Elements Returns to Bronx for Epic One-Day Bacchanalia

By Lauren Johnson

New Yorkers didn’t let a little rain get in the way of their parade last weekend. While we’ve had a relatively unlucky festival season – with the first day of Panorama being canceled due to inclement weather, and the devastating news that The Meadows festival won’t be returning this year – Elements NYC Music & Art Festival 2018 was the light at the end of the tunnel for summer festivals, despite the heavy rains and thunderstorms that loomed over the city.

This year, instead of having their festivities over two days, Elements condensed the festival into one jam-packed day featuring some true, powerhouse heavy-hitters.

Bassnectar was one to bring in the crowds with an epic Saturday evening set. “I want to thank whoever did the rain dance, to allow me to come out tonight,” he said to an energetic crowd that seemed to line up for miles behind the stage, trying to catch a glimpse of one EDM’s best-known legends. With an amazing set full of incredible lights and sound reverberating along the waterfront edge boasting city views of the Manhattan skyline, festival-goers won’t be forgetting his show any time soon.

Another fan favorite was hip-hop legend Kurtis Blow. An OG rapper hailing from Harlem who is credited with being one of the founders of the rap/hip-hop movement, Kurtis is in his late 50s and still going better than ever, drawing in a large crowd as he and his crew rapped and busted out some killer break-dancing moves.

At one point, Blow – the first rapper ever to sign with a major label – even hosted a dance-off competition, giving off a $100 gift certificate to the crowd-chosen winner. At the end of his set, he brought most of his remaining fans onto the stage with him and the break dancers for an epic dance party that sent the crowd off, elated, to their next set.

Of course it wouldn’t be a complete festival if we didn’t mention all of the amazing activities and food vendors present. An oasis in the middle of the festival, a yoga retreat provided attendees with sound-proof headphones so they could zen out and get into their downward facing dog with instructor-led classes.

While yoga nourished the body and soul, a slew of food trucks and booths boasting a variety of delectable bites lined the main pathway, offering guests several options to nourish their bodies.

An eclectic event that delivers every year, Elements certainly did not disappoint, and while “Water” seemed to dominate the early half of the day, Elements was pure “Fire” by the end of the night.

Click here to see our list of can’t-miss summer music festivals in NYC!