After a boisterous weekend, a dark cloud has befallen Electric Daisy Carnival following widespread reports of hospitalized attendees, perilous incidents of fence jumping, and the drug-related death of a 15-year-old girl. While local hospital staffers call for the end of “raves” in public venues and the CBS Evening News picks up the story, here are five ways we thing EDC can improve for the safety and enjoyment of everyone.
1. Assigned Seating
photo by Caesar Sebastian
Not necessarily exact seating assignments, but main floor wristbands sold first-come-first-served or handed out to early arrivals would control how many folks can safely be on the main field without the one-in/one-out system that encouraged fans to jump the fence when asked to wait, while keeping those on the floor trapped for fear of never getting back down if they left.
(How would you fix EDC?)
Great list, I came away thinking the exact same things after the event. They absolutely should use a wrist band system … the didn’t even have orderly lines at the entrances to the coliseum, just a massive clusterfuck. But bottom line is too many people and not enough space for the main stage. They need to move to a larger venue.
And you’re right on with the 18+ thing. You don’t have to be a puritan to realize these events are wonderfully hedonistic … give the high school kids something to look forward to. They’ll get there soon enough when they’re ready and more respectful.
More Professional Security??? I saw LAPD and CSC Event Staff do a great job at EDC. I appreciate all the hard work that they did to keep us safe. I did see some people get beat down by LAPD and CSC, but the person who they were beating must have deserved it. How are you going to have a more \professional looking security comapny\ there in a suit and tie standing in the sun for hours??? LAPD and CSC were very professional and very nice. I would always see them work with paramedics side by side, running back and forth, helping the injured and the overdosed. I commend their hard work because I’m sure they have a tough job. I always saw those yellow shirts running after those juumpers or running after the people who were gate crashing the entrance to get in for free. I’m glad they would beat those people down. Those people who gate crash the entrances could have a weapon and really cause some damage to people in the inside. I thanked a lot of LAPD officers and CSC staffers for their hard work after EDC friday and saturday.
What needs to change is the age limit. It either needs to be 18+ or 21+. If EDC doesn’t return the the L.A. Memorial Coliseum next year, it will ruin the EDC atmosphere. The Coliseum is a magical and historical place. Los Angeles needs huge music festivals like EDC. Please don’t take EDC to Indio, CA or San Bernardino, CA. Stay in Los Angeles.
I can tell you one thing that EDC can do to improve: stop throwing these events! But, Pasquale’s not really gonna do that, is he? The thoughts of $$$ are far too intense to ignore, as they have been with most all Insomniac’s events over the last 13 years or so? I’m not gonna give you all of that “It was so much better back in the day” crap, because we have all heard it before. I haven’t even been to a party since 1998, but I still follow the LA scene, and the music from the 90’s that I love. TBH, I think that all of us that were partying in LA in the 90’s have become a little jaded over the way the scene has turned out, because it meant so much to so many of us back then, and to see such a massive “festival” like this giving the word “rave” a bad name AGAIN just bums me out. Don’t get me wrong, I went to many a “massive” at places like the National Orange Show and the Grand Olympic, etc back in the day, but I feel that events like this now just bring out the lowest common denominator and CHILDREN that just shouldn’t be at these sort of parties at all. It’s funny remembering events like Plantasia or Circa would bring 30,000 people together, and you didn’t get this kinda crowd back then. There was the mess that became NYE 1997 with the herbal high that sent 30 kids to the hospital and started a riot at the Grand Olympic, and the 5 kids that died driving off a cliff in 1999 after JuJu Beats, or the guy that wandered off tripping balls at one of the Dune parties, and ended up dead in a desert gulch, but these kind of events were pretty isolated and really bothered us back then. Now it seems like a lot of comments I have read about this are just like “Oh yeah, another 15 year old dead girl…” (word going around is that this particular girl only had one E and died from hyponatremia anyways, which is almost sadder in a way). Maybe the drugs are harder, and kids are just more daring and stupid these days, but it makes me ill what the “rave” scene has become. 