Being the face of a company is never easy, but being the face of a company that had two individuals lose their lives to drug overdoses is even that much more difficult. That is what MadeEvent founders, Mike Bindra and Laura de Palma, face as they enter their sixth installment of Electric Zoo in New York City. The pair sat down with The New York Times for a candid discussion on the tragic deaths that marred the festival last year, and how they plan to move forward with changes for Electric Zoo’s future installments.
With the electronic dance music scene over the past several years seeing overwhelming growth within mainstream culture, it comes as no surprise to see this specific industry booming at the present moment. Developing in the underground clubs of Europe in the 90’s, the celebration of the music we know and love continues to grow as the underground culture beings to cement itself with the next generation of ravers. But as the next generation steps forward and begins to fill in the footsteps of the now aging population that once called these nightclubs home, the overwhelming rampant use of drugs has become more popular than ever before.
Last year at New York City’s, Electric Zoo, that takes place on Randall’s Island during Labor Day weekend, the ever-so-popular music festival saw two individuals lose their lives to the growing club drug, Molly. With festival organizers, Mike Bindra and Laura de Palma, taking drastic measures by canceling the third day of their festival, the decision sent immense shockwaves through the EDM community. With recognition of safety over everything else, it has been estimated that the owners lost just around 20 million dollars by canceling the third day of their festival and crediting back all attendees their money for the final day that was lost.
As the summer days tick bye and labor day weekend draws closer each and everyday, Electric Zoo is is back once again for its sixth installment at the famed Randall’s Island Park. Unfortunately, this summer season has seen several deaths at festivals like Veld, Mad Decent Block Party, and at Electric Daisy Carnival. With these deaths highlighting the negative aspects of the industry and what occurs at such events, the measures being taken by Electric Zoo this year, shows just how important safety is for their attendees this year.
The lingering effects of the two deaths of two twenty year old attendees, continue to linger in the minds of Mike Bindra and Laura de Palma, but with the EDM being the soundtrack of our generation the show must ultimately go on. With heightened security measures unseen within EDM industry, a top notch lineup of superstars including the likes of Alesso, Kaskade, and David Guetta, this year is set to be its biggest one yet.
Certain things may strike a negative chord with some individuals with the electronic dance music scene, but with EDM being thrusted into the spotlight like never before, the steps taken by Electric Zoo are the proper ones and neccessary for this growing community. With less then two weeks to the event, will you be attending this years Electric Zoo and who are you most excited to see?
Article Source/Top Photo: NYTimes.com Photo Credit: Electric Zoo
