The United Kingdom leg of Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC UK) took place last weekend and it was packed! While it’s no surprise that Insomniac can fill up a venue, this was a busy weekend all across the UK. This went unnoticed at the Milton Keynes National Bowl as the flower-children kept pouring in uninterrupted for the better part of early afternoon this past Saturday, July 9th.
Despite a weather prediction of zero sunshine, festival fashion was ever so prominent as crop-top after crop-top breezed by accompanied by a flurry of body paint and flower crowns. Less obvious are the American rave staples of full go-go outfits and fluffies, which were replaced with a “better-than-you, dahling” air of British high fashion and chokers.
Alison Wonderland could be heard summoning her growing crowd for the opening set over on the main stage, but only to be drowned out by the deafening screams of girls who couldn’t handle their carnival rides. Wonderland hands the reins and her headphones over to her successor, Don Diablo, who kicked off his set with his hit “Anytime” at precisely 1:30pm.
From the VIP area to those perched on grassy knolls away in the distance, it was the Kinetic Field stage that provided the tunes and offered the first view of the festival to anyone just arriving. In true Insomniac fashion, the stage itself was an impressive structure featuring EDC’s signature owl peering over the crowd while the cascading waterfalls elevated production to another level.
The road to the other 3 stages was okay at best, as the intersection of roads led to a colossal human traffic jam full of fervent ravers in a rush to catch the last ten minutes of a set. After reaching safety at the Circuit Grounds, master producer Culture Shock was testing bass levels with drum and bass all while the Cosmic Meadow lot prepared for Ilan Bluestone in the neighboring tent. Bluestone, evidently doesn’t disappoint as the crowd goes absolutely mental when he drops a remix of “Salva Mae.”
Back at the Bassrush stage, the crowd can be heard chanting “SIGMA!” as the duo from Leeds took their positions on-stage following the snap of Culture Shock’s photo with the crowd. MC Rhymestar happily welcomes the EDC girls on-stage without missing a beat. Their yellow umbrellas waved above their highlighter-yellow afro-wigs for a solid ten minutes before strutting off to wow their next crowd.
Meanwhile, 99 Souls was at the Neon Garden stage, easily recognized by the substantially lit-up Buddha who towered over the decks until Duke Dumont played his last track. Over at the main stage, the crowd is prepped for a massive sing-a-long as Martin Solveig played his last song, before “Sugar” himself, Mr. Robin Schulz, stepped to fill his spot for the next hour, only to be followed by legend Eric Prydz and newcomer to the limelight, Oliver Heldens.
BBC Radio 1 Xtra presenter, Friction, held down the Bassrush stage just as the sun was peeping out for Jauz, Philip George, Lost Frequencies and Galantis in the practically overflowing Neon Garden tent. From here, the view is perfect for watching pairs of twos as they’re slung to the stars on one of the most popular rides. Not 20 feet away, a giant pendulum swings and rushes its victims to the ground and back up as the sound of screams fade and elevate.
Being a one-day event meant no shortage of energy for anyone, especially not over at the trance stage where Future Sound of Egypt founders Aly & Fila could be seen stepping in for John O’Callaghan. The crowd was pumped for the next three hours through the sets of trance greats Markus Schulz, Ferry Corsten, and, Mr. Paul Van Dyk himself. It was a picture perfect moment as CO2 tanks annihilated the crowd while streamers fell from the rafters and bright lights bounced off the mass of dancing bodies through the very last track.
Outside, the fabulously floral art installations are emitting an ever-soft glow as the sun slowly prepares to set for the evening. Bass rings out as Caspa and Rusko take their positions at Circuit Grounds while Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike have Kinetic Field in full swing.
By this time, the number of ravers sprawled out on the grass (aka dirt) is heavily multiplying as crepes are consumed and coffee is downed for added fuel towards the end. Noisia and Pendulum packed the Bassrush stage in preparation for Andy C’s closing set, while Martin Garrix introduced Axwell ^ Ingrosso for their main stage closer (epic fireworks show included!).
Was EDC UK quite similar to its EDC Las Vegas counterpart? Probably. Does that mean its worth going? Definitely! Bring on EDC UK 2017, Insomniac!