This previous January, Insomniac celebrated a major milestone in its historical past with the inaugural version of EDC Thailand. This competition provided a singular tackle the beloved Electrical Daisy Carnival (EDC). Though smaller than different editions, it nonetheless captured the magic, unimaginable music, and vibrant power we cherish when gathering beneath the electrical sky.
Held on the gorgeous island of Phuket, the competition featured performances from famend artists like Skrillex, 999999999, Subtronics, Dimension, Tiësto, Hamdi, Eli Brown, and lots of different proficient musicians.
Having attended varied worldwide EDCs, we’re excited to share our experiences in Thailand beneath the electrical sky. Hold studying for all the small print.
Vibes: ★★★★☆
The essence of Electrical Daisy Carnival (EDC) creates an electrifying ambiance wherever it takes place, and the debut of EDC Thailand was no exception. Even earlier than getting into the competition, attendees had been buying and selling kandi and admiring one another’s inventive outfits, setting the tone for an immersive and unforgettable expertise. The anticipation of attending the first-ever EDC in Thailand was palpable as festival-goers regularly made their manner via the gates on the opening day.
EDC Thailand introduced collectively a various crowd from around the globe, attracting attendees from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The competition served as a gathering level for cultures, uniting individuals beneath a shared love for music and group. Whereas English was broadly spoken, the competition grounds had been alive with a mix of languages, highlighting the actually international nature of the dance music scene.
Probably the most notable features of EDC Thailand was the snug crowd move. Even throughout probably the most anticipated performances, there was ample area to bounce and navigate between phases. In contrast to many main festivals in the USA, shifting towards the entrance of a stage didn’t require squeezing via tightly packed crowds, making for a extra relaxed and gratifying expertise.
The occasion energized the artists, bringing contagious enthusiasm to their units. Every efficiency mirrored the artists’ and followers’ ardour and dedication, making a dynamic and interesting competition atmosphere.
Past the music, the competition expertise was enhanced by the affordability of meals and merchandise. In comparison with related occasions in different areas, pricing at EDC Thailand remained cheap, permitting attendees to benefit from the competition with out extreme spending absolutely.
Including to the immersive nature of the occasion, performers roamed the competition grounds, initiating dance circles and interacting with the gang. Pageant style ranged from elaborate rave-inspired outfits to snug, domestically influenced apparel, comparable to elephant pants and informal t-shirts, reflecting private expression and Thai cultural components.
Regardless of the excessive attendance, the competition maintained an environment of mutual respect. Shifting between phases was seamless, and the general crowd power remained optimistic and inclusive. EDC Thailand delivered an thrilling and stress-free competition expertise that left a long-lasting impression on those that attended.
As EDC Thailand establishes itself inside the international competition circuit, its profitable debut units the stage for continued progress within the years to return.
Manufacturing: ★★★☆☆
Contemplating this was the inaugural version of EDC Thailand, the general manufacturing was well-organized and efficiently transported attendees into the world of EDC. Nonetheless, the competition’s interactive components felt considerably missing. Because the identify suggests, Electrical Daisy Carnival is thought for its immersive experiences, and this version may have benefitted from extra rides and large-scale walkthrough artwork installations to boost the competition ambiance.
Visually, the competition was executed with precision. The principle phases—Kinetic Subject, Circuit Grounds, and Stereo Bloom—delivered a powerful show of fireworks, CO2 cannons, and lasers. Smaller phases like Bionic Jungle stood out with putting laser shows and complex décor, creating an atmosphere that really felt like an escape into nature.
This model felt notably smaller after seeing the Kinetic Subject stage come to life in varied places, from Mexico Metropolis to Las Vegas. Given the area accessible, there was potential to construct it up additional. Nonetheless, the spectacle of the stage awakening, with lasers stretching throughout the gang because the music intensified, remained a defining second.
Circuit Grounds delivered sturdy sound and pyrotechnics, however the speaker placement proved difficult. A lot of the visible manufacturing was obstructed until positioned immediately within the middle. Circuit Grounds is thought for its immersive display shows, so this facet fell in need of expectations.
With 5 phases, the structure was well-designed to stop sound bleed, making certain that every efficiency maintained readability. No matter location, the sound was loud and well-balanced throughout the competition grounds.
The fireworks show, nonetheless, was a spotlight that exceeded all expectations. The spectacle grew extra elaborate every evening, culminating in a panoramic finale on day three. Even from the farthest factors of the competition, the sheer scale of the fireworks made it really feel like they had been unfolding immediately overhead. The ultimate moments of the competition left an unforgettable impression, absolutely immersing attendees within the marvel that defines EDC.
Music: ★★★★☆
EDC Thailand’s debut delivered a various lineup, staying true to the competition’s legacy of bringing digital music lovers collectively throughout genres. From the heavy bass of Subtronics to the melodic stylings of The Chainsmokers, and the high-energy units from Dimension, Skrillex, and Nico Moreno, there was one thing for everybody.
