Insomniac has been wide awake and hosting EDM events since 1993, but owner Pasquale Rotella has really created an event unlike anything else with EDC Las Vegas. Maybe it's because its away from the world in the desert of Sin City, or maybe it's because Rotella makes it all about the experience for every fan. Whatever the reason, it has only become bigger and better every year. If you missed out on all the magic that is the Electric Daisy Carnival in Vegas this year, this recap will make sure you don't make the same mistake again next summer. On the other hand, if you were #blessed to experience the EDM festival this year sorry about triggering your EDC withdrawals.
Here's what you missed:
Eight Stages
The festival held eight different stages this year and each held its own unique interactive experience. The "Funk House" was small and intimate enough to rap right along with DJ Jazzy Jeff when he thew it back with the Fresh Prince theme. Others were enclosed such as the "Circuit Grounds" but large enough to fit confetti canons, disco ball dressed acrobats, and nine different screens that dropped above the crowds. Then there's KineticFIELD: the mother of all stages. Its massive backdrop included waterfalls, a dragon head, fire, and of course the insomniac owl over the DJ booth. The huge stage represented the four elements of water, earth, fire, and air. The lighting, animated backdrop and the live dancers changed with every act to represent one of the elements. The cherry on top were the perfectly timed fireworks from all around the top of the stage going off as you dance and sang off key to Alesso in a sea of dancers. Oh, and the Lasers. There were plenty of Lasers.
Performers
Cute clowns, marching drummers, and a parade of animal stilt walkers were just a few of the colorful characters that roamed the Las Vegas grounds. They were more than happy to dance or pose for photos and interact with guests. I have a fear of clowns but when a clown came up and grabbed my arm all I could do was laugh as she told me, "Let's make new friends!" She pulled my boyfriend and I into a group photo with another couple. The man and woman were a really nice middle aged couple from Canada who we talked and traded kandi with. It was a really cool experience and that single friendly performer made it possible. The performers keep you and the party going.
Interactive Art
Art is cool to just look at but at EDC you can RIDE the art! There are several art cars that double as DJ booths so you can show off your moves while riding around the grounds. If you need a break from dancing you could spin around on the color changing caterpillar, or relax under a garden of giant neon daisies. Below is my favorite piece, the El Pulpo Mecanico, made from scarps of metal found off a highway in Mexico. The best part: IT SHOOTS FIRE
Good Vibes
The raver community is unlike any other by the mere fact of how incredibly kind they are to anyone they meet. Of course, not everyone at EDC was friendly or nice but I've been lucky enough to experience random acts of kindness from complete strangers at this festival every year. Rotella describes the sense of community at EDC:
"When I look out into KineticFIELD, I see all those same beautiful souls shining together. That unity is what strengthens us as Headliners. We show diversity in a world of divisiveness. We spread love in the face of animosity. We recognize what it means to be a part of the human race."
All the feels
Music
With an A-list lineup including Avicii, Dash Berlin, Fatboy Slim, and DJ Snake, of course the music is going to be amazing, but there's even more to it. The different stages offer different genres of EDM, (no, it's not all the same) so whether you like House, Trance, Hip Hop, Trap or anything else in between, you will have no trouble finding a good beat to dance to. There were even a couple of surprise DJ sets; my favorite was Martin Garrix with Hook n Sling at the 7up stage. The size of the stage made it an amazing up close and personal experience - I basically danced with Garrix (#swoon). Also cooking beats up in the DJ booth was none other than Walter White (Bryan Cranston) who made a surprise appearance with Above and Beyond. The turn up was real.
It's a weekend of partying from dusk till dawn that left my body sleep deprived and aching but it was worth it. I would do it again to see all the beautiful sights, sounds, and kind souls. Wouldn't you?
