Insomniac (promoter)
{{short description|American electronic music event promoter}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Insomniac
| logo = Insomniac black.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| type = Private
| traded_as =
| predecessor =
| foundation = 1993
| defunct =
| location_city = Beverly Hills
| location_country = United States
| key_people = Pasquale Rotella (founder)
| industry = Event promoter, electronic music
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner =
| num_employees =
| parent =
| divisions = Insomniac Records, Insomniac Radio,[https://www.siriusxm.com/insomniacradio Insomniac Radio] Bassrush, Basscon,[https://www.bassconmassive.com/ Basscon] Dreamstate, Hard (music festival), Audiotistic Music Festival, Factory 93[https://www.thefactory93.com/ Factory 93]
| subsid = Club Glow{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/insomniac-buys-club-glow-washington-dc-echostage-soundstage/ |title=Insomniac Buys Club Glow, Washington D.C.’s Echostage and Soundcheck |website=Billboard |date=2020-12-22 |access-date=2025-01-03}}
| homepage = [http://www.insomniac.com/ Insomniac.com]
}}
Insomniac (formerly Insomniac Events) is an American electronic music event promoter and music distributor. Founded by Pasquale Rotella, it is the organizer of various music festivals, including its flagship electronic music festival Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) in Las Vegas.
Alongside EDC, Insomniac runs the electronic music events Beyond Wonderland and Nocturnal Wonderland, as well as drum and bass and dubstep-oriented events under the brand Bassrush, hardstyle events under the brand Basscon, and trance events under the brand Dreamstate. The company also owns a stake in the Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival.
Insomniac is also involved in the operation of nightclubs across major regions. The company manages three Los Angeles venues—Create (in partnership with SBE), Exchange L.A.,{{cite web|title=Insomniac and SBE announce new Hollywood EDM club Create|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-xpm-2013-may-07-la-et-ms-insomniac-and-sbe-announce-new-hollywood-edm-club-create-20130506-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=20 July 2013}}{{cite web|title=Insomniac works to keep Exchange L.A. up all weekend|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2012-sep-07-la-et-insomniac-exchangela-20120907-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=20 July 2013}} and the underground warehouse Factory 93.{{cite web|title=Insomniac Launches New Underground Brand, Factory 93 With Debut Warehouse Show in Downtown Los Angeles|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/insomniac-launches-new-underground-brand-factory-93-with-debut-warehouse-show-in-downtown-los-angeles-300247345.html|work=prnewswire.com|access-date=8 April 2016}} In 2019, it acquired Miami's Club Space, and in 2020, Washington, D.C.'s Echostage and Soundcheck nightclubs, along with their operator Club Glow, which also oversees Project GLOW Festival and Moonrise Music Festival.{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Dave |date=2020-10-30 |title=Insomniac Buys DC’s Club Glow, Including Echostage & Soundcheck Venues: Exclusive |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/insomniac-buys-club-glow-washington-dc-echostage-soundstage/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}
In 2014, Insomniac introduced a co-branded EDM record label known as Insomniac Records, initially in partnership with Interscope Geffen A&M. In 2018, Insomniac took its A&R and distribution operations in-house as Insomniac Music Group .
