Isabel Berman
Over the past 30 years, EDM and house music have officially solidified their place in mainstream pop-culture and for good reason.
Regular party animals and newcomers alike love the atmosphere of non-stop electronic music, vibrant lights, and creative set designs.
In my case, I just got back from a wild 12-hour Elrow festival — from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m.! — at Brooklyn Mirage and now I need more EDM in my life ASAP.
So, the New York Post did a little bit of homework.
After searching the web, we found plenty of music festivals and popular EDM artists touring the country this summer, fall and winter.
To get you up to speed, here are just 14 (!) of our favorite beat-dropping and jaw-dropping turntablists you won’t want to miss live these next few months.
Anyma
Dec. 27 through Jan. 1, 2025 residency at Sphere in Las Vegas, NV
Dom Dolla
Touring North America from Aug. 30 through Nov. 21
New York show: Aug. 30 at Forest Hills Stadium
Charli XCX with Troye Sivan
Touring the world from Sept. 14 through Nov. 27
New York show: Sept. 23 at Madison Square Garden
John Summit
Touring North America from Aug. 10 through Feb. 22, 2025
Porter Robinson
Touring the world from Aug. 29 through March 28, 2025
New York show: Aug. 31 at Forest Hills Stadium
Kygo
Touring the world from Sept. 7 through Dec. 11
New York shows: Sept. 13-14 at Barclays Center
Two Friends
Touring North America from Aug. 3 through Sept. 14
New York show: Aug. 24 at Madison Square Garden
Tiesto
Touring North America from Aug. 16 through Nov. 15
New York show: Oct. 25 at Forest Hills Stadium
Justice
Touring North America from July 31 through Oct. 24
Kaytranada
Touring North America from Sept. 14 through Oct. 26
New York show: Oct. 4-5 at Forest Hills Stadium
Diplo
Touring North America from Aug. 3 through Nov. 8
New York shows: Sept. 21-22 at Brooklyn Mirage
Zeds Dead
Touring North America from Aug. 2 through Nov. 8
Massive Attack
Touring North America from Oct. 17-24
New York show: Oct. 24 at Forest Hills Stadium
Illenium
Touring North America from Aug. 2 through Oct. 20
Why go to an EDM festival? Our review of Elrow
From dusk til dawn, we party on!
On Saturday, July 20, I attended Elrow Town USA at Brooklyn’s Brooklyn Mirage. As noted above, this epic 12-hour rave started at 6 p.m. and lasted until 6 a.m. the next morning as the sun rose over the NYC skyline.
For those unfamiliar with this popular entertainment brand, Elrow is based in Ibiza, Spain, and has revolutionized how fans experience electronic music live. Their team is dedicated to utilizing the greatest minds in art and design in order to bring even the most insane concepts to life for all to enjoy.
While a marathon like this may seem exhausting, people love Elrow for their ability to keep the crowd alive and entertained with creative themes, interesting characters, and eye-catching set designs. The theme at the show I attended was the Rowmuda Triangle, which told the tale of a pirate ship being swallowed by a Kraken. This concept served as the inspiration for the amssive DJ booth and stage: the star of the show’s design.
Dubbed “The Party of Eternal Happiness,” the atmosphere is akin to a wild trip underwater to find a hidden party beneath the sea. Throughout the night, eccentric characters swayed through the crowd on stilts dressed as pirates, travelers, mermaids, and other fantastical sea creatures. My personal highlight was the intricately designed purple octopus dancing right behind me! The costumed sea creatures continued their elaborate performance on stage, posing from the windows of the ship and hyping up the crowd before the beat drops and bursts of confetti covered the sky above.
Stunning visuals aren’t the only attraction at Elrow, though.
The globe-trotting festival is also known for featuring the most talented techno and house DJs in their lineup. Crowd-favorites at the NYC show included, AYYBO, Oden & Fatzo, and Joshwa among others. It’s no wonder we couldn’t stop grooving for hours — these guys know to start a party and keep it going for hours.
But when a dance break was needed (eventually), count on Elrow to design a separate room with relaxing underwater sounds, vines hanging from the ceiling, a large animation of a tranquil ocean floor, and rows of comfortable couches for respite. The venue also included a food area, face-painting booth, multiple bars, and an upper level viewing section to watch the stage from above without the jumping crowd.
Although there are many popular EDM festivals out there, Elrow is easily one of the most fun and creative productions around. In an interview with the founder and CEO of Elrow, Juan Arnau Jr., he explains that Elrow is “an immersive show that has a lot of interaction with the crowd. We manage to make the crowd a part of the show. That’s where the magic happens, and why Elrow is the most immersive show in the industry right now. Mixing electronic music with actors, effects, toys, games and animations makes the experience unique.”
After a full night of pulsating beats beneath a sea of colors, it’s clear that EDM concerts like Elrow reflect the creativity and individuality of the community. The electrifying atmosphere, skillful musicians, imaginative designs, and inclusive spirit creates a euphoric experience where revelers can dance the night away.
In other words, we’re counting down the days until Elrow is back in New York!
More about the Brooklyn Mirage and upcoming events
Upon entering the venue, the walls are lined with kiosks to connect your credit card to a QR code on your wristband, for a completely cashless experience. No need to rummage through your bag and risk losing valuable possessions.
There are three different rooms with stages, multiple bars, a food area, an upstairs viewing space, and a VIP section with tables and bottle service.
Sound like the place to be?
Check out the upcoming events at the Brooklyn Mirage to find the show for you.
| Artist |
|---|
| DJ Snake Aug. 2 |
| Zamma Festival Aug. 3-4 |
| Don Diablo Aug. 9 |
| Gorgon City Aug. 10 |
| Nora En Pure Aug. 16 |
| Louis The Child – Alter Ego Aug. 17 |
| Uncle Waffles Aug. 18 |
| Black Tiger Sex Machine Aug. 22 |
| Duke Dumont Aug. 23 |
| Afrojack Aug. 24 |
| Soca Brainwash Aug. 30 |
| S20 New York – 2 Day Pass Aug. 31 through Sept. 1 |
| S20 New York – Marshmello Aug. 31 |
| RL Grime Sept. 6 |
| Adriatique Sept. 7 |
| Gesaffelstein Sept. 8 |
| All Day I Dream Sept. 15 |
| Seven Lions Block Party Sept. 20 |
| Diplo Sept. 21-22 |
| Bicep Sept. 26 |
| Illenium Sept. 27-29 |
| Amelie Lens Oct. 4 |
| Wax Motif and Matroda – Waxtroda Oct. 11 |
Tips and tricks for attending an EDM rave
- Bring a fan! It can get hot and sweaty to dance for hours on end, which is why partiers at Elrow were fanning themselves with traditional folding fans. Honestly, it also makes for a great accessory.
- Find the best festival outfit! Putting together a vibrant and unique look is part of the fun and definitely contributes to the experience.
- Take breaks when needed! Dancing through an entire festival is not for the faint of heart; that’s why it’s crucial to take breaks to explore the venue and grab a snack.