[Disappointing?] EDC Japan 2019's Lineup Is Finally Announced!

The lineup for EDC Japan 2019, now in its third edition, has been announced.

In this article, I'd like to discuss this lineup “with plenty of my own opinions”.

The Best Lineup… If It Were Four Years Ago!

To be blunt, it really feels like “why now?”...haha.

Big names with zero freshness and high fees, but who “make it feel like a major festival just by being on the bill”: TIESTO, ARMIN VAN BUUREN.

SKRILLEX, MAJOR LAZER, JAUZ, JOYRYDE, ALISON WONDERLAND, MIJA, OOKAY, TROYBOI: bass acts at their peak around 2015 (actually, there seem to be too many bass and hardstyle acts overall).

Then KSHMR, Gold Fish, Andrew Rayel and the rest of the big-room house family, plus the only trance act apart from Armin, Paul Van Dyk.

But EDC is an EDM festival (leaning toward bass), so I also completely understand the feeling that “this is fine as it is...”

EDC JAPAN Quietly Books Good Techno and House DJs

The global trend is now firmly tech house, techno, house and deep house, and they're booking good DJs, even if they aren't flashy.

Personally, I recommend the consistently reliable JOSH WINK and the rising stars WAFF, Peggy Gou.

Not the Best, but I Think It's a Good Lineup

In my experience, Europe (especially the UK, Netherlands and Spain) is generally top-class for both festivals and clubs. If you're seeking the very best, traveling to Europe is the only choice in my view.

But Japan isn't bad either.

When people become more knowledgeable than average about festivals, clubs and dance music, more tend to become what you might call “ramen connoisseur types” who say things like “it's underwhelming” or “I'll pass on that...”

However, if you narrow the scale to Asia, Japanese festival lineups are relatively high-level.

I live while moving around Southeast Asia, but if I consider clubs and festivals along a scale with Europe at the top, Southeast Asian festivals don't make me feel like going.

Go to Hear New Sounds, Not Just Your Favorites

The great thing about festivals is the chance to stumble upon new sounds as well as see your favorites.

Many people think in binary terms and have no interest in, or won't try, acts they don't know. I think that wastes a great opportunity.

Even if they encounter new sounds, they sometimes can't stay because of “group activities.” Stop letting group activities at festivals bind you to such rigid rules, haha.

Go precisely because there are many acts you don't know.
Taking that approach might make it more enjoyable.

It affects creativity, your lifeblood.

EDC JAPAN2019 Event Information

All accurate information is on the official website below, so please check there.
▶EDC Japan | Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12, 2019

For Cheaper Festival Tickets, Use Resale Sites

For popular festivals such as Ultra Japan and EDC JAPAN, one way to buy tickets cheaply is to use resale sites.

I introduce recommended sites in the article below, so take a look if you're interested.

[Ultra Japan, EDC JAPAN, and More] Three Ticket Trading Sites for “I Want to Go After All,” “I Can No Longer Go,” and “I Want to Go Cheaply” [Use at Your Own Risk] September 10, 2019