ELECTRIC Island Festival Saipan was held over the weekend at Guma Sakman Beach in Susupe, where hundreds of partiers gathered to “rave” to Electronic Dance Music, house, techno, and more.
According to EIF’s website, the event is “Guam’s homegrown electronic music festival, pushing the audio boundaries of Guam, Saipan, and Asia.”
On Saturday evening, the festival featured DJ sets from Nouga, Meish, Samurai, Big Ken, Justin Oh, and Crux.
“Gang, gang, gang, we’re gonna get hella turnt,” said Thomas Flores, as he and his friends posed for a photo for Variety.
Flores was at the EIF for the good vibes. “Peace, love — that’s all it is man. Love each other, that’s all I gotta say,” he said.
Kristen Joy said she was there to spread PLUR — peace, love, unity, and respect.
Joy, who showed up with homies Zoe Jo and Yuna You, said she knew how to shuffle and was ready to show off her moves when the party started.
Although Joy and company “pre-gamed” at Relox Karoke Bar in Garapan, in the spirit of PLUR, they had a sober friend take them to Susupe for the festival.
“We wanna have fuuunnn,” said Rachel Rivera, another festival goer who came to the party with Anne Miraflor and Kate Furigay.
“We’re looking for fun, crazy, glowy vibes,” Rivera added.
The ladies spent hours crafting their makeup, hair, and outfits. Rivera said they started getting ready at noon.
“I don’t know how she took the longest,” Rivera said of Miraflor; “but she did.”
Still, Rivera said her makeup look — which included eye makeup and facial jewelry — likewise took her “forever” to apply on her own.
Facial jewelry was applied on site by a cosmetology cohort from the Northern Marianas Technical Institute. They worked in collaboration with Cinched by Salina’s to run a beauty booth on the festival grounds where they also offered body jewels, jewel application, lash strips, Dutch braids, bubble braids, space buns, hair jewels, and color hair extensions.
Jennifer Muna and Macey Fujihira were at the EIF for the vibes and music, but they were also on a mission. Muna said they were there to trade bracelets as she showed Variety the special handshake rave-goers use to make the trade.
Muna said EIF Saipan wasn’t her first “rodeo,” because she had been to raves in the states, which included one in a parking lot. On Saturday, Fujihira was her designated driver and director of bracelet collection.
Performances began at 6 p.m. and lasted until around 2 a.m. On site were food, art, and other vendors, Budweiser beverage canopies, and an art installation by street artist SOIS.
An NMTech Cosmetology cohort worked in partnership with Cinched by Salina’s to apply body and hair art at EIF Saipan
EIF Saipan 2023 was a celebration of Electronic Dance Music at Guma Sakman Beach.
EIF Saipan brought together EDM fans from all over the island.
From Left, Seth Borbon, “Secret,” Rona and Roneil Magpantay. Rona Magpantay came to EIF with a Barbie-inspired look while for Roneil Magpantay, life in plastic is fantastic as her Ken.
EIF Saipan 2023 brought together hundreds of EDM fans from all over the island.
Axel Munch and Anthony Colon said it was a party in the USA at EIF Saipan.
Shakuri and Kevin Adams pose for a quick snapshot at EIF Saipan
EIF Saipan 2023 was held at the Guma Sakman Beach.
The bracelets made with PLUR by Jennifer Muna and Macey Fujihira.
Jenny Lin and Meg Mocanu came to party at EIF Saipan.
Jennifer Muna and Macey Fujihira wanted bracelets at EIF Saipan.
From left, Gracy Wedell, Suleman Ahmed, Jenna Kong, and Jenn Aldan at EIF Saipan
From left, Zoe Jo, Yona You, and Kristen Joy.
From left, Anne Miraflor, Kate Furigay, and Rachel Rivera.
Body jewelry is applied on site at EIF Festival Saipan
NMTech Cohort members apply facial jewelry at EIF Saipan.
Street artist SOIS works on his art installation at Guma Sakman Beach during EIF Saipan.
Sun down and it’s shirts off for Justin Moon, left, Thomas Reyes, center, and Edward Ham, right.
EIF Saipan 2023 took place on Aug. 19, Saturday, at Guma Sakman Beach.
