The Return of EDC - by Sarah Kiburz

EDC Round 2 was exceptional, and I liked it better than 2019 for some reasons and worse for others. As the highest attended festival in North America, you can imagine how overwhelming it must be. I will say there is something special about your first EDC, but as this was my second I knew the lay of the land and what to expect. Let’s get into it!

Camp EDC

Better known as “glamping,” camping at EDC is a breeze compared to normal camping! They provide the tent, AC units (except they didn’t have them this year since it wasn’t hot), and there’s food at the Mesa which is the common area. All you have to do is show up with your sleeping bag/air mattress and the good vibes! Camp EDC is not for the faint of heart. What I mean by this is that there are activities happening constantly, and the music never. stops. playing. Endless music is great when you’re wanting to pregame for the fest or enjoy a sunrise set, however it is not so great for sleeping! I noticed a break in music from when the festival ended until about 6 or 6:30 am, at which point it goes until 10 am. If you’re wanting to sleep, I highly recommend getting back to your tent before the music starts! Highlights of camp include goat yoga, shuffle workshops, easy festival entry/exit, exclusive merch, and meeting wonderful people. Downsides are the noise level, overpriced food, and bathrooms are likely not right by your tent!

The Festival

Surrounded by the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, this massive fest lives up to its description “under the electric sky.” There are about 1 million things to do and see at all times, and if you’re a first-timer you are guaranteed to feel overstimulated. I love this about EDC, and I love how the characters and performers are constantly stealing your attention. Each stage is totally different, and I recently learned that they change up a few of them every year! My biggest tip is to get to the festival early at least one of the days so you have time to explore! If you want to ride rides or explore the Pixel Forest, you aren’t going to want to do so while your favorite artists are performing.

Stand Outs/What Makes EDC Unique

The coolest thing about EDC is the extensive lineup. You will see most, if not all, of your favorite artists in one weekend. Granted there is some overlap, however, it is very doable to split sets as long as you aren’t too thick in the crowd. Another highlight is the firework show! I get emotional every time I watch it. The fireworks start at 1:30 am every night and last about 10-15 minutes. It is, in my opinion, the most magical part of the weekend. Since this was the 25th year, Pasquale implemented a drone show where thousands of drones made different formations in the sky. EDC stands out because every single year there is something new, and the Insomniac team works incredibly hard to keep the fest fresh and exciting.

Final Tips/Tricks

1. Everyone should try camping at least once! People don’t understand that camp is like its own mini-festival with live DJ performances included!

2. Bring toilet paper, hand sanitizer, refillable water packs, and gum!

3. If you aren’t camping you need to purchase the shuttle pass. Ubers cost hundreds of dollars from the strip!

4. Learn the Rainbow Road and other shortcuts-it’ll save you time when bouncing between sets!

5. Sit in the bleachers for at least 1 set at the Cosmic Meadow. You get a full view of the festival and enough time to soak in all the magic :)

You can find Sarah on instagram and tiktok! @sarahloushuffles