(Photo from Electric Zoo Official Facebook Page)
Every year, come Labor Day Weekend I find myself in one of the world’s biggest cities, attending my favorite festival. There is something special in the vibe of Electric Zoo that I haven’t been able to find in any other festival to date. Maybe it’s the crowd, maybe it’s the charged atmosphere of NYC, maybe it’s just the inception of where my love for festivals bloomed. Electric Zoo has continually rostered a comprehensive lineup with talent from all music genres and plenty of festive activities for attendees to enjoy in-between sets.
The Venue
Electric Zoo has a way of making you feel a little less small, and a lot more connected in the midst of big city chaos. Located on Randall’s Island, the venue set-up is by far one of the most easily navigated festivals to explore and connect with friends. You shouldn’t worry about delayed phone signals either, if you have been to EDC, you understand the struggle. Although the grounds are relatively small in comparison to other events of the same caliber, don’t worry, the stages are perfectly distanced so there isn’t sound pollution between stages.
Due to the venue being on an island, please make sure to secure a transportation route in advance. There are multiple options to getting on/off the island, these include a shuttle system with designated pick-up and drop off areas, ferries from the two downtown locations, designated Uber areas, and of course you can always walk the RFK Bridge. I have personally tested each method, and connivence is highly dependent upon where you are staying in the city. So map it out, trust me, tired post-fest you will appreciate the forward thinking.
The Weather
Ok. The good, the bad, and how to be proactive. I don’t know why, but every year one out of the three days of the event it rains. Now, because the festival grounds are primarily grass, it gets muddy, so if the forecast calls for rain get ready to pull out your rain boots. I also highly advise packing a few ponchos. The good news is that the remaining days are usually sun filled with a slight breeze to cool off- perfect dancing weather.
The Music
The lineup features music legends with a refreshing splash of up and coming performers ready to capture your attention. With headliners such as Above & Beyond, Eric Prydz, Kaskade, Excision, and Alison Wonderland there is a huge, and diverse choice of music genres available.
A few hot artists not to miss include i_o, Yotto, Dom Dolla, Kyle Watson, and Seven Lions. i_o has made a considerable impact on the techno community this year, so he is definitely worth a listen. On Sunday, Seven Lions will be showcasing his family style Ophelia Records all day at the Riverside Stage. In previous years this stage was designated for Anjuna label artists, however with performers like Jason Ross, I don’t think fans will feel they are missing out. This is a huge accomplishment for the artist, and it is always a pleasure watching his passion filled performances.
With amazing art installations, a beautiful backdrop of the city’s skyline, and the last of summer looming in the air, Electric Zoo is the perfect place to spend your weekend. Grab your tickets here!
