The 12th annual Electric Daisy Carnival descended upon L.A.’s Memorial Coliseum this past weekend. And with it 65,000 rabid dance/rave aficionados primed for drug induced love and mayhem. Yes the rave clichés were apparent as sweaty kids rocking rainbow bracelets, glittery cheeks and glow-sticks flooded the Coliseum and Exposition Park. Free carnival rides scattered throughout added a nice flare to the already overwhelming ambiance. But most were there for the music or to get completely smashed while listening to music. Either way stalwart DJ’s like Paul Van Dyk and Moby brought the masses and the 6 stages with over 40 acts provided a variety of musical styling for nearly every palette.

The Basspod in particular offered an elastic line-up ranging from electro to straight up hip-hop. Moving Units front man turned electro DJ Blake Miller, bombarded the crowd with bass thumping dance beats, fresh remixes and a half empty bottle of Cutty Shark.

Le Castle Vania proved why he’s got artist taking numbers over remix and production rights. The ATL native tore through his set with electro classics and stellar remixes of Daft Punk, Snowden and Digitalism. The only thing more impressive then his laptop wizardry, was how he kept the crowd hyped and dancing after an epic Z-trip set.

Arguably the best set of the night, Z-trip brought turntablism on the highest level to a virgin fan-base and he pulled it off. His set was more of journey across decades and genres ranging from hip-hop to classic rock. A “super mix” including Nas, Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, Pink Floyd and even Michael Jackson. Watching ravers nod their glitter clad heads to Public Enemy and sing Rage lyrics was a beautiful thing.

All talk of a declining rave culture was put to rest. Even the most cynical naysayer would’ve been awed by just glancing inside the stadium. Thousands in attendance literally engulfed the football field emulating a sea of people with sporadic flickers of neon light. All having a good time, all dancing their asses off ‘till 4 a.m.