16 year old chicks in furry boots and and stripper gear taking shitty E and doing a train on the dance floor? Ugh, give me chicks in Adidas shell suits, and dudes in Mickey Mouse gloves and Dr Seuss hats any day! I don’t think that this fiasco is all Insomniac’s fault… Part of the problem lies in the fact that late 90’s saw rave getting too big in LA, drugs were becoming way more prevalent, and the crowd got younger and younger. All of these things started causing the venues to be weary of letting promoters throw these events, and people had to start throwing these “music festivals” in places like the Coliseum with 2am endings. Also couple with the fact that these festivals usually have beer tents, which we all know alcohol makes everyone more stupid. Yeah, there was always alcohol at underground parties, but free-flowing access to endless beer is a rave killer. Maybe the scene needs to try and go back underground a bit, I don’t know? I see these kids doing this stuff now, and I wish that they could experience the parties that we did back in the glory days of places like Plaza Del Sol, the Casa, World On Wheels, the Masonic Temple, Alexandria Hotel, Grand Olympic, the Glass House, the Armory in Glendale, etc. Maybe if the scene was just a little more like it was then, they would respect it’s values and themselves a little better? I just don’t know if someone like Pasquale is interested in that anymore though, because the bank account is filling up. I supported some of the earliest Insomniac events: Fridays at 12th & Hope anyone? The very first Nocturnal in 95 at the spot on Cesar Chavez & Mott St, the second one that got busted the Hollywood Masonic, etc. I still remember the last rave I ever went to… It was a Melodic party at a warehouse in Downtown, which got busted pretty early on. I loved the vibe at Melodic parties even though I was more into hardcore, acid, and hard trance than house. But the vibe and Mark Farina’s skills on the tables made me a constant supporter. When it got shut down that night, I was already pretty fed up with scene, and pissed off about another great party getting busted by LAPD for no reason at all. It was a pretty shitty ending to years of so much fun and mayhem, but looking back on it now, it couldn’t have been a more perfect ending to my raving days. I really hope that now, some of the people can look back on this current scene, 12 years from now and have the same amazing memories, but I really don’t think they will. I really hope that the current scene can reinvent itself from the mess it has become; it did before when by 93′it turned into a mess and it got really amazing again in 94′. Insomniac should try and help by bring back some of the scene’s values and vibe, rather than just being concerned about filling their pockets and getting the biggest names on their flyers!
1. Make a big effort to emphasize RECYCLING – better signage – at Coachella ( and Especially Lightning in a Bottle) people seemed to have some respect of the environment, that was missing here. Better signage for recycling and perhaps even turn it into a make it greener / better initiative.
2. They could do assigned check in times to help control the human traffic.
3. Once the Exposition Line of the Metro is complete it should be used to help move attendees to the venue. A mixture of shuttles and other public transportation should be used.
4. Would be great to see that next year its an event that all come away from very proud that has enhanced the people culturally as well as environmentally.
Spot on with your advice; I was actually about to write the same thing on my blog.
I think Insomniac tried to have 2 main stages to thin out the crowd but everyone wanted to be in the Coliseum anyway. having floor only tickets would fix that but yeah, they gotta put bathrooms down there too! I bet a lot of the people going to the hospital were those who just decided to stay on the main floor all night and not drink water.
And yeah, an age limit would help. One thing that must be done in conjunction with that, however, is CHECKING ID!!! I know I’ve been to a few 18+ insomniac events (at the shrine for example) and they were not checking IDs at all. I’m tired of seeing little kids on drugs at raves; they can take it somewhere else. I don’t like the argument that “they’re gonna do it anyway so might as well let them come”. Nah. The less opportunity they have to do it the better. Keep the young kids out. Also those are the kids who are more likely to climb fences and do immature things. Also I don’t like watching high school age girls wearing next to nothing at 1 am in downtown LA… (call me crazy).
I wonder if these issues are insomniac’s fault or the coliseum’s fault (not checking id, closing off main floor, etc)? We probably won’t ever find out but I hope they continue having EDC at the coliseum. It’s too damn epic not to.
