By: Meag Bo | Editor-at-Large & Sandra Huitt | Managing Editor
The Veteran warns: don’t forget sunglasses and Advil!
Insomniac announces its return to the Las Vegas Strip by unveiling the first phase of EDC Weekperformances and parties taking over the city’s premiere venues from May 15-22 of 2019, culminating with the 23rd annual Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) in Las Vegas. Expanding the festival experience beyond the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, EDC Week kicks off Insomniac’s citywide takeover, featuring more than 50 epic shows. This will increase the number of EDC week venues to a record-breaking 18 properties.
My introduction to Las Vegas and EDC Week was with my Anjunafam catching 3 shows in 2 days, May 16-17 of 2018. We spent our night with Above & Beyond at Hakkasan, and after dancing our faces off, I dragged my Anjunafam along in my quest for food at 4 am. This was how we got to meet Paavo and Jono and snap some pics with them. Following a rough 4 hours of sleep, we then danced ourselves right into the pool at Wet Republic for A&B’s day party. After some much-needed sitting and sustenance, we took our sunburned, day drunk selves over to Porter Robinson at OMNIA. Taking those 2 days into consideration, it wasn’t sfmfstaffising that I slept through my alarm and we missed our flight the next morning.
I wasn’t surprised to hear Above & Beyond were making a return to EDC Week 2019, this time to the brand-spankin’-new KAOS Dayclub/Nightclub at The Palms. I’ve heard nothing but stellar things about the 100,000 square foot, multi-level night and day club, complete with a DJ booth that spins 360 degrees and is positioned between the indoor and outdoor areas. I’m praying that whoever designed KAOS left considerably more dancing room for us non-table service plebes than what’s available to shake a tail feather at Hakkasan and OMNIA.
Taking my love of all things Anjuna into consideration, it’s not easy to get the same kind of HOLY FUCK reaction out of me as Above & Beyond do. BUT, when Adam Beyer and Cirez D were announced, my jaw dropped. I’ve been wanting to see these two techno GODS for a hot minute! The question I’m sure is on everyone’s mind is: Will there be HOLO?!?
Beyer and Cirez D will be playing an extended set at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, the largest open-air venue in Las Vegas. On Thursday, May 16, Factory 93 hosts the duo’s only performance together in the city, and it will be the largest EDC Week show to take place since the celebratory week’s inception. Being one of only two 18+ shows, the immersive, large-scale experience will also be the only opportunity for techno fans to rejoice to the sights and sounds of the underground during EDC Week. It seems criminal that there’s only a single techno act on this HUGE lineup, but I’ll let it go since Insomniac scored these two dark and twisty techno behemoths.
And now from the Newbie…
Mindblown? So am I! As a raver of many years, I have never made it to the mecca that is EDC Las Vegas. Unlike Sandra, I was unaware that in addition to the three-day event there was an entire week, filled with shows all over the city dedicated to the mission of peace, love, unity, and respect. Some individuals do not even attend the main event, only seeking the shows hosted at the clubs! When I saw the lineup drop I was at a loss for words. As a total House music lover, I found solace in seeing many DJ’s of my liking. Fisher is swimming his way from hosting ‘Catch and Release‘ at CAMP EDC to EDC Week and Claude VonStroke, also of Dirtybird, is hitting MGM. Right there are three of many sets I do not want to miss. My other two House favorites on this Phase One drop are young DJ’s to watch for their skills: Zedd and Martin Garrix. Each will feel at home as they both are holding residencies in Las Vegas for 2019.
In partnership with venues such as APEX Social Club, DAYLIGHT Beach Club, Drai’s, Encore Beach Club, Hakkasan Las Vegas Nightclub, Intrigue Nightclub, JEWEL Nightclub, Liquid Pool Lounge, Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub, OMNIA Nightclub, The Stratosphere, Wet Republic, and XS, amongst others, EDC Week will also feature shows hosted by Bassrush, Basscon, Dreamstate and HARD, providing a variety of artists and music genres to choose from.
This is only the Phase One lineup… more TBA soon!
