Name: Electric Zoo
Start: 2022-09-02T15:00:00.000-04:00
End: 2022-09-04T23:00:00.000-04:00

Labor Day weekend is almost here and if you live in New York City, that means the annual pilgrimage of New York festival-goers is upon us! Electric Zoo, founded by Made Event, is NYC’s first and largest electronic music festival with a long-standing history of stacked lineups, meticulous stage designs, and innovative themes. The festival brand has even branched out internationally in cities like Mexico City, Tokyo, and Shanghai.




In its inaugural year 2009, the state of electronic music in the United States was at a much different point than Europe. Inspired by dance music events overseas, event organizers Mike Bindra and Laura de Palma created a weekend-long EDM festival that showcased top-notch artists from across various subgenres, a “literal ‘zoo’ of electronic music” as they put it. Tucked away in the wilderness of Randall’s Island, festival-goers can escape the hustle and bustle of New York City and find themselves in pure bliss. In 2009, most artists only ever performed in dark nightclubs. Attendees were curious to see how that would affect the outdoor, open-air environment Electric Zoo was to offer.






“We’re going to have four different environments. We’re going to have an open-air main stage, which we’ve had experience with before in the past, and it’s worked very well.” Laura de Palma said of the first Electric Zoo. “And in the tented environments, we’ll have the opportunity to create an experience-not like a club-but a unique experience within a unique environment,”




The first-ever rendition of Electric Zoo was a great success, reeling in about 26,000 attendees over two days. It also sparked a newfound excitement for the dance music scene in America.




Electric Zoo expanded to three days in 2011, and 2012 was their biggest turnout yet with 85,000 festival-goers. In 2015, Tomorrowland organizers ID&T announced their creative partnership with EZoo. Billed as “Electric Zoo Transformed,” they were looking for redemption as the festival’s third day was canceled the previous two years due to drug-related deaths and severe weather. The festival experience stood true to its title for the production was completely refurbished, featuring a massive, phoenix-inspired main stage, Riverside stage, Hilltop Arena, and the Sunday School tent. From 2015 on, Electric Zoo provided a more immersive, zoo-themed environment topped with brand new animalistic stage designs.






Electric Zoo 2016: Wild Island

For its eighth anniversary, Electric Zoo turned the festival experience up a notch, impressing Zoo-attendees with an increased emphasis on its stage designs, epic art installations, and astounding performance artists. Transforming Randall’s Island into a literal “Wild Island” festival-goers could explore five unique stages: Temple of the Cobra main stage, Riverside, Sunday School Grove which brought Ibiza institution ANTS to the US for the first time, the Treehouse, and a re-designed Hilltop as the Crystal Cave.








Electric Zoo 2017: The 6th Boro

Electric Zoo stepped up their social media game for The 6th Boro, as they revealed the newly designed stages on their YouTube channel. The video offered festival-goers a look inside the minds of the creative directors.



Electric Zoo creative director Jeff Wright explained that they were, “creating stages that allow you to get lost in the moment, feel like you’re in another place, have an experience of awe, and make memories that last a lifetime, those are the things that are important to us.”



The 2017 edition featured a jaw-dropping elephant mainstage named the “Elephant’s Roar,” an aquarium-themed Riverside stage renamed the “Undersea Dome,” Hilltop reconstructed as the “6th Boro Station,” and was the first time European legends Awakenings and elrow touched down in America, a real-life representation of the renowned warehouse district named “6th Boro Industrial Zone,” and lastly “6 Pointz” which offered local/underground DJ’s the chance to perform.







Electric Zoo 2018: The Big 10

2018 was Electric Zoo’s tenth birthday, and what better way to celebrate than to throw their biggest festival yet? Hosting more than 100,000 attendees, the three-day festival was jam-packed with world-renowned DJ’s and production never before seen in EZoo history. However, they let their stages be a mystery, only those who attended were treated with the official reveal. Electric Zoo also spoiled their guests with curated stages throughout the weekend. The Sunday School Grove featured Anna Lunoe’s Beats 1 Radio Show Hyperhouse, AC Slater’s Night Bass, and Berlin techno institution HYTE. The Hilltop Arena was handed over to Zeds Dead’s Deadbeats on Saturday, and Brownies & Lemonade took over on Sunday.




