words & photos_melissa mallin
Peace. Love. Unity. Respect – that’s what the Electric Daisy Carnival is all about and day two of EDC Orlando was no exception. Day two, held on Saturday, Nov. 8, welcomed a sold out crowd of 32,000 energetic and beautiful souls to the Tinker field Stadium, bringing the two-day total attendance to a new EDC Orlando record of 68,000 guests.
The fourth annual EDC Orlando was full of first’s. Aside from two brand new stage designs and RFID technology wristbands, the festival also brought in a 250 foot long zip line where fans could fly high across Lake Beardall to view the festival like never before.
The lineup for Saturday included Steve Aoki, Knife Party, Above and Beyond, Steve Angello, Dillon Frances, Showtek, Rebecca and Fiona, Thomas Gold, Headhunterz, Paper Diamond and more.
Festivalgoer Felicia Taylor, 24, from Deerfield Beach, returned to the festival for her fourth year.
“I’ve been to EDC Orlando for four years and I’m never disappointed. The lineup is always extraordinary and theres nothing better than dancing under the night sky with some of the best people I’ve ever met,” said Taylor. “The vibes that surround Tinker Field are always so perfect because it’s a place you can go to escape reality for a couple of days and express yourself for who you are while never being judged.”
The thing about music festivals is that they allow people of all different cultures and backgrounds to come together and unite as one, but festivals also have their very own culture attached to them too. Though EDC’s festivals (Orlando and Las Vegas) vary in size, production and lineup, the culture is typically the same – one where the things that would normally set us apart in our everyday lives (religion, race, ethnicity etc.) simply dissipate as one walks through the festival gates. A culture literally based on spreading peace, love, unity and respect.
Walking through the gates of EDC Orlando was like entering a portal to a new world. A world composed of love, happiness and respect for all and one filled with vibrant colors, creative outfits, thrilling carnival rides, energetic dancers, 60 incredible artists and all around happy and non-stop smiling faces.
University of Miami student Shai Fox attended the event with her friends for the first time.
“Attending EDC Orlando was one of the most magical and fun experiences of my life. Leaving Tinker Field after the final sets were over left my group and I feeling sad that it was over. Hopefully, I can go again next year,” said Fox.
26-year- old festivalgoer and Insomniac events fan Kenny Alberts has also attended EDC Orlando each year.
“I’ve been attending music festivals since the early 2000’s and an avid dance music fanatic since the mid 90’s. Ive attended events across the nation, small and large. To this day, I have yet to attend any event that even comes close to the level of production that Insomniac events puts forth,” said Alberts. “EDC Orlando is one of Insomniac’s smaller events but has grown tremendously over the past four years. It has become bigger and better each year, putting smiles on peoples faces as they amaze the crowd with unforgettable experiences which is unmatched. I love EDC and will continue to attend the event for many years to come.”
Put simply, EDC Orlando is an unforgettable and magical experience for all who attend. EDC now takes place all over the world and whether you attended the event or not, you should mark your calendar for EDC Vegas 2015. EDC Vegas will take place June 20-22 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with over 300,000 people expected to attend. But, if you can’t make it to Vegas, know that EDC Orlando will return again next year!
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