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Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
7 Things We Learned From Talking to EDC Las Vegas 2025 Performers
Every year, over half a million music fans flock to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for three nights to dance under neon lights to tunes spanning almost every imaginable dance music subgenre. While Electric Daisy Carnival just wrapped its 29th year, it somehow still finds ways to reinvent itself and grow — not just grow in crowd size, but in cultural and physical reach. Just before opening the gates to the festival on May 16, the event's producer Insomniac invited select guests to Hotel EDC at the Virgin Hotel to celebrate their latest international expansion. Partygoers celebrated with Gorgon City to highlight Insomniac's next international destination, Medellín, where EDC Colombia will launch in October 2026. More from Billboard Roger Nichols, Grammy-Nominated Co-Writer of 'We've Only Just Begun,' Dies at 84 Julión Álvarez Postpones Stadium Show in Texas After Not Being Able to Enter the U.S. Jamie Foxx Shuts Down Conspiracy Theory That Diddy Tried to Kill Him Inside the festival, we saw more representation on the lineup via the Ubutu stage, which created a dedicated space for Afro-house for the first time in the festival's 29-year run. This year the fest also added a dinner theater activation where guests were treated to a cocktail hour with an acrobatic showcase, followed by dinner featuring a dance troupe and ending with dessert and live singing. With the festival approaching its 30th year, Billboard spoke to a handful of DJs, from legendary headliners to this year's first-timers, to hear from their perspective on how EDC continues to grow and how they personally make each year better than the last. Here are seven takeaways from their words of wisdom. Tiësto is without a doubt one of the biggest names in dance music. He's played EDC every year since the festival moved from California to Las Vegas in 2011. You would think he's turned every possible stone the fest has to offer, but this year, the legend was excited to play Circuit Grounds, a fan-favorite stage, for the first time. Circuit Grounds offers more screens to visually bring the audience into new and unexpected tracks like Tiësto's upcoming collaboration with Sexyy Red on the F1 soundtrack, 'OMG!' Backstage the artist rhetorically asked us 'Who would have thought Tiësto would have collabed with Sexyy Red?… No one. Absolutely no one. And it's an amazing track.' Also bringing the unexpected this year was EDM titan Kaskade. He brought his b2b act with Alison Wonderland to the Cosmic Meadow stage after the artists debuted as a duo at EDC Orlando last year. This time around, they expanded their sound to include some of Wonderland's signature trap tunes. 'For me, it's just about playing stuff we love and trying to figure out that bridge in between,' Kaskade told us. 'We've only played a handful of shows so we're still discovering that as we play out more together.' When you've played EDC for as long as Tiësto and Kaskade, who's performed at the festival for two decades, you have to continue making changes to your solo sets. Tiësto reserved a special set for the mainstage, closing out the three-day festival with a set that saw a return to his trance roots. Rising German producer Marlon Hoffstadt introduced 'The Godfather of Trance' before his In Search of Sunrise Set, named after his legendary 1999 compilation album. Tiësto told us the time was finally right for such a moment, saying 'I reconnected with the sound I started with back in the day, and I feel like it's a full circle moment. When [Insomniac Events founder] Pasquale [Rotella] asked me 'Will you do a sunrise set?' and I thought 'Yeah, the time is right now.'' For Kaskade, his solo set was sprinkled with pieces of his decades-old hits. Many DJs' styles evolve over time, and Kaskade says he still struggles trying to resurface his former fan-favorites but admits, 'People online will like this. There's sometimes when there's somebody hitting me up like 'You haven't played this song in 10 years!' and I'm like 'Oh yeah. That is a good song. I should remember to bring that out.'' So, if you're waiting for more tracks from his 2008 album Strobelite Seduction to make it into his next set, like us, keep posting. The electric sky still shines just as bright, if not brighter, almost 30 years later. Alison Wonderland is still amazed at the impact that EDC has had on her and her friends after playing the festival 10 years later. She reflected on her first time playing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and crying, telling the audience 'I started in my bedroom and now I'm here.' A decade later, she's still humbled by her EDC experience saying that she can't believe she is sharing the stage with Kaskade. But there's nothing that could prevent her from taking the stage at the Electric Daisy Carnival. 