I like to tell people I grew up in a pit—a mosh pit to be exact. I went to local metal shows in high school and cut my teeth on the Vans Warped Tour and the Bamboozle before Coachella and festival season itself became a thing. So when I got to listening to house and EDM music after college, I thought the same concepts I could apply to my festival-filled past. Well, not exactly.
I got the chance to explore the technicolor world of the Electric Daisy Carnival when it hit NYC on May 14-15th, thanks to Secret. The brand has had a unique shift in focus from the barre babes and the Soul Cycle set to the summer music scene where calories are burned dancing in the heat of the moment rather than in a hot yoga studio, embracing the unfiltered fun and rush of summer music festivals. Last year, Tokimonsta took over as Secret’s festival face, but the brand put the power in the people’s hands (and arms, too) by offering a body paint station smack dab in the middle of the grounds. There, ravers of every flavor could water-marble their limbs and snap up a travel stick of the deodorant to swipe on between DJ sets. Though I initially felt out of my element at the vibrant affair, I learned a lot more than I expected before slipping on the neon wristbands.
Stay Hydrated, No Seriously — With the obvious risks of overheating and sunstroke when sweating it out outdoors, keeping water on hand at all times is essential. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people get pulled out of crowds in the middle of concerts because they’ve become too dehydrated and weak to keep up with the rest of the attendees. And with the many pairs of dancing feet at any given set, no one wants to spoil a good time because of illness or injury. In fact, EDC and other similar festivals offer free water stations for attendees who bring their own water bottles to ensure everyone stays hydrated and safe—a major plus for everyone involved.
Let Your Freak Flag Fly — Leave your chicest pieces at home, kittens—this is as far from fashion week as it gets! With tutus every color of the rainbow, lots of skin and neon swimwear, and beads that cover the arms and faces of many, there’s no official dress code for a festival like this, and attendees are not afraid to let it all hang out if they want to (with a dash of sparkle, of course). I counted at least 5 different (but beautifully decorated) of Deadmau5 and one DJ Marshmello helmet in a sea of light-up sneakers, graphic tees, and matching rave fluffies and leg wraps. But regardless of how much you’re dancing or what’s your aesthetic, dressing in layers is necessary I learned as day one was almost boiling much of the crowd huddled together for warmth on day two against harsh winds.
More Skin, More Sunscreen — With an “anything goes” dress code, there’s plenty of skin at risk for skin cancer and advanced aging. Sure, you may have slathered on sun protection before you and your crew get to the grounds, but that quickly disappears as soon as you start sweating or after sitting in on two sets. I managed to stash a small bottle of sunscreen in my bag for reapplication, but my friends and I quickly burned through it day one. We hid from the wind most of day two, huddling up under the overcast sky, but we still didn’t skimp on the sunscreen either as clouds don’t stop UV rays from doing damage. So to call sunscreen a festival essential is an understatement—it’s a necessity.
Shut Up and Dance — Unlike Coachella, Electric Daisy Carnival is not about being a part of a scene, sneaking into exclusive tent parties and snapping Instagrams by the pool. With nothing but danceable tunes on rotation and a carefree, PLUR approach, there are no pretentions amongst attendees (unless you’re trying to leave after the last set, then all bets are off). Nobody cares what you wear, what sets you listen to, or how you dance (and believe me, everybody has some interesting moves). The vibe is all about coming together and enjoying the music and having fun. Why else would Tinder sponsor a caterpillar ride other than to see if any matches may pop up by snagging a seat? Regardless, it’s a place to stop the posturing and just get down and enjoy yourself.