10 must-hear live sets from EDC Las Vegas 2016

by: Dancing Astronaut Jun 20, 2016

Now that the glitter of EDC Las Vegas has settled, it’s time to relive it all over again. Thanks to a handful of good samaritans across the globe, nearly every VIP edit, droolworthy ID, and unbelievable new release is available for streaming. Here are some of the greatest moments from this weekend’s festivities in no particular order.

1. Duke Dumont

The Grammy nominated producer brought his signature blend of UK Garage and classic house to the Circuit Grounds this weekend. Highlights include Dumont‘s fan favorite “The Giver” and a freaky little acid house interlude around the 42:00 minute mark. The Blasé Boys Club label boss closed out his set with his breakout hit “I Got U” and a charming thank you to those who caught the set.

2. Jauz

Jauz brought the heat to Kinetic Field this weekend with an enigmatic set packed with new music. The LA based producer blasted funky future dub remixes of Jack Ü, The Chainsmokers, and even System of a Down before unleashing a brand new Zedd track on the unsuspecting crowd. The undoubted highlight is the DJ’s humble interludes as he repeatedly thanks the crowd for attending his first EDC appearance before closing out with Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s ukelele “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” cover.

3. Kaskade

Though the legendary DJ announced he’d be playing an intimate version of his storied Redux sets following his turn at the Circuit Grounds, the bigger set was surprisingly nuanced. Kaskade starts off the set with the slow burn of his joint effort with Felix Cartal, “Fakin It.” The mix moves on from there through sweeping synths and sometimes punishing baselines before closing out with his bucolic classic “Eyes.”

4. Eric Prydz

If you’re blissfully impervious to Eric Prydz‘s production charms, I doubt this paragraph will alter your prerogatives. For the rest of us, it would be nearly redundant. Prydz continues to symbolize the cream of the crop in electronic music and this set from the Circuit Grounds was no exception. The phenomenal DJ even finished up the night with a euphoric new ID.

5. Deorro

Deorro‘s set from the Circuit Grounds was an exercise in versatility. The producer took turns dropping dubstep and hardstyle influenced tracks and plenty of salsa music in between. The Don’t miss the Meringue influenced rework of Major Lazer’s “Lean On” around the 48:00 minute mark. The Ultra signee closed out his set with last year’s crossover hit “I Can Be Somebody,” with Erin McCarley.

6. Dr Fresch and SNBRN’s b2b

Longtime best friends Dr Fresch and SNBRN lit up the Cosmic Meadow with an hour long display of impressive variety. The duo start off with The Who’s “Baba O’Reilly,” sample Brad Pitt from 1995’s seminal psychological thriller “Se7en,” and push right on into a filthy three way with Kronic, Far East Movement, and Savage — all in the first ten minutes. This kind of collaboration is one of the most exciting byproducts of a festival like EDC and has to be heard to be believed.

7. Armin Van Buuren

Trance legend Armin Van Buuren rarely disappoints and his set from this weekend’s Circuit Ground’s is certainly no exception. The DJ puts on an impressive show with several classic tracks and even a little cameo from The Killers with “Mr Brightside” around the 49:00 minute mark. Armin closes out his turn with a euphoric VIP of last year’s genre defying hit with Bullysongs, “Freefall.”

8. Dusky

Dusky brought their brand of quality house to Las Vegas over the weekend in a scintillating turn at the EDC’s Neon Garden. The duo teased the crowd with classic house tracks and banging piano numbers. While the duo’s set only took over the festival stream for about 15 minutes, the effort is worth the listen for the expressions from the crowd alone. Enthusiastic expletives permeate the recording while attendees cheer in earnest for the UK duo.

9. Tiësto

Like a fine wine, Tiësto‘s reputation has only grown more distinguished with age. The long time DJ was in perfect form for the final day of EDC’s Kinetic Field, playing a healthy dose of big room and even his trance classic “Walls.” The undisputed highlight of the night, though comes with John Legend’s surprise live appearance around the 30:00 minute mark. Legend performs a quick take on his massive hit “All of You” before launching into the live debut of their new track “Summer Night.”

10. Tycho’s Sunrise Set

Watching a cool turn from downtempo god Tycho is perhaps the most euphoric possible way to spend a sunrise and Saturday attendees were treated to just that. The Bay Area based producer cycled through chill offerings from Jamie xx, Boards of Canada, and the inimitable Com Truise before closing out the Cosmic Meadow with an invigorating fan-favorite: “Awake.”