I was there and was very impressed with Insomniac. The problem was with the stupid kids who stormed the fence. And also the kids who CHOSE to take drugs. Insomniac is totally pro. Very well organized. I agree with the person above who said there should be some personal accountability here. And wtf is up with parents who would let a 15 year old girl go to an event like this in the first place? Those parents weren’t in total control. 99.9% of the event was flawless. If Insomniac gets shafted on this, I think the Laker’s should be held responsible for all the violence that happened in LA when they won (broken windows, mobs, fights, etc.) Would the Laker’s ever get blamed for their fucked up fans? Doubt it. If someone ODed at Staples, would the Laker’s get blamed? Doubt it x2. It blows that this really well-run organization is getting blamed for the actions of a relatively small proportion of retarded attendees at their event.
THE ONLY THING TO DO IS TO MOVE IT TO COACHELLA VALLEY OR NOS EVENT CENTER PPL THAT ARE TRYING TO GET IN FOR FREE WONT DRIVE THAT FAR THE REAL REASON IS THAT ITS IN LA HOME OF THE VATOS LOL BRING IT TO NOS!!! NOS EVENT CENTER IS HARDER TO BREAK INTO THEN THE LIL FENCES THEY HAD AT EDC. MAKE IT FARTHER AWAY AND THE REAL RAVERS THE PPL THAT ACTUALLY WANT TO SEE THERE FAVORITED ARTIST WILL GO. AN THE TROUBLE MAKERS WILL STAY HOME CUZ ITS TO FAR TO WALK .. PARENTS IF U SEE UR DAUGHTER WALKING OUT WITH A THONG AND DUCK TAPE OR STICKER OVER THE NIPPLE.. STOP HER AND SEND HER TO HER ROOM TO DO HOMEWORK!!!.. ITS UR JOB AS A PARENT TO KNOW WERE AND WHAT IS UR KID UP TO. DUUUH…(PARENT).. I SAY MOVE IT FARTHER AWAYS FROM THE SCENCE KIDS AND THE PTOTS 18+ AND (REAL) SECURITY!!!. PS ABOVE & BEYOND FOREVER!!!
Insomiac in my opinion took all the necessary precautions to have this event happen in an organized and safe manner. I’ve been attending their events since 2000, and they are nothing short of professional. Shame on you URB for not pointing out the obvious, which is people made poor decisions. What it really boils down to is that individuals ruined their own experiences and that of others by acting in inappropriate manners. I would have loved for you to have chose to write an article which stressed the responsibility of the attendee. You took the easy mainstream media way out in writing this article.
Where is the praise for Insomniac? They pulled off one of the best raves I have ever been to in my life. I can not believe that URB made this article. It was a very well organized event, very safe for the most part (HARD Summer 2009? that event is the most scared I have ever been in my life), and had great performances and production. Why are people not putting the responsibility on the individuals and their own personal actions? I applaud Insomniac and will attend every EDC from now on, if they continue to run this way.
We’re very supportive of Insomniac and EDC. We were there and had a blast. But we’re also a news/opinion site in the midst of a very real story enveloping this event. But don’t sell us so short that we’re only criticizing this event. We celebrated it too if you read all the posts. We’re ravers with 20 years of commitment to the scene. That hasn’t changed.
Fuck that gay ass trance shit and all those prostitot ravers rolling balls, just go to HARD and boycott INSOMNIAC after this shit. Destructo at least shut it down before anyone got fucked up and then gave everyone their refunds. Where’s my refund Insomniac? KANDI RAVERS can eat my dangly nutz
First off Destructo didn’t shut down his own event…. The Fire Marshall did. And the only reason he gave everyone a refund was cause he didn’t want to lose his customers for the next HARD event. Its all about making money!!! Assigned seating wouldn’t work cause people don’t want to be assigned a small little space (how will all the children shuffle) Fencing, Security and PortaPoties all cost money…. and promoters dont want to spend money they want to make it!!! And the idea of making EDC 18 and over will just cut back on customers!!! Once again less customers means less money!!! It hasnt been about the music in a long time!!
