REVIEW: Electric Daisy Carnival

A carnival like no other, Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) came to London for the first time its history complete with all the fun and games that its US counterpart has.

Ravers were treated to a host of A-list dance DJs, great weather and a fantastic backdrop as they were surrounded by the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, adorned with lanterns, installations and more carnival fun.

For those more used to UK festivals in muddy fields it was great to have a city festival with acts that you would normally find at Creamfields and Global Gathering. The festival took place in the Olympic Park itself with three tents and one main stage hosting the world class DJs that descended on London.

The festival itself kicked off at midday, but it was at 2pm when the 50,000 revellers really started to fill to the festival site.

On the main stage Aussie twins, Nervo started at 2pm, with Liv sporting an eye-catching top with two large eyes staring out into the audience. The duo who were part of the team behind David Guetta and Kelly Rowland’s smash hit ‘When Love Takes Over’, played a mixture of their own tracks such as their collaboration with Nicky Romero ‘Like Home’ and their US Dance Chart hit from earlier this year, ‘Hold On’. They also dropped some classics from the 90s with the likes of 2 Unlimited’s ‘Get Ready for This’ and Josh Wink’s ‘Higher State of Consciousness’ keeping the crowds going.

Wandering around the festival site revellers were treated to an array of installations and acts creating a carnival atmosphere including a massive animatronic spider that made another appearance during Avicii’s set.

At 6.30pm Steve Angello, one third of the former DJ group Swedish House Mafia kicked off his set. Although great, his set was very similar to Swedish House Mafia’s tour and their set at Ultra Music Festival earlier this year. Having said this it wasn’t disappointing, just perhaps a little predictable. Most revellers obeyed his request to sit down during ‘Don’t You Worry Child’ and it was a sight to see 1000s of people sitting on the artificial grass waiting for the bass to build. When the time came the sea of people leapt to their feet on cue and continued to dance til the end of his set.

Avicii took to the stage at 8pm opening with his former UK number one, ‘I Could Be The One’ to a massive roar. He continued to please the crowds during with 1.5 hour set as the sun set across the Olympic Park to Rihanna’s ‘Diamonds’ and his massive tracks ‘Le7els’ and current UK number one, ‘Wake Me Up’ which sent the crowd wild. The animatronic spider seen earlier on returned ‘spitting’ out a ‘web’ across the revellers at the front.

As night fell across the festival site the huge electric daisy near the main stage lit up while more and more was added to the special effects display including streamers, lasers and fireworks.

Headlining this one-day festival was veteran DJ Tiesto. Out of anyone he knows how to keep the crowd moving, it doesn’t matter whether the tracks he spins are ones that you know and love, or ones you have never heard of he’ll keep the beat pumping enough for your to know when to expect the bass back! Playing everything from chart hit ‘I Love It’ by Icona Pop, to his huge dance floor filler from a decade ago ‘Adagio for Strings’ Tiesto was an excellent ending to a fantastic day.

EDC London was a great experience for anyone who loves their dance music, with the advantage of not being in a muddy field. It may not be as big as its US counterparts but hopefully it will return next year with more fun and fantasy.

For more on EDC check out www.electricdaisycarnival.co.uk

Check out the gallery here.

Photo credits: Top photo: Neal Houghton | Middle photo: Howard Hill | Bottom photo: Anna Sky Hulton Words: Anna Sky Hulton