'In fact, I actually love EDC so much that at 9 months pregnant I played main stage,' she said of this set that happened in 2023. With over 500,000 people attending the festival every year, it's the perfect opportunity for an artist to not only reach their fans but also expose themselves to a group of people who have potentially never heard their sound. Just ask Ben Nicky. We caught up with the British producer 10 minutes after his first set at Kinetic Field on Saturday night before he made his way to Neon Garden for a b2b set with Maddix. Walking into his trailer, he was already on his computer working on a track because he's aware of how every set offers its own opportunities. 'I'm like a DJ's DJ,' he said. 'I'm always changing something. Mainstage you've got your big fanbase there, but you've got another fifty to sixty thousand people who might not know you or be more into commercial stuff. So, you have to tailor and play more well-known vocals. Whereas in the trance tent, I can get away with more dark and underground stuff.' Ben meticulously tweaks every element to fit the crowd he's trying to appeal to, and the crowd at EDC is some of the most knowledgeable when it comes to dance music. Brazilian star Alok told Billboard that means you can't phone it in. 'I feel like people here each year are more and more educated,' he said, 'so, it's not easy to please them. So you really have to bring stuff that makes sense and not obvious.' He knows a thing or two about keeping an audience on their toes. He just had a buzzed-about Coachella performance, for which he hired dancers with two-tone arms to create eye-catching live visuals. While some DJs meticulously plan their sets, others prefer to 'just rip it' in the words of Tape B. He started playing EDC in Orlando while doing his undergrad in Florida. Now that he's worked his way up to EDC Las Vegas, he attended a programming meeting for the first time ahead of his solo set on Friday. When it came to his joint set with dubstep super DJ, Crankdat, they planned to start their set with their unreleased collab but keep it loose otherwise. He told Billboard about the planning that went into the set saying, 'Met up with Crankdat. Worked on our back-to-back for a little bit. Got songs kinda together. We're mainly freestyling it tonight. So, it's going to be very interesting, but very fun.' One of the most exciting aspects of attending EDC Las Vegas is the massive amount of unreleased music you'll hear. REZZ said she was most excited to give fans a taste of what direction she's taking her project next. 'I'm super excited for this year. I'm playing like, seven new songs, more than half of which I've never played before.' Check TikTok to see fans' live reactions to some of this new music. It's become customary for DJs to head to Las Vegas with a ton of unreleased music. Riot Ten used it as a chance to treat his most dedicated fans to an early listen of his new album, Requiem For a Riot, before it drops in a week. Other artists may opt to test out some tracks they're workshopping to see how the crowd reacts, like DJ Snake who played his upcoming song 'Paradise' for the audience at AYU dayclub, not once, but twice, to make sure it went off every time. With this year's addition of the Ubutu stage, Afro-house had a major presence at the festival for the first time. Francis Mercier noted that EDC is 'the home to different types of music from hip-hop to dubstep to house to now Afro house. It's a place where you can hear all different types of music.' This new stage opened the door for artists like Karaba, who hails from Montreal, Canada, to play a stage at EDC Las Vegas for the first time. Making the most of these opportunities is key, according to Morten. His first time playing the fest was in 2016 when he thought no one would see him spinning at one of the art cars. When he took the stage he was surprised by the energy. 