The r/electricdaisycarnival subreddit has been lighting up with passionate debate over the Illenium Circuit Grounds stage transformation since its unforgettable design debut in 2019. Fans recall clips from that era featuring legendary sets like Eric Prydz seamlessly flowing into Above & Beyond, praising the stage’s immersive 360-degree LED walls and intimate atmosphere. Users like Rmicheal1717 and _carbonneutral describe those shows as transcendent, enhanced by fireworks that felt personal.
Yet the current Circuit Grounds setup has drawn defense from some corners. ORNGTSLA calls the newer design “more open” and better at preventing bottlenecks, while Both_Examination6720 suggests Insomniac is intentionally standardizing their production footprint, focusing Kinetic Field as the premier main stage. This strategy inevitably means sacrificing some of Circuit Grounds’ unique charm.
The consensus? Most fans miss the iconic, enveloping vibe of the 2017–2019 design, but understand the logistical reasoning behind the newer configuration. The shift has sparked a larger conversation about balancing immersive fan experiences with operational needs in massive festival environments.
Notable context from the fact-check:
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In 2019, Circuit Grounds featured an unparalleled immersive design with LED walls surrounding the crowd and pyrotechnics, creating a distinctive and intimate festival experience. (iedm.com)
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By 2024, the stage’s LED coverage had noticeably receded, and the area felt less immersive, sparking mixed reactions about the tradeoffs between spectacle and crowd management. (edmmaniac.com)
This Reddit thread captures the tension between fan-favorite immersive experiences and the practical realities of evolving festival production design. For circuits as massive as EDC, it’s clear that no stage setup can please everyone — but the glow of those 2019 Illenium Circuit Grounds memories still burns bright.
Source: r/electricdaisycarnival