Wednesday, May 15
1 OAK Wednesday featuring Special Guest – 1 OAK Nightclub Las Vegas at The Mirage
Chris Lake – Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Illenium – Hakkasan Nightclub at MGM Grand
RL Grime – Intrigue Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas
Thursday, May 16
Above & Beyond – KAOS Dayclub at The Palms
Armin van Buuren – KAOS Nightclub at The Palms
Basscon Pool Party – The Stratosphere
Bassrush Pool Party – DAYLIGHT Beach Club at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Claude VonStroke – On The Record at Park MGM
David Guetta – XS at Encore Las Vegas
DLP Takeover – Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Featuring Andrew Rayel, David Gravell, Fedde Le Grand and Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano
Dreamstate Presents – Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Featuring Aly & Fila, Ferry Corsten, John O’Callaghan and MaRLo
Factory 93 presents Adam Beyer x Cirez D – Downtown Las Vegas Events Center
Liquid Thursday featuring Special Guest – Liquid Pool Lounge at ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas
Major Lazer – Encore Beach Club at Encore Las Vegas
Nicky Romero – JEWEL Nightclub at ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas
Porter Robinson – OMNIA Nightclub at Caesars Palace
Rüfüs Du Sol – Encore Beach Club at Night at Encore Las Vegas
Steve Aoki – Wet Republic Ultra Pool at MGM Grand
Tiësto – Hakkasan Nightclub at MGM Grand
Friday, May 17
Afrojack – Encore Beach Club at Night at Encore Las Vegas
Alesso – Encore Beach Club at Encore Las Vegas
Armin van Buuren – KAOS Dayclub at The Palms
Don Diablo – Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
JEWEL Friday featuring Special Guest – JEWEL Nightclub at ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas
Kygo – XS at Encore Las Vegas
Liquid Friday featuring Special Guest – Liquid Pool Lounge at ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas
Martin Garrix – OMNIA Nightclub at Caesars Palace
Ookay – DAYLIGHT Beach Club at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Salvatore Ganacci – Intrigue Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas
Special Guest – KAOS Nightclub at The Palms
Steve Aoki – Hakkasan Nightclub at MGM Grand
Vice – Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Zedd – Wet Republic Ultra Pool at MGM Grand
Saturday, May 18
Chuckie – Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Dillon Francis – Intrigue at Wynn Las Vegas
Diplo – Encore Beach Club at Night at Encore Las Vegas
Duke Dumont – DAYLIGHT Beach Club at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Jeffrey Sutorius – Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Liquid Saturday featuring Special Guest – Liquid Pool Lounge at ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas
Marshmello & Jauz – KAOS Dayclub at The Palms
Party Favor – JEWEL Nightclub at ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas
Special Guest – KAOS Nightclub at The Palms
Tiësto – Wet Republic Ultra Pool at MGM Grand
Zedd – OMNIA Nightclub at Caesars Palace
Sunday, May 19
Fedde Le Grand & W&W – Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Fisher & Patrick Topping – Encore Beach Club at Encore Las Vegas
Kaskade – KAOS Dayclub at The Palms
Hakkasan Sunday featuring Special Guest – Hakkasan Nightclub at MGM Grand
Liquid Sunday featuring Special Guest – Liquid Pool Lounge at ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas
Martin Garrix – Wet Republic Ultra Pool at MGM Grand
Special Guest – KAOS Nightclub at The Palms
Virgil Abloh – XS at Encore Las Vegas
Monday, May 20
The Chainsmokers – XS at Encore Las Vegas
Camelphat & Sonny Fodera – Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Deorro, Jeffrey Sutorius and Timmy Trumpet – Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Special Guest – KAOS Nightclub at The Palms
Steve Aoki – JEWEL Nightclub at ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas
Wet Republic Monday featuring Special Guest – Wet Republic Ultra Pool at MGM Grand
Again, are you mind-blown?! You may qualify for insanity if you’re not. As you can see, there are various options for you this coming May in Las Vegas for EDC Week. Tickets for all the shows above are now available. You’re in luck because there are still EDC Festival tickets, as well as limited CAMP EDC passes available. One thing you do not want to do is sleep on this; We know most will not be sleeping while there! PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE Freaks! Still need a place to stay and prefer hotels over camping? Check here!
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*Featured Image of The Chainsmokers Via rukes.com*