'It doesn't matter what stage you're at, the party and the crowd is incredible.' Since then, he's played solo sets, b2b with David Guetta and this year played Kinetic Field with Artbat. If you really want to see how quickly you can ascend to greatness, you just have to look at Cloonee's trajectory. He admitted that EDC wasn't really a festival you thought about as someone who grew up in England. After living in the States for a few months, he found himself nervously playing the Stereo Bloom festival back in 2022. This year he played Circuit Grounds right after Tiësto,z who said he wasn't going to play Cloonee's hit song 'Stephanie' with InntRaw and Young M.A because it would be this year's most played song and you don't play the most played song before its creator takes the stage. Meanwhile, the advice Cloonee would give himself before playing Stereo Bloom in 2022 is, 'Calm down because you've got bigger ones to do.' Catch more of Billboard's EDC Las Vegas coverage on Billboard's Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Channels. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Your complete guide to BottleRock Napa Valley 2025: Lineup, tickets, food and more
BottleRock Napa Valley, the Bay Area's most luxurious music festival, is back for its 12th edition over Memorial Day weekend, officially launching the region's summer concert season. Set in the heart of Wine Country, this three-day celebration blends top-tier musical talent with gourmet food, premium wines and celebrity chef appearances. It also offers an ever-growing list of perks for VIP guests. 'There's some organized chaos that goes into building the lineup,' said Dave Graham, a partner at BottleRock Napa Valley. 'It goes without saying that we nailed it on the top line.' Since its debut in 2013, BottleRock has helped transform Napa into a world-class music destination. With an expected attendance of around 120,000 over the holiday weekend, the festival has grown into a cultural phenomenon that has redefined the region's identity. Here's your complete guide to BottleRock Napa Valley 2025. Who is performing at BottleRock 2025? In addition to the headliners, BottleRock will showcase a diverse lineup that includes actor-turned-singer Kate Hudson, Cage the Elephant, Kaskade and Rebelution, as well as Carín León, Goose, Sofi Tukker, Palo Alto native Remi Wolf, hip-hop veterans Public Enemy and Ice Cube, and Bay Area rapper E-40. The festival is also expected to feature a special appearance by Robby Krieger of the Doors and the Bay Area band 4 Non Blondes, who have not performed since splitting shortly after climbing the charts with the 1993 single 'What's Up.' Performances will also take place on side stages, VIP areas and various late-night shows, providing attendees with an abundance of musical experiences. The Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage, a festival staple, will host cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs, musicians and celebrities. 'As always, we invest in the customer experience and take it to the next level very year,' said Justin Dragoo, BottleRock chief operating officer. 'We aim to set the bar for festival VIP experiences.' Ticket holders can use the BottleRock website and app to create a custom schedule, view the full lineup, and stay updated on festival set times. Friday, May 23 Green Day, Sublime, Kaskade, Sofi Tukker, Public Enemy, Remi Wolf, E-40, Mon Laferte, the Story So Far, Beach Bunny, Dope Lemon, Balthvs, Iann Dior, Mallrat, Bad Nerves, Miya Folick, Spiritual Cramp, Caloncho, Husbands, Ultra Q, the Alive, One Less Zero, Bombargo, Alisun, DJ Umami, Slippery People, and Summer Brennan. Saturday, May 24 Justin Timberlake, Benson Boone, Ice Cube, Rebelution, 4 Non Blondes, Kaleo, Lawrence, Sharon Van Etten & the Attachment Theory, Lauren Mayberry, G. Love & Donavon Frankenreiter, LA LOM, Two Feet, Kate Hudson, Anders Osborne, Balu Brigada, Sasami, Jalen Ngonda, Bob Schneider, Raynes, the Saint Cecilia, Makua Rothman, the Silverado Pickups, Ava Maybee, Weekend Youth, Megan Katarina, and the Napa Valley Youth Symphony. Sunday, May 25 Noah Kahan, Khruangbin, Cage the Elephant, Carín León, Goose, Flo Rida, Allen Stone, Drama, Robby Krieger of the Doors, the War and Treaty, Vacations, Bby, Eggy, Mix Master Mike, Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge, Chaparelle, the National Parks, Mirador, Hazlett, Jensen McRae, Hans Williams, Bel, Goldie Boutilier, Moonalice, Bella Rayne, and Oke Junior. Where is BottleRock held? The festival takes place at the Napa Valley Expo, a 26-acre venue near downtown Napa. While the site typically hosts dog shows, craft fairs and local events, it undergoes a major