Preview: Electric Zoo 2012

 

New York’s hottest electronic music event is just two months away, and come Labor Day Weekend, almost a hundred thousand people will be together at Randall’s Island Park grooving to some incredible EDM. Pump the Beat will be there in full force, and we hope to see each and every one of you for what is sure to be a crazy weekend. Check out the recap video from last year, and after the jump you can see my guide to the festival: what big names to see, who to avoid, and who might just surprise you and steal the show. Get your tickets and make sure that you don’t miss out on the biggest party this Labor Day Weekend has to offer.  Also check after the jump for some dope free tracks from Mt. Eden, Mustard Pimp, and Adventure Club.

Electric Zoo 2012: More Information and Tickets

So, having trouble deciding who to see and who to leave out? Fear not, Kandi Kids, as I have put together a guide of who I think will be the best (and worst) of Electric Zoo 2012.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 31ST:

Big-Name Can’t-Miss Acts (In order of importance): Hardwell, Laidback Luke, Above & Beyond, Nicky Romero, Pretty Lights, A-Trak, Ferry Corsten

Hardwell is an absolute must, and is one of my favorite DJs (both in studio and live) just because of his energy and excitement.  Laidback Luke and Nicky Romero will absolutely kill it, and Pretty Lights is a fun show to be a part of (no doubt the EZoo light show will be incredible). Above & Beyond are headlining a stage named after them Friday and the main stage Saturday, so obviously there’s a reason they are here: they put on one of the most uplifting and inspiring shows I’ve ever seen, so don’t even think about missing that experience.

Consider Skipping: David Guetta

To be entirely honest, he’s just kind of boring.  He puts on a fun show and you will know everything he plays by heart, but if you’re looking for a show-stopping performance, look elsewhere.

Show-Stealers (In order of importance): Tommy Trash, Dillon Francis, Jack Beats, Nadastrom, Luciano, Brodinski, Treasure Fingers

Looking for some good moombahton? Look no further than the Riverside Fool’s Gold Clubhouse, where Dillon Francis, Jack Beats, Nadastrom, A-Trak, and others will keep your feet moving for hours. And don’t you dare miss Luciano and the Vagabundos: I’ve heard his sets are legendary. And Brodinski and Treasure Fingers are just fucking fun – look no further for a sick dance party.

 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST:

Big-Name Can’t-Miss Acts: Axwell, Above & Beyond, Bingo Players, Rusko, Wolfgang Gartner, Dada Life, Datsik

By now we all know about the inevitable end to Swedish House Mafia, so for me, seeing Axwell is a no-brainer, as I would like to hope (hint hint) that there may be a special guest appearance (or two) during his set. Bingo Players and Dada Life will definitely hold down the main stage, while Wolfgang, whose set at Sasquatch was one of the best I’ve ever seen, is going to tear it up during his time. And look to both Rusko and Datsik for some hard-hitting dubstep at their respective stages.

Consider Skipping: Benny Benassi, Steve Aoki, Nervo, Autoerotique

I’ve seen Benny, Nervo, and Autoerotique, and I just don’t see any of these acts bringing much to the table in terms of performance or originality. Steve Aoki is an awesome time, but he literally presses play and has the exact same performance at EVERY show: expect champagne bottles, a cake or two, and some kind of crowd surfing inflatable.

Show-Stealers: Mord Fustang, DJ Bl3nd, 12th Planet, Felix Cartal, Kill the Noise, Mustard Pimp Mord Fustang’s new EP “Welcome to the Future” is incredible, and I can’t wait to see what he has to offer live. DJ Bl3nd is going to absolutely tear it up, just look up any of his mixes and YouTube and you will immediately understand. And look for the Dim Mak stage to be blowing up, with performances from 12th Planet, Felix Cartal, Kill the Noise, and Mustard Pimp throughout the day.

 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND:

Big-Name Can’t Miss Acts: Tiesto, Skrillex, Knife Party, Porter Robinson, Bloody Beetroots, Excision, Flux Pavilion & Doctor P, Diplo

Tiesto was the first electronic artist I ever heard, so seeing him close out the last day of Electric Zoo (as I assume he will) is going to be an experience unlike any other. Look for Skrillex, Knife Party, Excision, and Flux/Doctor P to absolutely murder their grimy and hard-hitting dubstep sets as they always do. Bloody Beetroots are only playing a DJ set, but I’m sure it will not come close to disappointing, and Diplo will put on an intense and invigorating moombah dance party over at the Riverside tent.

Consider Skipping: Krewella, Dev

Sorry ladies, not interested.  I’m really not a big fan of Krewella and the attempts they make at dubstep, and I could honestly care less about seeing Dev: the last thing I want to hear at Electric Zoo is “Bass Down Low” or ”In the Dark”.

Show-Stealers:Adventure Club, Zed’s Dead, Zedd, Mt. Eden, Paper Diamond, 3LAU, Boys Noize

I’m so excited to see Adventure Club, Zed’s Dead, and Mt. Eden perform some great live dubstep, and Zedd and Paper Diamond will definitely put on good shows at the Riverside stage. Look for mashup DJ 3LAU to open up the main stage on Sunday with a fun, danceable set that everybody will love.

 

So that’s all I got. Did I miss anybody? Recommend any you think are shit? Hate on anybody you’re a huge fan of? Give me your opinions and let me know what you think, but most importantly, don’t miss out on Electric Zoo 2012: its going to be a crazy weekend, kids.