Urban Marinade

What is the world coming to? I go to Mexico on vacation and come back to more crapola news about EDC. Can this event and promoters Insomniac ever catch a break? Let’s try to give a quick recap. Insomniac throws a kick-ass dance music festival in LA. Sadly, one kid dies after an overdose. Ignoring all the deaths that occur at music festivals all over the world, the media and city of Los Angeles unfairly peg dance music as the culprit. EDC moves it’s premier event to Vegas. Sadly, another kid dies at EDC Dallas from a combination of heat and fat-burning pills. Media characterizes EDC and other dance music festivals as drug fests, ignoring the multiple deaths at Indy/Alt events like Bonaroo and Coachella. EDC Vegas is a massive success. EDC The Movie is set to premiere in LA. Fire Marshall shuts down over-crowded premiere. Angry moviegoers mix with fans of EDM powerhouse Kaskade outside. 99.8% are obeying the law. 00.2% throw some bottles and start a fight. City of LA and media calls it a riot and blames dance music, EDC and Kaskade.

Seriously LA? Seriously LA Times? I had way more respect for both of you before this occurred. If you wish to be reminded of what a “riot” really is, I ask you to reference the overturned police cruisers, burning vehicles and completely looted store fronts of downtown Vancouver. Or think back to your own Rodney King saga. A large (mostly peaceful) crowd amassing in the street after being pushed out of a theater is hardly a riot. A traffic headache for sure. A nuisance for tourists and locals trying to get through Hollywood Blvd. But it’s most certainly not a riot.

I feel horrible for Kaskade because now he is being unfairly labeled in this. We’re talking about an artist who is paid a lot of money to perform. He simply wanted to do something fun for his fans who were out to support this film. It’s rare in show business, specially Hollywood, where a performer will do a free show like this. But because the music isn’t high on the opinions of city leaders and the editors of the LA Times, we see a mis-characterization of the music and artist Ryan Raddon. Lady Gaga can shut down streets and perform without any worry. It’s celebrated by the city and the police. Kaskade comes through and it’s almost like authorities are reacting the same way they did to rock n’ roll when it first appeared. Remember folks, censorship never solved anything!