Electric Zoo Soars High, Falls Flat During Shortened Festival

Lots of hype and lots of speculation ushered in the 2014 Electric Zoo festival at New York’s Randall’s Island. It leaves with more of the same.

Continuing the unfortunate stretch of events on Sunday, the festival had to cancel their plans for a second year in a row. Silver lining, no one lost their lives this time around. Yet, other silver linings came from the sky after the massive flash flood-like storm came through the grounds. Other problems riddled the festival as well, creating a hostile environment at times. However, sets were stellar and crowds were moving. Let’s take a look at the good and bad of Electric Zoo 2014.

Zedd once again proved to be the best at what he does. While some will chide him for being too pop or a fixture on the radio, you know that is what Zedd makes. He does it well. On Saturday he proved that once again. With a mind blowing set, he weaved through his hits and big room feel good music. Adding to the experience was a stage show that blew the weekend away.

Other artists delivering great sets were DnB revival moments from the likes of Sub Focus and Dirtyphonics. Armin van Buuren played his usual excellence while 19 year-old Oliver Heldens delivered a performance that should net him loads more fans. Expect big things from the Dutch house producer.

Let’s be clear, Sunday School’s first two days were incredible with acts including Sasha, Dubfire and Chris Liebing. Unfortunately, what Chris would later say on Facebook is an accurate description of what went on:

The place was a hot, dark mess. Trying to catch some parts of Dubfire felt like walking into a humid sweat lodge. It was uncomfortable and unenjoyable with no ventilation but the front door. While the set up looked cool, the functionality was not in the slightest.

Fix this and give us a similar bill next year, please. Maybe then Chris will consider coming back.

Future funk genius Kill Paris has been a favorite of this reporter for a few years now. After his 3 p.m. Hilltop set on Saturday, the OWSLA keytar maestro may have a lot more fans. Following Gladiator, Corey Baker laid out some of his staples, including “Baby Come Back” and “Ring My Bell” as well as new works. The track that won the set had to be his remix of Bill Nye the Science Guy‘s theme that might have just made both Kill Paris and Bill Nye that much more nerdy-cool. Or, at least, reminded a few people in the crowd of their childhood for a minute. See Kill Paris if you haven’t yet. You won’t regret it.

Making the first two days even better was the weather. Compared to last year’s sweltering heat, this year was nice and manageable. The third day? We’ll just stop at Saturday…

…because Sunday and Electric Zoo don’t get along.

The tough decision was made, leaving some fans understanding while others fuming. Some unfair comparisons have linked the weather situation at EDC New York this year. However, with flash flood-like storms coming in, the festival made the right decision pulling the plug. Leaving thousands of people in an open field surrounded by metal and trees during a lightning storm is not a wise decision. More people could have died. The risk wasn’t worth it. It was a kick in the teeth seeing the weather turn around so quickly, but public safety was the first concern.

Unfortunately, groups like Myon & Shane 54 once again missed their chance to play the festival. Last year’s cancelled set is now joined by a shortened 20 minute set this time around. Can they play Saturday next year?

For this reporter, the Bromance co-founder was far and away the best performance of the weekend. Dark, driving, brooding techno took over the Beatport Riverside stage. The tent was overflowing with bodies, with the temperature consistently rising. Thankfully, the open air kept us ventilated (unlike Sunday School) to keep up with him. While we don’t condone smoking, Gesaffelstein created the moment of the weekend as he owned the decks all 80 minutes in his dark shades, chain smoking, confidently fist pumping to his own set as if he were exuding the vibe (not above) of, “I’m Gesaffelstein. Of course, I’m blowing your minds right now.”

Also, shout out to Electric Zoo for offering up five closing sets that split the crowds up a bit and made getting home a little easier. Still a work in progress, but better than last year.

After last year, it was obvious things were going to change. However, inconsistent checks and undercover police had the festival feeling like a police state at times. Undercover police were dressed as full-on ravers right down to the kandi. Drug dogs were out in full force at the gate. It was an odd, excessive sight to see. Adding to the frustration was the long lines that sometimes took forever to move at all. Reports are inconsistent from fans, but none were positive. Long waits and hostility aren’t good starts to a festival experience.

Sure, drugs should never be the focal point of a music festival and people need to be safe, but it’s going to happen. Young people experiment one place or another. No one was gravely injured this year. Yet, it still appears that all sides would benefit if police presence and drug education balanced out a bit more over the festival.