Electric Zoo 2010

It took about a week for the black goop to clear out of my nose. (No, I am not quite sure what it was composed of, and, yes, I am a resident of N.Y.C. and this is NOT a normal nasal state … ) The luscious sounds that oozed through my ears over the course of the two-day Electric Zoo 2010 Festival held in New York City over Labor Day weekend were anticipated and beyond enjoyable, but the black stuff in my poor sinus passages was and probably shall remain an unsolved mystery.

The inaugural Electric Zoo event in 2009 unfolded with great success. In 2010, the follow-up to the first year’s electronic-focused music festival held in New York City’s Randall’s Island Park on September 4 and 5 hosted a far more massive group. It sold out at a capacity of 25,000 on both days. Compared to the 2009 crowds of 15,000 and 11,000 on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, it’s fair to say the “Zoo York” Human Animals proved hungry for more electronic music and for festival going!

As the summer of 2010 comes to a close today, I sit and reflect on my first journey back to New York City’s Randall’s Island since 1997 — at the Tibetan Freedom Concert. The scene had certainly experienced a regression in as much as the entrance into the festival grounds was concerned. The “VIP” entrance was deplorable! The crowd waiting to pass through the gate was a swelling cluster of perhaps thousands of annoyed attendees, all wringing their hands and anxiously craning their necks to try to discern who was playing in the closest visible tent denoting the promises of “the other side.” Thank goodness we didn’t end up with an angry mob in our midst!

We inadvertently got separated from our friend for a good hour until we could regroup once inside.

Once reunited with our good friend, things thankfully took a turn for the better! And, in all fairness, getting in on Day 2 was a much more efficient experience, though sadly, our traumatized buddy couldn’t find it in her to return on Sunday. I think her exact words were, “Don’t make me go back in there … ” Let’s see if we can’t talk her into coming back in 2011!!!!

It was a bit trying, but in the end, it was worth the wait! Here are some highlights from this year’s Electric Zoo!

I’d like to offer some Adios to Summer 2010 Shout Outs!!!!

A shout-out to all the guys that let girls (and sometimes even other guys) sit on their shoulders for ENTIRE sets. It’s amazingly selfless and I applaud the strength, patience and neck sacrifice! GO BOYS!!!!!!!!!!

A shout-out to the paramedics that follow me to grossly inebriated humans in need of care.

A shout-out to MUSIC, SWEET MUSIC and the fascinating artists who create it! You rock my world!!! See you next festival season!