Word. C.R.E.A.M.
The yellow-shirt staffer I asked for directions said he was “too stoned” to tell me what I needed to know. Great. And I’m 100% behind an 18+ event.
There are many angles one could speculate on fixing an event of this magnitude. Many have attempted doing so for the epic and historic WOODSTOCK of the 60’s.
With today’s youthful party goers, who most of which come from the street in deterrence of gang infliction at 13-14… There is a stronger sense of rebellion now then ever before. Most of those in their late 20’s and 30’s remember a time when you could attend a house party all night, or even a local warehouse rave. Held in a location where respect and responsibility held the key to a good night. Yet over the years with the increased populous in Southern California, these smaller events have become a threshold for wild ragers with sell out numbers and small capacities. The day of the $5-10 party has passed, due to massive abuse of the system that was being used to enable it.
The only way to fix a catastrophe like this would be what has already been listed in this article, with fine tunings to:
1 – ASSIGNED SEATING:
This is an amazing idea, I’m not sure if the dance crowd would feel it. Although it would require the attendees to purchase their tickets far in advance, which could prevent an over-selling tidal wave as we’ve seen this year and last… The only way to find out would be to test it out. Although the Coliseum has somewhat boldly noted that this was most likely the final EDC and or dance event in the memorial stadium.
2 – MORE SECURE FENCING:
The fencing situation would have worked great, if the fences were stacked upright to 10′. Their size is 6′ x 10′… Which should have been angled 90-degrees to make a larger barrier. This combined with the use of several LRAD (Long Range Acoustical Device) would have settled any rough housing before it started. The range on the mid-sized units can be over 400′ – which would draw a lot of attention to nearby security and staff, and audibly blind the out of hand patrons.
3 – PORTA-POTTIES ON THE MAIN FIELD:
The entire restroom situation was a huge joke in the arena. Where as there is more than enough room to lace an arsenal of facilities in the loading ramp behind the main stage, there are endless locations around it’s field perimeter. I AGREE WITH SCRAPPING THE OVER SIZED CARNIVAL RIDES, although it looks great on film for promotion, these monstrosities most likely take up the floor space of nearly 500-1000 patrons.
4 – MAKE THE EVENT 18+:
I couldn’t agree more. Although I personally started at a younger as (13+) – with the way the youth acts these days, the only way to materialize this community into a respectable and safe dance environment, would be to go 18+. The warehouse parties and regulated festivals that have 5,000 people or less should be scrutinized to have proper EMT and Security to ensure safer events, and the larger festivals will still suffice the concert level performers like Tiesto and Will.i.am.
5 – MORE PROFESSIONAL SECURITY:
I’ve led and directed well over 600 events in my day. EVERY SINGLE TIME THAT I’VE BEEN FORCED TO USE CSC – IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. Although most large scale venues have contracts with CSC and Staff Pro, these companies use untrained, inexperienced and street level chumps to fill their uniforms. The guards are always misinformed, their procurement is sub-level to say the least, and their attitudes are that of a Silver-Spoon BRAT getting paid minimum wage. Why these companies have not been black listed for all of their major mistakes and lame performance time and time again is beyond me. Sure they’re great Ushers for the USC game, but the rope ends there.
As far as the marines go, I agree they tend to get a little out of hand – being on the other side of the velvet rope that laces the party (as we all know how marines will party when given the opportunity) – but with proper management and a sit down meeting, they could be very effective in assisting with the emergency response that was surely lacking at this past weekends event. WHY WASN’T ANYONE PEELING THE PEOPLE OFF THE TOP, RATHER THEN DISEMBOWELING THOSE AT THE BOTTOM WHO HAD WELL OVER 600 POUNDS OF PRESSURE ON THEIR LOWER HALVES (YouTube Gate Crashers.)
6 – HARD REDUCTION:
I used to be very anti-Dance Safe, in fear that they were a DEA Operative – because nobody really knew who started the company. Now that I’ve seen the effects of the scene implode since their disappearance from So Cal, I can only imagine where were would be if we would have tolerated them longer. The only thing is it really looks bad when you’re openly admitting the drug use within your events. Yet after a disaster and public outcry as such EDC has produced, maybe it’s time for a new calling from Dance Safe or a new affiliate of its genre.
