Music Festivals

What Can I / Can’t I Bring to Camping at EDC?

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The prohibited item list is different for Camp EDC and the general EDC festival. We recommend reading the list closely to make sure you are aware of what you can and can’t bring to Camp EDC!

Alcohol

  • You must be 21+ to consume alcohol in the campground.
  • If entering with alcohol, you must present government-issued identification. Law enforcement will frequent the campground and randomly card campers seen drinking alcohol. Underage drinkers risk receiving a citation or even being arrested. 21+ campers are advised to carry their government-issued identification AT ALL TIMES.
  • Prohibited: Liquor above 16% ABV or glass of any kind.
  • Acceptable: Beer and alcoholic drinks under 16% ABV, up to 24 cans per person (under 12oz), or up to 5L of wine.
camp EDC interior

Camp EDC Essential Packing List

We highly recommend bringing the following items for the most comfortable camping experience. Remember: It’s only four days! Roll your clothes, and pack lightly.

  • YES 2 travel-size locks for your tent
  • YES Bicycles—don’t forget your bike lock! (Only 1 bike per person. Bring at your own risk. Bicycles left in unauthorized areas or fire lanes will be removed.)
  • YES Earplugs
  • YES Eye masks
  • YES Flags/banners/totems to distinguish your tent (see guidelines)
  • YES Folding chairs
  • YES Food and beverages/water
  • YES Ice chest/coolers
  • YES Phone charger
  • YES Reusable, official Insomniac water bottles
  • YES Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, air mattress (Note: these items are provided with a Desert Rose camping pass).
  • YES Sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen
  • YES Towels and sandals (for use in the shower)
  • YES Trash bags

Acceptable Items at Camp EDC

These additional items are encouraged at Camp EDC:

  • YES Battery-powered candles and lanterns
  • YES Beer and alcoholic drinks under 16% ABV, up to 24 cans per person (under 12oz), or up to 5L of wine. No glass allowed.
  • YES Cell phones
  • YES Cigarettes (must be sealed upon entry)
  • YES E-cigs/vapes (refillable liquid chambers OK—must be empty upon entry)
  • YES E-juice (up to one bottle per person—must be factory-sealed upon entry)
  • YES Fanny packs
  • YES Glowing/illuminated costumes or jewelry
  • YES Glowsticks (string glowstick/LED pois, orbitals and whips are permitted but must be performed 5 feet away from others)
  • YES Gum (must be sealed at entry)
  • YES Hula hoops (especially LED hoops!)
  • YES Hydration packs with no more than two main compartments and one smaller compartment—must be empty upon entry
  • YES Ice
  • YES Juuls (one 4-pack of Juul Pods per person OK—must be sealed upon entry)
  • YES Lighters
  • YES Lip balm/gloss (must be sealed upon entry)
  • YES Makeup
  • YES Manual scooters, skateboards, longboards, bicycles
  • YES Non-amplified (acoustic) musical instruments
  • YES Non-professional flash/still cameras and hand-held video cameras (e.g., Sony Action Cam, GoPro, Polaroids)
  • YES Personal food
  • YES Personal misting fan with a bottle no larger than 1.5L (must be empty upon arrival)
  • YES Personal-size battery-powered speakers
  • YES Personal-size pool floaties (made for no more than one adult)
  • YES Plastic mirrors
  • YES Small, portable propane grills/stoves* with small tanks, up to 4 lbs per group
    (Propane bottles that are part of your RV/camping trailer’s internal system are OK, even if they exceed 4 lbs)
  • YES Sunscreen lotion (inspected upon entry)
  • YES Tampons and pads (must be sealed at entry)
  • YES Wind chairs/sofas, deflated at entry

* Only you can prevent campground fires! During your stay in the campground, please monitor all cooking devices while in use, and turn off tanks when you’re finished. If you see an unattended fire, please notify a campground staff member immediately.

Prohibited Items at Camp EDC

The following are NOT allowed at Camp EDC:

  • NO Aerosol products/cans
  • NO Bota bags
  • NO Breakable glass or acrylic mirrors (Compact makeup and shatter-proof plastic mirrors measuring less then 8″x8″ are OK)
  • NO Butane grills or accessories, such as torches
  • NO Camping wind turbines
  • NO Candles
  • NO Canopies, E-Z UPs, large umbrellas or shade structures (We will be providing plenty of shaded areas at the Mesa for you to enjoy)
  • NO Dollies or hand trucks
  • NO Drones or remote-controlled aircraft
  • NO Drugs or drug paraphernalia
  • NO Fireworks
  • NO Gas generators (Solar-powered generators OK)
  • NO Gas masks
  • NO Glass bottles (Small bottles of perfume/cologne are OK)
  • NO Hammocks
  • NO Helium balloons
  • NO Hookahs
  • NO Hydroflasks (Only official Insomniac water bottles will be allowed, empty at entry)
  • NO Illegal substances
  • NO Large chains or spiked jewelry
  • NO Large speaker systems (Sound systems are limited to USB-powered/personal portable speakers. No amplified sound systems allowed. Insomniac reserves the right to remove sound systems that do not follow these guidelines, and repeat offenders of noise complaints are subject to removal from the campground.)
  • NO Laser pointers or air horns
  • NO LED gloves or LED microlights used for light shows
  • NO Liquor above 16% ABV (Beer and alcoholic drinks OK for 21+. Must be under 16% ABV, up to 24 cans per person (under 12oz), or up to 5L of wine.)
  • NO Loose cans or beverages (Must be packaged and sealed at entry)
  • NO Loose pills without a prescription, or expired medications of any kind (All medications, prescription or otherwise, must be in their original container)
  • NO Medical or recreational marijuana
  • NO Metal stakes or hammers
  • NO Motorized vehicles of any kind, including off-road motorcycles, Segways, electric bicycles, hoverboards, powered skateboards, or scooters
  • NO Open campfires or fires/flames of any kind (Propane grills OK)
  • NO Open packs of cigarettes (upon entry)
  • NO Personal gas tanks for refueling RVs
  • NO Pets (except service animals)
  • NO Professional recording equipment—photo, video or audio (detachable lenses, tripods, big zooms or commercial-use rigs)
  • NO Promotional flyers, promotional/corporate branded banners, or vehicles displaying sponsorships or ads
  • NO Solar camping showers
  • NO Spray paint
  • NO Steel knives or other utensils deemed as weapons
  • NO Stickers, flyers
  • NO Stuffed animals or dolls
  • NO Tool boxes
  • NO Unauthorized vending of food or merchandise, including alcohol
  • NO Weapon or weapon accessories of any kind, real or fictional (including whips, lightsabers, pocket knives, pepper spray, fireworks, fake weapons/props, etc.)
  • NO Wooden items

First Time Tips for Surviving Ultra Miami

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Heading to Ultra Miami for the first time? Wondering what to expect? Look no further, we’ve got you covered. As grizzled veterans of Ultra (4 years and counting) we’ve got all the essential tips you’ll need to have a great time at your first Ultra!

1. Get the Ultra Miami app

The Ultra app includes set times, festival ground maps, bathroom locations, and a bunch of other useful stuff. We highly recommend getting the app beforehand – downloading it at the festival might be tough given the number of people. You can find the iOS version here, and the Android version here.

2. Bring a portable battery / charger

There are a few charging stations available in the venue, but we highly recommend bringing your own. Alternatively, you can get a battery case for your phone. There’s nothing worse than running out of juice at the end of the festival when you’re trying to call an Uber or look for your friends!

3. Set up a meeting place / time with your friends

If you’re going to Ultra with a group, there’s a good chance you’ll get separated. People will want to go to different stages, people will need to go to the bathroom, etc. Set up times and a meeting point for people to check in every few hours. Or maybe at the end of the night.

4. Dress appropriately

Be sure to check the weather forecast. Miami is usually pretty sunny around Ultra, but there have definitely been years where it’s rained. Make sure you bring comfortable shoes.

5. Eat and Hydrate

Make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day, especially if it’s hot and you’re dancing hard. Eating is also important to fuel the dance!

6. Arrive early or later

Ultra opens at 4 PM on Friday, but people usually start lining up earlier. If you’re trying to get in without as much waiting, we recommend arriving at 5 or 6 Friday. If you want to be first to get in, you may need to start lining up as early as noon on Friday. On Sat and Sun, doors open at noon. Lines usually aren’t as bad on these days because people gradually trickle in throughout the day.

7. Leaving Ultra

In general leaving a bit before the festival ends makes it way easier to catch a ride share / taxi / drive without dealing with traffic. In general it’s usually going to be a lot more pleasant to leave earlier or hang back and wait until the crowd thin out. There will be a lot of taxis lined up by American Airlines Arena. The bus also runs 24 hours a day, for those of you heading to South Beach.

8. Travel light but bring the right gear

Check out our guide on what to bring to Ultra.

9. Make sure everyone has their ID

Ultra will check your ID at the gate, so make sure everyone has it before leaving the hotel – or else you’ll have to run back and get it.

10. Pace yourself

Like all 3 day festivals, Ultra is a marathon not a sprint!

