In a landmark cultural move, the State of California has officially declared June 2025 as “Electronic Dance Music Month,” recognizing the powerful impact of EDM not just as a genre, but as a global movement. The resolution, introduced by Assemblymember and Majority Whip Mark González, was backed by a bipartisan group of 74 Assemblymembers and Senators, and approved earlier this month. González announced the news publicly via Instagram, calling it a celebration of a culture that has long been misunderstood, and finally embraced.
More Than Just Festivals
“EDM is more than just music festivals,” González wrote. “It’s a vibrant culture rooted in values of peace, love, unity, and respect. These events create inclusive spaces where people from all walks of life can express themselves freely, celebrate loudly, and be unapologetically proud of who they are.”
In a ceremony held to mark the resolution, González spoke about the genre’s transformative role in his own life and for his generation. “EDM gave a generation like mine a space to be loud, to be ourselves, and to belong in a world that too often tries to silence us.”
Honoring a Pioneer: Pasquale Rotella
Joining him at the ceremony was Pasquale Rotella, founder of Insomniac, one of the most influential event production companies in the dance music world. Rotella was recognized for his decades-long contributions to the EDM scene, from underground raves to massive international festivals. Insomniac now produces over 1,000 events annually around the globe, with flagship festivals like Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) bringing hundreds of thousands together to dance under the same beat.
This isn’t the first time Rotella has been honored. In 2017, the city of Las Vegas renamed part of the Strip “Electric Daisy Ln.” during EDC Week and awarded him a symbolic “Key to the Las Vegas Strip” for his impact on the local economy and community.
A Culture Reclaimed
The declaration of Electronic Dance Music Month is more than just a ceremonial gesture. It symbolizes a turning point for EDM in the U.S. especially in California, where electronic music culture has deep roots in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. It also serves as a stark contrast to the negative stigmas attached to raves and dance events in the 1990s and early 2000s, when EDM was often targeted by law enforcement and city ordinances.
EDM Is the Heartbeat of California
Now, California is not only embracing EDM, it’s elevating it, honoring the artists, producers, organizers, and fans who built the culture from the underground up. As June unfolds with festivals, dance parties, and community events across the state, the official recognition sends a powerful message: EDM is not just music, it’s a movement worth celebrating.