What ever happened to EACH ONE – TEACH ONE!? Has that way of life gone completely out the window? There is no passed on education from generation to generation these days, except how to survive in a cut-throat world. Sad to say there used to be party-patrols and good vibe crews that encircled the event in order to provide a safer level of entertainment for all attendees. I still use about 1:500 Party Patrol Agents to ensure the safety of the guests at events I direct. Why can’t that be used on a larger scale where the tickets are nearly $100, not just $30-40 as the events and budgets I direct are.
All in all the entire thing comes down to lack of management, lack of sub-management, and poor choices in budget spending and logistics. Come on guys, this one weekend is a MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR ENTERPRISE NOW?!? Has all that cash really taken your soul to the point of where you can’t even inspect the details to avoid casualties like this?
Stop stacking those chips and take a trip down memory lane, you know- like back when you had to CLOCK-IN and be WIDE AWAKE to make your loot… Time to take a step back and seriously investigate how and where you went wrong.
Whoever you are, please someone let them handle the next EDC. If there will even be one.
Haha that’s funny that you mentioned you thought Dance Safe was DEA. I never thought that, but I do remember seeing them at parties at the Orange Show, etc., and not trusting their accuracy because I heard about likely cross-contamination of pill results with the equipment they used. I spoke with a girl working for them at a party one night, and she mentioned at how shocking it was that the majority of the time that they would tell someone that there was no MDMA in their pill, they would take it back and swallow it anyways. Another funny memory I have is being near my last days in the scene, and going to T.I.M.E. one night after it had moved from the Park Plaza to Gotham. I had some friends that worked there, and they informed me that the promoters had heard word that there were undercover narcotics officers in there that morning trying to make busts. No more than 15 minutes later this woman walks up to me downstairs, and she looks like a soccer mom dressed in pigtails and an anime t shirt, and she asks me if I knew where she could “buy some ecstasy?” I was like, no, sorry…. I remember I just felt my vibe crash down and I went home a few minutes later.
Barbed wire along with that angled fence. Also attack dogs, maybe a moat with sharks in it (sans-lasers acceptable)
hah i know right!!! too bad electric fences aren’t allowed. i think that would have stopped them from climbing.
[...] I wrote this post last night as I watched the hysteria surrounding Electric Daisy Carnival hit the mainstream news media. With one death and over 100 hospitalized, obviously some changes need to be made if events I like are going to continue on a large scale. But I believe these events can (and should) continue–with just a little more planning on behalf of the promoters and the safety officials who approve the event’s infrastructure. URB.com [...]
how about 18+, and booking better dj’s? it’s always te same tiesto, david guetta bullshit. Half the people that were here this year were there last year.
Assigned seating???. Ha Ha.
Just add some ‘REAL DEEP’ house music to the list. That is the only reason i didn’t go this year and by the looks of it, i don’t regret. Plus, it might be worth considering finding another venue such as the polo fields in Indio or something to that effect because the congested traffic on the freeway up to the clusterfuck parking and general melee trying to break or sneak into the event or main stage for that matter is a disaster waiting to happen..Take EDC away from hollywood going mainstream and back to its roots to clean up all the filth and garbage of the inner city and its delinquents and back to the essence of mother nature and real ravers.
Assigned seating does not work at a rave. It sucks. Your crazy and keep going to assigned seating KROQ events! 18+ OK, More portapodies Ok. More professional security Ok. Less tickets a very good Idea, Floor tickets only even better or make the dance area on the coliseum floor all VIP 21+. The other areas outside the coliseum were great. I think if you split your talent up better that there will not be a problem with the Coliseum floor. I went to Monsters of Rock at the coliseum some 15+ years ago almost 20 years ago and it was way crazier than EDC.
Main thing they need to do is sell at least one third less tickets next year
so, urb magazine, which one are you taking the initiative on first? :)