festival serves as a showcase for New Mexico’s homegrown talent, giving emerging producers, DJs, and visual artists a stage to share their work with a live audience.
For many performers, the festival offers a rare opportunity to connect with other creatives who share a passion for experimental art forms. Collaboration is a key theme at Wavetrails, and artists often team up to blend their talents—combining live sound mixing with real-time visual manipulation.
“The energy here is different,” said one local DJ who performed at this year’s event. “It’s not just about playing a set—it’s about creating an experience. You look around and see how the visuals react to your sound, how the audience moves, and it all becomes part of a bigger picture.”
The festival’s organizers say this collaborative spirit is what sets Wavetrails apart from other electronic events. It’s not only a party, but also a creative laboratory where sound engineers, VJs, and installation artists can test new ideas in front of an engaged crowd.
The Power of Community and Innovation
In addition to showcasing local talent, Wavetrails also serves as a meeting point for New Mexico’s growing community of tech-savvy creatives. The festival attracts musicians who use innovative tools—like modular synthesizers, turntables, and sound-reactive visuals—to create immersive performances that evolve in real time.
Coker, who has deep roots in the world of electronic music production, emphasized that events like Wavetrails help foster innovation at the local level. “When you give artists a space to experiment without the pressure of fitting into commercial expectations, incredible things happen,” he said. “That’s what this festival is about—exploring the edge of what’s possible in sound and visuals.”
Audience members echoed that sentiment, describing the event as both energizing and inspiring. For many, it was a rare chance to see local talent performing at a professional level, backed by state-of-the-art lighting and sound technology.
Looking Ahead to the Future
As Wavetrails Festival continues to grow, the organizers are already looking toward the future. Plans are in motion to expand next year’s lineup, bringing in more artists, more installations, and possibly even additional venues. The hope is to make Wavetrails a cornerstone event for New Mexico’s creative scene—a place where art, technology, and community intersect.
“Each year, we want to go bigger,” Coker said. “That means more artists, more collaboration, and more opportunities for audiences to see what New Mexico has to offer. There’s so much untapped talent here, and we’re only beginning to scratch the surface.”
Festival attendees also expressed enthusiasm about its potential expansion. Many said they’d like to see workshops or interactive sessions added to future editions, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at how electronic music and visual effects are made.
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A Bright Light for Albuquerque’s Art Scene
Wavetrails represents more than just a night of music—it’s a sign of Albuquerque’s evolving cultural identity. In a city already known for its artistic diversity and innovation, the festival is helping to cultivate a modern, technology-driven art scene that resonates with younger generations.
By merging light, sound, and imagination, the Wavetrails Festival demonstrates how electronic art can bring people together in powerful and unexpected ways. As it continues to grow, it’s setting a new standard for creative collaboration in New Mexico and beyond.
For now, as the last lights fade and the final notes echo through Fusion’s halls, one thing is clear: Wavetrails isn’t just an event—it’s an experience, one that’s reshaping how Albuquerque sees and hears its own artistic voice.
