Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Electric Daisy Carnival Will Rave On... In Vegas.
At the Electric Daisy Festival (Photo by Nadia Kovacs/LAist)
Organizers of the popular but controversial Electric Daisy Carnival announced yesterday that they were through with the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and Los Angeles in general, and will be setting up their annual event in Las Vegas come June.
"The show must go on," said Pasquale Rotella, CEO of Insomniac, the company that puts on the event. Rotella acknowledged that not having a contract in L.A. right now was making the certainty of the event tenuous, however, he gives a tip of the hat to the venue that has long been home to the EDC, now in its 15th year: "We are grateful for all of the events we’ve been able to produce at the Coliseum and Sports Arena over the years, and for the support of the fans, Los Angeles, the Coliseum Commission and everyone who has contributed to those events."
On the L.A. end, folks were a bit less diplomatic. Said Coliseum Commission member Rick Caruso: "I'm really glad they decided to leave the city and I hope they don't come back."
Last year's EDC was blighted by the death of 15-year-old Sasha Rodriguez, an attendee who took Ecstasy, suffered from dehydration, and collapsed on the dance floor. She died at the hospital. In the aftermath of Rodriguez's death, and the increased attention the EDC and similar events received for their security, age-verification, and medical attention protocols, the Coliseum's operating team has been mired in controversy, and have sought to put a stop to holding such events at the venue.
Insomniac anticipates a better working relationship out in the desert: "By moving this event to Las Vegas, we are welcomed with open arms by a venue that specializes in a wide range of entertainment. "
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
