Electric Daisy Carnival

[EDC 2015]

Electric Daisy Carnival turns 19 this year

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Photo: Doug Van Sant

Like many of its attendees, Electric Daisy Carnival turns 19 this year, which is truly incredible. That beats Coachella—the other Southwestern music festival that draws in the six figures—by three years. From the electronica explosion of 1997 to the proven endurance of dance music, Insomniac’s EDC has evolved in countless ways, whether naturally or by external influences. I’ve experienced it in venues as disparate and vibe-transforming as an agricultural center (2000), a park adjacent to the Queen Mary (2002) and an enormous racetrack (2011-2014).

That last space, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will also become the longest-running EDC venue this year, edging out the four-year runs at NOS Events Center and Exposition Park in SoCal. But lately, attention has been focused on 2016 and whether Insomniac will re-up with the Speedway to celebrate EDC’s 20th anniversary. Next year could see the fest—and almost certainly its pass-holders—get hit by Nevada’s new Live Entertainment Tax expansion, giving Insomniac reason for pause.

As for this week’s festival, EDC will surely attempt to surpass last year’s spectacle-laden affair and box-office peaks. It has done just that with every Las Vegas edition so far, and should it do so again, it’ll be that much more indispensable to the Vegas Valley.

Electric Daisy Carnival June 19-21, 7 p.m.-5:30 a.m., GA sold out; VIP $700. Las Vegas Motor Speedway, lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com.

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