In 2016, we went batty for Electric Zoo: Wild Island – an exotic revamp of MADE Events’ animal-inspired electronic music festival. This year, the theme hits a little closer to home.
Over Labor Day weekend, Electric Zoo: The 6th Boro, will pay homage to that lively patch of land nestled between Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx. Hell, if it weren’t for festivals to break ground there, Randall’s Island may missed our radar completely. But those of us who fearlessly embark on that lengthy walk along the Tri-Boro Bridge do so knowing that, upon arrival, we will be rewarded with unmatched production and unforgettable sets from world-renowned artists. It’s our perfect oasis, just off the beaten path of our concrete jungle.
We could highlight international headliners on the day-by-day line-up (above), like Paris-based top 40 producer, DJ Snake, or Deadmau5 vs Eric Prydz (a very special collaboration coming to us via Toronto, Canada and Taby, Sweden). However, the 6th Boro is all about celebrating local pride, so we’re gonna keep rocking that angle. Carve some time out of your action packed schedule to peep sets from these five powerhouse New Yorkers who have left their artistic mark on the Big Apple and beyond.
Boris (Saturday, September 2nd – AWAKENINGS Stage) – At FREEwilliamsburg, we “Believe in Boris”. The Russian-native turned Brooklynite has held residencies at every major New York nightclub, and that’s only one reason he’s become a household name for lovers of the night life. Since the 1990s, Boris has honed his craft as a techno DJ and producer, collecting coveted awards, critical acclaim, label credits and devoted fans along the way. If you haven’t seen Boris in the flesh at Output, perhaps you’ve listened to his Transmissions Podcast, which has aired on 57 stations across 36 countries. This dude is seriously everywhere.
Danny Tenaglia (Saturday, September 2nd @ AWAKENINGS Stage) – At age 10, Danny Tenaglia began sifting through vinyls at record stores near his family’s home in Brooklyn. That initial thirst for new sounds quickly evolved into a passion for show-going. In 1979, he saw DJ Larry Leven play the iconic Paradise Garage, and well, the rest is history. Nearly 30 years, three International Dance Music Awards, two Muzik Awards and a Grammy nomination later, Danny Tenaglia remains one of the city’s most beloved performers. Having played every room of note in Manhattan and Brooklyn, it’s easy to see why catching a Danny T set is an unspoken rite of passage for NYC club kids. If you dipped into Output during one of his residency nights, or peeped his set at HYTE NYC, then it’s about time you get your classic NYC House fix at this year’s Electric Zoo Festival.
Julia Govor (Friday, September 1st @ AWAKENINGS) – When Julia Govor made her musical debut as the singer for a Russian Military Band in her hometown of Abkhazia, Georgia, the bright lights of New York City still seemed like a far off dream. Flash forward to 2017 and today Govor’s a New York native preparing for her third consecutive appearance at Electric Zoo. Having graced curated stages from Sunday School and revered international party brand, ANTS, this fearless dance diva will truly be in her element when she plays this year’s dedicated AWAKENINGS stage.
Victor Calderone (Saturday, September 2nd @ AWAKENINGS) – Victor Calderone can thank his older brother for introducing him to NYC nightlife in his early teen years. Had it not been for that fateful introduction so many years ago, music would be a lot less interesting today. With 20 years of beat-making under his belt, Victor Calderone has become one of the most respected names in techno. But that’s not the only genre where he’s made a splash. Calderone has also played producer for major pop acts from Sting to Madonna to Bey. Whether you’re familiar with the visionary or not, you’ve inevitably been exposed to his talents.
Wingtip (Friday, September 1st @ HILLTOP ARENA) – You’ll be flying high with Wingtip’s feel-good, sounds of summer. The rising artist set his sights on our fair borough after cultivating his style in his hometown of San Francisco. Nick Perloff-Giles is best known for his disco-laced track Missing You, but his newest release, Walls, is equally appealing. This single (featuring singer Delacey) combines a catchy vocal, wistful guitar strums and bouncy production for a track that’s almost as sweet as Davey’s Ice Cream.
All this, plus Tuesday’s announcement of Elrow’s new Bollywood-inspired stage (a stateside exclusive!) have us unbelievably excited for Electric Zoo: The 6th Boro. You can grab single day tickets, 2-day passes and 3-day passes to this year’s festival HERE.