| rev:text
| - If you are even remotely into EDM, enjoy partying and dressing up, you will have a blast!
I've only been twice; 2012 and 2013 so I will be comparing these two experience to each other.
The overall event was much more enjoyable his year. Except for the fact that the ticket price increased (paid third-tier $275 last year, $333 this year) for the same length, there were some stark improvements this year.
Parking/traffic: not nearly as horrendous. If you stay until at least 5am, you will hit at least 2 hour traffic to get out of the parking lot (where 50 "lanes" merge into 4 and there's one guy standing at the gate who randomly points at a car to exit). Last year half our group had to sleep in their car from 1-7am after high winds shut down the event, waiting for traffic to be manageable. While they have improved the traffic situation, there is still room to further improve. In general, we arrived at the Speedway earlier and left later this year, also influencing the amount of congestion we encountered. No waiting in traffic on the way to the event this year.
Security: Quick and easy the first two days; treated like a felon on the third. Unlike last year, the security was pretty inconsistent. On day 2, we specifically asked staff conducting the security/bag checks if we could bring our DSLR since we saw them allowing them into the event. They said it was fine. Day three comes around and suddenly it was not okay. We argued our case to the "head of security" and even pointed out other attendees continuing into the event with their DSLR cameras, cleared through the security check! They enforce the rules for some and not others. Head of Security was extremely unprofessional; He referenced the need to keep his staff safe so that's why they decided to not let cameras in on day 3. How does that make sense? He called one girl in our group "retard" and felt the need to explain that he "used to be cop from Inglewood". Not sure why he felt the need to say that; he obviously didn't know he was talking to a group from Stockton, CA. Chump.
Music/DJs: Non-stop music from 7pm-530am. No real complaints about the music. Most DJs are slotted for an hour, some up to 1.5 hours. Some don't begin performing on time so their set is more like 45 mins. I would prefer fewer DJs but longer sets. If you are trying to see all the DJs you want to see, there's a good chance several of them will be playing at overlapping times on different stages. Plan for at least 40 minutes between enjoying one DJ and the next, depending on which stage. By the time you leave, stop for water, trek to the next stage, make sure all of your group is following, shove your way to a decent spot with prolific apologies, you'll be able to enjoy about 30 mins. of the DJs 1 hour set before you have to leave and do it all over again. I agree with the complaints with another reviewer about DJs having 2 performances on 2 different stages on different days. This felt cheap and like Insomniac cares more about quantity over quality.
Stages: Instead of the usual metal scaffolding with giant screens, EDC 2013 really amped up the stage designs. Circuit grounds added vertically-moving led displays on the ceiling, kinetic displayed a true wonderland with giant neon mushrooms and owl animatronic. The stage was extended to one's peripheral vision. More led displays, lights, lasers, pyrotechnics, and bass at every stage. All were significant additions that served to heighten and diversify the sensory experience.
Art/performers/rides: Just like in 2012, I feel we missed out on seeing many of the carnival performers. We only saw them on day 3 at the Night Owl Experience and at one set at circuit grounds. Seems like there were more electric art installations this year. Electric daisy was bigger and taller. More rides. Four ferris wheels. Wedding Chapel.
Attendees: Crowded as hell! Crowd seemed a little different this year. While I do agree with another reviewer's observation about the rise of the "bro" scene at EDC, I also noticed quite a few attendees significantly older than the average age of typical attendees. We spotted a rather conservatively-dressed mom escorting her son and older couples (40+) sporting scanty outfits to rival any pastie-wearing 19-year-old. More racial diversity this year, too. Still experienced the almost foolish friendliness from others that only comes with ravers. Even the cops were plurring.
Overall, an absolute mind-blowing experience incomparable to any other. 2013 was bigger, brighter, louder, easier to travel to, more crowded and MORE EXPENSIVE! Best fireworks I've seen.
Most importantly, this event is really what you make of it. Maximize your experience by planning early with your group.
Suggestions: Continue improving traffic/parking, stabilize ticket prices, fewer DJs with longer sets, enforce rules/security consistently!
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)
![[cxml]](/fct/images/cxml_doc.png)
![[csv]](/fct/images/csv_doc.png)
![[text]](/fct/images/ntriples_doc.png)
![[turtle]](/fct/images/n3turtle_doc.png)
![[ld+json]](/fct/images/jsonld_doc.png)
![[rdf+json]](/fct/images/json_doc.png)
![[rdf+xml]](/fct/images/xml_doc.png)
![[atom+xml]](/fct/images/atom_doc.png)
![[html]](/fct/images/html_doc.png)