Elements NYC Music & Arts Festival Delivers an Idyllic Dystopia in the Bronx, Featuring Griz, Zeds Dead, Flying Lotus, and More [Event Review]

Last weekend, over 10,000 festival lovers of all things weird and wild jumped on the 6 train headed towards Elements NYC Music & Arts Festival. For its fourth year, this “Burning Man meets Bushwick” dystopia transported up the river from Red Hook to its new waterfront location in Hunts Point, Bronx. The head honchos of BangOn!NYC Timothy Monkiewicz and Thomas Murphy, better known as The Golden Pony, did not disappoint its tribe of followers, providing an idyllic industrial playground with a larger-than-life warehouse as its centerpiece to manifest the Brookyln vibes this festival has flourished on. It was the perfect urban asylum for revelers to lose themselves.

Earth, Air, Water, Fire, and the Fifth Element made up the five elemental stages that saw massive performances from Griz, Zeds Dead, Shiba San, Justin Martin, CamelPhat, Nore En Pure, Chris Lake, Nu Sky, and so many more. Keeping close to their roots, many Brooklyn players and lesser-known artists dominated the weekend, providing a fresh lineup for seasoned ravers who have grown tiresome of the typical acts and headliners they’ve seen all summer long. As is tradition, the grounds were locked and loaded with an evergreen of bizarrely intriguing and magical art installations, performances, and activities. Whether you wanted to battle frenemies in a Thunderdome, get a taste of what the 90s rave scene was like, partake in Ecstatic Dance Workshops in the Healing Garden (our personal fave), or veg out on some seriously delicious eats, there were plenty of experiences to dive into.

The Earth Stage saw the return of the howling wolves from Elements Lakewood, set deep inside the depths of the warehouse. Created by NYC based fabrication company Rhizome & visuals by The Reliquarium, headliners Griz and Zeds Dead both delivered chill-inducing performances that we still can’t stop thinking about. Another highlight of the weekend was Barclay Crenshaw, who served up his dirtiest beats to a sea of Dirtybird die-hards wilding out to his set.

A whimsical canopy decorated in the mystical colors of the deep ocean draped over dancers at the Water Stage. Here, the waterfall-themed art car “Atlantis,” built by Brooklyn-based Eagle Rock Studios, drew in hundreds of attendees over the weekend. The decks were set high atop the car, overlooked by a Posidyn statue, where live sets by Bakermat, The Golden Pony, and Kerri Chandler could be heard. So many incredible players sent shock waves from this stage, but a few of our favorites were undoubtedly CamelPhat, Shiba San, and Justin Martin.

Set along the docks of the waterfront, the Air Stage welcomed festival goers with an open space to embrace the sunshine and let loose. Come nighttime, darkness fell over dancers who could hardly be recognized by the minimal, moody lighting that set the scene. Hosted by NYC promoter ZERO, Saturday saw deep delicious sets from Damian Lazarus, The Sorry Entertainer, and Daniel Cowel. On Sunday, we got down and dirty with Option4, Croatia Squad, and Chris Lake who let the crowd have it with “Operator.” Later in the night, Michael Calfan and Nora En Pure delivered sets that had us vibing out hard.

Once again, the Fire Stage brought the heat as the “Heavy Meta” fire-breathing dragon. Erected to be a pyro’s dream, fire breathers, dancers, and death-defying acts brought to life a Mad Max-like experience. Different to Lakewood, this was not the spot to flock to for headliner acts or anything most attendees would be familiar with. Instead, only artists those in-the-know could truly appreciate were the ones to light the stage ablaze. A few memorable sets came from players like Tennyson, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Brodinski, and Gilligan Moss.

Tucked away in a dark, hidden corner of the warehouse’s second story is where the Fifth Element stage could be found (or not). Moody, dark, and eerie is how this space can best be described, acting as an hideaway for those who wanted to get away from the crowds and indulge in deeper, more hypnotic house grooves. A few sets that shined amongst the twinkling visuals pouring out of the spaceship-like decks were Nu Sky, Pablo Romero, Gab Rhome, and Jackal Jyve

There’s no other festival on the east coast that’s quite like Elements NYC. Every year, we’re given a unique experience that leaves us utterly entranced well past its closing hour. Until next year, all that’s left is reminents of an idyllic dystopia and unforgettable weekend that revelers can hold dear and near to them.

Photo Credit 1: Julian Cassady
Photo Credit 2: Julian Cassady
Photo Credit 3: Chris Lavado
Photo Credit 4: Julian Cassady
Photo Credit 5: Julian Cassady
Photo Credit 6: Chris Lavado
Photo Credit 7: Julian Cassady
Photo Credit 8: Julian Cassady
Photo Credit 9: RaverRafting

Connect with Elements Music & Arts Festival:
https://www.facebook.com/ElementsFestNYC
https://www.twitter.com/ElementsFestNYC
https://www.instagram.com/ElementsFestNYC

Connect with BangOn!NYC:
https://www.facebook.com/ItsBangOnNYC
https://www.twitter.com/BangOnNYC
https://www.instagram.com/BangOnNYC

 

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