The ABCs of EDC

This is not just a marketing slogan—it’s a promise. No matter where you come from, what you look like, whom you love, or when you got into dance music, there is a place for you at Electric Daisy Carnival. We mean it. The festival is proud to be a destination where more than 100,000 friends and strangers come together for the weekend to form a community focused on revelry, celebration, connection and joy. If you’re into any of these things, you belong at EDC.

B is for BASS

A recent scientific study found that our brains our wired to better recognize rhythms when they’re played at lower tones. In other words, we’re biologically designed to go crazy for bass, that singular phenomenon that transcends sound and becomes a physical experience when it hits the body. You know the feeling, and we know you like the feeling. From neonGARDEN to the namesake bassPOD, there will be loads of low end to satisfy the mind and body at EDC 2017. Come get it.

C is for CARNIVAL RIDES

Up, down, round and round, side to side and backward. These are not instructions on how to shuffle; they’re all the ways your body can move through space while on the carnival rides at EDC. There are dozens of rides at the festival, from a fleet of iconic Ferris wheels to more thrilling and higher-flying contraptions. Whether you prefer to keep things slow and low to the ground, or you love being rapidly flung through the air, EDC has a ride to satisfy. And just like always, they’re free for all attendees.

D is for DUSK TILL DAWN

There is only one thing like watching the sun set over the desert, and it is watching the sunrise over the desert. Each day of EDC offers opportunities for both, as the party starts at dusk and doesn’t stop until the sky is once again lit up in nature’s shades of orange, yellow, gold, pink and purple. For all of the neon and lasers at the festival, EDC’s best light shows may be the two that happen each day on western and eastern horizons.

E is for EDC TOWN

Located on the expanse of grass near the festival entrance, EDC Town is home to the chapel, the post office, and a variety of other eclectic hangout areas at which to rest your feet, move your booty, find your lost friends, and use as your home base for the weekend. See you there.

F is for FIREWORKS

No insult to the founding fathers, but the fireworks displays at EDC make the 4th of July look like a pack of old sparklers. Each night at the festival, the sky is lit up by thousands of twinkling fireworks rendered in all colors of the rainbow, with a grand finale that will likely give you goosebumps—despite the desert heat. You literally cannot miss it, because it will be exploding in the sky above your head.

G is for GIVING

There are so many ways to give at EDC without spending any actual money. Pass a smile to a person you see in the crowd. Offer some water to someone who looks thirsty. Invite that solo party person to join your rave family. Let that lady who realllly has to pee go ahead of you in the bathroom line. While the payback you receive might not be monetary, you’ll surely be karmically richer for your contributions.

H is for HEADLINER

Without the people who come to the festival, EDC would be nothing more than a bunch of rides, some food stands, a few massive stages, and a bunch of DJs standing around the Speedway. It is you, dear Headliners, who bring the enthusiasm, the outfits, the creativity, and the sincere passion for music, art and community. Each and every one of you makes up the heart and soul of this festival, and that’s why, to us, you are the real stars of the show.

I is for INTERACTIVE ART

Expensive art that hangs on gallery walls is nice, but art that you can climb on and play with is vastly more exciting. From bamboo palaces to spinning caterpillars and twirling jungle gyms, the art at EDC has always been a hands-on experience, and this year we’re proud to once again present installations that will bring out your inner child.

J is for JUNGLIST

Not familiar with the genre known as “jungle”? Stop what you’re doing, turn this on, and read this. Emerging out of the early-‘90s UK rave scene, jungle music was defined by pioneers including Goldie, A Guy Called Gerald, and LTJ Bukem—all of whom incorporated the deep basslines and simple melodies of reggae, dancehall and dub over rapid percussion. Closely associated with drum & bass, jungle eventually evolved into dubstep, which gave way to brostep, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of American kids headbanging to Skrillex sets in fields across the country. Take some time during EDC to pay homage by checking out the jungle artists on the lineup and getting to know a junglist or two in the crowd. They’ve often got the best dance moves.

K is for KANDI

Cultures are defined by how they adorn themselves, making kandi one of the prime artifacts of EDC and the rave world at large. From beaded bracelets to perlers to full-on armor, EDC attendees get way into their kandi-making and are always happy to trade—if you know the secret handshake.

L is for LASERS

Fun fact: the term “laser” originated as an acronym for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” The technology was originally conceived by Albert Einstein and first brought to light in 1960. Now, 57 years later, lasers have morphed into an art form—with hundreds of them at EDC orchestrated into precise light shows that even Einstein would probably be dazzled by.