11. Afterparties

If you’re planning on going to after parties, it’s usually much smoother if you buy your afterparty tickets in advance. You’ll end up paying less than you will at the door, and in some cases a ticket is required to get in.

Lastly, don’t over plan your day!

Enjoy the sights and sounds, go with the flow, explore the festival, and meet new friends – Ultra Miami is one of the best EDM music festivals and you’re going to have a great time!

What Should I Bring to Ultra Miami – The Ultra Essentials

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If you’ve been to Ultra (or any other festival) you’re well aware that there are number of simple things to bring that can greatly enhance your festival experience. Most of these items are fairly cheap yet they can go a long way towards helping you enjoy Ultra. These are the top items we’d recommend bringing to Ultra Miami:

Camelbak

Ultra starts during the day (doors open at noon on Sat and Sun) – and it can definitely get pretty hot. Staying hydrated is essential to having a good time. There are free water refill stations throughout the festival grounds, so bringing a large Camelbak is a great way to avoid paying for bottled water and avoid waiting in the water refill lines.

Sunblock / Chapstick

As mentioned above – Ultra is more of a day time festival and you’ll be spending a lot of time in the sun. Keep applying that sunscreen and chapstick to make sure you don’t get burned! There are a few shaded areas but most of the grounds are pretty exposed.

Cheap Sunglasses

Sensing a theme here? : ) Spending a lot of time in the sun means you’ll want to bring some shades with you. There’s a good chance you might lose or destroy them, so we’d avoid bringing your designer shades.

Portable Phone Charger / Extended Battery Case

There’s nothing worse than running out of battery and losing your friends. As with all festivals, cell phones tend to struggle to find service, draining your precious battery. Having a working phone is critical especially at the end of the night when you need to call that Uber or meet up with your friends. There are a few charging stations in the festival but having your own is definitely worth the peace of mind.

Comfortable Shoes

Spending 3 days dancing can take a toll on even the most hardy feet. Between walking to the festival, walking between stages, waiting in bathroom lines, and dancing, you’re going to put a lot of miles on those shoes. Do not go in a new pair of shoes unless you’re interested in returning with blisters. Additionally, your shoes will probably be in rough shape after 3 days of Ultra.

Earplugs

Especially essential if you’re planning on getting up close and personal at the stages. Long term ear damage is no joke.

Toilet Paper / Kleenex

Essential for the ladies especially. The last thing you want is to reach over for the TP after doing your business and realizing that the roll is empty…

Hand Sanitizer / Wet Wipes

Your hands will definitely be pretty grimy after a day at the festival. Porta-potties can get really nasty. Bring some wet wipes to clean the seat or to wipe your butt. Or to clean your hands before eating.

Your Ticket

Duh! Though if you do forget this – it’s not the end of the world, as long as you have the credit card you used to purchase the ticket as well as your ID. Expect to wait in a very long line and to pay a replacement fee.

Kandi / Costumes / Flags

These are fun items to bring, but not essential. Ultra has a very relaxed dress code, and there’s definitely a PLUR atmosphere. If you’re into the rave scene, feel free to bring some Kandi to trade with others. Ultra is also a very international festival – people from all over the world rep their flags at Ultra!

What Items Can I Bring to Ultra Miami?

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Things that you can bring to Ultra Miami:

  • Yes to hydration packs that are not backpacks (empty upon entry)
  • Yes to bags made of clear plastic, clear vinyl, or clear PVC (not exceeding 13”x17”)
  • Yes to one-gallon clear, plastic zip-top bag
  • Yes to fanny packs
  • Yes to small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap is allowed
  • Yes to cell phones
  • Yes to sunglasses and hats
  • Yes to illuminated or glowing jewelry or costumes
  • Yes to sealed packs of cigarettes upon entry
  • Yes to non-professional cameras
  • Yes to action cameras, such as GoPro’s
  • Regarding action cameras – yes to strap headwear or non-extendable sticks
  • Yes to earplugs
  • Yes to flags and banners (no corporate or company branding; no hard poles)
  • Yes to powdered make-up
  • Yes to feminine products (sealed upon entry)
  • Yes to prescription medication (you must have the prescription/label in your name with you)

Things you can’t bring to Ultra Miami (prohibited items):

