Dancing Astronaut’s Soundtrack to EDC Las Vegas 2015
Dancing Astronaut's Soundtrack to EDC Las Vegas 2015
Electric Daisy Carnival is the second largest and highest grossing festival in the United States. It’s now become an internationally-hosted event, with locations in Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. But of its US locations, the Las Vegas edition is definitely the crowned jewel. From its dazzling, big budget production features and interactive art installations, to its stellar lineup of artists from a wide variety of genres, the event draws music fans and revelers from all over the world each year under one “electric sky.” This year’s EDCLV featured such a competitive lineup that creating a solid schedule involved making more than one tough sacrifice. And then there was the endless list of pool and club parties throughout the week, for fans who couldn’t score festival tickets or those who somehow found the energy to experience the best of both worlds. From the pools to the clubs to the festival grounds, here are ten tracks that colored our #EDCLV2015 weekend.
Photo Credit: Andrew Noh
Above & Beyond - Walter White
The UK trio curated an electrifying playlist of music that took us through the outfit’s entire career for their midnight set on Day 2 of the festival. When they dropped this one, Bryan Cranston appeared onstage to assist with the bass drop during the track, which is named after the character he played on the AMC television series, Breaking Bad. The trio closed out their set with a moving Fathers Day slideshow. The festival performance was more progressive than their equally stellar pool party at WET Republic on Thursday, June 18, where they played updated trance classics such as Delirium’s “Silence” and Motorcycle’s “As The Rush Comes.”
Kaskade - We Won't Stop
Before dropping this gorgeous unreleased gem during his Day 1 set at EDC’s Kinetic Fields, Kaskade announced to the crowd: “I’ve seen a lot of clubs and festivals; I’ve been around a long time and people said ‘this is just a fad, it’s not gonna last – it’s just something going on in Chicago. But then I moved to SF and we’re doing this too. No matter where I go in the world, we don’t stop. I wrote this one for you guys, because we’re still doing this.” In addition to a show with Galantis at XS the following night, the Chicago-born legend also played a special Redux set atop the Mayan Art Car after his EDC performance, where he dropped classics like “I Remember,” “Angel On My Shoulder,” “Move For Me,” and “This Is How It Goes” long after being told he had to finish, declaring that “only pussies go home before sunrise!” Those lucky enough to stumble upon it probably agree it was well-worth the ensuing hours-long cab and shuttle lines.
Disclosure - When A Fire Starts to Burn
It may not be the most recent track by the English superduo, nor the most often-played during EDC week – that might go to various remixes of “Latch” and “White Noise” – but when Disclosure opened up their EDC Day 2 set with this 2013 hit, it seemed nothing short of appropriate for the entire week as temperatures soared to 111 degrees Fahrenheit. The track’s grating, repetitive vocals also evoke that dizzy, room-is-spinning trancelike state everyone was surely feeling by Monday morning on the plane ride home.
Robin S - Show Me Love
Some might call this a classic by now, but remixes of this track were everywhere in Vegas last week, from hotel lobbies and center bars to EDC’s Art Cars, where we heard it played twice on a giant party ship rolling through the festival grounds filled with gyrating revelers. Whether it was Sam Feldt’s remake or Laidback Luke and Steve Angello’s version, Robin S’s soaring top line left an indelible mark on the week.
Markus Schulz - Destiny
The first time fans heard this track was last winter, when Markus debuted it during performances in New York and Miami. It’s hardly an oldie, but is undoubtedly a fan favorite. During a New World Punx EDC pool party at Tao Beach on Sunday, it caused several hundred soaking wet fans to jump up and down in unison. When Markus played it again during his festival set later that night, the response was similar – only this time it was several thousand bodies (many holding ‘Trance Family United’ signs) screaming out those oh-so-catchy lyrics, “baby I’ll see you on the other side.”
Marcelo CIC - Superfans
Fans who stuck to the main stages missed out on a slew of great up-and-coming talent that played on the festival’s various Art Cars. Whether they knew who he was or not, revelers who happened to be passing by at just the right time on Day 1 stopped in their tracks when they heard Marcelo CIC’s “Superfans.” Led by a large group of – you guessed it – “superfans” decked out in Brazilian national colors, a massive crowd quickly accumulating in front of the decks, fist-pumping in time to the synth-driven anthem as the desert sky faded from indigo to black.
Duke Dumont - Won't Look Back
British mainstay Duke Dumont wowed fans with a live performance on Day 2 of EDC. The highlight of the set, and certainly a go-to at parties all week long, was his 2014 hit “Won’t Look Back,” which he banged out on real piano keys. The result was otherworldly.
Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus' (Eric Prydz Remix)
You don’t have to be a Depeche Mode fan to appreciate Eric Prydz’s 2013 remix of their classic, “Personal Jesus,” which he used to open up his Day 2 set at CircuitGrounds. The tune’s rumbling intro rhythms and steadily rising bass were a perfect tool to bring the crowd’s anticipation to a boiling point as thousands of fans stomped their feet in unison and did war-whoops into the night.
Skrillex feat. Niki and the Dove - DJ Ease My Mind
On Saturday night Slander took control of the bassPOD for a 10:00PM set time that shook the entire festival to its core. Joined by NGHTMRE on stage, they took the crowd by storm with a collection of thunderous productions. The only respite came in the form of Skrillex and Niki and the Dove’s “DJ Ease My Mind” when the entire crowd raised their lighters and cell phones to sing along in unison.
Martin Solveig & GTA - Intoxicated (Wiwek Remix)
The happy-go-lucky Frenchman arrived in top form Saturday night at the Cosmic Meadow. His latest hit “Intoxicated” alongside GTA, followed us around from the Strip to the festival stage. Mixing the original into Wiwek’s jungle terror remix on Saturday evening, Martin kicked off his set with something to prove, leading into one of the highest energy performances of the weekend. When it comes to keeping things lighthearted and fun there’s no better DJ than Mr. Solveig.