The Electric Daisy Carnival Experience movie screening was invite-only, DJ "Kaskade" slated to spin a free show before the the Hollywood event. LAPD dubbed the Los Angeles event a "riot" despite only 3 vandalism arrests. Maybe it was riot gear and bean bags chucked by police that sparked violence toward cop cars. It had all been a peaceful gathering, of simply too many people.
Now Los Angeles Police Department blames DJ Kaskade for the shutdown and craziness. There's talk of a bill -- for all of that required police work -- a bill to be footed by the event's organizer Insomniac or even the disc jockey. It seems the Los Angeles city attorney may make someone pay for the July 27 scenario. Literally. Yeah, LAPD really is calling it a "riot".
The new focus on DJ "Kaskade" seems to remove the spotlight from the fact LAPD showed up in full riot gear at the scene of the "Electric Daisy Carnival Experience" film premiere in Hollywood, California. The only real 'problem' had been too many people outside -- not any mark of violence. Despite any lack of violence, Los Angeles police cruisers came screaming on scene, to make a scene. See attached video footage of the Electric Daisy event to see cop cars parking at every angle -- blocking off a street lined with very confused onlookers. They probably thought cops were coming for someone, just not for them.
The Los Angeles Police Department now seems claim that DJ "Kaskade " is to blame for its walks, and bean-bag throwing, down Hollywood streets. Supposedly the DJ launched the whole problem by supposedly encouraging hundreds of the uninvited to the Los Angeles locale--after sending out two tweets via Twitter, about a block party. That's what the media says. What most of the media forgets to mention is that the DJ wasn't inviting people to a private event: "Kaskade" was inviting fans to a set he was personally playing before the Electric Daisy Carnival Experience movie premiere. That would be the event for which a permit was issued. Unfortunately, too many people were on-site. That part's not confusing. Police needed to disperse crowds who accidentally overflowed or stood in the street. The part that is confusing is police action. Officers who arrived looked -- and acted -- like they were prepared for battle.
Just over 24 hours prior to the event--near 2:30 p.m. on July 27--the disc jockey known as "Kaskade" sent out a tweet to roughly 90,000 Twitter followers, announcing his departure to Grauman's Chinese Theatre where he was slated to spin a short set in front of the California landmark.
DJ Kaskade's tweet: "ME+BIG SPEAKERS+MUSIC=BLOCK PARTY!!!”
So why did "Kaskade" send out that tweet? It's been played up in the media with the insinuation that the DJ was inviting people to a private event. But he was actually promoting himself -- like every good DJ does -- for a set he was scheduled to play before the The Electric Daisy Carnival Experience movie premiere. That's what "Me" plus "Big Speakers" equals "Block Party" refers to. The "Kaskade" spin was a free, open-air event that was on the books.
If it sounds like a lot of people were on the California streets, the inside of Grauman's Chinese Theater provides some perspective: Reportedly, an estimate of about 2,000 invited attendees were inside Grauman's Chinese Theater to watch "The Electric Daisy Carnival Experience", the movie premiere of the film documentary following the famous rave event. Roughly 800 to 1,000 were reportedly outside of the theater -- less than half the number inside the theater.
Another tweet followed the first from DJ "Kaskade" as the Hollywood party began: Five hours after the first tweet, in a 7:30 p.m. real-time update, the disc jockey told fans: “News choppers overhead. The man trying to shut us down. Hang on I am coming!!! This is crazy.” He didn't make it for long. Shortly after the disc jockey began playing, cops and fire officials showed up to shut things down.
Alert: Someone pays attention to Twitter. And it's not just fans.
Police say too many people had shown up at the Hollywood, California, location -- streets which were pretty full, with jovial people. But when cops arrived, that arrival was in force. And not jovial. With exception of a small scuffle, that appeared to be more of a harmless and slow-motion wrestling match, video footage of the Electric Daisy movie event shows a general peacefulness -- along with the occasional shouts of glee. "Block party" was a common cry among party-goers on video shots of the scene. That was before California police officers in riot gear arrived to the Grauman's Theater location. The violence seems to have started only after police arrived. What a strange coincidence.
