What EDC Las Vegas Gets Right—and Why It Keeps Growing

Every year, the anticipation for Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Las Vegas reaches new heights. Unlike many festivals that have experienced diminishing excitement over the years, Insomniac’s flagship event continues to thrive, attracting over 525,000 attendees annually.

From its humble beginnings in 1997 to becoming the largest electronic dance music festival in North America, EDC has not only maintained its relevance but has expanded its reach and influence. 

This ongoing momentum is a testament to the vision of Insomniac founder and CEO Pasquale Rotella, who has consistently evolved the festival experience while staying true to its core community values.

The lineup announcement is one of the most talked-about moments leading up to EDC each year. While Insomniac has done this before, it remains a fan-favorite tradition. Insomniac takes a creative approach by teasing the artist roster during the “Music Through Music” livestream, allowing fans to decipher the lineup before the official reveal. 

Insomniac puts together a track mash-up dedicated to each stage of the festival, including each artist performing, creating a rapid-fire preview with fans quickly decoding the lineup. The livestream chat becomes a hub of excitement, with festival-goers working together to identify the artists and build anticipation for the official reveal. 

Unlike festivals that merely drop a poster, EDC’s approach makes the audience an active participant in the reveal process.

The 2025 lineup features over 250 artists across 16 stages (nine main stages), including industry powerhouses like Tiësto, Alesso, Rezz, Dom Dolla, and Fisher. Additionally, rare back-to-back sets, such as Alison Wonderland B2B Kaskade and Crankdat B2B Tape B, provide fans with performances they won’t see anywhere else. The emphasis on exclusivity and variety contributes to EDC’s long-lasting appeal.

EDC’s commitment to fostering a strong sense of community is what sets it apart from other large-scale festivals.

While many long-running events have struggled to maintain excitement, EDC continues to create an immersive world that goes beyond just music. The festival’s evolving themes, such as 2025’s kineticMETROPOLIS, reinforce the idea of a living, breathing city powered by its attendees. Previous themes like kineticBLOOM (2022), kineticAWAKENING (2023), and kineticCIRCLE (2024) have all contributed to the overarching narrative of growth and unity.

More than just a festival, EDC is an ecosystem where fans, known as ‘Headliners,’ play an essential role in shaping the experience. From the elaborate outfits and decorated totems to the shared moments of unity on the dancefloor, the community fuels the festival’s unique energy. 

The emphasis on PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect) is more than a slogan—it’s a cultural foundation that has defined rave culture for decades.

Art cars roam the festival grounds, bringing spontaneous dance parties, while interactive installations invite attendees to become part of the story. 

EDC Las Vegas also provides attendees the opportunity to make their own kandi bracelets to keep or trade at the festival. Kandi culture is a tradition of exchanging beaded bracelets as a sign of friendship and connection, remaining an integral part of the experience and reinforcing the sense of togetherness.

In 2025, the festival introduces Ubuntu, a brand-new stage in collaboration with South Africa’s Bridges For Music Academy, highlighting Afro house and bridging cultures through music. 

This addition reflects Insomniac’s continuous effort to innovate while staying connected to a global audience. Additionally, Insomniac continues its commitment to sustainability and charitable initiatives, with programs like waste diversion, community outreach, and fundraising efforts supporting local organizations in Las Vegas.

Insomniac continues to expand its artist development efforts. For the first time, winners of the EDC Las Vegas 2025 Discovery Project will receive a full-ride scholarship to ICON Collective’s Advanced Music Production Program, an 18-month certificate course. The program provides hands-on training, mentorship, and access to industry professionals, with Grammy-nominated duo SLANDER serving as judges alongside Insomniac Music Group experts. This initiative elevates the Discovery Project beyond a performance opportunity, offering artists the tools and education to build lasting careers.

Whether it’s a first-time attendee experiencing the magic of kineticFIELD or a veteran Headliner, EDC’s unwavering focus on community-driven experiences ensures its continued success in the ever-evolving music festival landscape.

Behind every artist at EDC, there are key booking agencies shaping the festival’s lineup.

Wasserman, which represents a significant portion of the 2025 lineup, has grown its presence, now handling 25% of bookings, surpassing United Talent Agency (UTA), which led in previous years. Meanwhile, WME and CAA have also increased their share, reflecting shifting industry dynamics.

Boutique agencies continue to maintain a foothold, ensuring diversity in representation across genres and styles.

Beyond the festival itself, EDC Week has grown into an essential part of the Las Vegas music scene, with events spanning the city’s premier clubs and venues.

In 2025, over 40 artists—including Chris Lake, John Summit, Biscits, and Excision—are set to perform across multiple events, ensuring that the energy of EDC extends far beyond the Speedway. Spanning from May 14 to May 20, EDC Week 2025 will take over some of the biggest nightlife and day-party destinations in Las Vegas. 

Fans can experience performances at venues like Zouk Nightclub, LIV Nightclub, Encore Beach Club, OMNIA Nightclub, and Palm Tree Beach Club. The week will kick off with Mau P at Encore Beach Club and Alison Wonderland at Zouk Nightclub on May 14, while highlights throughout the week include Kaskade at Ayu Dayclub, Martin Garrix at OMNIA, and Armin Van Buuren at Caesar’s Palace.

Insomniac-branded events will also play a major role, with Factory 93 hosting a show at Downtown Las Vegas Event Center featuring hard techno powerhouses Sara Landry and Nico Moreno, while Bassrush Massive will take over The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas with performances by SVDDEN DEATH, Ray Volpe, and Infekt B2B Level Up.

Hotel EDC guests will have exclusive access to poolside parties at Virgin Hotels, including curated takeovers by labels such as Day Trip, Confession, and Lost in Dreams.

Why EDC and Insomniac continue to thrive?

Insomniac’s ability to adapt, innovate, and prioritize fan experience has ensured the festival’s longevity. Unlike other festivals that have stagnated or declined, EDC continues to evolve with fresh themes, unique experiences, and a deep-rooted sense of community. 

The festival consistently invests in stage production, interactive experiences, and lineup diversity, making each year feel like a new chapter rather than a repetition of the past.

Beyond EDC, Insomniac has cemented itself as a dominant force in the live events industry. 

The company produces over 10,000 concerts, festivals, and club events annually, attracting millions of attendees worldwide. From Beyond Wonderland and HARD Summer to international expansions like EDC Mexico and EDC China, Insomniac’s reach extends far beyond Las Vegas. This global presence allows the brand to test new concepts and refine its events, ensuring that EDC Las Vegas remains at the cutting edge of festival culture.

Through initiatives like Hotel EDC, wellness programs, and its Discovery Project for emerging artists, the company continually reinvests in the culture that supports it.

As the festival landscape shifts, EDC remains a benchmark for what a large-scale music event can achieve—proving that when you build an experience around passion and connection, excitement never fades. 

Here’s the full 2025 Lineup below.