Overview and partnerships
Insomniac has been described as placing a larger emphasis on fan experiences over profits and ticket sales,{{cite web|title=Afrojack, Illenium And Insomniac's Pasquale Rotella Talk EDC And EDM In 2018|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2018/05/18/afrojack-illenium-and-insomniacs-pasquale-rotella-talk-edc-and-edm-in-2018/#52c3c9fc48ef|access-date=September 10, 2018|work=Forbes}}{{cite web|title=Live Nation Teams With Insomniac Events in 'Creative Partnership'|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/branding/1567396/live-nation-teams-with-insomniac-events-in-creative-partnership|access-date=20 July 2013|work=Billboard.biz}} with Rotella having argued that music festivals did not require "big acts who sell out arenas" (going as far as to praising Burning Man for being an "event by the people for the people" where "the organizers just provide an open space" and "people go all out").{{cite web|title=From Molly to Moon Tribes: Inside Electric Daisy Carnival's New #Vanlife Era|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/from-molly-to-moon-tribes-inside-electric-daisy-carnivals-new-vanlife-era-196160/|access-date=August 31, 2018|work=RollingStone.com}}
In June 2013, Insomniac announced a number of partnerships, including one with Dick Clark Productions to produce a dance music awards show, and a "creative partnership" with Live Nation that would give Insomniac access to Live Nation's resources, while leaving them creative control over their events. While specifics of the deal were not revealed, Rotella emphasized the deal was not an acquisition.{{cite web|title=Electric Daisy Chain: Insomniac and Dick Clark Prod. Plan 2014 EDM Awards|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/06/electric-daisy-carnival-insomniac-dick-clark-productions-edm-awards-2014/|work=Spin|access-date=20 July 2013}}{{cite magazine|title=Live Nation to Purchase 50% Stake in Insomniac Events (Report)|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1560545/live-nation-to-purchase-50-stake-in-insomniac-events-report|magazine=Billboard Magazine|access-date=24 September 2013}}
In August 2015, Rotella announced his new radio show, Night Owl Radio, on SiriusXM's Electric Area.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/6678395/insomniacs-pasquale-rotella-launches-night-owl-radio-on-sirius-xm|title=Insomniac's Pasquale Rotella Launches Night Owl Radio on Sirius XM|magazine=Billboard Magazine|access-date=2019-11-07}} Electric Area was later replaced by Diplo's Revolution in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2018/03/sirius-xm-listeners-happy-replacement-electric-area-channel/|title=Sirius XM listeners not happy with replacement of Electric Area|date=2018-03-31|website=Dancing Astronaut|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-07}} In the summer of 2018, Insomniac Radio launched on SiriusXM.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/177165/insomniac-radio-debuts-on-siriusxm|title=Insomniac Radio Debuts On SiriusXM|website=All Access|language=en|access-date=2019-11-07}} In May 2019, Insomniac partnered with Dash Radio as its flagship station.{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/186481/dash-radio-announces-new-partnership-with-insomnia|title=Dash Radio Announces New Partnership With Insomniac Radio|website=All Access|language=en|access-date=2019-11-07}} In June 2019, Insomniac acquired a controlling stake in Soundslinger, LLC, the organizer of the Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival. The event returned from a one-year hiatus in 2020 with a revamped production, carrying artistic aspects of other Insomniac festivals.{{Cite magazine|title=Meet the Billionaire DJ Who's Reviving Okeechobee Fest With Insomniac|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/touring/8527931/okeechobee-festival-return-julio-mario-santo-domingo-soundslinger-insomniac/|access-date=2021-02-28|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Hilberath|first=Franz|title=Everything We Loved About the Reincarnation of Okeechobee Music Festival|url=https://edm.com/events/okeechobee-music-arts-festival-2020-review|access-date=2021-02-28|website=EDM.com|language=en}} In July 2019, Insomniac acquired a majority stake in Miami's Club Space nightclub.{{Cite web |last=Cameron |first=John |title=Insomniac is Now the Majority Owner of Club Space Miami |url=https://edm.com/news/insomniac-owner-club-space |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists |language=en}}
