Electric Daisy Carnival

Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) is a music festival held in the Spring, Summer, and Fall months in the United States, Puerto Rico and the UK as of 2013.^[1] Founded by Insomniac Events, the festival has been hosted by venues in California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Puerto Rico. Originally a one day Southern California event, the EDC spread to multiple venues in multiple states from June through August. In 2009, the festival was expanded to a two-day event. The Las Vegas event lasted 3 days in 2011 and drew a grand total of 230,000 people^[2] and the 2012 event drew a grand total of 300,000+ people. As of 2013, Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas is the world's largest electronic music festival.^[3]

History

The first Electric Daisy Carnival rave was held in 1997 at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California. The name usage was selected by Insomniac's partner Philip Blaine. This refers to the name borrowed from Steve Kool-Aid's original creation from several years prior whom Philip knew through his colleague Gary (Steve's partner) at 1500 Records. In the early years, several Southern California venues played host to the annual electronic music festival: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Exposition Park in Los Angeles, National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, Queen Mary Events Park in Long Beach, Lake Dolores Waterpark in Barstow, Hansen Dam in Lake View Terrace, and the International Agri-Center in Tulare. The festival packed an event in Los Angeles in 2010, making it the biggest electronic music festival outside Europe, earning it the nickname the "American Ibiza". Insomniac Events have also brought the festival to other regions including Colorado and Texas. 2009 marked the first year that the festival occurred in Puerto Rico. In 2010, the event expanded to include Dallas, Texas, and in 2011, an event in Orlando, Florida was added. In 2012, the EDC expanded to New York with a 3 day festival (as of 2013, 2-day), and in 2013 expanded to London, UK and Chicago, IL.

2008

The California event was held June 28 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Exposition Park. Attendance unexpectedly increased to estimates of double that of the previous year, causing massive lines and long waits. Approximately 65,000 people were present,^[4] but there was claims that it was overcapacitated due to the several hour lines to enter the event, though the Los Angeles Fire Department did not formally estimate attendance at the event.^[5] Because of this the organizers promised to reduce the wait for the next year and opened the doors two hours early to their event Nocturnal Wonderland 2008. The line-up included Paul Van Dyk, Rabbit In The Moon (Live), Armand Van Helden, Mark Farina, Z-Trip, DJ Hype, Moby (DJ Set), DJ Dan and Donald Glaude (2x4), Todd Terry, Collette, Dieselboy, Benny Benassi, D.Ramirez, DJ Heather, Shinichi Osawa, Friction, Christopher Lawrence, The Freestylers (DJ Set), Harry "Choo Choo" Romero, Andy Caldwell, Goldie, Cid Drake, Krafty Kuts, DJ Reza, Fred Everything, Party Shank, Dillinja & Lemon D (didn't show up), Menno De Jong, Glitch Mob, Lenny Vega, D.I.M., Evol Intent (Live), Eddie Halliwell, Blake Miller, DJ Fury, Classixx, Hazen, Villains, Deco, and others.

The Colorado event took place on June 14 at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds in Aurora. Performers included Above & Beyond, Kaskade, DJ Dan & Donald Glaude (2x4), Uberzone (Live), Mark Farina, Collete, Andy Caldwell, Fred Everything, DJ Fresh – Soundweapon (Live), Hive, The Swayback, RedOrangeYellow, The Photo Atlas, White Girl Lust, and others.

2009

Benny Benassi, EDC, 2009

Announced at Nocturnal Festival 2008 to be a two-day festival, the California event was held on June 26–27. On Friday, approximately 55,000 attendees were present and Saturday saw a crowd of approximately 99,000.^[6] EDC 2009 was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and used the entire southern half of Exposition Park. Groove Armada, Thievery Corporation, ATB, Paul Oakenfold, Aly & Fila, David Guetta, Paul van Dyk, Kaskade, Benny Benassi, Mark Farina, Simian Mobile Disco, Pretty Lights, Major Lazer, Infected Mushroom, Yoji, Kya & Albert, The Crystal Method, Fedde Le Grand, Markus Schulz, Boys Noize, Diplo, DJ AM, Sander van Doorn, Cosmic Gate, DJ Marky, James Zabiela, Friction, Eddie Halliwell, Roger Sanchez, The Martinez Brothers, Dennis Ferrer, Andy Caldwell, Joaquin Bamaca, Subfocus, and Shiny Toy Guns all performed.

