Electric Zoo 2010

Okay so we’re hoping you took our advice and hydrated, ate, and paced yourself throughout your day one adventures.  If you didn’t, now would be a good time to bust out the Red Bulls and power bars, because Day Two at the Zoo is upon us. And it’s sure to be wild.

Personally we agree the second day of any dance music adventure we have ever embarked on has always been our favorite. Now let us explain why. When we approached the gates of Electric Zoo for the second day last year we thought, “Okay we did this yesterday, we know the exhibits we like,  know what kind of sounds we want to hear, we know where everything is, We got this Zoo figured out.” And this is the mentality we can both say we typically go into the second day of any adventure having. But upon re-entering the Zoo on Saturday last year, we both suddenly realized only a small part of our mentality was actually correct. Yes it’s true we knew the lay of the land better than when we blindly entered on day one, but as for having everything else figured out, we weren’t even close.

Now we don’t think we were foolish for entering with this mentality, and we wouldn’t be shocked if many of you reading this do just the same as we did. On the contrary, we’re extremely happy we went in thinking this way. Why you ask? Well because it set us up to be surprised and amazed in a way we could have never anticipated possible. It set us up for that unexplainable moment when we both suddenly realized that although the physical place we were standing in had remained unchanged from the previous day, mentally the feeling was entirely different. New animals had emerged from their cages, all with the intention of making their presence known, and all with something to say. You could feel the change in the air. We were not all knowing and certainly not in control. And almost instantly we both were ready to allow our bodies to fall under the zoo’s electric spell all over again. Fast-forward to 2012 and we both now realize the only thing one can expect from this kind of zoo is the unexpected.  So with that being said it’s time to stop thinking, stop planning, and stop preparing; it’s time to enter Day Two of  Electric Zoo.

Nervo

Exhibit One: The Lions Den (Main Stage)

Warning: Lions have not been tamed; proceed with caution.

Lions; the king’s of the jungle, the top of the food chain. Lions are fierce predators and wild attackers. Although one of the main attractions in the Lion’s Den isn’t a lion at all, but a lioness. A special breed of lionesses have emerged over the past years known as Nervo. Nervo are considered the fiercest female lions in the jungle. Stemming from a short haired breed and a long hair breed, there is no denying that Nervo’s are beautiful creatures who make their presence known. Which brings us to the players of the Den- The Bingos. They are said to have even made the Nervos “Cry Just a Little” with their player mentalities (don’t worry Nervo’s, You’re Gonna Love Again). The Bingo Players have only recently emerged in the Den but are already working their way to the top by using their “Don’t Blame the Party” attitude. We are excited to see what these players have in store for us at the Zoo because they are definitely known to “Rattle” the Den.

Lastly, the biggest and baddest of them all- Axwell. Axwell’s roar is loud, deep and funky. You will often times catch an Axwell alone, although sometimes if you’re lucky you may catch him alongside his family; a mafia, if you will. “In My Mind” Axwell is among the most talented of animals at the Zoo,  recently placed at number 12 in the world. Axwell is swift like a “Greyhound” and can “Save The World” like a superhero; which is why Axwell should be one of your top stops at the Zoo this year. The Den is a magical place and will certainly wear anyone attending the Zoo down after full day, but while you are there don’t be afraid to take advantage of its big room to dance, shuffle and wander about.

The Benny Benassi

Exhibit Two: Tiger Mountain (Hilltop Arena)

Warning:  Unexpected peaks and valleys; Enter at your own risk.

With a bright orange coat of fur, tigers are hard to miss as they roam the plains of the Animal Kingdom. Very strong animals; their powerful and quick physical nature coincides perfectly with their hard-hitting, quick, and upbeat roars. While Tiger Mountain may first appear very similar to the Lion’s Den, do not be fooled. The animals that reside in this House are a breed of their own, and to regard them as anything differently would be considered as much of a crime as poaching.

A well-known breed here in Tiger Mountain is called The Benassi. And at the head of this pack stands one called Benny Benassi. A true leader, he has brought “Satisfaction” to all those who have been lucky enough to have seen him. It’s hard not to smile and “Feel Alive” as his sounds take you on journey up to the highest peaks of the mountain, down into the lowest valleys, and then back up again. With an incredible ability to take “Control” of your body, he will leave you wondering, “Is this really happening or am I in a Cinema?”

Recently reports have been going around Tiger Mountain of a rare Rusko sighting. A raw and wild animal, Rusko is known for his “Can’t Keep Me Down” attitude. Not one to keep in how he is feeling nor fear expressing who he is, this tiger has sometimes found himself clashing with other animals in the Kingdom, most recently a mouse. While you’re going to need to “Hold On” if you want to go on a heavy-hitting, dub-infused, journey with Rusko, I can assure you it will be worth the ride.

