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SoCal Ravers Ring In The New Year In OMFG! Fashion

Tanaya Ghosh |
January 3, 2013 | 9:49 p.m. PST

Arts & Culture Editor

Views of the arena on New Year's Eve (Tanaya Ghosh / Instagram)
Views of the arena on New Year's Eve (Tanaya Ghosh / Instagram)
Thanks to LED Presents OMFG! NYE, the last memories of 2012 and the first memories of 2013 were shared with the thousands of other ravers inside the enormous Valley View Casino Center in San Diego.

On the second of a two-night lineup of events, LED pulled out all the stops in celebration of the new year.

Upon entry to the New Year's Eve massive, in which the lines fortunately moved quicker than most events, the first large group of lucky ravers got free color-changing glowsticks. As soon as they entered the arena, it was evident why LED gave out free swag. The effect of the bright glowsticks in the pulsing crowd was a spectacular sight and added to the ambiance for 7 hours of raging, as the event went until 4 a.m.

TJR, Clockwork, Baauer, Dillon Francis, Zedd, Hardwell and Laidback Luke performed hour-long sets, in that order. All artists impressed to some degree in various ways with their different styles, and TJR's "Ode To Oi" was one of the highlight tracks of the night.

The crowd also responded to throwback as well as currently popular hip hop songs that were randomly thrown into sets, such as Kanye West's "Mercy" and French Montana's "Pop That," as well as popular EDM tracks like DJ Funk's "Booty Bounce," Swedish House Mafia's "Don't You Worry Child," Calvin Harris & Kelis' "Bounce," Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl's "In My Mind," and Laidback Luke & Steve Aoki's "Turbulence."

In addition to the glowsticks, the actual production of the event was impressive, too, and added to the mood of excitement and anticipation for the new year. From the elaborate and impactful lighting to the LED displays and lasers, everything worked in coordination to the music and the event was a full sensory experience.

Hardwell plays live after midnight (Tanaya Ghosh)
Hardwell plays live after midnight (Tanaya Ghosh)
Since lights were allowed into the venue, there were LED gloves, orbits, hula hoops and more to add to the interactiveness of the experience. Lightshows abounded and the stadium was full of bright colors and heavy sounds.

The venue itself was perfect for the event, as it was spacious with easy access to bleacher seating, restrooms, water and concessions.

Other New Year's Eve massives included White Wonderland, as Neon Tommy covered last year.

If this year's massive in San Diego was any indication of how 2013 will be, it is hopeful that we'll have a bright, happy and exciting year ahead.

Read more of NT's show reviews here.

Reach Tanaya Ghosh here or follow her on Twitter.



 

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