EDM Festival Giant EDC NYC Cancelled for 2017: Is the Scene Declining?
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) New York, one of the largest EDM festivals in North America, has been cancelled for 2017, raising questions about the state of the EDM industry.
Insomniac CEO Pasquale Rotella announced the cancellation via Facebook, encouraging East Coast fans to attend the flagship Las Vegas event instead. The announcement comes amid several concerning trends in the EDM industry:
- TomorrowWorld's cancellation in both the US and Brazil
- Declining worldwide EDM sales (2% drop to $7.3 billion)
- High operational costs and regulatory pressures
- Shifting consumer preferences
The cancellation may signal broader challenges:
- Rising production and venue costs
- Local regulatory pressures around safety and drug use
- Possible market saturation
- Evolution of fan preferences
Dead pigeon on concrete
However, industry experts suggest this isn't necessarily a "bubble burst" but rather a market correction and genre evolution. EDM remains a significant force in music:
- Continued strong attendance at major festivals
- Dedicated core fanbase
- Evolution into various sub-genres
- Integration with mainstream music
Like jazz before it, EDM may be transitioning from a trendy phenomenon to an established genre with a sustainable, though possibly smaller, audience base. The industry appears to be adjusting to more realistic market conditions rather than disappearing entirely.
Musicians performing on dark stage
Green lights at EDM concert crowd
The future of EDM likely lies in finding a sustainable balance between commercial success and artistic authenticity, while addressing operational and regulatory challenges that face large-scale events.
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