  • No illegal or illicit substances, drugs, or drug paraphernalia
  • No weapons of any kind including, but not limited to, pocket knives and self-defense sprays
  • No flammable items or liquids including aerosols and fireworks
  • No markers, pens or spray paint
  • No backpacks, purses, or bags allowed except bags made of clear plastic, clear vinyl, or clear PVC not exceeding 13”x17”
  • No stuffed animals
  • No facial masks
  • No outside food or beverage including alcohol
  • No bottles, cans, canteens, flasks, or coolers
  • No opened over the counter medication or eye drops
  • No opened packs of cigarettes or tampons
  • No pacifiers, glow sticks
  • No balloons, balls, inflatable balls, Frisbees or flying disks
  • No umbrellas, chairs, blankets, sleeping bags or tents
  • No bicycles, skateboards, hover-boards, scooters, or personal motorized vehicles
  • No drones or unmanned aerial vehicles
  • No animals except for service animals assisting an individual with a disability
  • No large chains, chained wallets or spiked jewelry
  • No laser pens, laser pointers, or similar focused light devices
  • No water guns, squirt guns, spray bottles or misters
  • No musical instruments, noisemakers or air horns
  • No professional cameras, flash cameras or video and audio recording equipment, or camera poles
  • No poles, sticks, or “totems”
  • Additional items may be prohibited at the discretion of law enforcement or security officials.

Visit our Ultra Miami Guide for more info on Ultra!

Ultra Taiwan Returns in November 2020

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Ultra Music Festival has taken a backseat after becoming the first major festival domino to fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic in early March. In a statement issued on October 5, organizers of Ultra Taiwan—a licensed Ultra Worldwide member—announced an unanticipated sophomore return to Taipei for November 14, 2020.

Taiwan has had one of the best coronavirus responses, with 527 total cases and 7 deaths. Life in this Asian island has returned to normal, with a lively nightlife and concert scene.

Having first debuted in 2018, Road to Ultra Taiwan previously skipped its 2019 iteration but is officially returning this fall. Alesso, Kayzo, SLANDER, Vini Vici and a handful of other supporting acts will hit the decks this November as Taiwan’s festival season continues to power on as other parts of the world continue their attempts to stop COVID-19.

Tickets available here.

Bonnaroo Officially Postponed to Sept 2021

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Bonnaroo organizers have postponed the festival’s dates for a third time in response to COVID-19.

Originally scheduled for mid-June of 2021, Bonnaroo will now take place from September 2 – 5, 2021. Bonnaroo coordinators have assured ticket-holders that refunds will be allotted to those who do not wish to roll over their passes for the rescheduled dates.

Excitingly, the new dates will be in accordance with the festival’s 20th anniversary. More information on Bonnaroo 2021’s lineup and camping details are to come.

electric zoo

Electric Zoo 2021 Phase One Lineup Announced

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With sights set on 2021, Electric Zoo officially announces it’s 2021 phase one lineup. Billed next year as Electric Zoo Supernaturals, New York’s marquee festival returns to Randalls Island Park with fan favorites like Illenium, Kaskade, deadmau5 under his Testpilot moniker, Grammy-nominated Alesso.

Phase one thoroughly covers a broad spectrum of dance music, lining up a weekend of charged performances, including big names such as Seven Lions, Alan Walker, Deorro, Shiba San, Duke Dumont, and Zeds Dead. What’s more—those attending Electric Zoo’s twelfth rendition will be treated to a special sunset performance from Tiësto himself.

More than just a juicy talent roster, the 2021 lineup for Electric Zoo Supernaturals also lives up to the event’s commitment to representing the often unappreciated diversity of the industry. Kevin Mitchell, the festival’s Senior Director of Talent comments,

“While we are beyond excited to share the first phase of Electric Zoo’s 2021 artist lineup, we are even happier to report a nearly 50 percent year-to-year increase of artists who exemplify our continued commitment to deliver lineups that embody the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Electric Zoo Supernaturals is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, September 3 – 5, with tickets on sale now. See the full phase one lineup below.

Coachella 2021 To Be Postponed Until October 2021

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The stateside return of live music events has proven to be a moving target as COVID-19 cases have periodically spiked across the country all year long. As such, all major events saw forced cancellations in 2020, and now, 2021 looks to be in jeopardy too, as Coachella is reportedly planning to push its dates…again.

According to a new report by Rolling Stone, Coachella will be postponed a third time. Sources who have spoken directly with the festival’s promoters—AEG and Goldenvoice—told Rolling Stone that they were told to abandon the April dates and prepare for October 2021. One of those sources claimed that the fest is “100% moving.” “Frankly, they were supposed to announce [the new dates] over Labor Day,” the source said. “They hadn’t. And they were supposed to announce at the end of September — they hadn’t.”

