Ravers, don't rejoice quite yet. On Tuesday, we reported that Electric Zoo will return to New York's Randall's Island this August after the future of the festival was cast in doubt following the deaths of two attendees last year, but yesterday, the New York Daily News revealed that the deal is not sealed. According to the paper, the city government has reportedly still not signed off on a permit that would allow the festival to take place this year, which would mean the announcement that tickets for the 2014 event will go on sale next week may have been premature.The City's broad support of the annual blowout continues following then-Mayor Bloomberg's comments immediately following last year's tragedy, in spite of the controversy reflected by local media. In March, Electric Zoo's parent company SFX hired two powerful lobbyists, Patrick Jenkins and Mike McKeon, to persuade New York City mayor Bill de Blasio to approve the permit for 2014, which was submitted in December. McKeon works as a partner for the lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs, which raised $32,520 for Mayor de Blasio's campaign and inauguration. His influence alone may not be enough to convince all city officials to allow the event to continue and neither, apparently, will the increased security and safety measures that SFX and Made Event announced earlier this week. That plan that includes drug-sniffing dogs, undercover cops, more free water stations, and a shortened duration for each day of the festival.A request for a comment and verification of the New York Daily News's report from Made Event was not immediately returned.
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