The r/electricdaisycarnival subreddit recently reminisced about EDC’s 2011 launch in Las Vegas, spotlighting a stark contrast to the present-day mega-festival. Back then, the vibe was raw, with dusty, open Speedway grounds and fewer attendees creating an intimate, unpolished rave experience.
Key Throwback Highlights:
- Venue Setup: Only parts of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway were used. Circuit Grounds stood on dirt, Basspod sat in a different location, and stages featured simple paper signs with minimal screens or decorations—no totems, no flags.
- Lineup: Surprising names for the time, including Zedd, Porter Robinson, Skrillex, Avicii, and Swedish House Mafia, mixed across genre-diverse stages.
- Atmosphere: Attendees enjoyed plenty of personal space, open backstage access without fences, and a genuine underground raver feel.
- Amenities: Food was basic — think hotdogs — with the festival spanning 8 PM to 6 AM overnight hours.
- Security: More relaxed but thorough, emphasizing pat-downs rather than heavy-handed screening.
Fast forward to today, and EDC Vegas has exploded into a sprawling sensory overload of art, lights, and stage production, with packed crowds and meticulously themed stages. Yet despite commercial growth, many fans acknowledge that the festival’s heart still pulses with the energy and freedom that defined those early days.
EDC’s evolution from a raw rave to a global spectacle underscores just how much the live electronic music scene has grown and changed — but for many, the magic of those early 2011 nights remains legendary.
Source: r/electricdaisycarnival