EDC’s opening night spectacle is breathtaking

Attendees dance to Technoboy during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

W&W perform at the Kinetic Field stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas in the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

An attendee dips her arms into a tub of body painting oil during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees cool off and touch up during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees dance to W&W at the Kinetic Field stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas in the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Workers in a food truck clean up moments before the sun rises during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas in the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

A flower "totem" is shown by the Cosmic Meadow stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Robert Sigal, a detective with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, is joined on stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees dance to Dada Life at the Kinetic Field stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas in the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

An "art car" drives by during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

A defocused shot highlights colors during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees are silhouetted by the Kinetic Field stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees dance by the Circuit Grounds stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees dance at the BassPod stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees dance at the Circuit Grounds stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Costumed performers make their way through the festival grounds during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto

Kevin Quach of San Diego, Calif., break dances at the Circuit Ground stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto

Troy Clinton at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Attendees arrive for the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto

Jesse Fields, left, and Gustavo Luna, both of San Jose, Calif., dance during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees arrive during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto

Costumed performers entertain a crowd during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees arrive for the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees dance to music at the BassPod stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Festival attendees dance while waiting in line for a carnival ride at Electronic Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

El Dusty performs at the Upside Down House stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees walk the festival grounds during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Donald Meissner, left, and Laura Wu, both of Long Beach, Calif., kiss as fireworks go off during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees watch fireworks go off during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees dance by the Kalliope "art car" during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

A couple kisses under an art installation during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees dance at Stage7 during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees take a break by the Wasteland stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

A neon-lined "art car" makes its way through the festival grounds during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees and costumed performers walk the festival grounds on the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

People are silhouetted by the Cosmic Meadow stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Ion Iliescu (cq), right, a field training with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, shares a laugh with attendees during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees get drinks from a vendor during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

The BassPod stage lights up during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees stand by the Circuit Grounds stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Attendees dance to Dada Life as confetti falls at the Kinetic Field stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas in the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

The sun rises as W&W performs at the Kinetic Field stage during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas in the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

An "art car" drives through the festival grounds during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Fireworks go off during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas during the early hours of Saturday, June 18, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Robert Sigal, a detective with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, dances during the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas on Friday, June 17, 2016. Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto

Zuriel Rubio and Alyx Reed at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Ace Mongo at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Sean Carle and Cinnamon Hoobler at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Francis Geolge and Judy Choi at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Raphael Beaver at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Veronica Gonzalez at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rocky Alvillar and Kiefer Williams at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Dane and Bronwen Mentzer at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Jenna Dorazio and Alexis Early at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Danielle Cortese at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

German and Jennifer Ventura at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Laura Wu and Donald Meissner at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Tony Perez at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Charlie Vargas at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Cole Mensinger and Diamond Shipman at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Ruben and Stephanie Cabrales at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rene Salladay with Raul and Fernando Rodriguez at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Cat, Rocky Raccoon and Julie at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Katelyn Scheyer at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Hannah Berg at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Adrian Flores at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Victor Espinosa and Laurel Castenholz at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Lucas and Venessa Montano at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rob Miller and Brenna Nettles at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Derrick Vargas and Brittany Harren at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Heather Olonovich at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Crystal Aleman and Kennedy Gonzalez at Electric Daisy Carnival on Friday, June 17, 2016, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas. Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal

The crush of fans entering Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the first night of Electric Daisy Carnival was every bit as heavy as expected. For those waiting to get in, the applause that intermittently poured out of the speedway elicited either cheers or groans at the prospect of missing whatever goodness was happening inside.

Once attendees made their way through the A gate, up the ramp and into the main festival grounds, they were met by the sheer spectacle of opening night at EDC. Everybody’s fresh and everything is new.

But while the lights dazzle, fans can’t really know how much thought and care went into constructing the colossal carnival. They probably would be even more awestruck.

It took three weeks to assemble, with many members of the core production team living on site and working 20-hour days, with other crew members pulling nearly 12-hour shifts, toiling from dusk until dawn to dodge the heat.

All the labor produced a stunning new setup with complete redesigns of Kinetic Field, the centerpiece of the festival; Cosmic Meadow, which has a flatter design with a new lighting rig; and Circuit Grounds, which got the most massive overhaul, moving from a semi-enclosed structure to a wide-open arena-like setting with a 360-degree setup with pillars and panels encircling the crowd space.

When Insomniac executive producer Steve Howard joined the company a year and a half ago, he brought more than three decades of concert production experience, including five tours with the Rolling Stones, several tours with U2 and countless other productions. They all pale in comparison, he says.

“I thought, this crew, this Insomniac crew that grew up doing raves … I had lots of experience touring rock bands from small to huge, so I knew how to do this,” he says. “These guys just taught themselves how to do this, just running parties that just kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger.”

“All those big tours that I’ve done that are fantastically complicated and require so much prep and organization and everything,”he goes on, “are not nearly as complicated as a Pasquale Rotella production at Electric Daisy Carnival. There are so many moving parts to this festival, and it’s what Insomniac does.”

For his part, executive producer Forrest Hunt, originally a psychology major, has been with Insomniac for nearly two decades now, and has seen just how far the festival has come. He’s essentially been with the company since the beginning and remembers Rotella coming up with creative ideas at his dining room table and throwing underground parties. Hunt, who’s seen just how much the production levels have progressed over the years, seems just as impressed with his colleagues, guys like production director Alyxzander Bear.

Another integral part of Insomniac’s production crew, Bear was on the crew for the original touring production of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” in 1980.

“We spent a million bucks building that, and it only played in like three cities in the U.S. and England, and people thought we were crazy spending a million dollars on a stage,” Bear said. “And here we are today doing something that totally blows that away.”

Even more impressive: The crew has less than five days to break the whole setup down.