According to one "Kaskade" fan, Elvin Romero -- who heard about the event via Facebook not Twitter: "There were just people chilling in the street. It all just got out of hand. Police tried to clear them [fans] out and that's when the trouble happened."
DJ "Kaskade" had sent out a tweet to fans near 7:00 to 7:30 p.m.: "Everybody CHILL OUT!!! The [Los Angeles Police Department] cops are freaking out. BE SAFE AND LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!"
If LAPD cops are going to blame the DJ for any part in the event that seems to have been ramped up by the presence of law enforcement dressed for a fight, then the Los Angeles Police Department should equally be crediting "Kaskade" for ending what the agency and media have dubbed an L.A. "riot" -- since the disc jockey sent out a third tweet telling everyone to go home. Fair's fair: If cops are going to blame "Kaskade", they need to credit the DJ for the Twitter message that read: “EVERYONE NEEDS TO GO HOME NOW! I DON'T WANT THIS TO REFLECT BADLY ON EDM OR WHAT WE ARE ABOUT. BE RESPECTFUL AND CHILL OUT!!!”
The "Kaskade" music event reportedly held a permit issued by the L.A. Fire Department, so the DJ could spin a free show for fans before the "Electric Daisy Carnival Experience" movie premiere began. That issued permit for Ryan Raddon included closing off one lane of traffic on the street and accommodation of a flatbed truck with large speakers. The DJ had planned to spin a few songs for fans. Technically the Los Angeles Fire Department had planned on 30 minutes in an issued permit for Raddon to play his music on Hollywood Boulevard "with amplified music on the back of a flat bed truck," says the L.A. permit.
While LAPD blames DJ "Kascade" for problems at the "Electric Daisy Carnival Experience" movie premiere location -- rather than blaming any problems on riot gear or police attitude -- there doesn't seem to be an ounce of proof that supports that theory. Yes, the DJ sent out a tweet. Yes, the event was promoted. Those are both standard for any event. While the media cites the disc jockey's got 90,000 Twitter followers, just 800-1,000 people were estimated to be outside Grauman's at the spin event. And nothing went awry, or contained true violence, until the Los Angeles Police Department showed. Officers weren't just dressed in riot gear but wearing shields and wielding batons and weapons, and throwing stuff.
Yeah, a couple of drunken fools made half-hearted attempts to throw things back after riot police continued to stalk them -- and push the crowd. Strangely, it appeared to be more in good humor than anger. And it's awfully good there were no contact 'hits' -- or some fools would've been stuck with assault charges, arrest and an evening in jail. But LAPD, meanwhile, was launching bean bags into what had once been a happy crowd outside of Grauman's in Hollywood.
Nothing spells potential problem like law enforcement being dressed for battle, and carrying an attitude that matches. As law enforcement knows, violence incites violence. And yet, through it all, the only serious assaults happened to involve cars. Of course it's no accident that those casualties were police cars.
If the July 27 Electric Daisy Carnival Experience event location consitutes a "riot" to Los Angeles law enforcement, perhaps the agency needs to visit another country -- to truly learn the definition of the term. The general definition of "riot" is 'a violent disturbance of the peace'. If Los Angeles police prefer that definition, it seems the event could technically have been dubbed a "riot" -- once law enforcement became involved. Perhaps LAPD instead prefers the archaic definition of "riot": 'unrestrained revelry". Those damned revelers.
LAPD law enforcement claims response to hundreds of people who had gathered near Hollywood and Highland in Los Angeles, California. For some inexplicable reason, it seems it didn't make sense to the LAPD agency to send out regular officers -- with guns and batons on their hips. Guns seem to work well, even the sight of them. Police didn't bother to disperse the crowd in a more mild-mannered way that could have been very effective.
