Birth of EVOL Afters: The Origin of Electric Forest's Largest Afterparty

Buckle up, because we're going back to the VERY beginning. From the start in 2016, we hear the origin story of EVOL Afters from the founder himself, Gene the trucker. From the very first moments and the crazy coincidences and obstacles that gave way in order to allow for this tiny grassroots renegade to become the largest afterparty at Electric Forest!
Looking back now, it is hard to believe what this party has become, the kind of artists that have performed at these afters, and the impact that this has had on Electric Forest as a whole.
Here we dive into Electric Forest 2016 and both weekends of Electric Forest 2017 to see how they helped shape what EVOL Afters is today.
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:07 Preparing for Forest 2016
4:23 Electric Forest 2016
6:51 The Unlikely Quest
8:55 The Renegade Afterparty of 2016
11:52 Preparing/Arriving - Forest 2017
15:48 EVOL Afters 2017
17:40 Electric Forest 2017 - Weekend 2
21:11 Arrival of the Surprise Guests
23:39 Didn't See That Coming
24:33 Outro
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To the Forest Fam: Thank you for supporting us and believing in us!! Thank You for dancing with us until Sunrise!! Nothing brings us more joy than looking out into the sea of smiling faces. We love you ❤️ Happy Forest 🫶⚡️🌲
And a special thank you to all the collaborators who have put in so much heart and effort and have helped make this after party into something that is truly unforgettable! Thank you for your dedication and your hard work!!! We couldn't have done it without you!!

[@sf1tzp]

Dude! Thanks so much for telling your story. We had so much fun at the afters this weekend. I hope everyone is okay & Can't wait to catch you at the next one

[@YummyTrucker]

Ahhh so glad you had fun!! And yes, everyone is ok. I’m gonna do a recap video on that as well. We had a great time too! It’s a lot of work, but def work worth doing!! Can’t wait for the next one! And thanks for checking this video out!

[@erikadoyle4566]

Like moths to a flame, follow the lights to the semi!! ⚡️🌲🔊Ommmmg I’m still dying at the “two idiots one credit card”!! 😂😂🤦🏽‍♀️

[@YummyTrucker]

lol yeaaaah an integral part of the story haha 😆

[@JamieMourer-lx2jn]

Dude I had so much fun working with you guys at Electric Forest this year !!!

[@YummyTrucker]

The feeling is so very mutual!! 🫶

[@JamieMourer-lx2jn]

@YummyTrucker hey if you guys are interested I would love to try and get you guys involved in some shows at Legend Valley.

[@JamieMourer-lx2jn]

I can be very persuasive when it comes to getting what I want.lmao

[@Fuel_edm]

This is an awesome bit of lore. Thank you for sharing this story man!

[@YummyTrucker]

Cheers!! Thanks so much for checking this out 😊🙏 happy Forest!

[@ChanceWheeler-f6n]

You know gene I meet you at the festival and got to talk to you and dance with you. I was apart of the crew that built the forest and every night I could I was down there enjoying life and just dancing and connecting with people. I was able to clean the grounds after words every night cause you know had to keep the grounds clean. And one night you gave these pins out and oh man they were sick. I lost mine unfortunately but I’ll find that hopefully at some point. To cut to the point tho gene you are an amazing human if you would ever like any extra hands I’ll always give a hand brother mane :-). Til the next set gene :-)

[@mattmanmcfee36]

my first year was 2018, cant wait to see whats in store for 2024!

[@YummyTrucker]

Yooo 2018 was a CRAZY year!! And I can’t wait to talk about that in the part 2! Happy Forest 🫶

[@elizamesh14]

Ahhh incredible story time! Loved to hear about how Evol afties was born!! ⚡️😎🎧🌲🔊 we need a part 2!!!

[@YummyTrucker]

Ahhh SOO happy you enjoyed it!! I’ll def be making part 2 here soon!!

[@weebo4753]

This is freaking legendary dude hahaha. I always looked for and found the truck! Long live house music!!!!

[@YummyTrucker]

Yesss!! Find the glowing semi!! That was what we told people for years haha 😆 thanks for all the support over the years!!

[@HybridTrapMusic]

Can’t wait to rage with the crew 🎉

[@YummyTrucker]

Hell yeah!! Let’s gooo!!! 🎉

[@evolchicago4219]

What a trip down memory lane! Insane to see the growth over the years. Couldn’t be more proud of our team 😊

[@YummyTrucker]

Ahhh couldn’t agree more!! Making these videos has really put it into perspective on just how much growth we’ve had!! Love you bro! 🥰❤️

[@timhoffman1169]

I absolutely love that this wasn't an originally planned thing, it just started with taking a semi to Forest and putting lights on it which attracted people to see if there was anything else to it. Please make a few more videos because the Evol stage is a staple at Forest nowadays and I'd love to know how you eventually got way bigger acts to play on the stage. Anyways man, enjoy your forest!

[@YummyTrucker]

Thanks for checking this out! The growth has been crazy to watch! We’ve absolutely loved growing this concept organically for the Forest Fam ❤️ Happy Forest!

