First things first, as the great Eminem once said, “f*ck you, Debby.”
On Thursday, August 8th, thousands flocked to Elements Music Festival, but unfortunately, ravers weren’t the only ones making their way to the Pocono Raceway.
While festival-goers packed their cars and prepared for an epic weekend filled with friends, lasers, and bass, Hurricane Debby was barreling her way up the East Coast for an unwelcomed Friday arrival.
Being it was my first Elements since 2021, flashbacks of Hurricane Larry, thick mud, and logistical nightmares fluttered through my brain.
Although, despite everything that went down in 2021, I still had an amazing time. Not to mention, the festival has come a long way since then, so while I was preparing for the worst, I was optimistic and excited to be back.
Thursday Arrival
I was lucky enough to arrive on Thursday, and while there were inconveniences, it was nothing more than the typical issues you commonly face on the first day of any festival.
Like many others, my day started with a 2 hour wait at will call. While pre-fest jitters and long lines aren’t the best combo, we made the most of it. People were making friends, passing out stickers, and the spirit of Elements was clearly in the air.
Once I finally got what I needed, I met up with some friends at Wawa and made my way to the raceway.
At first, there was some slight disorganization and unclear directions from staff entering the campgrounds, but I’m happy to say the issues were quickly resolved, and we were setting up camp in just under two hours.
The total time spent from getting to will-call to arriving in the campgrounds was around 4 hours, but coming from someone who once waited 12+ hours for other fests, it was smooth sailing.
We had our camp set up around 6, and before I knew it, we were inside the fest, getting absolutely rocked by LYNY and Of The Trees at the new Water Stage, aka Franklin the Funktapus.
The lines at will call were reportedly just as long on Friday, if not worse, and there definitely could have been better planning on Elements’ end.
However, this was immediately addressed by the festival. They also announced plans for a new and improved box office location and more staffing in 2025.
Weathering the Storm
When it rains, it pours! Hurricane Debby arrived right on time, and she did not come to play.
From getting woken up at 6 am with just enough time to stop my canopies from launching into orbit to bearing the heavy rains and monstrous wind gusts throughout the day, Friday was more so about survival than anything else.
Friday arrival was also canceled and postponed until Saturday, and while it’s terrible, and I feel for everyone who couldn’t get in, Elements 100 percent made the right decision.
Half of the campgrounds were completely flooded, and I can only imagine how many cars would have gotten stuck. It would have been a disaster for both the festival and the attendees.
For us Thursday campers, there was nothing else to do but wait it out. Luckily, my camp was on higher ground, but unfortunately, many attendees weren’t so lucky and had their entire campsite entirely submerged under water or even washed away.
But, if you haven’t noticed, festival goers are a rare breed. Even though it was a complete wash, the spirits were high, and people made the most of it. There was definitely a vibe in the air that screamed “we are all in this together.” That we are still at a music festival and ain’t nothing gonna stop our shine!
While the rain eventually stopped, there was no way the fest could go on safely, and once again, while disheartening, Elements made the right call by canceling the entire Friday schedule.
While the government might be able to, Elements and any other music festival cannot control the weather.
Understandably, as an attendee, there is nothing worse than being told you aren’t able to enter the festival, especially after a long drive there, but Elements did the best they could do with the situation they were dealt.
From making the tough decision to cancel and prioritize safety to providing food and shelter for attendees affected by the storm and working tirelessly throughout the night to dry up the grounds, they put us first and, in doing so, set up a fantastic festival for the rest of the weekend.
Renegades
Elements wouldn’t be Elements without renegade sets at the many sound camps in the Vibe Village! From Submersion’s Camp Nowhere to Renegade NYC’s Club Renegade and more, the sound camps not only salvaged Friday night but kept the party going all weekend long.
Notable sets included Boogie T, TVBOO b2b INZO, and three Tape B sets, including a b2b with Disco Lines on Friday.
We also saw sets from Zingara b2b Austeria, Yookie, Dice Man, Township Rebellion, Yookie b2b Jordan Moody b2b Esseks b2b Ujuu, and more.
Amazing Sets
On top of the mind-blowing renegades, the Elements 2024 lineup was stacked. From face-melting throwdowns by LSDREAM, CloZee, Barclay Crenshaw, Subtronics (twice), G Jones, TVBOO, Zingara, TroyBoi, Cool Customer, Sub Focus, and more to groovy performances and dance-heavy parties from Walker & Royce, It’s Murph, and The Disco Biscuits, among others, the lineup did not disappoint.
Set Breaks
Not only did every artist throw down, but the music during set breaks, especially all the Mac Miller songs at Earth, was a straight-up vibe.
Going from heavy bass to silence is always an adjustment, so having some good tunes to occupy the time between sets was ideal.
Top Tier Production and Stage Design
When it comes to stages and production, Elements is in a league of its own. After missing the past two years, I was stoked to finally experience the evolution of Elements firsthand, and it’s safe to say I was not disappointed.
Of course, seeing Water go from a tiny structure to a laser-shooting Octopus was a trip in itself, but each stage brought something special to the table that would blow your mind. From 3D video projection mapping to an abundance of lasers and crisp sound, this year’s production took your brain to another dimension and welcomed you into a kaleidoscopic extravaganza like no other.
Art Installations + Attractions
Aside from the stages, exploring the grounds was like being transported to an entirely different realm. Whether you were walking through the Neon Forest or losing yourself in the immersive art exhibits, Elements provided an otherworldly festival experience.
Incredible Crowds
The best thing about Elements is not the production, the music, or the art but the people that attend.
Throughout the weekend, there was an overwhelming sense of community that you won’t get at most fests. Everyone looked out for one another, people said excuse me, and the crowds felt safe and welcoming.
It was as if you were surrounded by thousands of your best friends at all times, and when you pair that with the lineup and production Elements offers, there is truly nothing better.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to look at the flooded campgrounds, Friday’s cancelation, and the criticism online and assume the worst about Elements.
However, these things don’t tell the full story and certainly don’t define this festival. Since 2021, Elements has done nothing but continue to improve, and while not everything is perfect, the growth is commendable.
Between the stunning lineups, the mesmerizing production, the art, and, of course, the people, Elements has become one of my favorite festivals, and I can’t wait to return in 2025.
Keep up with Elements Music Festival HERE!
Discover the latest in EDM Events on The Daily Frequency!