There are a few official electronic music museums in the world, but one of the most expansive collections of dance culture paraphernalia must be in Pasquale Rotella‘s office.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
The sprawling space within the chic Insomniac Events office in Calabasas, Calif. is a trove of art books and vinyl, stacks of rave flyers, clothing, a whole area that appears to be just toys. “Look at this,” Rotella tells me, excitedly holding out a Techno Viking action figure still in its packaging. He’s got framed pages of ’90s scene bible URB Magazine. A collection of posters leaning against the wall ready to hang include a vintage ad for rave wear brand Clobber. There’s a shelf of gifts fans have given him over the years. He shows me a vinyl record on which a woman affixed a long letter, written in childlike bubble handwriting, about how Insomniac shows changed her life. She adorned this vinyl with dozens of flower petals made of construction paper and glitter, and when one fell off recently, Rotella glued it back on himself.
In total, the space gives equal parts Willy Wonka and Walt Disney if they were into techno. Both are figures Rotella has long said he relates to and in ways aspires to be. Arguably the greatest manifestation of this vision is happening days from now, when the 30th edition of Insomniac’s flagship event, EDC Las Vegas, returns to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Last year Insomniac reported that EDC 2026 sold out 24 hours after going on sale, and this weekend the fest will welcome (according to the company), roughly 200,000 people a day, putting it firmly among the world’s largest music festivals.
