(Electronic) dance the holiday weekend away

In the past, Las Vegas' signature soundtrack has been defined by artists from the Rat Pack to Elvis, but a new contender is quickly emerging: electronic dance music.

Once the domain of cities like Ibiza and Berlin, electronic dance music has moved from underground clubs and raves to take over the city of sin. Thanks to crossover groups like LMFAO, electronic dance music, or EDM, has exploded out of the clubs and into everyday consciousness. Whereas only hardcore fans knew who artists like David Guetta and Calvin Harris were a few short years ago, their influence is now as accessible as the latest Rihanna single.

Events like the upcoming Electric Daisy Carnival, June 8-10 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, are certainly a big draw, but the epicenter of the EDM scene in Las Vegas is set to commence in a few short days.

"Holiday weekends always bring great crowds and energy to our venues," said Noah Tepperberg of Tao Group. "We want to provide (fans) with the best party possible and top electronic dance music DJs are a major draw."

During Memorial Day weekend, venues up and down the Strip are hosting events, starting at midday with the pool parties and going well into the night, including marquee names such as Tiesto and Kaskade.

"Las Vegas has established itself as a top destination for EDM, with some of the best DJ talent in the world found here on any given weekend, so it only makes sense that a huge party weekend such as Memorial Day would showcase top artists," Tepperberg said.

Tao Group partner Jason Strauss agreed. "In Las Vegas we throw a party unlike anywhere else. Here you have clubs such as Marquee that were designed specifically for the genre," Strauss said. "Everything from the sound and lighting systems to the production performances have been designed with the DJ and fan in mind."

The EDM association with Las Vegas has gotten so strong that an upcoming conference, EDMbiz, is kicking off its inaugural session the week between Memorial Day and the Electric Daisy Carnival.

"The EDM lifestyle touches all corners of pop culture today, and by creating a smart and effective conference just ahead of the single largest electronic dance music festival in North America, EDMbiz is uniquely positioned to be an essential crossroads for new ideas and opportunities," said DJ Jason Bentley, conference host.

Though the majority of Las Vegas shows are restricted to age 21 and older, Kaskade will perform a show Saturday night at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for fans age 18 and older.

Businesses that benefit from the cash flow the Electric Daisy Carnival brings in need not worry that such a talent-packed Memorial Day weekend will cut into their profits. "EDM fans are passionate and will make their way to Vegas for both weekends," Tepperberg said.

Fans can kick off the weekend Thursday with Chuckie at Tao, inside The Venetian; Afrojack, with Sidney Simon, at Surrender, inside Encore; and Alesso at Tryst in the Wynn Las Vegas.

Friday's lineup includes Sebastian Ingrosso at Encore Beach Club; EC Twins at The Venetian's Tao Beach; Chuckie at Marquee Dayclub, poolside at The Cosmopolitan; Roger Sanchez at the Palms pool; Steve Aoki and Lil' Jon at Surrender; Tiesto at XS inside Encore; Afrojack at Tryst; and Benny Benassi and Fedde Le Grand spinning at Marquee's Nightclub.

On Saturday, fans can catch Steve Angello at Encore Beach Club; Tiesto at Surrender; Steve Angello along with AN21 and Max Vangeli at XS; Skrillex at Tryst; DJ Vice at Tao; Benny Benassi at Tao Beach; Chuckie and Cedric Gervais at Marquee Dayclub; Above & Beyond at Marquee Nightclub; and Kaskade, at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan.

Sunday finds superstar DJ Paul Van Dyk at Tao Beach; Calvin Harris at Surrender; deadmau5 at XS; Lil' Jon and Manufactured at Tryst; Erick Morillo at Tao; DJ Vice at Lavo at The Palazzo; Kaskade at Marquee Dayclub; and the trio of Armin van Buuren, Gareth Emery and Blake Jarrell at Marquee Nightclub.

Memorial Day weekend wraps up Monday with performances by deadmau5 at Encore Beach Club; David Guetta and Avicii at XS; Armin van Buuren at Tao Beach; ATB, Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano at Marquee Dayclub; and Nicky Romero with DJ Vice at Marquee Nightclub.