Awesome People We Met at EDC Las Vegas 2018 Day 1

They say home is where the heart is, and we know EDC Las Vegas lives in the hearts of all of our Headliners. On the first day of the festival, we saw a sea of glowing faces flowing into Las Vegas Motor Speedway, thrilled beyond belief to be returning for another unforgettable experience. That excitement was not only palpable in the air, but it also manifested itself in many legit outfits, totems, and crazy-colored accessories. The creativity was unreal. While the sun was on the way down, we set up shop by the grandstands and got to know a few of the awesome people strolling over to the stages.

Name: Dimitri
Age: 25
Occupation: Technical support associate for electronic manufacturing company
Hometown: Moreno Valley, CA
Number of EDCs: 3

What was the planning process like for you to get ready?
We’ve done so much the last two years, so we kind of just winged it. It came down to leaving at 11pm. I feel bad, because I fell asleep on my best friend Eddie, [who] drove. But we got here safely, and it was all fun.

What is one festival essential you would never leave home without?
The family feel. When I come here, it’s definitely like going back home.

What are you most excited about this weekend?
Virtual Self’s set. I refuse to listen to him online; I NEED to see that in person.

Name: Candice, Airica
Age: 30 (Airica)
Occupation: Hairstylist (Candice); bartender and marriage and family counselor-in-training
Hometown: Long Beach, CA (Candice); Westminster (Airica)
Number of EDCs: 2

How far did you travel to get here? What was the planning process like for you to get ready?
Candice: We knew we were coming for at least six months. I mean, after last year, we had to come back.

Airica: We helped promote, so the plan was in motion long ago.

What is one festival essential you would never leave home without?
Candice: Water and pasties. (laughs)

Airica: Comfortable shoes. Footwear! Last year, though, I actually came in flip-flops, and no one stepped on my feet.

What are you most excited about this weekend?
Candice: All of the Excision sets.

Airica: Dash Berlin, Seven Lions, Rezz, Illenium might be good.

Name: DC
Age: 21
Occupation: Notary
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Number of EDCs: 2

What was the planning process like for you to get ready?
We have a squad of nine, so we had to make sure everybody was ready. It took us five months.

What is one festival essential you would never leave home without?
My best friends—that’s it.

What are you most excited about this weekend?
Meeting new people, and all the music.

Name: Will and Charlotte
Age: 30 (Will)
Occupation: Mortage loan processor (Will)
Hometown: Eugene, OR (Both)
Number of EDCs: First one (Both)

What was the planning process like for you to get ready?
Will: We did it just right. Might have overprepared a little bit, but it all came together nicely. We’ve been to a few festivals, but none quite this big.

What is one festival essential you would never leave home without?
Will: Outfits—gotta have a good outfit.

What are you most excited about this weekend?
Will: The environment. The people. Everyone here is lovely and super nice and courteous. There’s a really good energy here.

Name: Fly
Age: 29
Occupation: Trader Joe’s, but soon-to-be real estate agent
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Number of EDCs: 3

How far did you travel to get here? What was the planning process like for you to get ready?
I toss everything into a bag and see what works out.

What is one festival essential you would never leave home without?
My phone. I need communication with all my homies. Not trying to get lost.

What are you most excited about this weekend?
Hanging out with all my homies and making new friends. Wearing a dress and being extra—the usual.

Name: Mikayla
Age: 19
Occupation: Server at assisted living home
Hometown: Temecula, CA
Number of EDCs: 3

How far did you travel to get here? What was the planning process like for you to get ready?
I made like five different lists on paper, and they were FULL of stuff. I made sure I double, triple, quadruple checked it all—just in case. A lot of planning.

What is one festival essential you would never leave home without?
My phone, only because I take videos of everything so I can see it over and over and over again. I would hate to miss something like that.

What are you most excited about this weekend?
The artists—it’s such a sick lineup.

Name: Racheal, Taylor
Age: 21 (Both)
Occupation: Dispensary (Racheal); civil engineer (Taylor)
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Number of EDCs: 2 (Racheal); 3 (Taylor)

What was the planning process like for you to get ready?
Racheal: It was actually pretty easy. The outfits were really easy. It was a last-minute decision for me, so I kind of went with it.

Taylor: I reused a lot of things I had from Halloween, since it was so last-minute.

What is one festival essential you would never leave home without?
Racheal: My fan. Every festival, it’s been super clutch, and everyone appreciates it.

Taylor: CamelBak, definitely.

What are you most excited about this weekend?
Rachael: The vibes from everyone. It’s honestly my favorite part about coming to EDC—just feeling the energy and love all around.

Taylor: My mom and godmom are coming tomorrow. I’m excited to have them come and experience all of this. They love it. It’s their second time. They planned it ahead before we even knew we were coming.

Name: Winter
Age: 36
Occupation: Mom
Hometown: West Covina, CA
Number of EDCs: 13

What was the planning process like for you to get ready?
It was last-minute. I was like, “Oh, I’m going to go to EDC Vegas this year. I deserve it.” It was on Mother’s Day, too.

What is one festival essential you would never leave home without?
Kandi. I spend a good week making everything. I like giving people kandi, especially when it’s their first rave, so they can feel like the community is there for them.

What are you most excited about this weekend?
The Binches. I’ve seen them before, but this weekend is going to be awesome!

Name: Jacalyn
Age: 23
Occupation: Bay Area, CA
Hometown: Cosmetic manager
Number of EDCs: First one

How far did you travel to get here? What was the planning process like for you to get ready?
One of my best friends, Rob, inspired me to come here. A lot of it was just getting all of my outfits together. It’s been amazing process, and I’ve already met a lot of cool people.

What is one festival essential you would never leave home without?
Glitter. I feel like it gives you a unique perspective of a person. It adds a lot to that person.

What are you most excited about this weekend?
There are so many great artists, and it’s too hard to pick.

Name: Adam
Age: 28
Occupation: Insurance
Hometown: Ventura, CA
Number of EDCs: First one

How far did you travel to get here? What was the planning process like for you to get ready?
I depended on my beautiful assistant, who’s with me entirely. She got everything, except I took care of the portal gun.

What is one festival essential you would never leave home without?
My flask, because you could put, like, water in that… or whiskey.

What are you most excited about this weekend?
I’m thinking ATB. I’ve been a big fan and have never seen him.

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