Pictureplane on DJing Brooklyn Rave During Pandemic: “I Don’t Think It Was Worth the Risk”

Late Saturday night (August 1), a group called Renegade hosted a free “secret” rave underneath the Brooklyn side of the Kosciuszko Bridge in New York City. Featuring sets from Pictureplane and DJ Mazburate, the party—like many underground events in New York—was technically illegal, unsanctioned by the city or state. Several videos depicted partygoers in close proximity, many without masks.

Reached via email, Pictureplane’s Travis Egedy tells Pitchfork “it felt incredible to DJ after being alone in my house for basically 6 months! And I’m sure a lot of people there felt the same. But I don’t think it was worth the risk looking back on it now.” Check out his full statement below:

i had never worked with those promoters before.
when we spoke on the phone the day before the event, i expressed reservations and told them
i was nervous about DJing it.. and that i was aware of backlash from a
previous rave that happened a few weeks ago.
they told me that this one would be super safe, and that masks and sanitizer and water would
be provided to everyone who entered.
and when i saw video of the location, it looked enormous. i figured that it was a large enough
space that people would have tons of room. and wouldnt be any
different than going to like rockaway beach on a saturday.
i was pretty surprised at the crowd. and of course everyone just crowded
around the sound system.
it felt incredible to DJ after being alone in my house for basically 6 months ! and im sure a lot of people
there felt the same.
but i dont think it was worth the risk looking back on it now.
i definitely wont be going to any events like that again while covid is still happening.
and i really hope that no one gets sick after this event.

Gothamist reports that the event’s organizer said that there is “no stopping” people from partying, adding that bottles of water, masks and hand sanitizer were provided at no cost to attendees, and both signs and announcements reminded people to wear the masks. The site reports that the party was broken up by police around 4 a.m. Sunday morning. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo briefly mentioned the party in his press conference on the state’s coronavirus response, saying, “We need better enforcement all across the state.”