New York City’s longest-running and largest electronic music festival—came out of its 11th turn with its most successful show since 2013. Taking place this Labor Day weekend, Friday, August 30, Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1 at Randall’s Island Park, over 107,000 fans turned out to embrace the sunshine and outstanding sets from over 50 international DJ talents. Out of the three-day event, Saturday and Sunday drew sold-out crowds.
Three days of dancing and exploring at Randall’s Island Park was the perfect way for us to spend our Labor Day weekend. After relaxing and thinking back on the amazing experience we got at the Electric Zoo, I hope all that attended had as great of a time as we did. The location itself allowed for excellent music listening quantity whether you wanted to be destroyed on the rail with the bass running through your veins or sitting in the back getting all the visuals in. In addition, if you needed to cool off you could hit up the Kia Soul Car Wash Station for some car washing, glitter, and hair chalk. Acts to note included Diplo & Excision on Friday night, Zedd & Anti Up on Saturday, and Alison Wonderland, Armin van Buuren, and Dog Blood to close out Sunday.
Friday
Friday is normally the hectic day. Either everyone is trying to get out of work early to get to the festival or they are traveling into New York from all over the world. BIJOU introduced Electric Zoo festival-goers to the Main Stage Friday afternoon and showed everyone what it sounds like to be better than the standard. Subtronics destroyed Hilltop Arena and showed everyone that his new song with Griz really be hittin’ different in all situations. Following Subtronics at Hilltop Arena was Sullivan King and Dion Timmer, so you can bet people’s necks were hurting after those three sets. Later on, the Main Stage welcomed Oliver Heldens from the UK and the Grammy nominated DJ Kaskade. If you wanted to bounce to house all night, you were definitely located at the Main Stage to close out the night with Eric Prydz. Closing out Hilltop Arena was Ganja White Night to remind you that bass music is forever. The entrepreneur and creative director Getter closed out the Brownies & Lemonade themed Riverside Stage with an audience that appreciated every second of his act.
Saturday
Can you believe that Decadon opened the Riverside Stage Saturday afternoon? What a way to start a Saturday! Saturday started with the bass music but did not let you forget that House music is forever. Hitting the Main Stage was ARMNHMR, Benny Benassi, and Tritonal. Bringing it back to the bass music at Main Stage was of course the B2B of Diesel aka SHAQ and Borgore. Blunts & Blondes kept the dubstep going at Riverside while Dom Dolla reminded everyone to smile with his hypnotic house anthems. Zedd forever brought festival-goers into their feels at the Main Stage reminding everyone that love for all matters. Following Zedd to close out the Main Stage was Above & Beyond putting on an amazing live set. That would’ve been one that you could’ve enjoyed at the rail or even sitting in the back watching it all happen. One of the favorite and ending acts of the night was Anti Up at the All My Friends stage. The new house music duo played a set where not one person could stand still during their time.
Sunday
LICK started Sunday off with a killer set at the Nghtmare & Slander Gud Vibrations stage. It was his first time playing in New York and he definitely impressed that crowd with the way he smashed it at 2 PM in the afternoon. i_O got everyone feeling techno at the Main Stage with his techno grooves and dark evolving melodies. Starting the early night off Cash Cash took over the Main Stage for some upbeat bouncing while Whipped Cream turned Gud Vibrations into a limitless space. Following through the Main Stage was Boombox Cartel and Alison Wonderland who really made that crowd go woah. Not only was the Main Stage really bringing the beat but the All My Friends tent had all the house music you could ever dream for and more. Kyle Watson got the tent bouncing with his house vibes. Ending the night at the Main Stage was Armin van Buuren and Dog Blood. Armin ended his set with a crazy remix of Blah Blah Blah while Dog Blood absolutely killed it as the new duo and shook the crowd with their visuals. Seven Lions closed out Ophelia Stage and you bet everyone was singing along the entire time.
Food
Dancing forever makes me hungry so you can say I was exploring the food vendors as much as I was dancing. Electric Zoo had all food vendors from chicken fingers and fries to acai beach bowls. You could be craving anything and would have found a perfect vendor for your next meal. We saw Twin Greeks Food Truck, Voodoo Chicken & Waffle, Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, and even an Asian Sensation. You see what I mean when I say all your cravings were met? Saturday after Zedd we threw our topped-up wristbands at the Big Mozz stand for some mouthwatering mozzarella sticks and fried raviolis. You could say we felt truly blissful at that moment.
Security
Security is always the potential down fall at every festival. They are always outside services hired to do security and some crazy story about them surfaces afterwards. The security process has been the same at EZoo for a few years now and it goes pretty quickly if you are patient. Go at the busy times, you would have waited a little to get into the security line but if you went during down time it was a breeze through. Something to note when you are in a security ordeal at a festival; if you see something say something. We are all trying to enjoy the music festival and no one should be able to take advantage of that.
Thank you Falcon Publicity for welcoming FestPop Staff Writers to be a part of this eye opening music festival once again. Check out Falcon Publicity for more music news.
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In addition, for more information on how Electric Zoo: Evolved went, check out its’ socials:
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FestPop Sr. Staff Writer,
Katherine Bennett
FestPop Sr. Staff Writer,
Katy Loesch