Apparently the law enforcemen agency doesn't believe that regular cops with guns are enough to rid those nasty streets of people wandering around with coffee cups and guitars strapped to their backs. No, instead it was apparently a fantastic idea to send in swarms of police cars, helicopters and cops in riot gear -- enough to cause the average person heart palpitations. And enough to cause the more feisty to respond in like.
As to one movie's producer: Well, he was a little ticked. It seems he kind of missed the event. Insomniac Events' Pasquale Rotella, the guy whose promotion company puts on the annual electronic music festival, apparently got barred by LAPD's street closure -- causing him to miss the premiere of "Electric Daisy Carnival Experience", the film he produced.
Police officers who were dressed in full riot gear even decided to begin lobbing non-lethal bean bags at the crowd's attendees. Because that was necessary. It is better than the other problem that's been plaguing the city -- of cops launching gun shots at people within close range. It could've been worse. And it could've been a lot better.
While Los Angeles police officers shut down Hollywood Boulevard in the most dramatic fashion -- sending dozens of patrol cars rolling into the area, with lights flashing, apparently LAPD thought it necessary to calm things down even more and burn through a little of that taxpayer money: the L.A. police department even sent out helicopters, shining search lights. Because that was really necessary.
Yes, fans did eventually begin throwing bottles and objects outside Electric Daisy Carnival Experience location. Surprising? Not exactly. People don't usually react well to feeling ganged up on -- particularly in a show of force, in an unpredictable situation, where the cause of law enforcement's actions aren't easily explainable. Or maybe they are.
The real key: Nothing says 'stay outta our city' like hittin' 'em where it hurts -- a.k.a., the pocketbook. Los Angeles officials say they're considering criminal or civil actions -- yes, a lawsuit -- against the entity or entities behind the Electric Daisy Carnival event on July 27, 2011. According to John Franklin at the Los Angeles city's office: "Our personnel are working in conjunction with LAPD to investigate this incident. Once we receive the files and review everything we will make a determination about whether there was any criminal behavior." Things may be about to get very expensive for event promoter 'Insomniac' or DJ "Kaskade", known in the real world as Ryan Raddon.
Los Angeles city officials claim the city is tallying the costs of police responding to the July 27 event outside of Grauman's Theater -- along with any financial hit related to property destruction. On the upside for 'Insomniac' and DJ "Kaskade", that property damage may be limited to just three police cars -- unless the damages tally ends up including infamous costs like 'curb' damages charged by some cities, a fee that can add up quickly. On the downside for the event's organizer and participant, the police force cost alone could be significant. Aside from the California officers involved, the "Electric Daisy Carnival Experience" movie premiere and associated DJ event garnered itself a police force from above also: Helicopters rank among some of the most expensive costs associated with billed police incidents.
Among the worst things that happened at the July 27 Electric Daisy Carnival Experience event: Several people jumped on a squad car. There had been alleged reports of an LAPD squad car on fire. Gee, who started that rumor? After the fact the police agency says it can't confirm reports of any squad car set ablaze. It might just be easier to say it didn't happen. But then that kind of comes closer to saying 'we lied'. Let's just say it was the media. The media's always a good and easy target. It must have messed up that 'report'.
The Electric Daisy Carnival movie event's organizers, a company called 'Insomniac', have issued public statement. The company is apparently "disappointed that a small group of people would try to mar a private documentary screening." It's hard to say who that "small group of people" who "would try to mar a private documentary screening" may be -- or how "small" one might consider LAPD.
It seems LAPD was very effective in its attempts to thwart any Electric Daisy Carnival event, in what seems to be the memory of an elephant after a teenager died at an Electric Daisy rave in 2010. The city wanted the event booted -- and it would seem the City of Los Angeles doesn't want even a movie premiere linked to the raves that cross the nation. Police in riot gear meant that even the official after-party got canceled.
