Look Inside the First-Ever EDSea Festival, a Shipload of Beats and Bass

EDSea, 1. Everyone else, 0.

The EDM community was feeling nauti over the weekend at EDSea, Insomniac’s new floating festival. Taking over the leviathan Norwegian Joy cruise ship, the nautical event entered uncharted waters on November 4th after setting sail for its maiden voyage, a sold-out affair.

By day, the ship was a full-blown adult playground with waterslides, pool floaties and themed cocktails. And by night, it mutated into a preternatural rave.

*Insomniac Events’ inaugural EDSea festival aboard the Norwegian Joy.*

Keiki-Lani Knudsen

*Insomniac Events’ inaugural EDSea festival aboard the Norwegian Joy.*

Demian Becerra

This was not your average cruise. Serene seascapes and whispering waters were replaced by no-holds-barred beats, which quite literally rocked the boat. EDSea transformed the Joy’s 15 decks into maritime mayhem.

Situated on the ship’s central pool deck, the festival’s mainstage, Kinetic Ocean, was the epicenter of it all. Inspired by EDC’s beloved kineticFIELD, the stage featured high-flying performances from Afrojack, DJ Snake and many other elite DJs.

EDM.com Class of 2022 star Ray Volpe threw down one of the weekend’s most memorable sets, tearing up Kinetic Ocean with his deep arsenal of bangers.

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The Black Tiger Sex Machine trio also showed out with their blistering DJ set, a centrifuge of rave energy. They brought the whirling ferocity of a turbulent seastorm to their performance at Kinetic Ocean, where fans formed a “rowing pit.”

Other stages included the techno-focused Neon Splash, the multi-genre Pearl and the pulsating Cosmic Coral, the lattermost of which was nestled within the Joy’s Manhattan Dining Room and considered EDSea’s main indoor club.

It was tough not to find camaraderie at every turn. Wherever you went, you were met a warm hug from someone who’d unapologetically committed to one of the festival’s daily wardrobe themes, like “Vice in Paradise,” “Baewatch” or “Ravers of the Caribbean.”

Meanwhile, a respite could be found inside at the whimsical “Kandi Casino,” where you could catch a DJ set, gamble and test your luck at various games. The same could be said of the “Deep Dive Disco,” which repurposed the Q’s Smokehouse restaurant into a neon-swathed haven for disco enthusiasts.

*The “Kandi Casino” at Insomniac Events’ inaugural EDSea festival aboard the Norwegian Joy.*

Demian Becerra

*The “Deep Dive Disco” at Insomniac Events’ inaugural EDSea festival aboard the Norwegian Joy.*

Demian Becerra

EDSea’s sophomore sail has already been confirmed for November 2-6, 2024. The floating festival will dock in Bimini, a chain of islands in the Bahamas.

Everyone who purchased tickets to the inaugural EDSea will have the first opportunity to secure a pass for next year’s fest, according to Insomniac founder and CEO Pasquale Rotella.

“The ENERGY, MUSIC, ART, & most importantly, the beautiful SOULS that filled EDSea created a truly one-of-a-kind experience,” Rotella wrote in an Instagram post. “Your PASSION & POSITIVITY illuminated every corner of the ship, turning it into a floating paradise of LOVE & UNITY. Having the chance to hang out & share intimate moments with both artists & Headliners made every second uniquely SPECIAL.”

You can purchase tickets to EDSea 2024 and find out more here.