Sights and Sounds from EDC Las Vegas 2023 (2024)

Tue, May 23, 2023 (10:46 a.m.)

Topping last year’s attendance, more than half a million festgoers—and 230 artists—flocked to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway over the weekend for three nights of peace, love, unity, respect and electronic dance music.

It was a special occasion—EDC’s parent company, Insomniac, celebrated its 30th anniversary with celebrations sprinkled throughout the festival like “Anniversary Lane” and an anniversary car decorated like a cake and iced with some of the sweetest DJ sets.

Here are our highlights from Saturday night.

The Scene

EDC seemed to up its carnival ride game this year with bumper cars, at least three varieties of Tilt-A-Whirl-like rides, roller coasters and, of course, a Ferris wheel providing bird's-eye views of the electric playland. And there was no shortage of acrobatics, including a trampoline act near the VIP area at Circuit Grounds. The clown marching band was back in action, jumping (on stilts, mind you) between stages with a drum line in tow to hype up the crowds during different DJ sets.

EDC 2023

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Along with the traditional thongs, fishnets and bodysuits we’ve come to know and love, nostalgic references abounded among the crowd. One fest-goer sported a yellow bodysuit and headband with Goofy ears and hair, in homage to the fictional pop star Powerline from Disney's 1995A Goofy Movie. And this year'sSuper Mario Brothers Movie inspired dozens of Marios and Luigis.

Over the course of a few hours, we spotted at least five Spongebob totems—some with obscure episode references (“Gold Team Rules!"), along with the Sponge himself and a streaking Patrick Star with a celebratory flag clutched between his buttcheeks (as seen in The Spongebob Squarepants Movie)—waving high in the air.

Love was in the air, too. Downtown EDC “chapels” officiated more than 100 legal weddings throughout the weekend. –SM

Beyond the Stages

EDC’s Kandi Casino was a highlight for many; it challenged partiers to gamble with their Kandi in blackjack and roulette, or make cool variations of their own bracelets. Either way, you were guaranteed to be rolling in Kandi by dawn.

Once again, art cars were hot tickets for impromptu dance parties. EDC’s 30th anniversary art car—topped with a towering cake and a troupe of dancing showgirls— even hosted an official one. Festivalgoers hopped aboard to party with the DJs holding court, including West Coast beatmaker Simply Jeff and iconic jungle vet R.A.W.

Perhaps one of the most underrated areas of EDC was the Allegiant Rave Hangar, a well-hidden experience you really had to keep your eyes peeled to find. As attendees hustled to the next act on their dance itinerary, we stumbled upon the entrance on Daisy and Anniversary lanes by sheer accident.

Completely in the dark as to where we were—through a dazzling tunnel of lights and airline signage for “nonstop music,” no less—we touched down into the middle of an indoor rave. Smoke machines only seemed to magnify the hazy warehouse aesthetic, which drew a sizable crowd of bodies that bounced to the glitch-happy melodies of If Found and Highlnd.

“This might be the most fun I’ve ever had performing,” If Found said at the end of their B2B set before turning the tables over to rising LA producer Tsu Nami.

At Club Tsu, Tsu Nami’s bass-heavy electro beats came and went in waves. The set captured the playfulness of a younger DJ in her season of experimentation, and that buoyancy kept ravers smiling. –AS

The Music

Insomniac CEO Pasquale Rotella primed us that this EDC would be full of surprises, and it didn't disappoint.

Wax Motif and the balaclava-wearing Malaa threw the crowd into a frenzy with a guest appearance from Ty Dolla $ign during their rare B2B at Kinetic Field.

Alison Wonderland also managed to deliver a banging atmospheric set at the main stage while very pregnant. (Here’s to the first baby raving at EDC.)

At Circuit Grounds, Dom Dolla rattled spines and speakers with his futuristic house set. And international icons like Tiësto were the crowd-pleasers of Saturday evening, as the legendary DJ lit the dancefloor alight with his rhythm riding bangers. “Not only is he a legend in dance music, he just takes the crowd on a journey that is memorable every time,” Rotella told the Weekly. “I never want to have an EDC without Tiësto.”

Over at Cosmic Meadow, Nala’s sexy downtempo beats warmed the place up, and the DJ even sang her parts in the defiant groover “Not About You.”

Meanwhile, Noizu’s throbbing house anthems worked the crowd into a sweat. One man even smuggled an inflatable bean bag into VIP to catch a break.

Kaytranada also made his epic EDC debut at the Cosmic Meadow stage, entrancing listeners with “You’re the One,” and a woozy set of cuts that should keep fans sated for weeks to come. –AS

All States of Mind

Sobriety and music festivals don’t always go hand in hand. But Insomniac has made a commendable effort to make sure they can, offering a serene tent with bean bags, chairs and plenty of lounge space under soft light.

“We don’t judge anyone,” said one volunteer manning a table marked “consciousness group” and “sober sanctuary.”

The tent’s nine-year run shows a commitment to inclusivity and making sure everyone feels comfortable and safe, no matter their state of mind. –SM

Tags:Electric Daisy Carnival,electronic dance music,festival,Dance,Las Vegas Motor Speedway,EDC,EDM