Electronic Daisy Carnival Review

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Electronic Daisy Carnival Review - Dance Party

By Lizzy Lopez

The view from the steps

The first ever two-night Electric Daisy Carnival exceeded the expectations of fans, promoters, and artists alike this past weekend at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with high profile live music and carnival rides all to add to the entertainment as if people watching were not enough. The 13th annual music festival extended to two nights to accommodate the demand of the fans with one more late night of beats. Music and rides were provided but what was not mentioned before purchasing your ticket were the eye attractions from outfits to gadgets. Girls dressed in fish net hose, tutus, fury boots, neon colors, and decorated bikini tops were common as well as shirtless boys overheated from the party. The light gadgets ranged from regular glow sticks to the latest LED finger light gloves causing a trip environment where the drugs were plentiful evident by the dilated pupils and the intimate energy flowing through each passerby. Friday’s crowds were considerably smaller in comparison to Saturday, which pushed the event to at capacity to create a full-blown dance party. Blocks away from the venue were construction signs informing those non-ticket holders that there were no longer any available.

The welcome banner

Friday June 26, 2009
Getting to the event the first evening turned into a bit of a journey. The buses were running late so we opted for a taxi, which honestly took probably more time in the long run. Between the frozen GPS and various phone calls to friends, we managed to instruct the driver to the area. While walking around the venue, we listened to the end of the Shiny Toy Guns set. Then we had to split up in order to go into our designated gate entry locations. Security for general admission on Friday was pretty lax with just a quick glance of your ticket access was granted. After reuniting we found our way to the Circuit Grounds stage to catch the Sound Tribe Sector 9 show. The usual STS9 extreme fan following was not as evident at this show partially because everyone there was not solely at the festival to see only this performance. The set started out strong as Murph and the others began their two-hour session with a lot of energy. People found resting spots on the outskirts of the main crowd in order to lay back and become lost in the light show talents of fellow ravers, while others danced to the funky beats moving in whatever way the music made them feel. The energy made the environment very accepting for anyone and everyone. The sound reached incredible volume levels but yet remained well balanced not drowning out any element between the bass and treble. Half way through the set we ventured to Kinetic Field in order to catch the end of Paul Oakenfold.

One of the entrances

While walking down the stairs to enter the floor level on the main stage, it was evident that there was not a single person seated. We were immediately greeted with two huge carnival rides located at the back of the Coliseum on opposite sides. Attendees were definitely taking advantage of the convenient circus attractions since the stages were not separate from the carnival area. The floor area was probably around 60 percent full with people scattered in the stands by choice. Groups of friends created makeshift circles to enjoy the music mix that controlled their feet. Paul Oakenfold was praised with shouts and sing-a-longs from the crowd as he mixed Kings of Leon “Sex on Fire”, Benny Benassi “I Love my Sex”, Red Hot Chili Peppers “My Otherside”, and many other tunes into his set accompanied by sky laser lights and cued fireworks. After Oakenfold started to wind down, we began the search for a taxi along with thousands of other fans leaving the arena. People began to offer hundreds of dollars in order to get a ride from a cab driver. Luckily our driver from earlier came back to give us a ride home, and stayed loyal rejecting offers from every fan he passed.

Circuit Grounds stage

Saturday June 27, 2009
Travel plans differed from those on Friday after the cost of two taxicabs in one evening. We walked about 10 blocks to the Vermont bus hoping to catch it all the way up to the LA Coliseum. We did not get a bus ride; we were treated to something better. While waiting at the bus stop obvious concertgoers were driving past. Because of our outfits our destination was quite apparent. Once we flashed some LED lights to drivers stopped at the light, we immediately got a response. We were picked up and dropped off just in time to make The Crystal Method show. Once in the venue the energy vibrating from the people was ten times more intense than on Friday. The crowd reached numbers of over 100,000 Saturday. Every ticket holder was there for one thing and one thing only to party. It made it seem as if Friday was a warm-up to what was dubbed by David Guetta as “the biggest electronic festival in North America.” We got to the Circuit Grounds stage right when The Crystal Method began their set. Not even halfway through the set, we heard one of my personal favorites “Trip Like I Do.” The smell of herbals was overwhelming as everybody enjoyed all aspects of the evening. In order to catch the end of Benny Benassi, we left the Circuit Grounds stage before the finale of the mix.

The venue for the event

So as to not waste any time, we asked multiple people the quickest entrance to the main stage. We began to follow the big herd of people headed to the seemingly correct path. While walking up, we realized the gate entrance was locked due to the floor of the Coliseum being at capacity for crowd control. I could not even get through the gates with media passes. Therefore, in a quick decision we opted for the stands. The tunnel entrance was moving sluggishly as everybody tried to form single file lines to go up and down the stairs. Once out of the tunnel I found myself gasping then holding my breath at the view. Not only was the floor completely filled with people, there were ravers, candy kids, and festival goers to the top level of the venue dancing just the same in seated rows.

Two girls enjoying some extra attractions

The energy did not fade away in the stands, if anything it intensified. All fans were throwing their own personal dance parties in each section. We made it in time for the Michael Jackson tribute, “Satisfaction,” and Benassi’s rendition of Red Hot Chili Peppers “My Otherside.” Every neighbor we acquired was friendly lost in the atmosphere of ecstasy and enjoyment. Benassi began to play a more trance, chill end as David Guetta took the stage thanking Benassi, and then immediately beginning a new build up that dropped with a heavy bass revamping the crowd for something different. Every person was in a trance created by the vibes and music that would not allow their body to stop dancing. At the main stage the laser lights crossed in both directions overhead reaching what seemed limitless into the dark night sky. The stage lights were just as impressive changing to an array of colors accompanied by fireworks shooting off with the bass line. The entire event turned into one big spectacle combining every element to create a perfect electronic haven.