M is for MEMORIES

Eventually, EDC will end. You will go back to where you came from, catch up on your sleep, and resume your daily life. But even then, the festival won’t really be over, because you’ll have the memories you made during the weekend. You’ll feel all warm and fuzzy inside recalling the interesting people you met, the incredible music you heard, the fireworks you witnessed, and how damn happy it all made you. Those memories will be yours forever, proving once again that experiences are ultimately more important than stuff.

N is for NATURE VS. TECHNOLOGY

You may not even be aware of the connection but it’s been right there in front of you all along: neonGARDEN, circuitGROUNDS, the Electric Daisy. The EDC experience is built on a foundation that merges natural, organic elements with the futuristic flair of modern tech. We’ve got deep earthy roots, but our flowers bloom with all the Technicolor splendor of laser lights and LED magic. This year, with kineticGAIA, that connection will be more apparent than ever.

O is for OUTFITS

There are some things you just can’t wear during daily life. Fairy wings, for example. A light-up bustier. Seven-inch platform boots. Fishnets. Sequins. Hot pants. No pants. All of these accessories are not only acceptable but encouraged at EDC, so feel free to play dress-up and prepare to gorge yourself on the visual feast of the festival fashion show.

P is for PERFORMER

When is a lollipop not a lollipop? When it’s a performer dressed as a lollipop and roving the grounds at EDC. From groups of sweet treats, to packs of felines, to gaggles of astronauts and all characters in between, the performers at EDC help bring the show to life on the ground and onstage in the most whimsical fashion. And they’re always happy to take a photo with you!

Q is for quantumVALLEY

Envision a world where ethereal beats and timeless melodies rescue you from the everyday and transport you to a higher state of consciousness. This is quantumVALLEY, a never-before-seen stage set to debut at EDC Las Vegas 2017. Hosted by Dreamstate, Insomniac’s dedicated trance brand, this new stage will feature the best sounds and artists from across the genre. Come here if you’d like to experience the emotional peaks and valleys of trance music. We know you want to.

R is for RAINBOW ROAD

Rainbow Road is the festival’s main thoroughfare, hosting parades, performances, dazzling installations, vendors, rides, and other metaphorical pots of gold. This might be one of your only chances in life to find the end of the rainbow, so be sure to take a stroll.

S is for SURPRISES

From special guests to surprise sets to new installations and art, EDC 2017 has some fantastic surprises up its sleeve. Be on the lookout.

T is for TOTEMS

We love totems. They’re functional, given that they help friend groups stay together, and also artful, given that all of you decorate them so intricately. From wonderfully absurd memes to flashing lights to full-on arcade games, EDC is essentially the totem Olympics. So, be sure to bring your A-game and hold that thing high.

U is for UNDER THE ELECTRIC SKY

Stargazing is grand, but there are only three nights a year when you can hang out under the Electric Sky of EDC. Soak up every moment.

V is for VIBES

The best thing about your vibes is that you have total control over them. EDC is all about love and happiness, so ditch any negative vibes at the door, or shake them off on the dancefloor. Remember, energy is contagious. If you’re walking around the festival with a smile on your face, spreading good cheer in line for the rides, making new friends, not sweating the small stuff, and just generally being a positive party person, you’re likely to get a lot of love coming back to you. Cool, huh?

W is for WELLNESS

It’s actually pretty easy to take great care of yourself at EDC. Wear comfortable shoes, drink plenty of water before, during and after the festival each day, and remember to eat, preferably something healthy. Sleep as much as you can during the day, pop a multivitamin for extra nutrients at night, and don’t drink more alcohol than your body can handle. Seriously. The sign of a true festival pro is being able to dance all night without waking up feeling like garbage the next day—and then doing it all over again. And then once more. Remember, EDC has an extensive medical area for anyone feeling woozy, dehydrated, or just in need of a band-aid.

X is for XYLOPHONE

To be fair, not many words start with X, but we’re willing to bet that one of the DJs has worked some sick xylophone into a track. Or not.

Y is for YOLO

Indeed, you only live one damn time, so you might as well have as much fun as you can during your extended trip here on earth. EDC is an excellent way to do that. Just sayin’.

Z is for ZZZZZZ

Zzzzzz is for sleep, a fundamental element of your health and well-being. EDC will almost certainly disrupt your regular sleep pattern, so it’s important to get as much shut-eye as you can when you’re not at the festival, in order to return refreshed and ready to go each day. There are chill-out zones around the festival at which to catch a quick power nap—if you’re able to doze through all the pounding bass.

EDC Las Vegas 2017 takes place June 16–18 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. For more information, visit the official website.

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