Electronic Daisy Carnival – one of the biggest EDM music festivals in the world is held in Vegas every year. EDM is not for everyone especially for “hipsters” who claim that it is not worth going 1000 miles in a desert just to see someone pushing buttons instead to playing an actual instrument. Well, that is a never ending debate which I don’t want to get into. My planning for EDC started last year when I was on my way back from TomorrowWorld where other fest goers educated me that EDM fests are not just confined to TomorrowWorld or TomorowLand. Going by their words and my sheer joy for EDM I immediately booked my tickets for EDC Vegas. Las Vegas is called the sin city but I am not sure about that description. When I told my friend from New Jersey about EDC he tagged along, which was great. EDC runs from 7PM – 5AM for three consecutive nights which is a bit of downside. I know it’s hard for most of you to believe but it was a great effort for me to travel to Vegas then be up till 6-7AM. But thanks to EDC management the main headliners were from 12-3 AM.
Day 1
My friend and I wanted to stay on the strip (which is not cheap) but in searching for most reasonable hotel on strip, we landed on New York New York – this is the hotel with a roller coaster. I have been to Vegas before but I have never seen any Vegas hotel room without a mini bar. I found it sort of amazing. Initially we were planning to commute to and fro fest by Uber. It was not a suitable option for anyone. Mainly for following reasons, even if you are in a group:
- Heavy traffic
- Surged pricing
plus it was 17 miles. One day before the fest we decided to opt for EDC’s official shuttles, which turned out to be a blissful option because official shuttle route was different from normal traffic. Day 1 was reserved for Adventure Club, Alesso, Hardwell and KSHMR. But since we were really tired from traveling, we only managed to see Alesso and Hardwell (12-3 AM). I guess I have to catch KSHMR in some other fest … may be TomorrowLand in Belgium 2017 ;).
Day 2
This was my friend’s first trip to Vegas hence we had to go to the strip but not before Hard Rock Cafe as we were famished. After getting filled with jumbo platter next thing to do was stroll on the strip with usual stops including Aria, Cosmopolitan, Bellagio fountain and Caesars Palace. A lucky find was the Chandelier bar in the Cosmopolitan Hotel. And obviously we had to go to Stratosphere as it the most visited place in Vegas and for rides too. After 7 hours of cruising the strip and enjoying the rides we went to Gordon Ramsey’s Burger restaurant for dinner … nothing fancy just the brand name. Well, Day 2 was the highlight for EDC, atleast for us as headliners were Martin Garrix, Above and Beyond, The Chainsmokers and Armin Van Burren. I am a huge fan of Armin but Martin Garrix stole the show and plus Above and Beyond is a legendary group in its own way. As soon as A&B was done it was 3AM and my back was sore … I guess I am getting old. Sadly Armin set was not that exciting as the one at TomorrowWorld.
Day 3
Since my last trip there were 2 things pending to do in Vegas, a pool party and a show. Finding a pool party was not that difficult but deciding which one to go was a huge deal because it was EDC week and based on the DJ and the venue, tickets varied from 70-150 bucks per head. We decided to go for the Marquee club with DJ Carnage. It was epic beyond proportion but how come everyone in Vegas is ripped to their core … I have never seen so many perfect bodies at one place, it was crazy. Luckily NY NY Hotel host an adult exotic comedy show which is rated as one of the best in Vegas and tickets were also affordable Zumanity is name of the show. If you ever visit Vegas and 18+ then please do the honours, I guarantee you will enjoy it. Headliners for Day 3 were Tiesto and DJ Snake and special shout to Tiesto as his special guest was John Legend. One of the celebrity fest goers I spotted was Christopher Waltz, which was pretty amazing. Next day we checked out and did some gambling at Bellagio.
EDC was really different from TomorrowWorld in a good way. You cant camp around the fest ground which means you have to stay in a hotel. Commute can be easy if you are wise enough but if not then it can be a real pain in the ass. The currency for the fest was actual money (preferred cash) instead of festival points. And somehow David Guetta was not there … which was weird as he goes to each and every fest on this planet, maybe he was busy this time.All in all it was great fun and especially when you get to see so many different characters in one go of all different colors, shapes and sizes plus the amazing and creative festival costumes. Only downside for me was the timing of the fest. I’ll be back to Vegas but only for some gambling and Hakkasan.
