“As our beloved headliners, you’re all the captain now,” said Insomniac in a statement confirming the inaugural EDC Somalia.

Insomniac has embarked on an ambitious global expansion with the announcement of a new, pirate-themed festival. The first edition of EDC Somalia is scheduled to debut on April 1, 2026, at a yet-to-be-developed site along the coast of Mogadishu.

Insomniac’s Founder and CEO, Pasquale Rotella, seemingly revealed this exciting news during a live KTLA interview, watched by millions. He noted, “We change the stage design every year, and then we tour it around the world,” referencing the flagship Electric Daisy Carnival brand. “It’s been in Siberia, Sudan, Venezuela, Gaza, Afghanistan, Somalia — oh!”

After a brief pause, Rotella affirmed the location, stating, “We’re going to Somalia.”

Taking inspiration from the Tampa-based Shipwrecked Music Festival, Insomniac plans to incorporate elements of pirate lore into the immersive experience and decor of EDC Somalia. Adventurous fans can anticipate thrilling stage takeovers, some of which may be rather dramatic.

However, not everyone is enthusiastic about the announcement. The international NGO Human Rights Watch released a statement criticizing Insomniac’s decision, arguing, “While we do not wish to deter any nation from developing their tourism sector, no one stands to gain from the international crisis that would likely arise when thousands of festival-goers descend upon a region afflicted by crime and terrorism.”

Social media reactions have also drawn comparisons, with many suggesting that EDC Somalia could become “the next Fyre Festival.” According to EDM Identity, this would make the emerging festival the 1,678th iteration of the infamous Fyre Festival since the original event in 2017, not counting the anticipated Fyre Festival 2, which is almost certainly not going to happen.

Insomniac has announced plans to reveal travel packages in the coming weeks, including one controversially dubbed the “Captain Package.”