EDC Day 2 photos: Bart B More, Gaiser, Above & Beyond, Boys Noize

Erik Kabik/Retna/ErikKabik.com

DJ Afrojack at the Electric Daisy Carnival at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on June 25, 2011.

Sunday, June 26, 2011 | 6:12 p.m.

2011 EDC: Night 2 With DJ David Guetta

Launch slideshow »

Electric Daisy Carnival: Day 2

Launch slideshow »

Electric Daisy Carnival Saturday Night

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Nikki Villoria

Day two at the Electric Daisy Carnival on June 25, 2011 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Justin M. Bowen

Voni Susco and Michael Barto dance to the music at the circuitGrounds during the Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sunday, June 26, 2011.

Justin M. Bowen

Metro officers and security handcuff a Festival goer as the sun begins to rise during the Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sunday, June 26, 2011.

By Anisa Buttar

Electric Daisy Carnival Day 2 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway brought a much larger and festive crowd. Ravers, hippies and plain party lovers of all kinds gathered together, creating a loving, powerful and indestructible positive vibe. All ranges of dance culture were represented, but the contemporary rave culture was strong. Popular themes included Super Mario, elaborate candy bracelets, Hello Kitty and anything furry.

The Netherlands’ new electro star Bart B More devastated fans with his heavy bass and infectious drumbeats. Day-Glo praying mantises 20 feet tall danced onstage, while lights and lasers beamed over the pulsing crowd. Fans responded enthusiastically to singles like “Brap” and “No Security,” as well as his month-old Beatport banger “Traction.”

Michigan native Gaiser mesmerized the Circuit Grounds with atmospheric sounds and visuals, while his propulsive drums kept them dancing. Jon Gaiser saw Richie Hawtin play a live set at age 14 and became obsessed with electronic music. The drummer quit his punk bands and started collecting synths, drum machines and FX units.

Gaiser moved to Detroit after graduating high school and, after a few years of meticulous practice, became involved with Hawtin’s record label Plus 8. His percussive roots were obvious. The driving drum patterns complimented his minimalist style, giving his live set a psychedelic, house music feel. Images of green triangles shrank and grew in time to the music as people jumped, danced and stood in awe.

Trance masters Above & Beyond combined their trance euphoria with a relentless house tempo, showing their ability to please their diehard fans and keep the crowd dancing. “Group Therapy” was released this month and quickly rose to the top of the iTunes dance and Beatport trance charts. The group dropped many of the tracks on the album, including “Filmic,” “You Got to Go” and their faster-paced club remix of “A Thing Called Love.”

The close relationship between the group and their fans was evident. Paavo Siljamaki and Tony McGuinness were passionate performers, screens displayed messages like “Music sounds better with you” straight from the DJs as they were performing. One lucky fan was allowed to drop the climax of “Sun and Moon” and stayed to dance with the DJs.

After being elevated to trance heaven at Above & Beyond, it was time for the journey to bass hell with Boys Noize. The man behind Boys Noize, Alex Ridha, is one of the most respected electronic artists today. Ridha started Boys Noize Records at 22 to retain full artistic control of his music. He has released two successful albums independently and countless quality remixes by top artists like Depeche Mode, The Chemical Brothers and film icon David Lynch. The highly sought-after producer took the Cosmic Meadow on a journey through his world of deep acid house.

It was still dark at 4 a.m. when Ridha took the stage after party pumpers Dada Life. The word “acid” flashed on massive screens at the onset of his performance, making it clear this set was going to be a trip. Impassioned “oh’s!” were heard from fans when he transitioned into 2007’s “& Down,” as well as his infectious collaboration with Erol Alkin, “Lemonade.” Ridha showed ease and comfort mixing live, smiling wide and jumping at times; it looked like he was having as much fun as the crowd.

As the sun came up around 5 a.m., a rush of weary partygoers exited the racetrack through the Cosmic Meadow. Moving closer and closer to the stage, on a mission forward, on my way was a group of at least 10 young men in a huddle and jumping to the beat. The men formed a circle for themselves to dance, feet were flying and bodies were twirling as they displayed their shuffling and jump-style skills.

Finally at the barricade by 5:20 a.m., Ridha’s euphoric mix of Prodigy’s “Smack My Bitch Up” began. Ridha also played his dreamy remix of The Chemical Brothers’ 2010 single “Swoon” from their seventh studio album Further. Fans in the front moved their arms up and down, motioning bowing toward the energetic performer. When Ridha was signaled to stop playing, a collective “boo” was heard.

As Ridha was wrapping up his set, a young man wearing a Boys Noize T-shirt jumped the barricade. He ran to a trampoline in front of the stage, jumped onstage and approached Ridha. Smiling wide, Ridha shook the man’s hand before security pulled him offstage. His stunt was a riot, and everyone on the barricade extended their arms for high-fives as security guards walked him out.

Thanks to Justin M. Bowen, Nikki Villoria and Erik Kabik for their photo galleries from Day 2 of the 15th EDC.