|
[REVIEW] Electric Zoo 2012 (pg. 4)
|
View this Thread in Original format
| PvDoBseSSioN |
so ended up going last night... but by boat! just chilled on the boat on the left of the mainstage, best way to do it IMO lol
 |
|
|
| lionbacker30 |
New to the forum, would like to add my thoughts. This is my third year at Zoo. I certainly enjoyed previous years moreso than this year.
I sprung for all three days this year mostly because there were a few artists there that I enjoy and hadn't seen before. I'd describe my music taste as a trance-first, but I can and will get into different types of music depending on the vibe the dj has going. My Friday started with Netsky before I meandered into Dillon Francis' set after an incredibly bland hour by Nicky Romero as an example.
Same four stage setup as last year, but significantly more people this year. I expected the Jersey Shore crowd, so that no longer fazes me. With that said, I am disturbed at how many children attended, particularly on Saturday and Sunday. It's something that ruined the experience at times for me. I know this has always been an all-ages festival, but the demographic compared to the last two years was incredibly different. I'm not going to judge people who want to roll, but I will absolutely say that the drug use was way more blatant this year. So too was the Jersey Shore influence (molly t-shirts etc). I think that is a direct reflection of the lineup, which is a byproduct of EDC coming in and signing exclusivity agreements. It all goes hand in hand in my opinion.
I thought A&B's set on Friday night was fantastic. I'm very happy they decided to do two performances. They give the teenie-boppers what they want to hear with the main stage performance, but give the trance family a more meaningful and enjoyable performance in the tent on Friday night. I had to leave Ferry's set, it was that poor. I was incredibly disappointed in it. I ended up spending time at Laidback Luke and grabbing dinner instead. Caught a bit of Mat Zo before Luciano blew me away with his performance.
I walked into Arnej on Saturday and thought it was a solid hour. I also thought I was going to pass out by the end, the sun/heat was absolutely brutal. Autoerotique had a very nice set afterwards. Outside of that, I too was disappointed with the lack of real diversity in the music through the weekend. It was absurdly repetitive by the time Sunday rolled around. Again, a byproduct of the djs they booked. A lot of "name" dj's, not a lot of diversity or substance to the sets.
I think something should be done about the kids next year. An 18+ rule would go a long way (not to say that there aren't idiots around that age), but I was truly disturbed by children (maybe 14 or 15 years old) clearly rolling with pacifiers in their mouths.
With all of that said, I still had a blast. I wish there were more smiles, more love, more feeling to the festival overall.I hope this competition for the most recognizable songs packed into an hour will end soon. The amazing and at times inspiring hours of happiness I got made up for the bad that has come with the rise of EDM in the mainstream though.
One last edit: Production value gets top marks from me. |
|
|
| Armitage350 |
| quote: | Originally posted by lionbacker30
I think something should be done about the kids next year. An 18+ rule would go a long way (not to say that there aren't idiots around that age), but I was truly disturbed by children (maybe 14 or 15 years old) clearly rolling with pacifiers in their mouths. |
Not sure I see this happening, as it would probably cut into their bottom line of ticket sales based on what they did this year.
I'm just curious, as I've never been to an EDC or UMF. Are they 18+ or all-ages as well? |
|
|
| StrobeLifeNYC |
| quote: | Originally posted by Armitage350
Not sure I see this happening, as it would probably cut into their bottom line of ticket sales based on what they did this year.
I'm just curious, as I've never been to an EDC or UMF. Are they 18+ or all-ages as well? |
I know Insomniac events are 18+. It makes a big difference.. Something just doesn't sit right by me to see kids my little cousins' age (13-15 years old) rolling out of their ing minds... It's a moodkiller.
They're alienating their older following that made Electric Zoo what it has become (in terms of vibe and crowd) into becoming a lot of people who aren't really going to buy tickets next year. Sure, they can sell out the event with an exclusively 18 and under crowd next year, but how long will that "scene" survive? They're catering to an extremely fickle demographic, whereas the following that supports a Carl Cox, Sasha, Richie Hawtin, even Infected Mushroom, etc., they can always be counted on to support and show up. They took a very flavor-of-the-year attitude this year, and like everyone has said already, I'm thinking more and more that this is Insomniac's doing.. It's a shame :confused: |
|
|
| TrancEdifice |
| I had ainticipated shennanigans like the rolling minors and the Jersey Shore invasion factors being a major mainstay at Zoo, so I did not even consider going not so much as one day. I am deeply disappointed that Zoo potential is being wasted this way. This city deserves a great music festival, and ths festival is not providing that, from what I keep hearing. |
|
|
| She_Fitz |
| quote: | Originally posted by StrobeLifeNYC
I've seen him a few times and this was the one that has made me a HUGE Marco Carola fan going forward. Hope to see him get bigger and better because he rocked a lot of people's worlds, who were around me.
|
Really??? Marco is one of the biggest techno DJs there is. He won't get as big as Skrillex or Tiesto. I can guarantee he will be okay with that.
