The 2023 edition of Electric Zoo Music Festival took a turn into the history books this past weekend, with fans encountering hours-long Will Call lines, a main stage still under construction on Friday, and an overflow of attendees on Sunday.
Add in allegations of overselling the event by a reported 7,000, according to Mayor Eric Adams, and EZoo joins the ranks of Fyre Fest, AstroWorld, Curveball, and Woodstock 99 in the lore of music festivals gone awry.
It’s unfortunate that the organizers wanted to turn our city into a zoo, and we were not going to allow that to happen. And we will be dealing with them in the next few days based on their behavior and actions.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams
Electric Zoo 2023 was produced by Billy Bildstein of Avant Gardner and Cityfox, who bought EZoo creator Made Events, in July 2022 through an investment group for $15 million.
The weekend started on a low note for promoters, with the stage being deemed unsafe by New York authorities, leading to the full Friday of music being canceled, and refund information shared by Electric Zoo. In a statement, the promoters said,
Despite our tireless efforts and round-the-clock commitment, we have made the painful decision to cancel the first day of Electric Zoo. This year has presented unparalleled challenges for everyone. The global supply chain disruptions have impacted industries worldwide, and, sadly, our beloved festival has not been immune. These unexpected delays have prevented us from completing the construction of the main stage in time for Day 1.
Among artists whose sets were canceled on Friday were The Chainsmokers, Excision, Griz and New York born and raised, Eli Escobar.
Saturday saw the festival delayed gates opening until 230pm, with crowds waiting for five hours (if not longer) for Will Call tickets. Some fans were not able to get into the venue on Randall’s Island until nearly 8pm, leading one outlet to ask, “Is Electric Zoo the new Fyre Festival?”
Major safety hazard, disappointing, disgraceful honestly. It's 8pm and we aren't moving we're all going to miss it. All day traveling here for nothing. Just let us in. Never again. pic.twitter.com/JwobmeFesN
— Jess (@J3ssCel) September 2, 2023
Although the EZOO team reassured fans, “Your patience and dedication mean the world to us, and we cannot thank you enough for being part of this incredible community,” fans were not placated, with some having flown in from around the country and world, nowhere to turn but to head home.
Then on Sunday evening, piggybacking off a cancellation and incredibly long wait times, promoters said the festival was full and could not accommodate any additional patrons. Fans crashed the gates, passing security checkpoints, nearly destroying the entry way on Randall’s Island, frustrated by the actions of the promoters.
Hundreds (thousands?) of people have rushed the @ElectricZooNY gates after being told that the festival had reached its capacity on the final night, and valid ticket holders would no longer be granted entry. pic.twitter.com/uJJ8XWIV1y
— Festive Owl (@TheFestiveOwl) September 3, 2023
After the disappointment from the cancellation of Day 1, Electric Zoo kept the show running on Day 2, opening the gates two hours later than initially posted. Headliners Timmy Trumpet, Gryffin and the closing finale of Zedd left attendees smiling from ear to ear.
From glitter to sequins, fish nets and strobe light sunglasses, the fans inside were enlightened with character despite the issues outside the gate, showing their love for the electronic dance community.
To close out Saturday, German DJ and producer Zedd put on an outstanding finale with a crowd full of thousands screaming, clapping and dancing among themselves to some of his hit remixes “Alive by Empire of the Sun – Zedd Remix” and “Break Free” by Ariana Grande (feat. Zedd).
On Day 3 the festival was up and ready to go when the gates opened for attendees at 1pm. While the days prior led to confusion, frustration and disappointment, EZOO was determined to turn it around. The main stage known as Convergence added two more columns to the overhead screens which illuminated the overall feel and experience of the final day.
However, with more tickets sold than Randall’s Island could accommodate, promoters announced at 6:30pm that no more fans would be allowed to enter, even if they had a ticket. And with this, fans frustration hit its peak, and the gates were stormed.
Headliners included Tiesto, Major Lazor, a combined set of both well known artists Dom Dolla and John Summit, and leading finale Marshmellow. The on stage visuals of all artists performing reached with psychedelic imagery, strobes of color and front stage flames, smoke and fireworks enhanced the fans’ experience.
By this point, all stages were flooded with fans from front to back, savoring their last moments of Electric Zoo 2023 and not letting the oversold event and actions of promoters stifle the finale of what was intended to be a magnificient weekend for thousands of EDM fans.
Even with the delays and frustration, EZOO kept the show running for Day 2 and Day 3 to the best of their ability. The event performances left fans ecstatic, and for some the festival was worth the wait, while for others a weekend without music, but for all attendees, it was a weekend for the history books.