The Colorado event was held at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds in Aurora on June 13. It was headlined by Infected Mushroom and Paul Van Dyk plus several others.

The Puerto Rico event was held on On August 14. The venue was The Arena Fairgrounds in San Juan. The line-up included Underworld, Darren Price, Damian Lazarus, Mulattos, Plumpy Bitches, X-Man, Gulembo, Rabbit In The Moon, JFK(MSTRKRFT), Treasure Fingers, Adultnapper, Alkalina, Dwek, Dieselboy, Craze & Klever, Joaquin Bamaca, Trixx, Cut Radio, Lady Liquid, Hugh, and Xtasys.

2010

EDC Los Angeles, 2010

The California event, held in Los Angeles, EDC had one of the highest attendance, up to 185,000 people.^[7] Though tickets were starting at US$60, some attendees paid over US$100 per ticket.^[8]

The California event, held in Los Angeles, drew criticism from local authorities and promoters alike after minors under the required age of 16 gained entrance, and numerous people were taken to the hospital by paramedics. An underage (15 year old female) attendee died after taking MDMA^[9] The city of Los Angeles placed a moratorium on all remaining events scheduled for 2010 and kept a moratorium on booking any future events, pending the outcome of the use of new security and safety provisions. Those new provisions included a minimum age of 18 on all future events and the presence of on-site doctors. The 2010 Electric Daisy Carnival had one of the highest attendances, estimated at 185,000 people.^[7] Though ticket prices started at US$60, some attendees paid over US$100 per ticket.^[8]

The Colorado event was held on June 12 at the Arapahoe County Fairground in Aurora.^[10] and featured ATB, Benny Benassi, Caspa, Yoji, Dirty Phonics, Kill The Noise, AC Slater, 12th Planet, Original Sin, Dragon, Trajikk, Fury, Manufactured Superstars, Mystical Influence, and Jonas Tempel.^[11]

The Texas festival was held on June 19 at Fair Park in Dallas. 11,000 people were in attendance^[10]

EDC Puerto Rico returned in 2010 with an even larger line-up. Held on August 28, the venue was the Estadio Sixto Escobar at Puerta de Tierra, San Juan. The lineup included Steve Bug, Moby, will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Tritonal, Ivan Robles, Gulembo, Dano, JFK of MSTRKRFT, Wolfgang Gartner, LA Riots, Manufactured Superstars, Alkalina, Lady Liquid, Xtasys, Joaquin Bamaca, Pendulum, Ed Rush & Optical, Nero, Trixx & PRDC, Rec Deselvy, Chuky, Logo Beat, Acme.

2011

The Florida festival occurred on May 27–28 at the city-owned Tinker Field in Orlando, and the adjacent grounds around the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium.^[12] The number of attendees was 20,000.^[13] The artist lineup included Tiësto, Afrojack, Skrillex, Benny Benassi, Paul Van Dyk, Calvin Harris, Ferry Corsten, DJ Baby Anne, Chris Lake, DJ Heavygrinder, Markus Schulz, DJ Icey and dozens of others.

The Colorado festival occurred on June 11 and was again held at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds in Aurora. The line-up included Ferry Corsten, Kaskade, Sander Van Doorn, Axwell of The Swedish House Mafia, Bart B More, Z-Trip, Kraddy, LA Riots, Datsik, 12th Planet, Noisia, Downlink, J Majik, Ana Sia, Eliot Lipp and many more in national talent.

The Texas festival occurred on June 18 at Fair Park in Dallas. The line-up included: Paul Van Dyk, Axwell, Avicii, Wolfgang Gartner, Chuckie, Skrillex, Felguk, Green Velvet, 12th Planet, Feed Me, Zedd, Excision, Crizzly, Dirtyphonics, Diplo, Doctor P, Flux Pavilion and many more. The event offered free carnival rides, lighted art exhibits, clowns, gogo dancers, and a large fountain. Temperatures exceeded 110 degrees, leading up to dozens of hospitalizations and at least one death. An estimated 25,000 people were in attendance.

