Final day of Electric Zoo dance festival axed after drug-related deaths

Performances by superstar DJs Steve Aoki, Sebastian Ingrosso and Armin Van Buuren at the 2013 Electric Zoo festival have been cancelled after New York City officials axed Sunday’s (01Sep13) finale following two drug-related deaths. The Randall’s Island bash kicked off on Friday (30Aug13) with headlining sets by Avicii and Harlem Shake hitmaker Baauer, while David Guetta, A-Trak and Tiesto brought Saturday’s (31Aug13) gigs to a close.
However, the popular electronic music gathering was marred by the passing of two party-goers during the first 48 hours of the three-day event, and now city officials have decided to pull Sunday’s festivities.
A statement released by a representative at the New York City Mayor’s office reads: “During the first two days of the Electric Zoo music festival, two concert-goers have died and at least four others became critically ill and have been placed in intensive care at area hospitals. Definitive causes of death have not yet been determined, however, both appear to have involved the drug MDMA (ecstasy, or molly).”
The cancellation comes just hours before Diplo, Victor Calderone, Fedde Le Grand and Chase & Status were also due to appear onstage on Sunday.
A message posted on the Electric Zoo festival’s official website reads: “The founders of Electric Zoo send our deepest condolences to the families of the two people who passed away this weekend. Because there is nothing more important to us than our patrons, we have decided in consultation with the New York City Parks Department that there will be no show today.”