Glad you like him though and got to experience other great djs like Dixon.
Only went on Saturday but it was fun. I was only at the Sunday School tent with the exception of the end of Martin Solveig. I liked most of the sets except Sasha. He had a few to many trancy finger moments.
I wasn't really bothered by the kids or the neon. They are all having fun and loving life. It is definitely not my cup of tea but it doesn't get to me. |
|
|
| AY STAR |
| quote: | Originally posted by She_Fitz
Really??? Marco is one of the biggest techno DJs there is. He won't get as big as Skrillex or Tiesto. I can guarantee he will be okay with that.
|
"A lot of people don't like the success of someone like David Guetta...But it's a blessing in disguise. He can get the attention of people who don't know anything about dance music. From there maybe they'll move on to something more underground. So thank you David. Your music sucks, but it helps."
Marco Carola -
:D
good seeing you and mr fist pump this weekend
fun times |
|
|
| StrobeLifeNYC |
| quote: | Originally posted by She_Fitz
Really??? Marco is one of the biggest techno DJs there is. He won't get as big as Skrillex or Tiesto. I can guarantee he will be okay with that. |
Yeah I've been a fan of Marco's for quite some time, but here in New York at least, he's typically been playing at places like Cielo and maybe sharing the lineup as co-headliner with someone else at Pacha. He hasn't really been given the big stage that, say, Carl Cox or Richie Hawtin have been given. He took the opportunity of closing out the festival, and completely dominated it. My girlfriend had never seen him live and she's a big fan now! |
|
|
| She_Fitz |
| quote: | Originally posted by StrobeLifeNYC
Yeah I've been a fan of Marco's for quite some time, but here in New York at least, he's typically been playing at places like Cielo and maybe sharing the lineup as co-headliner with someone else at Pacha. He hasn't really been given the big stage that, say, Carl Cox or Richie Hawtin have been given. He took the opportunity of closing out the festival, and completely dominated it. My girlfriend had never seen him live and she's a big fan now! |
He is typically here twice a year for blkmarket parties. He is ususally the only headliner and plays an 8 hour set.
He also hosts is own night in Ibiza at Amnesia. I would say he is equal to Richie and Carl. |
|
|
| lionbacker30 |
| quote: | Originally posted by StrobeLifeNYC
I know Insomniac events are 18+. It makes a big difference.. Something just doesn't sit right by me to see kids my little cousins' age (13-15 years old) rolling out of their ing minds... It's a moodkiller.
They're alienating their older following that made Electric Zoo what it has become (in terms of vibe and crowd) into becoming a lot of people who aren't really going to buy tickets next year. Sure, they can sell out the event with an exclusively 18 and under crowd next year, but how long will that "scene" survive? They're catering to an extremely fickle demographic, whereas the following that supports a Carl Cox, Sasha, Richie Hawtin, even Infected Mushroom, etc., they can always be counted on to support and show up. They took a very flavor-of-the-year attitude this year, and like everyone has said already, I'm thinking more and more that this is Insomniac's doing.. It's a shame :confused: |
I agree with this completely. I also think they know that by the winter, these kids are back in school and they won't get into any venue in the city that isn't an all ages show. I somehow doubt that crowd is savvy enough to know where the underground parties are. This is their chance to capitalize on the quick ascent of dance music overall (Made Event I mean), and they did.
I'm not worried about that scene. If they go and disappear, then we're back to buying tickets at a much more reasonable price again. Made Event will have to improve next year if they want to compete with Insomniac. I'm just agitated that a festival in a parking lot is booking better talent than the one at Randall's Island. |
|
|
| StrobeLifeNYC |
| quote: | Originally posted by She_Fitz
He is typically here twice a year for blkmarket parties. He is ususally the only headliner and plays an 8 hour set.
He also hosts is own night in Ibiza at Amnesia. I would say he is equal to Richie and Carl. |
Not really debating that he is or is not on their level as a DJ or in production skill. He absolutely is.
8 hour sets at Blkmarket don't really typify the closer for Electric Zoo; if anything, you're proving my point. Wighnomy Brothers headlined Blkmarket parties and played for 16-20 hours, but it would be a pleasant surprise to see them headlining the closing set in Sunday School.
Just saying, it was a pleasant surprise to see him as the last act and he completely owned it. I guess the best comparison to this would be like seeing Markus Schulz CLOSING OUT main stage at Zoo, but not Armin van Buuren. See what I'm saying? Popular, yes, big, yes, but not what you'd expect, and a pleasant surprise.. |
|
|
| Disturbed10890 |
| Chris Liebing absolutely mind ed me on Saturday night. Paco was a close second. Could not stop dancing, and it was so loud in the tent. Even though it was packed, still had room to move around. The crowd is expected, as is with every electronic based party nowadays. It is disgusting to see so many people start to realize what the music is, but it is all about getting messed up, rather than enjoying the music for what it is. |
|
|
|
|
