Beck Starr/FilmMagicThey were yelling, battling cops, lying in the street—you'd think this crowd was protesting war or bleeding for a major cause.
Instead, the mob was assembled near Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles last night to celebrate the premiere of Electric Daisy Carnival Experience, a documentary about a techno music festival. The impromptu party began after one musician in the film tweeted that loyal Electric Daisy Carnival fans should gather in the streets for a "block party" in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, but the LAPD quickly showed up in riot gear to shut it down.
Why all this insanity over a music festival documentary?
1. First, What Is This Thing? Electric Daisy Carnival is an annual techno music festival, where tens of thousands enjoy live music, DJs on multiple stages, pyrotechnic shows, rides and acrobats. Usually held on the last weekend in June in Southern California, this year the three-day fest moved to Vegas. There is an 18 and over requirement to attend the rave, which has featured acts like Kaskade, Basement Jaxx, Steve Aoki and Armin Van Buuren. VIP tickets cost $500.
2. Paris Hilton Calls for Peace in the Streets, Says Film Is "Huge": The reality star attended last night's premiere where the riot went down, and took to Twitter to chronicle the chaos. "Omg! What's going on on Hollywood Blvd? Trying to get to EDC Movie Premiere. The cops are blocking the streets and saying there is a riot," she wrote.
She soon retweeted a tweet from DJ Kaskade, saying: "EVERYONE CHILL NOW!!! The block party has officially been shut down! BUT THIS IS TOO CRAZY AND WE NEED TO BE SAFE!"
But Paris quickly got back into the party groove, later tweeting: "Loved the EDC movie! danced in my seat throughout the whole film. Such amazing music! House music is taking over! Loves it! Huge! :)"
3. What Is the EDC Experience Actually About? Aside from what you can see in the trailer—the lights, the crowds, the music—the film documents the 2010 EDC festival, held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Exposition Park. Then in its 14th year, the event drew nearly 200,000 people, including will.i.am and Lil Jon. EDC Experience was helmed by music video director Kevin Kerslake and features interviews with festival DJs and a touching tribute to DJ AM.
4. Deaths and Injuries at the EDC: At the 2010 dance fest, more than 100 people were admitted to the hospital for injuries, per the Los Angeles Times, and a 15-year-old girl died of an ecstasy overdose. The Dallas version of the event this year was shut down after a 19-year-old boy died and nearly two dozen others in the crowd suffered medical emergencies.
5. Party All Night: The official hours for the Electric Daisy Carnival are 8 p.m. until sunrise every night. The crowd comprises mostly '90s-era warehouse ravers, armed with glow sticks and whatever else they need to have a good time and stay awake.