New arrivals to the Zoo were treated to a variety of talent which spanned several genres over the course of three days. Co-founder of the New York based Fools Gold record label, Nick Catchdubs, broke the seal on the Red Bull Riverside stage, where a highly innovative stage design was ready to be shown off. The Red Bull Riverside stage, which was now a repeat visitor to the Zoo, played host to many artists whom have worked alongside the Red Bull Music Academy in the past, including Kid Sister, Egyptrixx and SBTRKT to name just a few. The French model of a current renaissance man, Busy P, was set to lead into one of the most anticipated sets of the weekend, the US debut of Ed Banger label-mate Sebastian’s LIVE set. Adding his own live instrumentation and visuals to the already impressive stage set, Sebastian’s LIVE set was greeted with a packed and anxious tent.

The cream of the dance music crop made appearances over the weekend. With the recent bleeding over of dance producers to the pop music arena, acts such as Benny Benassi, David Guetta, Afrojack, and even Diplo were able to play their recent popular productions, that when combined, include contributing vocals from Chris Brown, Beyonce, Akon and even fellow Electric Zoo performer, Snoop Dogg.

If a 12 hour party was not enough to satisfy your musical palate, official after parties were scheduled for each of the three days at the premier New York hotspot, Pacha. When Fatboy Slim, the UK electronic legend which Q Magazine listed as being one of their “50 Bands To See Before You Die”, is booked as an after-party headliner, all conflicting time and/or sleep constraints seem to disappear. A rarity in the US, Fatboy Slim played to a Pacha full of those who found themselves wide awake and ready to keep the party going until the sun forced them out for day two of Electric Zoo.

Skrillex, the poster-child of a growing demand for Americanized dubstep, joined fellow producer 12th Planet on stage during his packed Red Bull Riverside performance Saturday. Bringing an aspect to his live show that was inevitably made popular by rock music fans, 12th Planet surprised the first few rows with an intimate crowd surfing session. Add in fellow dubstep producers Excision & Datsik and your bass music fix for the weekend was met.

Stylish electro rockers Chromeo made their mark on the Sunday main stage. Sporting attire from a recent trip to Paris, P-Thugg and Dave 1 changed the gears of the main stage with their unique blend of funk and disco infused music. When asked about their upcoming tour and production agenda, Dave 1 revealed that they would be touring nonstop until entering the studio sometime in January to begin writing their follow-up to the 2010 album, Business Casual.

Closing out the Hilltop Arena on the final day of the Zoo, a back-to-back helping of Diplo and Boys Noize left a lasting impression on those who would set off back to reality once the day was over. Diplo, the DJ and producer who has produced acts ranging in sound from metal to k-pop, played a set heavy on familiar classics and introduced several exclusive tracks to which we can only hope they see the light of day. Boys Noize was up next and he proved once again as to why festivals all over the world have him close out their stages. His extensive catalogue of original productions and remixes allow for a new and exciting set every time he steps behind the CDJ’s. Towering above the crowd on a gigantic LED wall, Boys Noize seemed to be hypnotizing the dancing crowd into a nonstop mass of flesh and neon colors.

Words by Alexander Rose. Photos by Sam Allen

During Coachella 09, the french electro artists from Ed Banger Records (Justice, Busy P, So Me, Medhi, Fafi, Gaspard, Sebastian, Kavinsky, etc) descended upon LA with their new clothing brand, Cool Cats, first ever pop up store in the US at De La Barracuda on Melrose in Mid City. On Monday, April 20th, 2009 A.C. (After Coachella), the social chameleons of the LA scene journeyed through the heavily trafficked LA arteries to an afternoon of relaxation in fashion and friendship with drinks provided by Red Bull, Belvedere IX and Colt 45s, and the side act of guest DJ sets from Medhi, So Me, , Sebastian, and Busy P (On his Birthday!) From the fashion side, limited edition presses of their apparel were on sale to grab up for all the trend setters to take back to their boroughs of the city and dawn on Tuesday. Surprise surprise: appearances from Guy Manuel of Daft Punk, Digitalism, Artist Darren Romanelli, Editor Jamie O’Shea, Photographer Lionel DeLuy (who for the fun of it, set up a photo booth for the day) and more. The result, a celebration of french music and fashion in LA. A good time had by all…

Some Cool Blog Recaps:
http://barracudashop.com/blog/?m=200904 (Halfway down the page)
http://youtellconcerts.com/?p=323
http://migueld.thelechuga.com/2009/04/23/cool-cats-barracuda/
http://www.findinternettv.com/Video,item,167620017.aspx
http://trashageyo.blogspot.com/2009/04/cool-cats-pop-up-store.html

Words by Josh Greenberg, Photos by Zoetica Ebb