Dennis RomeroSure, we have our issues with the predictability of Electric Daisy Carnival's lineup this year: With the likes of Tiesto, David Guetta and Afrojack on the bill, it was about as surprising as taxes. The talent seemed to reflect Coachella's lineup in April which, in turn, mirrored last year's EDC.
We've said enough about that. The truth is that Electric Daisy is probably the most urgent, youthful music festival in North America, and it has the nation's largest main stage to prove it.
Here are the five reasons why Electric Daisy Carnival, which was held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway over the weekend, rules:
Credit: Christopher Victorio
5. Safety first. Wow. Never thought you'd here this from us. After suffering a public-relations black eye in 2010 when a 15-year-old who sneaked into EDC L.A. died from an ecstasy overdose, organizers have really tightened up their act. It really sucked for a lot of weekend warriors hoping to catch the likes of Tiesto and Steve Aoki vs. Blue Man Group, but pulling the plug early Saturday as high winds buffeted stages was the right thing to do.
Steve Angello at EDC 2012.; Credit: Christopher Victorio
4. Talent. Like we said, no one in the dance world was blown away by the lineup, but when these superstar DJs hit the decks, the vibe truly is electric. David Guetta on the main stage Sunday was a tour de force. The thing is, when you bring the globe's top dance acts together and throw in 100,000 people, there's bound to be fireworks. Miami in March used to host the world's top DJ sets. EDC is now the place to be. Adding Danny Tenaglia, Loco Dice and Green Velvet (a reprise of his appearance last year) to the bill only lends credibility.
Credit: Christopher Victorio
3. Las Vegas. When EDC left town last year after electronic dance music events were essentially shut out of the L.A. Coliseum, it seemed like the end of the candy rave era in L.A. The party moved to Vegas and was transformed into a world-class music festival that now rivals Coachella for respect. One reason is that Vegas, the ultimate party city, is the right fit for 100,000 screaming EDM fans. The after-party was 24/7, as it should be. It feels like EDC has become an adult, and Vegas is the ultimate adult playground.
Credit: Christopher Victorio
2. Weather. Yeah, the winds sucked Saturday, with 40-plus mile-per-hour gusts buffeting sound stages. But damn if EDC didn't find a way to match the glorious desert ambiance of Coachella. The Mojave desert on a June night with John Digweed on the decks at 1 a.m. in 70-plus degree weather? Sublime. Indio ain't got much on that.
Credit: Christopher Victorio
1. The girls. Sorry to get Cro-Magnon here, but despite Coachella's fine efforts in the area of eye candy, EDC really tops them all. We wish they all could be Electric Daisy girls. Young women at EDC 2012 seemed to be in a competition to outdo each other when it comes to skimpy raver costumes. In a few short years the scene has gone from infantile fairy costumes to strip-club attire. Fishnets. Bikinis. Pasties. We weren't looking.
See also:
Top Ten Awkward Coachella Dance Move GIFs
House Music Beef With DJ Sneak Plays Out in Steve Angello's DJ Set
Our slideshow: Electric Daisy Carnival 2011, Las Vegas
Sasha Rodriguez's Post-EDC Rave Death: Parents Settle With Promoter, L.A. Coliseum
Top Ten EDM Albums for People Who Don't Know Shit About Dance Music
World's Douchiest DJs: The Top Five
Interview With a Raver Who Wears Electrical Tape on Her Boobs
EDC 2012: Coachella or Electric Daisy Carnival: Which One is Better?
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.