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic (which resulted in the postponement of all of its in-person festivals), Insomniac began to stream a rotation of sets from previous editions of its festivals on its YouTube and Twitch channels under the "Insomniac Rewind" banner, and live "virtual" festivals.{{Cite web|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2020/03/insomniac-uploads-full-set-of-vintage-beyond-wonderland-sets-from-virtual-rave-a-thon/|title=Insomniac uploads full set of vintage Beyond Wonderland sets from 'Virtual Rave-a-thon'|date=2020-03-22|website=Dancing Astronaut|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/9339788/dance-music-live-streams-this-weekend|title=Dance Music Live Streams Getting Fists Pumping This Weekend|date=2020-03-20|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-04-05}}{{Cite web|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2020/03/insomniac-reveals-upcoming-countdown-rave-a-thon-lineup-for-another-virtual-festival-weekend/|title=Insomniac reveals upcoming Countdown Rave-A-Thon lineup for another virtual festival weekend|date=2020-03-26|website=Dancing Astronaut|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}{{Cite web|date=2020-04-02|title=HARD Summer goes digital with Rave-A-Thon livestream|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2020/04/hard-summer-goes-digital-with-rave-a-thon-livestream/|access-date=2020-04-05|website=Dancing Astronaut|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Heffler|first=Jason|title=Insomniac Announces In-Person 2020 Halloween Event|url=https://edm.com/events/insomniac-announces-in-person-2020-halloween-event|access-date=2021-02-28|website=EDM.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Moyer|first=Matthew|title=New Orlando venue Vanguard to debut on Halloween weekend with 2-night outdoor show|url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2020/10/28/new-orlando-venue-vanguard-to-debut-on-halloween-weekend-with-2-night-outdoor-show|access-date=2021-02-28|website=Orlando Weekly|language=en}} In late-2020, Insomniac began a residency of drive-in "Park 'N Rave" concerts at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino,{{Cite web|date=2020-11-24|title=NOS Events Center to host Deadmau5 for New Year's drive-in concerts|url=https://www.sbsun.com/2020/11/23/nos-events-center-to-host-deadmau5-for-new-years-drive-in-concerts|access-date=2020-12-20|website=San Bernardino Sun|language=en-US}} and announced a "drive-through audiovisual experience" event known as the "Electric Mile" at Santa Anita Park—featuring installations separated into "worlds" inspired by its main festival brands.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-05|title=Insomniac details new socially distanced audiovisual experience, 'Electric Mile'|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2020/12/insomniac-details-new-socially-distanced-audiovisual-experience-electric-mile/|access-date=2020-12-20|website=Dancing Astronaut|language=en-US}}
In February 2021, Insomniac announced a number of new brands, including Lost in Dreams—a record label and upcoming festival that will focus upon future bass and melodic dubstep, and a bass music event at The Vanguard known as Abduction.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-24|title=Insomniac caters to future bass and melodic dubstep enthusiasts with launch of Lost In Dreams|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2021/02/insomniac-caters-to-future-bass-and-melodic-dubstep-enthusiasts-with-launch-of-lost-in-dreams/|access-date=2021-02-28|website=Dancing Astronaut|language=en-US}}
In March 2022, Insomniac announced a partnership with Unity Technologies to develop a "persistent" online world for virtual concerts.{{Cite web |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=2022-03-11 |title=3D tech platform Unity announces partnership with rave events company Insomniac |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/3d-tech-platform-unity-announces-partnership-with-rave-events-company-insomniac-3180646 |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}{{Cite magazine |last=Bain |first=Katie |date=March 11, 2022 |title=Insomniac to Create Dance-Music Metaverse World Via New Partnership |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/insomniac-to-create-dance-music-metaverse-world-via-new-partnership/ |access-date=March 12, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}}
Insomniac Music Group
{{Infobox record label
| name = Insomniac Records
| image_name =
| image_size =
| image_bg =
| parent =
| founded = {{Start date|2014}}
| founder = Pasquale Rotella
| status = Active
| distributor =
| genre = Electronic dance music
| country = United States
| location =
| url = {{URL|insomniacrecords.com}}
}}
In May 2014, Insomniac announced the formation of Insomniac Records, an EDM record label created in partnership with Interscope Geffen A&M. The label aimed to attract both "undiscovered" and "established" producers. Arty was announced as the first artist to be signed to the label. Other artists such as Bingo Players and Chris Lake were also signed.{{cite web|title=Pasquale Rotella's Insomniac & Interscope Geffen A&M Launch New Imprint (Exclusive)|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/record-labels/6084826/pasquale-rotellas-insomniac-interscope-geffen-am-launch-new|work=Billboard.biz|access-date=27 May 2014}}
