You don’t have to attend EDC to join in the fun. Here are our picks for dance-music parties outside the Speedway.
FOR THE EDM WORSHIPPERS/CASUAL DANCE FANS
Dash Berlin The Boulevard Pool’s Set Your Life to Music Series takes time out from the bands this week and instead offers the Dutch trance euphoria of producer/DJ Dash Berlin, on loan from Cosmopolitan nightclub Marquee. June 19, 8 p.m., $30+. Boulevard Pool at the Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7000.
Sebastian Ingrosso and Axwell This will be the sole club gig on the two former Swedish House Mafia members’ tour together. If ticket prices or the Light queue grow too daunting, their old bandmate Steve Angello plays up the street at XS at the same time. June 21, doors at 10 p.m, $93+ men, $50+ women. Light, 702-693-8300.
Skrillex and Diplo Speaking of XS, we’d be remiss not to recommend this co-headlining party featuring Skrillex and Diplo … who occasionally team up as DJ duo Jack U. Though that collaboration isn’t announced, that doesn’t it mean it won’t happen. RL Grime opens. June 23, doors at 10 p.m., $50+ men, $20+ women. XS, 702-770-0097.
FOR THE BASSHEADS
Bassrush Pool Party The pool party calendar is usually short on bass-music events, but EDC serves as a great occasion to bring the wub to the tub. For this afternoon edition of Bassrush, 14 acts—including Bro Safari and Crizzly—will pair up/square off during seven daytime sets. June 19, doors at noon, $40+. Paradise Beach at Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5000.
Night Bass Producer/DJ AC Slater and Steve Aoki’s label Dim Mak enjoyed so much success and praise for their LA Night Bass party that they recently took it on the road—and will create an EDC Week edition for 18-and-over fans at House of Blues, headlined by English duo Jack Beats. June 19, doors at 10 p.m., $20. House of Blues, 702-632-7600.
FOR THE DEEP AND DIRTY HEADS
Claude VonStroke and Friends Bay Area house favorite Claude VonStroke looks to christen the renovated Drai’s Afterhours space under the Cromwell casino with his Dirtybird pals Justin Martin and Kill Frenzy. Their type of sexy, devilish house was meant to be heard in a basement. June 19, doors at midnight, $45+. Drai’s Afterhours, 702-737-0555.
Dubfire and Nicole Moudaber House fans will undoubtedly be returning to Drai’s Afterhours the next night for another unmissable pre-sunrise lineup—this time with minimal favorites Dubfire and Nicole Moudaber, the latter a depressingly rare visitor to Vegas. June 20, doors at midnight, $35+. Drai’s Afterhours, 702-737-0555.
Slow Roast Picnic Those in search of a more relaxed vibe away from the Strip’s hustle-bustle—as well as an underground party free from stylistic boundaries—should patronize this poolside/rooftop celebration. Miami DJ legend Craze tops a bill that also promises “super secret guests”—which may be why there were only four presale tickets left when we last checked. June 22, doors at noon, $20. Picnic at Downtown Grand, 855-384-7263.