[@AlexKislov]

Love you dude!!! Can't wait for the years to come!

[@YummyTrucker]

Yes o yes!!! Can’t wait for more amazing times with youuuu 🫶

[@fivecolorscotty]

Your story is inspirational. We all started as sprouts and are growing into trees that make up the beautiful forest, Evol Chicago is just growing a little bit taller :)

[@YummyTrucker]

Awww thanks so much!! This really does make those little sprouts I’ve been getting hit differently!! Love the forest we’ve cultivated!!

[@travisbarron6506]

Always an insane time! I love watching the sunrise with you guys, dancing until my feeet bleeeeedd!!! Bahah!

[@YummyTrucker]

Yes and we do too! Absolutely love EVOL sunrises 🌅

[@neilmerchant2796]

I'll never forget that Saturday night bro. I'm about to go into my cabin to go to bed and I hear a *honk honk* from a golf cart - Pasquale in the driver's seat, with this girl (my now good friend) Haley in the back. "What are you doin, we gotta go party man! hop on!" I had Pasquale chauffeuring me around the GA campgrounds between random campers afters setups until we roll up on Gene and Misha, where we spent the next several hours until the sun was up. He then took us over to Cereal Sundaes at the GA vendors for breakfast before we headed back to the cabins for bed. Best night ever.

[@YummyTrucker]

Ahhh that’s absolutely magical!! 😍🥰 that was such a magical night indeed!! Watching you pile off that golf cart blew my mind lol

[@djOT70]

What a great story

[@YummyTrucker]

Thanks so much for checking it out!!

[@pc6638]

Love you! Thanks for everything EVOL has done for the fest. You guys are the biggest part of it

[@YummyTrucker]

Thanks so much for all the love!!! ❤️ We love you too! 🫶 can’t wait till next year!

[@Chris-bd4lo]

Great video! Super cool to hear how it all started! Keep up the amazing work. Peace love and house music!

[@YummyTrucker]

Ayy thanks for checking it out!! 😊 house music always!!

[@Chris-bd4lo]

@@YummyTrucker it was awesome to chat and pick up some trash with you after the John Sunmit afters on Thursday night. Appreciate the stickers and the EVOL pin! You are a really good dude!

[@CodysFavorites]

Dope story especially seeing how far you guys have come

[@YummyTrucker]

Yeah the glow up has been wild!! Thanks for supporting us along the way!

[@djOT70]

I’ve been trying to provide sound for a EF afters for a while. Big ups to the ronin evol and wublife guys for the inspiration! If anyone wants to try to pull off a new stage let’s do it!

[@YummyTrucker]

Don’t Quit!! DO IT!!

[@J0shand3rs0n_]

This is such a sick story dude! Cant wait to experience my first forest this week and definitely gonna turn up till the sun comes up with EVOL😎

[@YummyTrucker]

You won’t regret it, it’s seriously the best time!! Happy Forest!! 🫶

[@novisual1542]

I remember the 2017 days!

[@YummyTrucker]

Those were some awesome Forests for sure!!

[@xoxthelugirlxox]

Love love love this story! I’m pretty sure I was there weekend 1 2017! 🙌 can’t wait for this year!

[@YummyTrucker]

Yes!!! This year is gonna be so awesome! Can’t wait! 😁

[@kevykevkmk1605]

Awesome video! Cant wait for part 2! Had a blast at the Evol afters.

[@YummyTrucker]

Thanks so much!! And glad you made your way out to us!! It was honestly the best time!!

[@giantcow13]

I remember when it was just some kids some from my high school with a bus and now it’s this official thing. Crazy how time flies. I miss the 2010s

[@YummyTrucker]

Yeah it’s def grown and changed a lot since then! Change, the only guarantee in this life. Gotta enjoy every moment 😇

[@guestname5141]

Ty Gene and Misha. Nice to meet you. #evol #chicago we love House music

[@YummyTrucker]

Thanks for checking out the video! Keep spreading that love!! 💙

[@Shefin_it_Up]

Amazing story see yall Soon 🌲🫶🏼

[@YummyTrucker]

Can’t wait!! Happy Forest! 😊

[@DJTOOTANN]

2 idiots & a credit card had me dying🤣 would luv to bring #bootyshakinhouse to the EVOL Afters next year!🤘🏼

[@YummyTrucker]

Haha gets me laughing anytime I think about it lol 😂 we will have a contest next year for an opening slot I think! Would be fun to give back to the community like that!

[@LeahFunke]

I love this

[@YummyTrucker]

And I love you! 🫶💙 thanks for checking it out!

[@akwaman5k]

It’s a really cool story and I’d like to hear part 2 but having the RVs segregated now kind of sucks. Back when it was all one area the afters were insane.

[@YummyTrucker]

Yeah for sure. The walks to the actual RV section is so far now! I’m hoping one day they will create a “late night camping” section that is super close to the afters!

