EDC Las Vegas 2018 Review

I am feeling (somewhat) rested after returning from EDC Las Vegas 2018. This year was my second year going and I had a really awesome time. I wasn’t sure how this time around would be since my first experience was pretty life changing.

Overall the experience was pretty exhausting on me, but thankfully the music and the people kept me going. Our group chose to stay at an airbnb and drive to the venue which honestly worked out really well for us. We got there for the opening ceremonies at 5 pm at Cosmic Meadows on Day 1 so we could get the lay of the land. Probably waited about 15 minutes in traffic and 10 minutes to get through security which was a drastic difference from our shuttle experience last year. Walking into the gates is always breathtaking as you’re transported into the world that Pasqualle has created. With 6 new stage designs and new art installations, the festival grounds had changed drastically. I instantly felt home again and it felt so good to be back.

There was honestly so much to see and do at EDC besides the music I was so overwhelmed. I took a some breaks during sets just to walk around and make sure I saw everything. The coolest art installations were definitely over by Cosmic Meadow stage. The carnival square had a lot of interactive pieces for headliners to interact with. No matter where you went you were followed by music either from a stage nearby or an art car.

The new stage designs were also the talk of EDC as people were voicing their opinions. The new Kinetic Field was a symbol of love and the “All Are Welcome Here” tagline as the main art piece was a man and woman coming together holding a heart. I don’t know if it was just me but mainstage looked smaller than last year. I think my favorite kinetic field design will be 2016 but I did like this years. Basspod retired it’s old design for a new white design that looked like Apple designed it. A lot of us were missing the old Basspod but this new design definitely gave more space and visual capabilities. Wasteland was given more space for its hardstyle fans. Circuit Grounds stayed true to it’s all around you visual experience. This is by far my favorite stage. I loved the design last year and this year was no different. The visual capabilities were perfect for the artists that were there. Neon Garden got a downgrade in my opinion from the disco ball we know and loved to a weird triangular pyramid spinning in the middle. Not sure if Factory 93 was going for a more dark vibe rather than a groovy one that the Neon Garden used to be. Finally Upside Down House changed into Stereo Bloom giving a slightly bigger area for up and coming artists to play at and more visual capabilities as well.

Insomniac did not disappoint in creating a fun playground for headliners. The fireworks were the best I’ve ever seen (topped last year surprisingly). The atmosphere and ambience they created was truly magical.

This lineup was stacked and when that happens comes set time conflicts. I think my only regret was I didn’t branch out enough to see new artists. I loved seeing my favorite artists again, but kind of wish I took the opportunity to see more new ones. I also had to save some artists for me to check out when I go to Electric Forest.

I kicked off Day 1 with Chris Lorenzo b2b Chris Lake that went into Dombresky I was in house music heaven!!! I caught a little bit of GG Magree and Whethan in between going to a Vibedration meetup. I saw most of Joyrde’s set and finished out that hour at Gryffin getting all in my feels. Jai Wolf’s opening at Cosmic Meadows was magical but the house music was calling my name. The father of Dirtybird, Claude VonStroke, lit up circuit grounds with some funky tunes. For the biggest conflict of my life I saw the beginning of Virtual Self until he played Ghost Voices, saw some of Alpha 9, Kaskade and Herobust, and saw the fireworks for Virtual Self’s closing. I saw most of Gud Vibrations into Flux Pavilion b2b Doctor P into Pendulum. I did a lot of wandering but sat down for Pendulum’s set. Had my feet not been hurting I would’ve been dancing around for sure. Finally closed out day 1 by watching Kaskade’s Strobelite Seduction sunrise set.

Day 2 we decided to go in later and catch Moksi at mainstage. I stayed there for Chris Lake and Jauz for more house music and wubs. I then caught the end of Ookay live to see Kenny G play saxophone for Thief. Ekali had one of the best sets at cosmic meadows it was my third time seeing him and definitely the best. Illenium’s set did not disappoint. I hadn’t seen any of his new songs live so it was amazing to finally see that. ZEDS DEAD HAD THE BEST SET OF EDC OK. After Zeds Dead I checked out Excision Detox Set then got groovy in the neon garden with Green Velvet. I ended Day 2 with Cheat Codes and we stayed until the very end.

Day 3 we got in just in time to catch Elephante and Borgeous. I shuffled on over to Shiba San at Cosmic Meadow then Don Diablo at Kinetic Field which was such a happy feel good set. I then caught the beginning of Gammer, Rezz and saw all of Post Malone. Post Malone was late by 30 minutes but he sure put on a good set. After Post Malone was Tchami b2b Malaa aka No Redemption which was such a groovy set my whole group was getting down. I then checked out 12th Planet b2b Kill the Noise and Boys Noize. Saw some of Seven Lions and the end of Martin Garrix before seeing k?d play one of the best sets of his career. Finally I ended EDC on the highest of notes watching Chris Lake go b2b with Fisher (AKA MY TWO FAVORITE HOUSE DJS EVER). As the sun was rising this was the perfect end to EDC.

All in all I was pleased with the artists I did see and had a great time getting down with my friends. I think my favorite set of the entire weekend was Zeds Dead. I was absolutely blown away by the set they did and am still thinking about it til this day. Other sets included Tchami b2b Malaa for their No Redemption set, Chris Lake had three sets the entire weekend and I loved every single one of them. Finally my favorites: Jauz, Don Diablo and Ekali had really incredible sets.

Some artists I missed that I will checkout next time around are: 4B, Camelphat, Alpha 9, Sage Armstrong, Will Clarke, Kygo, Dabin, and MK. That’s the hard part about EDC is you might love a lineup but you might not be able to check out every single artist due to set conflicts and whether or not you want to see a full set or not.

Day 1 outfit details: Freedom Rave Wear Moon Shower Bralette and Brazilian bottoms, holographic boots from DollsKill, Disco Queen Headband from Britts Blossoms

Day 2 outfit details: Freedom Rave Wear Electric Love Bodysuit

Day 3 outfit details: Black mesh shirt and fishnet tights from iHeartRaves, sports bra from Forever 21, bottoms from Rave With Mi Gente

All in all I had a great second EDC!!! We’ll see if next year is in the cards for me. If you came and found me at EDC, thank you so so much for following this blog and my journey. It means the world to me to have your support. In other news, I am so so excited to be going to my first Electric Forest in a month. Let me know if you’re going!