Main stage, EDC Las Vegas, 2011

Fireworks, EDC Las Vegas, 2011

The Nevada festival occurred on June 24–26 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with a lineup that included musicians Manufactured Superstars, Wolfgang Gartner, Steve Angello, The Crystal Method, Cosmic Gate, Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki, The Bloody Beetroots, Crizzly, Borgore, Skream, Benga, Excision, Dieselboy, David Guetta, Zedd, Feed Me, Skrillex, Laidback Luke, Sidney Samson, Alesso, The Glitch Mob, Bassnectar, Chuckie, Dada Life, Boys Noize, Felix Cartal, Green Velvet, MSTRKRFT, Hardwell, Jack Beats, Porter Robinson, High Contrast, 12th Planet, Zeds Dead, Terravita, Paul Oakenfold, Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, Nicky Romero, Bunny, Afrojack, Infected Mushroom, Ferry Corsten, ATB, Rusko, Showtek, Felguk, Datsik, Doctor P, Bingo Players, Benny Benassi, Above & Beyond and others. There were free carnival rides, fireworks, skydivers, clowns, gogo dancers, and lighted artwork from the Flaming Lotus Girls. Over 230,000 people were in attendance.

The Puerto Rico festival took place on August 27.

2012

On August 9, 2012 it was officially announced that EDC Orlando would be making a return to Tinker Field on November 9–10. Rumors were going on prior as popular house music sites edmsnob.com and ultra2012lineup.com caught wind of DJ UMEK'S booking calendar which showcased confirmed dates for EDC Orlando for November 23, 2012. This coincided with the popular Dayglow event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida called Dancegiving which is held annually the weekend after Thanksgiving. With considerations in mind Insomniac officially announced the November 9th and 10th dates with ticket sales starting on August 18 at 1PM eastern standard time.^[14][15]

EDC had a total attendance of 300,000+ spread over three days.

On May 18–20, the event occurred for the first time ever in New Jersey. The venue was the Metlife Stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford.^[16] Although the venue was located in New Jersey, the festival was coined Electric Daisy Carnival New York due to the proximity to New York City. Performers included Armin van Buuren, Steve Angello, Afrojack, Avicii, and others.^[17] The event drew 45,000 attendees per day.^[18]

2012's three-day EDC in Vegas (June 8–10) increased attendance numbers by approximately 30% to attain a grand total attendance of over 300,000 over the three-day festival. Over the weekend officials confirmed that a 31-year-old party-goer from Florida died Saturday after spending the week in a hospital. He had been struck by a truck as he left EDC at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway the morning of June 11. According to reports, friends said he had been drinking and smoking.

^[19] The second night of the event shut down early due to high winds.^[20] Increasingly strong winds started around 8 p.m., leading to a temporary shutdown of the festival around 1 a.m. 90,000 fans were directed to the speedway’s bleachers as winds reached 30 mph. DJs Markus Schulz and Steve Aoki (both scheduled to play that night) performed impromptu sets on the Insomniac Wide Awake art car for a short period,^[21] but officials then ordered an end to the night's festival because potentially dangerous winds were expected through 5 a.m.^[22] In order to make up for the event closure Insomniac went on to allow all individuals with Saturday passes to return on Sunday for the final day of events^[23]

The Nevada event was held again at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on June 8–10.^[24] The festival included performances from over 100 EDM artists from around the world including performances from Armin van Buuren, Tiesto, David Guetta, Above & Beyond, Afrojack, Pretty Lights, Kaskade, Porter Robinson, and more.^[25] This was also the first time that insomniac events partnered with Q-dance events in order to bring Hardstyle dance music to a major music festival in the United States. This was the first Q-dance event ever to be held on American soil.^[26][27]

2013

In 2013 EDC was held in London and Chicago for the first time. Notable Dj's including Avicii, Calvin Harris, Dj APhat Stacks, and Kaskade played.

Insomniac set the record for the largest structural stage at a North American event, in June at EDC Las Vegas.^[28]

2014

In November 2013, it was announced that North America's largest dance music festival will be held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on June 20–22, 2014.

^[29] In December 2013, it was announced that Electric Daisy Carnival will arrive to Mexico City in March 2014.

References

External links

• Official website
• Rolling Stone on EDC
• Electric Daisy Carnival HQ
• Official EDC London Tickets on Skiddle