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A Trip into the Hyperspace; Electric Zoo 2023



Buckle up into your UFO’s, get comfortable in your spaceships, Electric Zoo is blasting off to higher dimensions in a parallel universe in celebration of fourteen years in Manhattan. With thirteen years under their belt, Electric Zoo is returning to New York in hopes to maintain the loyalty of rave-goers with an even more interactive and diverse experience impending. The anticipation for the craziest rave in New York has by now begun and as labor day quickly approaches, single-day tickets have already started selling out. The globally renowned music festival is installing 6 stages on Randalls Island and hosting over 80 artists for their 2023 experience. The scenic location is ideal for the masses the festival attracts each year, especially considering the growing popularity Electric Zoo has received globally in recent years. All this being said, I expect this year to be the wildest to date with big-name artists such as Marshmello, Zedd, and The Chainsmokers headlining, in addition to a brand new stage, debuting stage curators, and an even more expansive festival layout. There is so much to look forward to at this year's Electric Zoo so let’s take off and discuss what has us so enthusiastic about Electric Zoo 2023.


Beginning in 2009, Electric Zoo has evolved tremendously over the years spent charming New York City with the top DJs and live acts of the electronic music scene. In fact, the festival has become so acclaimed, it has been nominated multiple times for “Best Music Event” by International Dance Music Awards. However these components are only the surface as what really makes the experience so memorable is the culture of Electric Zoo. Many proclaim Electric Zoo to be more of a local festival, meaning it is primarily attended by New Yorkers. In a city as big as New York, a local festival here essentially creates history, and I believe the locals' adoration for the festival has been the main factor in their expansion and prosperity internationally. This being said, the festival consistently harbors a massive attendance and many return annually for the one-of-a-kind experience, which isn’t always the case with music festivals. To put simply, there is no other New York festival comparable to Electric Zoo; It is the most massive rave in all of Manhattan. Electric Zoo is a household name in New York, practically every New Yorker has attended the event at least once in their lifetime, so if you really want the “New York experience” run to snatch what’s left of tickets for Electric Zoo 2023 on Randalls Island.


What can we expect from Electric Zoo this year? I find it’s better to go into the festival with no expectations as you can never truly foreshadow what will go down at a New York City rave, let alone New York’s most beloved one. Even so, there are components we anticipate being unforgettable. Beginning with the festival layout, five stages will be showcasing stage curations for the first time in Manhattan with a sixth returning stage curation. The most-anticipated stage, funded by the Brooklyn Mirage, ‘MegaMirage,’ is making its festival debut in Manhattan with a riveting lineup of high-energy beats and infectious grooves. The brand-new stage is predicted to be the main attraction at ElectricZoo 2023 and will further include its own entrance and exit to the venue. The driving concept of the stage,‘Under Construction,’ derives from megastar DJs Fisher and Chris Lake who will be performing a B2B set to launch their notion. Based on Coachella teasers, fans are expecting this B2B set to be a highlight of the festival and is definitely a performance you won’t want to miss out on if you are attending. Also on this stage, New York tech house DJ Charles Meyer will be representing the Big Apple, afterall, it wouldn’t be New York’s biggest electronic music festival if it didn’t include a local artist.


Additionally, making its inaugural debut, Jake Resnicow will be taking over the ‘Dreamland’ stage installation including a totally inclusive lineup. The stage is an interactive response to the growing demand for inclusivity and representation in the scene. The stage will spotlight some of the most influential LGBTQ+ artists in EDM. Finally, we are looking forward to this year’s immersive Cityfox & Grey Area stage presented by Megafox, which is marketed as a mini-festival within the festival. This stage particularly focuses on upcoming artists in the heavyweight, eclectic underground scene and it is the ideal place to uncover what’s next in EDM music. Beyond what we are most excited for at Sights & Sounds, fans and festival-goers are buzzing with elation for artists such as Madeon, Kaskade, Liquid Stranger, and Skream, all of whom we recommend checking out while relishing in the three-day festivities. Electric Zoo’s efforts to consistently produce a diverse, inclusive, and memorable festival experience continues to shock us every year upon its return, and we look forward to this year's individuality more than ever with newly added contemporary, immersive features being introduced through AI technology.


As we begin to undertake the journey into Electric Zoo’s hyperspace reality, there are a few essential items we recommend picking up in preparation. Most obviously, remember to pack a water bottle for the festival, this will ultimately save you time and money throughout the day. Previous attendees have also recommended sunglasses and earplugs for the intense stage showcases. Always keep track of your personal items in the large crowds with airtags and by sharing your location with friends. Most importantly, don’t forget your kandi bracelets!


There is no better way to spend Labor Day weekend than on an island off of Manhattan with three days full of the leading and upcoming artists in electronic music. Electric Zoo is here to provide the soundtrack for September that will transcend attendees into a world of musical bliss, one they’ll still be floating through even after the event has passed. This year’s experience is marketed to be larger-than-life, event coordinators are hoping to leave people awe-struck with mind blowing performances alongside immersive and audiovisual productions. Electric Zoo has successfully created a die-hard community from its diverse lineups, curated stages, and undeniable commitment to providing an inclusive and unforgettable festival experience. To re-establish the sense of community Electric Zoo has fostered, the team has also decided to reduce all festival passes to the lowest prices in history. Dancing is not a luxury, but a necessity, so step into your rocketships, we are taking off to a fictional space where extraordinary things are destined to happen!


Article by: Sabrina Amoriello

Photos from electriczoo.com


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