transformation for BottleRock. Organizers Latitude 38 Entertainment and Live Nation have significantly upgraded the space over the years — replacing dusty fields with manicured lawns, shade trees, walkways and sleek infrastructure. By Memorial Day weekend, the grounds will feature multiple stages, boutique wineries, relaxation zones, elevated VIP viewing decks and immersive brand activations, all delivering a signature Wine Country vibe. Getting to BottleRock 2025 A variety of transportation options are available for visitors to reach the event grounds in downtown Napa: Ride hailing: A designated pickup and drop-off area is located at Third and Randolph streets, near the festival's main entrance. Bus: Daily round-trip BottleRock Buses run from cities across the Bay Area, including San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland. Locally, Vine Transit offers free and extended service throughout the weekend. Car: Carpooling is encouraged. Limited all-day street parking is available (check signage), and general admission parking near the venue is first come, first serve. VIP and platinum pass holders receive reserved and complimentary parking, respectively. Accessible parking is available with a special permit. RV or overnight parking is not permitted on-site, though nearby options like Camp Carneros may be available. Bicycle: Free bike parking is offered at 301 First St. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Be sure to bring your own lock. Train: Amtrak San Joaquins offers direct routes with reclining seats and free Wi-Fi. Festival shuttles run from the nearby station to the event grounds. Air: Out-of-towners can fly into several nearby airports: San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), Sacramento (SMF), San Jose (SJC) or Santa Rosa (STS). Hotel and transportation packages: BottleRock's website offers travel bundles with hotel rooms and round-trip festival shuttles from cities like San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento and Santa Rosa. What's the vibe at BottleRock? BottleRock delivers a uniquely polished, Wine Country-style experience with a laid-back and mature crowd. You're more likely to see guests lounging in private cabanas or sipping vintage Cabernets than crowd-surfing. While rock music remains central, the festival's lineup now spans multiple genres — from indie pop to hip-hop to electronic — creating a rich and varied sonic landscape. The event is also known for its clean facilities, attentive staff and curated experiences that appeal to both music lovers and culinary connoisseurs. 'It's a constant flow of new ideas,' Graham said. 'People ask us, 'Do you have fun at the festival?' We want the fans to have fun. We want the guests to be happy.' Dragoo concurred: 'You see the smiles on peoples faces and know they can't wait to come back each year.' What to eat and drink at BottleRock 2025 Beyond the music, BottleRock offers one of the best food and beverage selections of any U.S. festival. The Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage, hosted by Bay Area personality Liam Mayclem, features live cooking demos by culinary heavyweights like TV food competition master Bobby Flay, 'Top Chef' host Kristen Kish, tennis legend Serena Williams and actor-singer Kate Hudson are among the stars set to appear on the culinary stage this year. They'll share the stage with musicians like Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, R&B singer Bobby Brown, and rappers Chuck D, Flavor Flav and E-40. While the food cooked onstage isn't served to the crowd, festivalgoers can enjoy offerings from top-tier local chefs and over a dozen Napa Valley wineries. Platinum guests get access to rare wines curated by master sommeliers, along with premium spirits and craft beer options. 'It would be hard to name a prominent restaurant in the Napa area that is not part of our festival," Dragoo said. "We're truly fortunate." Pro tip: Walk through both main food areas before choosing your meal — it's worth the exploration. What happens after the festival? The music doesn't end when the lights go down. The festival's AfterDark concerts are scheduled to run May 22-27 at various venues across the Bay Area. Artists like E-40, Chvrches' singer Lauren Mayberry; Sharon Van Etten; Sasami; and the Coverups, featuring Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt, are set to headline these late-night performances, many of whom will also perform during the daytime at the Napa Valley Expo during the festival.
