EDC is an experience like no other

It’s 4:30 in the morning. Do you know where you kids are?

We do. They’re right here in Las Vegas, raging hardcore like no other, and literally having the time of their lives — at least from what we can tell. We haven’t been able to talk to them. Fact is, it’s far too loud to actually have a conversation. Still, the way they’re losing their doggone minds, you can tell this isn’t just music; it’s a movement.

This notion couldn’t have been made more clear than during Kaskade’s set, which was definitely one of the highlights of the night so far. In the closing minutes of his set on the Kinetic Field, he dedicated “We Won’t Stop” to the sea of fans in front him. Before launching into the song, he talked about how early on he was told that this music was a fad and that it would pass, but then eventually, despite being marginalized, the culture managed to thrive, particularly in places like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Watching the crowd sing, it almost felt like a moment of solidarity and vindication: “We don’t stop/We don’t stop for no one/We won’t break/The world won’t wait for you.”

Perhaps it was the grandeur of the presentation — quite possible, as the staging at Kinetic Field is truly awe-inspiring — but it was an incredibly powerful moment. But then, if you wanna know what, the whole festival feels like that, actually, bigger than life. If you’ve ever been to EDC, you know exactly what we’re talking about here. If you haven’t seen this in the flesh, you’d be well advised to skip lunch for the next year and come experience this for yourself — no matter what kind of music you prefer.

It’s an experience until itself that you won’t forget. EDC is totally overwhelming, verging on sensory overload at times, particularly in the Kinetic Field, from the bass waves vibrating your entire being to feeling the searing heat from the pyro to watching the meticulous movements of the dancers — the whole thing has a production value that makes Cirque du Soleil look like a middle school musical.

Read more from Dave Herrera at bestolflasvegas.com. Contact Dave at dherrera@reviewjournal.com.