Awesome People We Met on Day 2 of EDC Orlando

Well, Orlando Headliners, you did it again. Last year’s trip to the Sunshine State was something we’ll not soon forget, but you all outdid yourselves this time around. Your positive energy was palpable from the moment the gates opened until the last Headliner said goodnight.

Name: Tori and Mattea
Age: Tori (20), Mattea (19)
Hometown: Jupiter, FL
Number of EDCs: Tori (One), Mattea (Two)
What do you wish everyone knew about EDC?
Mattea: I think it’s a really beautiful experience. Everyone comes together, [there’s] good music, good vibes, really happy place.
Tori: I think it’s all about meeting new people and vibing to the music and getting to know people.
What does your outfit say about you?
Tori: We’re just creative. We like to dress our bodies in the best way we can. We look at girls, and we’re like, “Oh my gosh, that’s beautiful. That’s really well put together.” And we wanna be those girls.
Mattea: And a bunch of my other friends are superheroes.
What are you most excited about this weekend?
Mattea: BASSNECTAR! Bassnectar is like one of the OG techno [artists] I first started listening to back in like 9th grade.

Name: Jessica
Age: 23
Hometown: Boston, MA
Number of EDCs: Three
What do you wish everyone knew about EDC? A lot people think it’s just crazy people and all that. It’s not. It’s where you can be free, do whatever, forget about the world. That’s why I have something on my bag that says, “Life is a mystery.” You gotta learn about it until you figure out what’s going on.
What does your outfit say about you? It’s something I created with friends at Miami Space. It’s called Stranger & Friends. I’m a stranger right now, and a lot of people wanted to be friends, so I kept doing it and decorating it. I love the attention. A lot people are like, “Oh, you’re beautiful. Take it off!” I like the attention, give it to me!
What are you most excited about this weekend? Green Velvet. I love Green Velvet! Laser beams all over.

Name: Ryan
Age: 34
Hometown: Harrisburg, PA, currently living in Ft. Myers, FL
Number of EDCs: Six
What do you wish everyone knew about EDC? That it’s the PLUR lifestyle: Peace, Love, Unity, Respect. It’s all about the love and the music, having a good time, everybody loving one another, and getting out there and having fun.
What does your outfit say about you? This is a mankini with matching Adidas running shoes. I just did it in the spirit of the event. I like to go out there and ride around and get it.
What are you most excited about this weekend? Last night, Excision. Blew the roof off the place. Love him!

Name: Sarah
Age: 38
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Number of EDCs: Two
What do you wish everyone knew about EDC? I like that everybody seems to get along here. You never have to worry about a fight breaking out. I’ve never seen anything like it, where there’s this many people and nobody is being jerky.
What does your outfit say about you? This is how I am on the inside. Every other day, I have to be all adult and whatnot. This is when my outside matches my inside.
What are you most excited about this weekend? I love when I can be together with the same kind of people. It’s hard to find that. Even in Tampa, there’s not a big rave scene. It’s hard to find people that are in that mutual community.

Name: Taryn and Sean
Age: Taryn (22), Sean (18)
Hometown: Oldsmar, FL
Number of EDCs: Taryn (Two), Sean (One)
What do you wish everyone knew about EDC?
Sean: It’s a super friendly environment. Everyone is here to have a good time. They’re here to help you out. If someone’s feeling down, someone will come up to you and offer you water, get you something to drink, something like that.
Taryn: It’s just the good vibes that everybody has, that warm welcome feeling as soon as you walk through. It’s just amazing. It is the feeling of euphoria when you come into an Insomniac event.
What does your outfit say about you?
Sean: We’re crazy!
Taryn: We’re freaks!
What are you most excited about this weekend?
Taryn: I was really excited for LOUDPVCK.
Sean: We got to hear “Freaks Have More Fun,” and that is what we came here to hear.
Taryn: That’s our theme song.