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
How to score last-minute F1 Miami Grand Prix tickets - and the best hotels still available nearby
Formula 1 is back in the United States with the upcoming race in Miami taking place on Sunday, May 4. This is the third year Miami will be hosting Formula 1 and it's one of the most anticipated events of the year for racing fans. Other than Miami, you also have the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the Austin Grand Prix which take place yearly too. If you're wondering when festivities kick off, your best bet is to arrive in Miami early Friday morning or Thursday evening. What are the best seats for the Miami Grand Prix? You can choose to buy a single-day ticket or a three-day pass for the entire weekend. Prices vary vastly, but if you're looking for the best seats, you'll want to be seated at the start/finish grandstand or on one of the beach grandstands, which are right by the 90-degree hairpin and Turns 11, 12, and 13. The Turn 1 grandstand is also an exhilarating spot and will get you a good view of the cars racing after lights out. Free practice and the sprint qualifiers are on Friday, May 2, starting at 9:30 a.m. ET. The sprint itself, which is a much shorter race, will take place on Saturday, May 3, as will the qualifiers for the Grand Prix on Sunday. Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix Tickets Get a three-day weekend pass now to attend all the events with ease during race weekend. This year, the race will take place at the Miami International Autodrome stadium, with festivities kicking off on Friday. Miami is also one of the only circuits that holds a shorter sprint race before the main event, so snag tickets ASAP. $377+ Shop Get ready for race day on May 4, with festivities beginning at 4 p.m. time and running through the day. Last year, Lando Norris of McLaren took pole position, but it really is a toss-up who ends up at the front of the grid this year. Who's performing at Miami Grand Prix? The race weekend is more than just these events though. Every year, tons of extra music events, parties, and limited-time pop-ups take place in Miami during the event. Expect performances this year by Steve Aoki, Don Omar, Kaskade, Ed Sheeran, and John Summit. Kaskade in particular is set to DJ the starting grid. What's more, Marc Anthony will be performing the national anthem at the event. The party, of course, doesn't stop there, with various concerts and celebrations heading into the after hours. Best Miami hotels for Formula 1 If you're looking to attend, here are the best hotels to stay at during your visit, as well as their distance from the Miami International Autodrome stadium. Acqualina Resort & Residences On The Beach Located just 30 minutes from the Miami Autodrome, this hotel is a great pick for its location and top-notch facilities. There's a beautiful oceanfront lounge you can sit and enjoy the water views from, included in your reservation — saving you the hassle of chasing after beach chairs. And the hotel says you'll even be able to watch F1 broadcasts across the televisions throughout the resort. Rent a cabana by the pool, grab a drink, and tune into the race if you're not heading to the Autodrome for all three days. $1,900/per night+ Shop Courtyard Miami Aventura Mall If you want something a little more affordable but still pretty close to the circuit, this is your best bet. The hotel has everything you need, including a pool, large rooms that fit four, and an extremely affordable breakfast add-on — at just $12. The drive to the stadium is under 30 minutes, making this a great midrange pick for Formula 1 visitors. $600+/per night Shop Fontainebleau Miami Beach If you don't mind living just a little far from the circuit — Fontainebleau is about 16 miles away — this hotel is very worth it. It's right on the beach, has large spacious rooms, and one of the best nightclubs in all of Miami. It also offers a free airport shuttle and has nine dining establishments, truly giving it that resort feel. The resort has multiple pools too, direct beach access, and a children's playground for the little ones. $900+/per night Shop Hampton Inn Hallandale Beach-Aventura You do need to book a minimum 4-night stay for this hotel for the Grand Prix dates, but this could work to your advantage as you can choose to either arrive a day earlier or leave a day later, without the hassle of rushing to the circuit. This is one of the only hotels which offers a free breakfast daily included in the stay. And, there is a heated swimming pool too to calm down and refresh. It's also under 30 minutes away, and is a great option if you're traveling in a group. Since it's quite late in the game, you might have to tinker with the dates to find the best price — right now you can still book from May 1 to May 6. $400+/per night Shop Hilton Miami Downtown For a more urban hotel, go with Hilton located in trendy Downtown Miami. It's also on the more affordable end, but comes highly rated by visitors. It has a chic rooftop pool and bar, and the rooms are comfortable and spacious. Breakfast can be added for under $30, and there's even airport shuttle service available. It's about 35 minutes away from the Autodrome, even during rush hour, so it's a great pick for those of you staying for Grand Prix weekend. $350+/per night Shop Don't wait — most Miami hotels are already sold out for Grand Prix weekend, so you'll want to shop these deals before you miss your chance. Make sure to also have all your passes in check for Miami Grand Prix weekend!
