Electronic music fans have begun their annual trek to Las Vegas. EDC Week 2024 starts May 15 and encompasses more than just blooming beats at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. There are an overwhelming number of options for extracurriculars outside the festival.
For those arriving early and/or staying late to soak up Las Vegas beyond the Electric Daisy Carnival festival imprint, Vegas411’s resident old skool raver/retired kandi kid/veteran music journalist helps narrow down some of the best spots around Sin City to enhance your EDC 2024 experience.
Best Pregame Parties
While many of the megaclubs on the Las Vegas Strip have slotted in familiar faces (Tiësto, Steve Aoki, Calvin Harris—and even Pauly D?—are billed as official EDC Week events, though the DJs are in Vegas seemingly every regular week anyway…), those wanting to dig deeper are in for some tasty treats both before the Electric Daisy Carnival and even at brunch.
Bassrush & RVLTN Present: Reload Pool Party
Local Las Vegas party people RVLTN are throwing the few official EDC Week parties for the 18+ crowd (with a full bar available for those 21+). The sunset soirée Wednesday evening atop the Citrus Grand Pool Deck at the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino caters to the drum ‘n’ bass fans. Fresh off their viral hit “F*ck Jump Up,” headliner BOU has finally made it across the pond from Manchester and now touring North America with BLive247 (AKA the MC Evil B), so get those middle fingers up high when they team up. The Reload Pool Party also features special guest UK duo Delta Heavy, Phibes, Airglo, DnB OG Fury, and MC Dino, plus longtime Vegas scene staples Bushido Brown & Red. May 15, 6 p.m., 206 N 3rd Street, Las Vegas, NV, 89101, rvltnevents.com
Above & Beyond at Wet Republic
They’re Above & Beyond—do we need to give you another reason to worship at the altar of Anjunabeats? For those free on Thursday, the Group Therapy legends who got us through lockdown with their lush melodies headline Wet Republic. The party kicks off at 11 a.m., but Vegas veterans know the dayclub will probably hold the headliners till the end, or at least mid-party, so no need to rush. Keep an eye on socials for set times if they are released. May 16, 11 a.m., 3799 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109, EDCWeek.com
Deep House Brunch Las Vegas
Looking to pregame on bottomless mimosas before the last trek around the Speedway on Sunday? Join local Las Vegas househeads as the popular LA brunch returns to DTLV on Sunday. Already a favorite spot of ours for tasty breakfast dishes paired with discerning deep house, 18bin also has the longest bottomless mimosas window we’ve yet to find! Helmed by Scotty Boy spinning B2B with Christian Bradford for this installment, Chris Garcia, Lavelle Dupree, Ano, and more round out the lineup. There’s no cover for the 21-and-up party, but reservations are required for brunch. May 19, 10:30 a.m., 107 E Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104, 18binlv.com
Best Bets Before the Festival, by the Festival
In addition to the main event, kickstart the party Thursday night at one of these special EDW Week parties from Insomniac’s portfolio of brands, all focused on curating experiences around specific electronic music subgenres. They’re also great events to meet some new festie besties for the weekend you know won’t beg to spend all day at the Kinetic Field.
Dreamstate Las Vegas
Shoutout to the #TranceFamily, who always bring the best vibes to Vegas. They’ll reunite for Dreamstate Las Vegas, spotlighting some of the most-revered trance legends such as John OO Fleming, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Ferry Corsten, and more on a stacked lineup. If you’ve yet to visit AREA15, Dreamstate has found the perfect—and permanent—ready-made rave venue. Just don’t get too distracted by all the oohs-and-ahhs of the entertainment complex; you can always come back and explore more in the future, with even more rad experiences on the horizon. May 16, 10 p.m., 3215 S Rancho Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89102, EDCWeek.com
Factory 93 presents Adam Beyer & Nicole Moudaber
Formed to focus on minimalist underground warehouse vibes reminiscent of the rave scene’s origins, Factory 93 will be the place to be for techno connoisseurs when Adam Beyer, the genius we have to thank for Drumcode, and MOOD Imprints mother Nicole Moudaber, team up to take over Marquee. May 16, 10:30 p.m., 3708 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109, EDCWeek.com
Bassrush Massive
Keep the DnB going with the RVLTN crew as they also cohost the Bassrush Massive Thursday night at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. On the docket to melt the faces of those riding the rails are Subtronics, battle DJ turned dubstep producer Level Up, Gengar (AKA Ghastly’s more melodic bass side), and more for the 18+ outdoor event. May 16, 8 p.m., 200 S 3rd St., Las Vegas, NV 89101, EDCWeek.com
Best Indoor Excursions to Beat the Heat
The weather is predicted to cooperate during EDC Week, albeit possibly hitting 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Still, the wind speeds should remain low (plus Insomniac leads the way in engineering how to deal with surprise Vegas weather changes over the years). And while any local walking around in July in jeans with no problem will tell you “It’s a dry heat,” here are some air-conditioned activities if you need a break from the desert days.