Electric Zoo 2019: Evolved

Inspired by the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, Electric Zoo: Evolved was the pinnacle of the festival’s evolution. Once again taking to social media for a glimpse of the main stage, festival-goers got a sneak peak of the “tallest and widest mainstage ever” featuring the mesmerizing New York City skyline. They also announced five prominent stage takeovers including DESTRUCTO’s brand All My Friends, the return of Brownies & Lemonade, Gud Vibrations, Eric Prydz’s Pryda Arena, and Seven Lions’ Ophelia Records.







Electric Zoo 2021: Supernaturals

After the 2020 cancellation due to the COVID pandemic, Electric Zoo: Supernaturals had to take extra precautions such as entry requirements and cleaning policies to ensure the safety of all zoo-attendees. New York City was also the direct target of Hurricane Ida just a few days before the festival, so there must have been some “supernatural” energy protecting EZoo. Taking a step away from the animal-inspired stages, the supernatural-themed stage designs did not disappoint. The 2021 edition featured “The Den” which showcased the top house and techno acts, “The Gateway” with melodic trance and melodic bass acts, “The Teleporter” and last but not least, the main stage renamed “The Hive.” Even after battling a pandemic and a hurricane, Electric Zoo: Supernaturals lived to tell the tale.




Electric Zoo 3.0

Keeping up with the ever-evolving state of technology, the 2022 edition of Electric Zoo presents 3.0. In response to previous concerns, the newly reconfigured festival grounds provide an increase in VIP areas and free water stations, and also address their solution for sound bleed issues.


“Think of it as a system update. The value and importance of community is higher than ever, crypto has caught up with cash, and digital wallets are becoming more practical than the leather ones. It’s the year of advancement – and EZoo is entirely here for it.” - EZoo



Hyped to be the most immersive outdoor festival experience New York City has ever seen, they revealed the next generation of stages. “Antheon: The Temple of Anthems” has taken on mainstage duties, “The Landing” which will provide festival-goers with an interactive visual-audio environment, “Levitron” an otherworldly, deep space experience, and “Morphosis” the new home for house music.














The Evolution of Electric Zoo

Recognized internationally as one of the most influential artists in electronic music, Carl Cox continues to astound fans. And while he holds an exceptional discography and unmatched skills behind the decks, his ability to curate talent is unmatched. For the first time in 11 years, he’ll flex his unique skill set at Electric Zoo 3.0, performing a rare stateside festival appearance and curating the lineup on his very own Carl Cox Invites stage at the Hilltop Arena on Sunday, September 4. He’ll be joined by some of house and techno’s most sought-after DJs and live acts.



Carl Cox always heeps his ear to the underground, and for EZoo, he’s pulled together a lineup of artists who will light up the crowd with their original tracks, remixes, and edits. These are the artists that are pushing the culture forward. Cox said that he's putting together a very special set including music from his upcoming album Electronic Generations. His first album in over six years, he recently revealed the first track "How It Makes You Feel," a collaboration with Nicole Moudaber, that he's been road-testing for months.



Joining the king of techno is New York City-based tech-house guru Charles Meyer, Ibiza-based superstar Chelina Manuhutu, and Detroit house queen DJ Holographic.

“DJ Holographic has so much house music soul and true techno flavor in the music she plays,” Carl Cox said in a press release. “It draws you in the longer she plays. It really does come from the depths of her heart, you can feel it so much. This will be the first time I will get the chance to see her live, and I for one cannot wait.”



Techno legend and long-time friend of Carl Cox, Loco Dice, will join the Invites lineups. Loco Dice was also last on an EZoo lineup 11 years ago. The two iconic artists have frequently shared stages across the world, but this New York reunion is going to be a special one.



“Dice is always evolving with his sound of music that you cannot put in a musical box at all. He really does push the boundaries,” Cox said.



The prodigious Andrea Oliva and incredible Ilario Alicante will also perform a unique b2b set. Oliva will be stopping by between sets as a resident of Ibiza’s favorite day party spot Ushuaia. Alicante is quickly becoming a festival mainstay in his own right, having already performed at Ultra and EDC Vegas this year.



This year’s Electric Zoo lineup features a heavy influx of underground house and techno talent, and the Carl Cox Invites stage takeover will be the cherry on top for the revamped festival. With only a few months left until the quintessential New York festival returns to Randall’s Island, Carl Cox and friends are counting down the days. We know we’ll be at the Invites stage on day three of Ezoo, will you? The only right answer to that question is “Oh yes, yes.”









