This story is one of those that starts at the end but somehow manages to twist and turn it’s way back there. Here it is.
I might have just, excuse me, I defiantly just saw the greatest, most energetic live music set of my entire life. I’ve been around the block, got a few great show notches on my belt. And this was by far the best…
600 miles and 12 hrs of travel later I find myself amongst the beasts and beauties that make up Electric Zoo. The second annual electric zoo music festival kicked off yesterday. Some great names in electro/ dance music were in presence. ( read my preview from last week if you want more detail. )
Armed with my P.I.C. (partner in crime) and cousin, David Miller, who is by far the coolest minor that I know or for that matter, exists, we walked the bridge to randalls island.
Dave is most excited for major lazer. He doesn’t know many djs but is stoked to discover some new ones. “That’s half the fun”, he tells me, “seeing live djs you might never have heard ever, if it weren’t for the Zoo.”
“Techno just gets me in this mood. I can feel it in my body. It evokes emotion. Other music is still good, and I like it. But it’s just not the same”
I feel you Dave.
Fun fact of day:
World record for most white people in Harlem ever. I’m submitting to gusiness book.
Afro Jack kicked it off for us. He was right on point. Giving us back to back non-stop incredible build ups for the bass dropping madness that followed suite. He used samples from Justice and Daft Punk, both awesome songs, and ended with “What Ya Say” remix by Jason Derulo. Aftro Jack you are tight.
ATB up next on the main stage. Did a neat remix of Rage’s Killing in the Name Of. I now see why it’s called trance, I was in one like shit. Pretty solid 45 minute set.
30 mins of Rusko in the dance tent was uber ill. He straight up, throws mad bass right down your throat. I hope you’re ready for it. It’s pretty hardcore. Played something I recalled from Bisco, and then 3 new songs, which were equally as bass thumping.
One factor accounted for me not staying till end. Major lazer. He was up soon and I needed my self a good seat. Up to the front, I ventured.
O shit, even with schedule in hand, we got to main stage a bit early and Dirty South was still doing his thing for the masses outside. A bit more euro techno/trance than Rusko; more like ATB. People were dancing their little arses off, like it was 2012 and junk. And this might possible be the last dance.
Major Lazer killed their set, top 3 of the day. Like to take this opportunity to share with the world, I really love Major Lazer, like a while heap, they rock so hard, what superb dance music. What a great hype man they have too. On and off very graphic, hardcore fake sex with lady dancer; quite amusing.
Benny Benassi was also great, he gets tossed in that top 3 of day as well.
But winner for best set of music I can recall hearing in recent past, hands down, The Chemical Brothers. Holy cow, Batman! These guys did their thing so hard. They had me under some kind of spell, they were under control, I was their slave. When they wanted one hand in the air, they got it, when they wanted two, bam, two. When they wanted me to jump, how high? Loving every second of it. Song after song after song, they gave us very little time to rest. The were rocking hard, all set long, I was so amazed by what I hearing, these two guys live are the best in the world.
I’m trying my best to portray how awesome these guys were last night and get it down on paper, but oh my god, they were soo good. Amazing set! Small mishap with some equipment malfunction, but they got us right back into it and went out with a bang, a big bang, like creation of the world status big bang.
So after a morning of making love, an afternoon of making friends, and a night of making history on Randall’s Island, I have no mas energy to make it out to the after party at Pacha NYC, even though I woulda got in free VIP, balllllin.
Day 1, Face melting, bass thumping, ears still ringing, cm of dirt encasing my body. Shower, grub, joke, smoke, midnight toke. See you tomorrow at the Zoo