The Immer5ive Experience: deadmau5 x Mu5eum Fia5co
While suggesting pretty much anything at AREA15 was already on our list—we’d live there if we could and cats were allowed—but sneaking in at the last minute is a special announcement from deadmau5. Not only will there be a four-day special merch pop-up inside The Wall, but it’s the launch of the eight-week “immer5ive experience” at Mu5eum Fia5co. Celebrating 25 years of deadmau5, it promises to be a “sensorial kaleidoscope of sights and sounds synchronized to a blazing playlist from past, present, and burnout memories.” deadmau5 himself will be at AREA15 for a meet and greet on Sunday, May 19 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. May 15-July 11, AREA15: Museum Fiasco, 3215 S Rancho Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89102, AREA15.com
Pinball Hall of Fame
For the under 21 EDC attendees who are more indoor kids, you can still have fun hiding from the sun at our favorite spot for retro gaming, the Pinball Hall of Fame. Now located on the south end of The Strip right by the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, this local favorite labor of love is a nonprofit that allows you to play all of the vintage pinball machines. Proceeds of all those quarters are then donated to local Las Vegas charities. Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., 4925 Las Vegas Blvd S., Las Vegas NV 89119, pinballmuseum.org
Lux Rave Shopping Experience
Even if you spent months planning your EDC outfits, more is more under the electric sky, and you can always use extra shiny, blinky accessories to trade! Try on the latest and greatest iHeartRaves barely-there fashions IRL from May 15-19 inside the Luxor. In addition to exclusive items, more styles for men and plus-size people than ever before, last-minute surprises for your rave fam, and a free gift just for stopping by! There’s also the Lunatic Beauty Bar, kandi-making, giveaways, and meet-and-greets. May 15-19, various times, 3900 South Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119, iheartraves.com
Best Spots for Snapshots
Sure, you could wait in the middle of busy Las Vegas Boulevard for the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, but if you’ve been there and done that and are in search of more unique snapshots that are still special to Las Vegas, here are a few of our favorite spots.
18b: The Las Vegas Arts District
Transforming from a small monthly gathering surrounding The Arts Factory to a full-fledged vibrant arts district with unique galleries, bars, restaurants, shopping at local businesses, theatres, venues, and other assorted Instagram-worthy selfies. Various locations, Downtown Las Vegas, learn more at 18bArts.org
Symphony Park
Just across the street from the EDC Box Office/Will Call at World Market Center is The Smith Center for the Performing Arts’ Symphony Park. Not only is the building’s art deco architecture and carillon bell tower eye-catching, but the park’s outdoor multicolor art installation, “Pipe Dreams” by Tim Bavington, has become a vibrant backdrop for outdoor concerts, weddings, prom pics, high fashion photography, family holiday cards, ballerinas in flight, and perhaps now you! 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106, TheSmithCenter.com
Keep Memory Alive Events Center/Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
You probably drove past this mind-melting marvel on the corner of Bonneville Avenue and Grand Central Parkway, driving to the EDC Box Office. Designed by acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, he noted: “I’m trying to make a building that people will want to visit, remember, talk about and enjoy and, ultimately, will want to partner with us at the center.” 888 West Bonneville Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89106, KeepMemoryAlive.org
Best Places to Keep the Party Going
How are you still standing on Monday? We usually have jelly legs after day one of EDC. But if you need to get in one last dance or round of drinks before returning to reality, Vegas was built for that.
Fremont Street Experience
Even in the daytime, there’s no end to the exquisite cornucopia of weird and wonderful that’s under the canopy of Fremont Street. Where else can you gawk at a dancing/drinking Jeffrey Dahmer doppelganger or a rejected stripper swaying for spare smokes? Pro tip: Post up on the patio at Whiskey Licker Up Saloon outside Binon’s to get girl-drink drunk and for prime people-watching. And starting at 6 p.m., the Viva Vision canopy comes to life; there’s even a Tiësto-themed show nightly. 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. nightly, Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas, VegasExperience.com
Double Down Saloon
The legendary dive bar known as the Double Down Saloon truly never closes or has a last call. If it’s your first time at the “Happiest Place on Earth,” we recommend the tradition of drinking a shot of signature Ass Juice complete with a collectible ceramic toilet-shaped shot glass. And if you need an auditory palate cleanser of something other than EDM, check out the punk rock jukebox. Just remember: You puke, you clean. 24/7/265, 4640 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89169, DoubleDownSaloon.com
Kaskade & deadmau5
ICYMI Resorts World underwent a Hotel EDC transformation promising a headliner-only hotel (which sounds pretty cool, TBH—no confused tourists here to see Pearl Jam complaining to security about that loud techno…). The most likely spot to commune with EDC stragglers is at the Resorts World nightclub Zouk for Kaskade & deadmau5 Monday night. Both stellar producers whose music has wowed us since their beginnings, so when their two powers combine? ‘Nuff said. May 20, 10 p.m., 3000 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, EDCWeek.com
Stay safe and hydrated, Headliners! Be sure to look out for one another. –P.L.U.R.