[@kamerynmark5186]

Resonated TOO hard with the idiots one credit card lmao! You remind me of my dad who partied in the 90s. R.I.P love to see vibe of throwing a good PARTY and keeping the vision ALIVE baby! Can’t wait to meet some of you guys! First timerr 🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@YummyTrucker]

Hahaha your dad sounds like someone I would totally be friends with!! Excited to welcome you to the forest! ⚡️🌲

[@alancrome3684]

After this year, I think EVOL needs to put up another stage for the afters.. Spread the crowd out a bit, making it safer and more fun for who you want to see :P this year the had 2 angled and it just wasn't enough space when the canceled the fest last day/:

[@YummyTrucker]

Yeah for sure. I totally agree. That last day was a bit much 😅 I just released a video talking about it actually! Lmk what u think!

[@alancrome3684]

@@YummyTrucker it was great, I love the clarification. After reading my comment there back I seemed kinda harsh, I promise I wasn't trying to be! Me and my friends arrived 5 minutes before the music was cut and then finally shut down so we didn't really get up in it to bad. Still had a great time and you guys did the right thing by stopping the show!

[@kitten103083]

Yes I love Chicago house 🏠 I’d love to go to forest next year 😊🎉looks epic af!! Great video

[@YummyTrucker]

Thanks for checking it out! Electric Forest is one of those magical places on earth that is unlike any other. 10/10 recommend!!

[@Kaydoe1986]

Thank you for sharing the evolution of how the party never stops at electric Forest! What is this song that’s playing in the background? I can’t wait to go again next year.

[@YummyTrucker]

Hey thanks so much for checking this out!! Always happy to hear from fellow Forest Fam!! Happy Forest! 🫶 this song is: Ebo Krdum, Ooyy - Umbélé

[@latentspaceDJ]

Truly inspiring! Love getting a look behind the curtain, trying to get something grassroots like this going myself with local festivals (more focused on bass music though) :) Really interested to learn more about your sound setup and how it evolved over the years...

[@YummyTrucker]

Yeah absolutely 💯 I def want to include all the goodies on our sound in future installments!! Those Hennys really changed the game for us!

[@MrCHILLn01]

Omg what an awesome story man you guys are legends 👏👏🫶

[@YummyTrucker]

Glad you enjoyed it! Because we really do enjoy doing it! Happy Forest! 🫶

[@angelgamino6890]

Middlelands was hands down best festival in 2017 😭🙌

[@YummyTrucker]

It really REALLY was!!! I hope they bring it back one day!

[@andrewneil7263]

🔥🔥

[@YummyTrucker]

Ayyy thanks for checking it out!

[@carolineengel4649]

Accidentally ended up at the camp spot directly across from the afters stages this year (first time at Forest). The sound mixing from both stages hitting our tent was maddening when we were trying to sleep. The one night of afters got cancelled due to the storms so we could sleep. The artists sounded great but would never camp across from that again. 😂 Respect to the artists but I wish we would've gotten a choice to not camp right across from the afters. It was just too much for us between the crowd and constant raging house music till sunrise almost every night. Maybe Forest shouldn't place campers so close to the stages in the future so everyone can get much needed rest and enjoy the festival fully.

[@evolchicago4219]

Hey, thanks for voicing your concern and we definitely hear you. We are pushing for those areas to be Afters Camping to help prevent things like this happening in the future. It’s been a long time coming and we are working to help continue make it better and more enjoyable for everyone involved!

[@YummyTrucker]

Absolutely agree. We’ve been pushing for that, hopefully it will happen soon! Because there are people who really want to be right next to the afters. It’s like a win-win to set that up. Hopefully next year!

[@LIVINGBYTHEFWORD]

Love this LOLed a bunch of times too 😜😍

[@YummyTrucker]

High praise from someone in this line of work! Thank you!! And Happy Forest! 🫶

[@andrewsmelansky]

is that mike bobel i spied in your vid??

[@CaseyClifford-x7q]

The afters this year were an actual nightmare , from being way too packed to being full of mud to multiple people needing medical attention and no way to get to them. This project is awesome and evol is great but there needs to be some light shed on the situation that happened this year at EF. I'm not sure who should be to blame but the afters at electric forest this year 2024 both nights that the festival was closed due to weather were extremely unsafe. Very cool story but what happened this past year at the afters sure was a scary experience for many.

[@YummyTrucker]

Couldn’t agree more! I’ve got a new video that talks about this if you wanna check that out 🙂

[@audiofeverkeepithot]

Love how you just when for it! ❤

[@YummyTrucker]

Don’t Quit! Just DO IT!!! 😁😂

[@ChanceWheeler-f6n]

You know gene I meet you at the festival and got to talk to you and dance with you. I was apart of the crew that built the forest and every night I could I was down there enjoying life and just dancing and connecting with people. I was able to clean the grounds after words every night cause you know had to keep the grounds clean. And one night you gave these pins out and oh man they were sick. I lost mine unfortunately but I’ll find that hopefully at some point. To cut to the point tho gene you are an amazing human if you would ever like any extra hands I’ll always give a hand brother mane :-). Til the next set gene :-).