While continuing to explore this realm you may encounter a unique breed of Wolf-like tigers that tend to travel in one large pack; a Gang if you will, known as The Gartners. Calling you in with their fun, electro-house roars, this breed of tiger is sure to take you on an adventure to the otherside of the world and “There and Back” again. Making quite a name for themselves these last few years, The Gartners have gained much respect among the others in the kingdom. With so with so many great animals to see at the zoo you may be wondering how long you will actually be able to explore each exhibit. But never fear, because as long as you stay Flexxible, I assure you anything can be yours at the zoo.

Steve Aoki

Exhibit Three: Wild Asia

Warning: Do not enter wearing nice clothing.

Lets be real. We all spend a ridiculous amount of time prepping and preparing ourselves before heading out for the day. We shower, do our hair, pick out our outfit: the list goes on and on. All with a goal of making everything look just right. But there comes a point in every adventure when suddenly you stop caring about looking so put together, stop caring if you are going to stain your nice new neon shirt, stop caring about other’s opinions of you, and just simply want to go wild. While this may not be normal behavior for you, never fear, because for the animals that reside in Wild Asia, craziness is a way of life. And on Saturday of Electric Zoo they are inviting you into their world, as long as you’re willing to get a little dirty.

It is here that you will come across one that many have described wildest of them all named Steve Aoki. Known for flinging cakes and pouring champagne on his onlookers, he is certainly going to be your ‘Wake Up Call’ if you thought anyone in this realm could be tamed. But the other animals have ‘No Beef’ with him as his hard-hitting and upbeat sounds keep the party going non-stop. You’ll find yourself unable to sit still as you watch him move about and may even feel like you’re on an airplane hitting ‘Turbulance’. Not to worry though, you are still at the zoo, but have now entered the Aoki’s crazy version of Wonderland.

While continuing your journey through this land you are sure to encounter a creature that we refer to as 12th planet. His unique heavy, hard, and emotional sounds have helped him to gain ‘Control’ of his listeners and given the world ‘Reasons’ to respect him.  You are sure to get lost in the jungles of Wild Asia with him for some time and there’s no telling what can happen out there. Fast forward ‘28 Hours Later’ and you may find yourself asking your friend, “Who are we?”.

Although the craziness of this realm may have left you filthy and “Barely Standing”, I dare you to venture on and if you’re lucky you will catch glimpse of who they call Datsik. Still relatively a new comer, Datsik seems to be gaining support with “Lightspeed” and working his way up to becoming “King Kong” of this jungle. It will be hard not to fall victim to his hard-hitting sounds that bring you up and then down again with a giant “Boom”. Oh and we recommend a shower upon leaving Wild Asia,  although we cannot promise a shower can clean up this kind of filth.

Maya Jane Coles

Exhibit Four: The World of Darkness

Warning: You are getting closer to enlightenment.

You never quite know what you are going to find in The World of Darkness, and perhaps this is the reason you have yet again found yourself standing at its entrance. Like I’ve said before, this underground realm is home to many incredible creatures for you open your ears, your eyes, and your mind to. On this day you can find the one they call Sasha moving about. And if you are lucky enough to catch him, you are in for a real treat. Sasha is one of the oldest and most respected in this world and will progressively draw you into his house sound by sound. Placed among the top ten of the animal kingdom every year since 1997, it is clear Sasha has the skills and technological knowhow to evolve to changing times while still remaining original for his admirers.

As with any visit to The World of Darkness, seeing just one animal never seems to be enough and you will surely want to keep searching for what else is out there. This world is also home to a beautiful creature known as Maya Jane Coles. A strong one, she is known to stand her own among the others. As you listen to her, you may find yourself unable to “Breathe” as she seamlessly blends the sounds of so many genres. She is sure to take you on a journey where you will sometimes feel “Senseless” and “Dazed” and other times ready to “Get Freaky”. The creatures that reside in this realm are sure to captivate you with their unique, off-the-mainstream-radar sounds. It is a world that so many nowadays are afraid to explore, because I believe they are afraid they will not understand. But once you enter, I can promise you, you will be returning for more.

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Now like I’ve said this is only a small taste of all Electric Zoo has to offer during your second visit. Take  time to adventure, explore, and expose yourself to as many exhibits and animals as possible. Also remember to open yourself up a little and vibe with the other people in the crowd. Dance music really does have the best following in the world. And of course eat, drink, and sleep, there’s still one more day to go…

Check back for your preview of  Day Three of Electric Zoo brought to you by Ali DiBarba & Kathryn Gosik!