Name: Keith
Age: 28
Hometown: Miami, FL
Number of EDCs: Three (been to Vegas twice, now this)
What do you wish everyone knew about EDC? I love making kandi—it’s a big part of going to these events. It takes a special person to commit to making kandi, and if you’re the type of person that takes the time to do it, it’s a great way to meet new, like-minded people. Overall, it’s just a really great experience.
What does your outfit say about you? I’m not sure, but I love Mortal Kombat.
What are you most excited about this weekend? Definitely Slander’s set, plus Bassnectar and Seven Lions, too.

Name: Dianna
Age: 30
Hometown: Miami, FL
Number of EDCs: One
What do you wish everyone knew about EDC? The whole culture here is amazing. I love how easy it is to meet new people, make new friends; everyone is so nice. EDC is so cool—I love it. I feel like coming to EDC awakens you, in a way. So much positivity, the music, the vibes from all the people.
What does your outfit say about you? My boyfriend is a huge Poison Ivy fanatic, and he made me do it. I’m not sure what that says about me. Haha.
What are you most excited about this weekend? Definitely Slander. The last time I saw him, he killed it. So, I’m really looking forward to seeing him again.

Name: Jake
Age: 27
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Number of EDCs: 11 (this is my first East Coast event since ‘08)
What do you wish everyone knew about EDC? Just how wonderful it is. I mean, the production, the people, the vibes, the music; Insomniac events are always just so over-the-top, so loving, so respectful. Pasquale and everyone at Insomniac just put so much detail into every single event. If you’re reading this and haven’t been, I really recommend you coming out to EDC. I love Insomniac events; I’ve been coming since 2006.
What does your outfit say about you? I’m dressed as a lotus. It’s actually a really interesting flower; it grows in mud. It’s a transformation flower. It grows in something dark and then grows into such a beautiful flower. So, my outfit stands for transformation.
What are you most excited about this weekend? Definitely Get Real with Claude VonStroke and Green Velvet. Gorgon City, Alison Wonderland—I love me some techno.

Name: Mariah
Age: 21
Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
Number of EDCs: Three (all Orlando)
What do you wish everyone knew about EDC? That this is a great place to hear new music, and it’s not at all about what is being publicized negatively. You should come and experience this for yourself and not listen to what others tell you.
What does your outfit say about you? Just trying to represent an angel of God.
What are you most excited about this weekend? No particular DJs, I feel like I’ve already seen most everyone here before. I’m just here, looking forward to having fun.

Name: Christian
Age: 19
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Number of EDCs: One
What do you wish everyone knew about EDC? That it’s founded on loving every other human being. It’s about having a great time and letting the music run through you. It’s such a happy place to be.
What does your outfit say about you? I like to have fun and be fucking sexy.
What are you most excited about this weekend? Carnage. I love me some trap music. I’ve only seen him once before, so I’m really looking forward to his set later.

Name: Kat
Age: 22
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Number of EDCs: Three (This is my first time in Orlando. I’ve been to Vegas twice. Plus, I’ve been to a bunch of other Insomniac events.)
What do you wish everyone knew about EDC? The reason why I fell in love with EDC: I really didn’t know what to expect the first time I came to EDC. I didn’t know what I was coming to. I came to hang out with some friends, and everyone is so welcoming and loving; and even though people didn’t know me, they made me feel right at home, part of the community. I’m used to college parties, a bunch of drunk people trying to hook up with you—this is very different than that. So, that’s why I feel in love with this and feel others would do the same.
What does your outfit say about you? This is a Pokémon called Vaporeon, and I chose it because, for one, I love Pokémon so much, as I’m sure you can tell. Not really sure what it says about me personally… all my outfits, I just kind of find pieces I like.
What are you most excited about this weekend? My favorite DJs are Blasterjaxx. I’ve seen them a few times in the past, but I’m super excited to see them again.

Name: Tara & Karin
Age: 24, 24
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Number of EDCs: Five
What do you wish everyone knew about EDC?
Tara: That it’s the best thing you’ll ever experience.
Karin: I wish everyone could come and experience this, simply because you’ll experience much love.
What does your outfit say about you?
Tara: That I’m F-ing awesome!
Karin: That I’m beautiful in my own way.
What are you most excited about this weekend?
Tara: Bassnectar. I’ve never seen him before.
Karin: Bassnectar and Kaskade—I’ve never seen either of them before, so I’m excited.