Electric Zoo announces refund policy nine months after 2023 fiasco

Electric Zoo has finally announced its official refund policy after facing various production difficulties last September.

After nine months of silence, NYC-based music festival Electric Zoo has just announced its official refund policy for those affected by last year’s production drawbacks. Ticketholders who could not access the festival grounds throughout the weekend have been patiently waiting for an update regarding their refunds, and this recent refund announcement by the festival was not what everyone expected.

For context, Electric Zoo ended up canceling day one of the three-day Labor Day weekend festival due to these production hiccups. Additionally, thousands of ticketholders could not even get through security on Sunday after waiting in line for hours in the heat due to organizers overselling the festival. The entire experience was so chaotic that several attendees even filed a lawsuit against the festival last fall.

Days after the festival weekend ended, Electric Zoo organizers were extremely vague about their refund policy and what that process would entail for those affected by the challenges faced. At a loss, ticketholders who paid $300+ to attend New York City’s favorite EDM festival at the time had no choice but to turn to their banks to dispute their Electric Zoo charges after being unable to step inside the festival grounds and experience the services they paid for.

After refraining from offering an official monetary solution for months, Electric Zoo’s newly announced refund policy is as follows:

Previous Electric Zoo ticketholders and performers turned to the refund announcement post on Instagram to express their sentiments regarding how the festival organizers handled this situation. Mostly preoccupied with their funds being fairly returned to them, ticketholders have commented things like “What about those of us who filed a dispute and then you took the money back months later?” and “I definitely still care about the money. Give me my money back!”

DJ and producer 3LAU, who was on the 2023 artist roster, also left a comment saying, “It’s been 9 months since the festival this is absurd. Def never playing again if it even survives (doubtful).” Some artists and avid NYC dance music eventgoers are even threatening to boycott attending events at Avant Gardner and The Brooklyn Mirage, who acquired Electric Zoo from Made Event and LiveStyle before last year’s production.

Owning up to their faults and their significant delay in addressing refund concerns, Electric Zoo’s refund announcement ends on an apologetic note. They express, “When we first set out to bring you Electric Zoo 2023, our goal was to create a completely leveled-up experience that included new stage concepts, enhanced production, and so much more. We know we let you down. As we continue forward, we will work every day to earn back your trust and forgiveness.”

Those eligible for full and partial refunds according to the refund policy will be contacted directly by See Tickets, the exclusive ticketing provider for Electric Zoo 2023. The expected refund processing date is scheduled for July 19, 2024.

Featured image source Facebook / Electric Zoo Festival

Maria Marcano

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