The massive 2015 Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas has thrust its pulsing neon self upon the desert backdrop for its 19th year celebration this weekend, with promoters Insomniac livestreaming the event for EDM fans worldwide who can’t make the pilgrimage to Las Vegas Motor Speedway to take in the action as it happens. But amid the typically breathless reports on-site of life-transforming bass drops among 134,000 neon-glad partygoers, there is a precipitously ugly underbelly of neglect and danger that’s threatening to irreparably tarnish the long-running dance fest’s reputation.
Unfortunately, while an incredible lineup and massive production wowed festivalgoers at the event’s kickoff, one casualty has already been reported. LA Weekly cites an overnight statistical report issued by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, reported that on Day Two, 408 medical calls had been recorded from the three-day carnival, with seven people transported to area hospitals. A reported 35 arrests were made between 6 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday, including 26 narcotics-related felony arrests; five misdemeanor arrests and one arrest for driving under the influence.
On Friday night 506 medical calls were logged, according to cops. Ten people were taken to hospitals; 19 people were arrested for drug-related allegations. Promoters estimated attendance of 134,000 that night.
With temperatures reaching 111 degrees on Saturday, the carnival’s safety theme remains: “stay hydrated.” Given the particularly heavy tendency among EDM crowds to engage in chemical recreation, this is a particularly key bit of advice.
Insomniac, the producers of Electric Daisy Carnival, issued the following statement on the young man’s passing:
We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the man who passed away. The health and safety of our fans is Insomniac’s first priority and we take every measure to create a safe environment. While the cause of this tragedy will take some time to determine, we ask that you keep his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers. Tonight and every night, we ask all of our fans to take care of themselves and one another.
Fans will remember last year’s EDC Vegas event, at which two people died. A third person was hospitalized after a drug overdose before the festival even began and died several days later.
As far as the EDC Vegas experience, several social media accounts and online reviews have painted a rather shoddy picture of amenities on site, with trash reportedly accumulating in large piles throughout the general area without any maintenance staff in sight. Transportation was reportedly a nightmare, with two-hour entry times and four-hour exit delays. Shuttles without air conditioning, water restrictions,