What’s more—industry insiders are also expecting other major events properties to follow suit, with festivals like Governor’s Ball and Austin City Limits also reportedly looking at weekends in October 2021. Once source explains,

“It’s going to be really challenging for the artists to decide because multiple factors always come in. What does the paycheck look like, what does the moment look like? Most, if not everyone, are watching what Coachella does. A lot of people are going to wait to see what they do before they really solidify their plans and either have to compete with artists or renegotiate.”

With 2021 cancellations and postponements already trickling in, what Coachella does may prove to have a domino effect on other major festival brands in the US next year. We’ll likely know how the cards are going to fall very soon, though the outlook on 2021 is shaky at best.

Are VIP Coachella Tickets Worth It?

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A Coachella VIP ticket costs twice as much as a regular general admission ticket at $1000. So – is the 2x price worth it?

There are some misconceptions about what comes with VIP tickets. First – what VIP tickets DOESN’T get you:

  • Free drinks
  • Backstage access
  • Golf cart rides
  • Front of stage access

To access the perks above you’d need an artist pass, backstage pass, production crew pass. None of these are available for purchase – except with the Yurt resort camping package which comes with 2 artist passes. This package starts around 25k though so it’s not for the plebs.

So, what do you get with the basic VIP Coachella ticket?

VIP entrance – the VIP entrance is a shorter walk from the parking and rideshare area. It’s about 15 minutes compared to 30 min to the regular GA. Security here is also significantly faster than the general admission – if you hate waiting in line and tend to arrive at peak hours, the 2x premium might be worth the price.

Coachella VIP Bathrooms

VIP Bathrooms – These special bathrooms have air conditioning and are generally cleaner than the portapotties / general bathrooms. Wait times are minimal. You can find these in the VIP area and teh VIP rose garden. If you’re anywhere else in the festival there will definitely be toilets closer to you.

Rose Garden VIP Area Coachella

Rose Garden VIP Area – An area near the Mojave tent with roses. Good for some shots on the ‘gram but not much else. You can’t hear much music, and can’t see any stages. It is quite relaxing with a selection of high end food and drinks, but definitely not worth staying here for too long.

view from vip area coachella main stage

Main Stage VIP Area – This area is right by the main stage and has a lot of shaded areas as well as day beds to lie on. Food and drink options are excellent – definitely better than normal GA, and lines are generally much shorter. You can also get a pretty good view of the main stage. If you’ve been to Coachella you know that you can only drink in the beer gardens. If you plan on hanging out at the main stage a lot and plan to on getting lit, this VIP area is the perfect spot for you.

HOWEVER, one caveat – at night when the main headliners come on, all the VIP ticket holders end up here, which means it often ends up getting even MORE crowded than GA.

One thing to note about the VIP ticket – its generally harder to sell than the regular ticket. You’ll often have to eat a loss if you try to resell.

Verdict: Not really worth 2x the price. Especially if you plan on exploring the festival, checking out different stages, art installations etc. MAYBE worth the price if you hate waiting in lines, really need the nice bathroom, and/or want to hang out at the main stage all day.

Differences Between Coachella Weekend 1 and Weekend 2

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Should I go to Coachella Weekend 1 or Coachella Weekend 2?

Coachella weekend 1 is undoubtedly the more popular of the two weekends. Weekend 1 tickets always sell out first, and you’ll always be able to trade your weekend 1 ticket for weekend 2 (but rarely the other way around). We’ve experienced both weekends – here are the pros and cons of both weekends:

Coachella Weekend 1 Pros:

  • Everything is a surprise – no one knows what art installations there will be, what surprise guests are going to show up, which acts will be amazing, which acts will suck – there’s definitely more anticipation and a greater payoff potential in weekend one. Weekend two does usually feature some different surprise guests but for the most part they are the same as the first weekend.
  • Beautiful people – All the instagram models, celebrities, influencers, etc will be at weekend one. The biggest after parties also take place during weekend 1 (though these are typically pretty difficult to get an invite to). If you have VIP tickets you’ll see more celebrities weekend 1.
  • Fresh looks – Weekend one features more vibrant, fresh grass that hasn’t been trampled for 3 days by 100k people. You’ll definitely get the best instagram shots on weekend 1.

Coachella Weekend 2 Pros:

  • Save dat money – buying resale tickets and accommodations (airbnbs, hotels, etc) are always cheaper on weekend 2.
  • Smoother operations – technical and operational kinks will typically be worked out by weekend 2.
  • Music vibes – the people at weekend two tend to be more into the music vs trying to be seen / taking selfies for the gram.
  • Less crowded – There will still be massive crowds and logjams at certain points throughout the weekend — especially when everyone is heading to the main stage to see Beyoncé.  But overall there always seems to be less people during Weekend 2.

Whether you go weekend 1 or 2, the most important factor is the group you go with!