The Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Las Vegas, returning for its 2026 edition, saw an extraordinary lineup curated by the veteran talent agents Kevin Gimble and Steve Gordon from United Talent Agency (UTA). Over three electrifying days, from May 15 to 17, the festival brought together 175,000 enthusiastic ravers each day to experience performances from 77 of their artists across various stages, including nine primary stages and roaming art cars, making it the biggest electronic music festival globally.
From Kaskade’s melodic house anthems echoing through Kinetic Field to the bone-rattling bass from giants like Funtcase and Flux Pavilion in Bass Pod, the festival offered an eclectic blend of electronic music. Veteran DJ Paul van Dyk graced the Quantum Valley stage, while countless artists illuminated the parade, artistically curated by Pasquale Rotella, the visionary founder of Insomniac, the festival’s promoter since 2013, in partnership with Live Nation.
Agency Intel: Kevin Gimble & Steve Gordon Guide EDM’s Big Success At UTA
As the Co-Heads of Electronic Music at UTA, Gimble and Gordon have under their watch a diverse roster of clients, showcasing their dominance in artist bookings. Their previous venture, Circle Talent, which they successfully ran before UTA’s acquisition in 2018, laid down a strong foundation of relationships and business acumen that still guide their decisions today.
Despite their considerable success, Gimble and Gordon measure their achievements not solely by the number of artists they can secure at any given event but by the quality and impact of those performances. “We never keep score,” Gimble remarked in a recent interview. This patient and nuanced approach to artist management contrasts sharply with the trending practice among agencies that emphasize metrics and comparisons to illustrate their worth.
“It feels good when your agency’s on top, but does it matter? It doesn’t,” Gordon added, emphasizing a philosophy of prioritizing client career sustainability over simple accolades. Their deep-rooted commitment to their artists is evident; they know that just because an artist yearns to perform at an event, it doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for their career trajectory.
For instance, the rising bass producer GorillaT was guided wisely through the highs and lows of the industry. Rather than jumping into EDC in 2025, they helped him focus on building a solid foundation that prepared him for a standout performance the following year. After a year of growth and high-profile collaborations, GorillaT secured a prime 10:30 p.m. slot at Bass Pod during EDC 2026, marking a significant career milestone.
The duo’s journey began in the ’90s, when they were instrumental in promoting and organizing groundbreaking tours for drum & bass and dubstep artists across the United States. Their first venture, Circle Talent, was born in 1998 when Gimble booked a 13-date tour for Dieselboy, a legendary figure in the drum & bass scene. They eventually collaborated with other visionary professionals, including Rotella, establishing healthy working relationships that led to long-lasting partnerships and a shared dedication to pushing electronic music into the limelight.
Their partnership embodies the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” With a longstanding willingness to adapt and learn, they have transitioned from a small independent agency to managing one of the world’s most prominent teams in electronic music. The merger with UTA has allowed them to amplify their vision while preserving the integrity and closeness of the relationships they’ve built throughout their careers.
Reflecting upon their journey, Gimble shared a poignant memory of a moment in 2013 at EDC when they were invited to a curated meal overlooking Kinetic Field during a legendary Carl Cox set. Although none of their artists were performing at that time, it spurred them to expand their client roster and continue evolving with the genre. “We need to do better, frankly, and see what comes next,” Gimble asserted, a commitment to continuously pushing boundaries for their artists.
Gimble and Gordon’s story reflects the essence of the electronic dance music scene’s evolution. Their long-standing dedication to building diverse artist rosters unites many different genres and styles under one umbrella, fostering a rich tapestry that signifies growth and connection within the music community. As they appreciate where they’ve been, they remain focused on what lies ahead, standing ready to uplift the next generation of electronic musicians in their own journeys to zeniths yet unimagined.