In December 2018, Insomniac announced the formation of Insomniac Music Group, which provides A&R and distribution services for its in-house imprints (which includes brand extensions of some of its festivals) and other electronic music labels. Alongside Insomniac Records, its imprints include:
- Basscon Records
- Bassrush Records
- Discovery Project
- Dreamstate Records
- Gud Vibrations
- HARD Recordings
- In / Rotation
- Lost in Dreams
- What To Do{{Cite web|date=2018-12-07|title=Insomniac Launches a Label Services Group - Introducing Insomniac Music Group|url=https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/12/07/insomniac-music-group/|access-date=2021-02-28|website=Digital Music News|language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine|title=Insomniac Launches Music Group to Offer Distribution, Label Management: Exclusive|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8487775/insomniac-music-group-label-service/|access-date=2021-02-28|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Gilmore|first=Grant|date=2020-08-12|title=Insomniac Records Partners with CTM for Worldwide Publishing|url=https://edmidentity.com/2020/08/12/insomniac-records-partners-ctm-publishing/|access-date=2021-02-28|website=EDM Identity|language=en-US}}
Events
- Apocalypse: Zombieland [https://www.apocalypsefest.com/]
- Audiotistic Music Festival
- Beyond Wonderland
- Boo Seattle [https://seattle.boo-halloween.com/]
- Countdown New Year’s Eve [https://countdownnye.com/ Countdown]
- Daytrip https://www.daytripfest.com/#
- Dreamstate [https://www.dreamstateusa.com/ Dreamstate]
- Electric Daisy Carnival (Las Vegas, Mexico, Orlando, and Portugal. UK, India, Puerto Rico, and Brazil discontinued)
- Electric Forest (Partial: collabration with Madison House under Anschutz Entertainment Group)
- Escape Halloween (formerly Escape From Wonderland)
- Forbidden Kingdom [https://www.forbiddenkingdomfestival.com/ Forbidden Kingdom]
- Hard
- EDSea [https://www.edsea.com/ EDSea]
- Nocturnal Wonderland (The First Insomniac public event; the longest running festival brand){{Cite web |title=How It All Began – Insomniac |url=https://www.insomniac.com/who-we-are/how-it-all-began/ |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=www.insomniac.com |language=en-US}}
- Project GLOW{{cite news |last1=Hereford |first1=André |title=Project GLOW's Secret Garden of Dance |url=https://www.metroweekly.com/2023/04/project-glows-secret-garden-of-dance/ |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=Metro Weekly |date=25 April 2023}}
= Inactive =
- Bay Nites [https://www.insomniac.com/events/bay-nites-2018-03-31-san-francisco-ca/ Bay Nites]
- Crush (Southern California, San Francisco, Phoenix, Dallas) [http://crush.insomniac.com/ Crush]
- Together as One
- White Wonderland
- Middlelands [http://www.middlelands.com/ Middlelands]
- Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival
- We Are NRG [https://www.insomniac.com/events/our-world/we-are-nrg/ We Are NRG]
- Holy Ship![https://holyship.com/ Holy Ship!]
- Project Z [http://www.projectzfest.com/ Project Z]
Related media
- Electric Daisy Carnival (2000 album){{cite web|title=Electric Daisy Carnival|url=https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Daisy-Carnival-Various-Artists/dp/B00004YR63|website=Amazaon|publisher=Amazon|access-date=20 February 2016}}
- Electric Daisy Carnival, Vol. 1 (2010 album){{cite web|title=Electric Daisy Carnival, Vol. 1 (Mixed by Kaskade)|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/electric-daisy-carnival-vol./id377440545|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122115224/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/electric-daisy-carnival-vol./id377440545|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 22, 2011|website=iTunes|publisher=Apple|access-date=20 February 2016}}
- Electric Daisy Carnival Experience (2011 film){{cite web|title=Electric Daisy Carnival Experience|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1961295/|website=IMDB|access-date=20 February 2016}}
- "Under the Electric Sky" (2013 film){{cite web|title=Under the Electric Sky (2014)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2966934/|website=IMDB|access-date=20 February 2016}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Insomniac Events}}
- {{Official website|http://www.insomniac.com}}
- [http://www.insomniacrecords.com/ Insomniac Records website]
{{Insomniac Events Concerts and Festivals}}
{{Electronic music festival}}
Category:Event management companies of the United States