'Supperclub LA', slated to host the after-party for the Electric Daisy Carnival Experience movie premiere, had to cancel out and even asked people not to show. It was the courteous thing to do. It's better than having your attendees arrested. Visions of LAPD must've been dancing in the venue's head. The Electric Daisy Carnival rave featuring electronic music has been an ongoing event across the country for over a decade and a half. In fact L.A. was its prime scene, the annual rave a longtime event held in Los Angeles until the city insisted on closing down Electric Daisy in 2010 after a 15-year-old girl died in L.A. at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. After a moratorium issued by Los Angeles, the rave moved its main event to Las Vegas this year.
Los Angeles city seems to be clear: It doesn't want anything to do with the Electric Daisy Carnival or its movie "Experience". Even if that means making a "riot" out of it.
Was it a riot that occurred in Hollywood? Perhaps numbers speak most clearly: Three arrests, in total, were made July 27. Those included three felonies: Felony Vandalism -- each related to damaged cop cars. People injured: Zero. Police assaults: None. Dozens of people detained by LAPD: Priceless. Detained citizens are crucial, since you can't even begin to have a "riot" without making people worry they might be arrested.
And if anyone doesn't believe 'Big Brother' is watching, LAPD has announced it plans to use surveillance video to "identify rioters". Simultaneously, that definition of "rioting" seems to be a little loose. Other than just two people arrested for vandalism, it remains unclear where the huge amount of those rioters were. But it seems gunning for more arrests makes things seem a bit more legitimate: KNX 1070 issued its own July 27 tweet, warning attendees of police plans: "Just reported live on KNX from Hollywood & Highland - LAPD using surveillance video to identify rioters".
The Los Angeles "riot" scenario doesn't seem to have been quite the emergency situation the city portrayed on July 27: Oddly, city L.A. employees seemed highly-informed of what was introduced to the general public as sudden chaos. For those who didn't know what was truly happening, cops dressed in riot gear and storming the location where a DJ was spinning and a movie premiere slated to happen, the presentation of angry officers created the appearance of an entire city in an uproar. But, interestingly, public transportation magically remained unaffected. Public transportation including the Metro closed its Hollywood and Highland Red Line station until roughly9:30 to 10 p.m., public transport re-routing buses around what Los Angeles police dubbed a "riot scene". Delayed buses? If it happened, there's no widely-issued report of it.
It seems Los Angeles city employees had some incredibly good communication on the fly. Or city agencies some really fantastic internal communication -- in advance.
It's a good thing that Los Angeles-area "riot" wasn't actually serious. It doesn't typically help maintain calm, or create a fast return to peace, to have no public transportation available -- making it virtually impossible for people to vacate an area while cops dressed in riot gear only cause panic to mount.
The movie premiere of "Electric Daisy Carnival Experience" in Hollywood and its electronic music was slated for its private July 27 opening, the movie then set to criss-cross the nation in a “cinematic tour de force" August 4, 2011. Los Angeles pretty much killed the kick-off for the film featuring work by Deadmau5, Kaskade and Will.I.Am. Way to go, L.A.(P.D.)
DJ "Kaskade" has already provided the perfect distraction for any question in what happened July 27 at the Electric Daisy Carnival Experience premiere and music event. Now it seems "Kaskade" is going to prove effective, yet again: There's rumors the Los Angeles Police Department may have plans to bill the DJ for all that 'necessary' force. If that includes billing for the helicopters and fuel that were so needed -- after all, those searchlights could have meant the difference between another damaged police car) -- that bill to Kaskade could be hefty. Perhaps billing for the event is just LAPD's way of saying 'thank you' for any deflection from the force, or question as to why police officers dressed in riot gear and throwing bean bags were deployed into a peaceful crowd.
After one "riot", it seems LAPD is ramping up for another potential one: Lady Gaga is set to perform a free concert in Los Angeles just one day after the Electric Daisy Carnival Experience premier -- with the artist scheduled to perform July 28 to coincide with her Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearance. Already there's talk of potential Los Angeles Police Department reaction -- and a second, possible "riot" related to the Lady Gaga concert.
If there's a Electric Daisy Carnival Experience II movie premiere, something says it's going to be in New York. And possibly have some new footage -- involving a Chinese theater.