Carl Cox Returns to Electric Zoo and Curates Carl Cox Invites Takeover

 is New York City’s premiere festival for electronic music. With over 100 different artists performing across three days between September 2-4, this epic outdoor event is fit to honor the illustrious reputation of the city that never sleeps.

Every year, Electric Zoo (also known as EZoo) adopts a new theme that guides the festival forward into a new era. In 2021 the event took on the theme of “Supernaturals,” building stages throughout 

 (the massive greenspace just across the river from Harlem) that resembled various spacecraft docking before an interstellar journey.

Electric Zoo: Supernaturals | 2021 Official Aftermovie

Relive our Supernatural experience from Labor Day Weekend 2021 in New York City!

Follow Electric Zoo NY for the latest news and details:
http://www.facebook.com/ElectricZoo
http://twitter.com/ElectricZooNY
http://instagram.com/ElectricZooNY

Some even looked like hibernating Transformers, ready to morph and defend the dancefloor at the first sign of danger.

For 2022, EZoo will take on the theme of “3.0,” which can only mean everything about the event is sure to see an upgrade. They’re literally skipping 2.0 and going straight to three, so there’s no way it won’t be big.

Starting with the lineup. EZoo lineups are always top notch so it’s hard to imagine how they could upgrade them anymore, but this year they managed to do it.

, will perform throughout the weekend while niche favorites such as 

 satisfy the heady underground community.

Along with the massive lineup at the festival itself, artists on the roster always head to venues around the city once the gates close for afterparties. Legendary spaces like Webster Hall, Quantam, and the newly remodeled Brooklyn Mirage are just a few of establishments where post-EZoo functions have happened in the past.


Since 2009, EZoo has set the trend for electronic music festivals in New York City and beyond. There have been editions in Mexico, China, and Brazil as well, proving EZoo’s metal as an internationally viable hub for the culture.

Elrow at Electric Zoo: Wild Island

Follow Electric Zoo NY for the latest news and details:
http://www.facebook.com/ElectricZoo
http://twitter.com/ElectricZooNY
http://instagram.com/ElectricZooNY

Following an impressive return in 2021 due COVID-19 canceling the 2020 iteration, EZoo is set to come back stronger than ever. Three times stronger than ever in fact with a new theme and their most diverse and talented lineup to date.

Electric Zoo

Electric Zoo is New York City’s premiere festival for electronic music. With over 100 different artists performing across three days between September 2-4, this epic outdoor event is fit to honor the illustrious reputation of the city that never sleeps.





Every year, Electric Zoo (also known as EZoo) adopts a new theme that guides the festival forward into a new era. In 2021 the event took on the theme of “Supernaturals,” building stages throughout Randall’s Island Park (the massive greenspace just across the river from Harlem) that resembled various spacecraft docking before an interstellar journey.





Some even looked like hibernating Transformers, ready to morph and defend the dancefloor at the first sign of danger.



For 2022, EZoo will take on the theme of “3.0,” which can only mean everything about the event is sure to see an upgrade. They’re literally skipping 2.0 and going straight to three, so there’s no way it won’t be big.





Starting with the lineup. EZoo lineups are always top notch so it’s hard to imagine how they could upgrade them anymore, but this year they managed to do it.


Major talents across every genre, from Carl Cox to Afrojack, Subtronics to Armin Van Buuren, Porter Robinson to Malaa, will perform throughout the weekend while niche favorites such as QRTR, DJ Holographic, and an exciting back-to-back from Andrea Oliva and Ilario Alicante satisfy the heady underground community.



Along with the massive lineup at the festival itself, artists on the roster always head to venues around the city once the gates close for afterparties. Legendary spaces like Webster Hall, Quantam, and the newly remodeled Brooklyn Mirage are just a few of establishments where post-EZoo functions have happened in the past.


Since 2009, EZoo has set the trend for electronic music festivals in New York City and beyond. There have been editions in Mexico, China, and Brazil as well, proving EZoo’s metal as an internationally viable hub for the culture.





Following an impressive return in 2021 due COVID-19 canceling the 2020 iteration, EZoo is set to come back stronger than ever. Three times stronger than ever in fact with a new theme and their most diverse and talented lineup to date.



Electric Zoo

Articles

Kennedy Cymerman

Gray Area Editorial Team