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Grammy-Nominated DJ Kaskade Makes Return to Coachella Weekend 2
Grammy-nominated DJ Kaskade is making a highly-anticipated return to arguably the most popular music festival of the year. His return will take place at Coachella weekend two on Saturday, April 19. He will perform alongside actor and DJ Idris Elba, known as IDRIS in a special back-to-back artists have performed solo sets, but this year marks a new collaboration between the artists. With the aim of pushing creative boundaries, the duo is coming together to reshape their live performances during this exclusive, one-of-a-kind set. Ahead of his return, hear from Kaskade himself about this upcoming performance and what listeners can expect this weekend. 1. This year, you're returning to Coachella for a special b2b set with IDRIS at the Quasar Stage. What drew you to this collaboration, and how did it come together? I really wanted to get out of the predictability box. I reached out to a lot of people, asking who the ideal person for me to b2b with would be, but there were so many answers that echoed what I've done in the past. That's a huge compliment but I'm looking with my eyes forward. When we were bouncing ideas around, IDRIS' team reached out for something unrelated, and the stars aligned. He's a big player in this space, in a different way than me, and that felt exciting to explore. 2. How would you describe the creative chemistry between you and IDRIS? What sets this b2b apart from previous collaborations you've done? I've been impressed with how IDRIS steps out of his own shadow when he plays. There's a tough obstacle to overcome when you have a level of notoriety in a different field, people may assume you're only getting gigs because of that clout. That's not the case with him. Getting together we speak the same exact language, with different dialects. That is both figurative and literal. 3. What can fans expect from your set at the Quasar Stage? Any surprises in store? Don't expect anything. I want my fans to show up ready for some things they've never heard from me. Expectations would limit that - waiting to hear the favorites. They may or may not make an appearance but the best way to enjoy this set would be to find your spot on the dance floor and explore whatever happens next. 4. Coachella introduced the Quasar Stage last year as a new immersive dance experience. What are your thoughts on the vibe and energy of that stage, and how do you think it compares to other areas on the festival grounds? Quasar Stage is a very welcome, experience-heavy, music-centered environment. I think the feeling there is more underground 90's coded warehouse vibes but updated with 2025 visuals. The longer format really is ideal for DJ's like me, who used to do 4 or 5 hour sets back in the day. 5. Last year, you did a surprise b2b set with Alison Wonderland at the Do Lab Stage. What do you enjoy most about back-to-back sets, and how does that format challenge or inspire you creatively? Playing b2b with anyone requires a lot more flexibility and agility than a single player set. I guess it's a little like playing a 2-player video game vs. one-player. Both are amazing and both are challenging. I think the challenge is to complement what's happening with the other person rather than compete. There's a mood there that can be created with the input of both people that otherwise would be completely different. I also think the audience enjoys watching the interaction. 6. You've played Coachella many times over the years. Do you have a standout memory from a past performance that still sticks with you? When I played in 2015 I had the largest main stage crowd gathered up to that point in history. I was kicking off my Automatic Tour and that was the maiden voyage. Coachella was baptism by fire - this set, the songs, none of it had been road tested. Then when I saw the size of the crowd, I literally could not see where it ended - it was a flashpoint for me. I knew that I'd remember that feeling forever. 7. You made a surprise appearance at the Pacific Palisades community block party a few weeks back. What inspired you to pop in, and what does being part of the Palisades community mean to you? I am a member of that community, that is my home. There's no world where I wouldn't jump in to help if asked. Playing music is an easy ask to help raise my community's spirits. 8. How does it feel to be performing at one of the biggest music festivals in the world while also staying so connected to your local roots here in L.A.? It feels normal. My life in this industry has never been the sum of my life outside of the industry. On a given Saturday, I might be arranging things in my garage or surfing - maybe both. I love the world I work in and the world I don't work in. Just like anyone, I weave in and out of both. Watch Kaskade and DJ IDRIS take the stage at 8 p.m. this Saturday. Tickets are available for purchase here.