Among the many standout moments was Subtronics closing out Circuit Grounds on day one, setting the power for the remainder of the competition. Day two featured a stacked lineup, together with a large set from Hamdi at Kinetic Subject, an unforgettable efficiency by DJ Heartstring at Bionic Jungle, and a grand finale with Skrillex, who delivered a set stuffed with signature bass-heavy drops and euphoric melodies.
Day three was a race between phases, with attendees attempting to catch as many closing units as doable. The day kicked off with Honeyluv earlier than shifting to Stereo Bloom, the place Eli Brown and Nico Moreno locked the techno crowd in. Over at Circuit Grounds, Dimension delivered an emotional drum and bass set, which was much more potent because the competition’s closing fireworks show erupted throughout the sky.
The weekend’s greatest shock got here within the type of a last-minute Levity set, filling in for Rezz. Regardless of the surprising change, Levity delivered one of the vital high-energy performances of the whole competition, dropping an onslaught of bass-heavy tracks and even teasing unreleased IDs. The group’s power was electrical, marking an unforgettable finish to the first-ever EDC Thailand and setting a excessive bar for future editions.
Venue: ★★★☆☆
The spacious venue accommodated the 5 phases, a number of meals areas, VIP sections, and model activations. Nonetheless, there was room for added components to boost the carnival ambiance. Massive open areas felt underutilized, with solely a Ferris wheel and a carousel as the first rides, leaving alternatives for extra immersive experiences.
The meals choices, nonetheless, had been a spotlight. Contained in the venue, attendees had entry to varied scrumptious, native, and reasonably priced decisions. One of many standout activations got here from Aperol Spritz, which featured a spacious chill zone, a bar with a viewing deck, and even a ball pit for added leisure. Different rest areas included Pixel Forest, full with hammocks, and VIP lounges providing snug areas to relaxation between units.
The employees and safety on the occasion had been sort and useful, although the language barrier was noticeable at occasions, often resulting in delays in communication. This grew to become a priority in pressing moments, comparable to when somebody close by required medical consideration. It took roughly 10 minutes to find the correct particular person to help, and solely then did a medic arrive to escort them to the medical tent. The response time in such conditions might be improved for future editions.
Navigating the venue contained in the competition was easy, with principally flat terrain. Nonetheless, extreme mud made shifting round much less snug because the evening progressed. Exterior the competition grounds, visitors grew to become a significant problem. The slender roads resulting in and from the venue created vital congestion, typically taking hours for attendees to exit the world.
When leaving the competition every evening, crowds had been met with standstill visitors as automobiles, taxis, buses, tuk-tuks, and motorbikes tried to coordinate pickups and exits. Many attendees, together with us, had been lucky sufficient to remain inside strolling distance, avoiding the transportation chaos altogether. For future editions, enhanced crowd move administration and transportation logistics may considerably enhance the general expertise.
Meals & Beverage: ★★★★☆
Experiencing native delicacies is among the highlights of attending worldwide festivals, and EDC Thailand was no exception. Festivals in Asia, particularly, have a tendency to supply brisker, extra flavorful, and fairly priced meals, making the culinary expertise simply as memorable because the music.
The meals choice at EDC Thailand exceeded expectations, catering to varied tastes. Whether or not craving genuine Thai dishes, recent sushi, juicy burgers, or refreshing fruit, there was one thing for everybody. Dessert choices and avenue meals classics added to the competition’s various choices, making certain attendees by no means ran out of decisions. Meals stalls had been additionally conveniently situated close to every stage, permitting festival-goers to seize a fast chunk between units with out straying too removed from the motion.
Pricing was notably reasonably priced in comparison with Western festivals. Most dishes ranged round 150 BAHT ($4.43 USD) for objects like grilled kabobs or three duck tacos, whereas recent watermelon slices or 5 items of sushi had been accessible for 200 BAHT ($5.91 USD). Given the standard and portion sizes, the worth was exhausting to beat.
Whereas seating areas had been accessible, there was room for enchancment concerning extra resting spots. Extra seating may have enhanced the general expertise, offering attendees a snug place to get pleasure from their meals. Drink costs had been additionally cheap, making it simple to remain refreshed with out breaking the financial institution.
Total, the meals at EDC Thailand was a standout component of the competition expertise, providing a scrumptious and accessible style of native and worldwide flavors.
Total
EDC Thailand was a vibrant and welcome addition to the Electrical Daisy Carnival household. With a various lineup that attracted dance music followers from around the globe, the competition delivered a powerful mixture of expertise and genres, creating an unforgettable weekend in paradise.
From reasonably priced, scrumptious meals to breathtaking fireworks and world-class music, the expertise of partying in Thailand made for a very spectacular occasion. The ambiance remained optimistic and energetic all through the weekend, a testomony to the joy surrounding the competition’s debut version.
As with every first-time occasion, there are areas for enchancment. Site visitors congestion, in addition to alternatives for extra interactive artwork and carnival rides, stood out as features that might be enhanced in future editions. Nonetheless, regardless of these minor challenges, Insomniac has efficiently expanded its international footprint with yet one more competition to be happy with.
With such a powerful debut, EDC Thailand is already shaping as much as be a must-attend vacation spot competition. We’re already counting down the times till subsequent 12 months—see you in Thailand!
