If it weren’t for the rain-soaked day three, the recently passed Electric Zoo Festival would be best-remembered for being a series of moments that gave the average American EDM fanatic hope for the future. As well, if a long-time fan of dance, Electric Zoo would have also provided hope for remembering classic standards in the face of dance’s attempt at a more rap and pop-style evolution.

Day One was headlined by veteran French pop electro kingpin David Guetta, as well as Greek/Belgian electro duo Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike. Guetta’s set was exhilarating as expected for more recent fans of EDM who over the past six years have seen Guetta collaborate with producers like Avicii and Afrojack, as well as with artists including Sia, Kid Cudi, Akon and more. However, if you like your techno dark, present as well were the legendary Dubfire in the mirror and stained glass decorated circus-tent that was the Sunday School Grove, and quite possibly Day One’s best set from Parisian (and Kanye West’s “Black Skinhead” and “Send It Up” producer) powerhouse Gesaffelstein. While the former’s set pleased those who have been familiar with the Detroit-to-global sound since it’s early 90s beginnings, the latter’s set introduced a whole new generation to the style, the Frenchman’s set leaned heavy on New Wave and acid house too, giving off a far darker vibe.

Saturday’s second day was a story of heightened expectations being delivered upon throughout the day, as from Benny Benassi, to Zedd to Armin Van Buuren on Main Stage West and Clockwork, Nervo, Laidback Luke and Knife Party on Main Stage East, the expectations were high for all sets, and successfully met. LA’s Clockwork’s Dutch house style drums on his electro bangers mixed with the pop-star energy of Nervo, top-tier selection skills of Laidback Luke and Knife Party’s manic, pulse pounding hits (including new album material) to shut things down near the festival’s entrance. On Main Stage West, Benny Benassi continued his ability to be relevant with the times, as the “Electroman” tossing elements of dubstep, razor-sharp electro and big-room type vocal tracks into the mix was well-received. But the hook-driven pop production of Zedd – showcased with an incredible lazer, fire and fireworks show – was certainly impressive, as between “Stay The Night,” “Clarity” and current Ariana Grande hit “Break Free,” he excelled. And of course, Armin van Buuren made a chanting, singing, flag-waving and totally into every moment of his set crowd euphoric with everything from current pop hit “This Is What It Feels Like,” to more classic material including his edit of “Adagio For Strings.”

Day Two was also a day where in the Sunday School Grove, legendary radio broadcaster Pete Tong, along with Josh Wink and New York City-based DJ legend Danny Tenaglia literally shut the tent down for six straight hours pulling in such an impressive crowd that security had to create restricted entrance and a party broke out just outside of the tent, too. For as much as Electric Zoo was about main stages and massive tents housing sets – like, say, MAKJ’s gargantuan, mid-afternoon Saturday, hands in the air and open-format super party or Brillz’s Hilltop Arena/Carnage’s Main Stage West all out trap assaults that left the crowd turnt up, sweaty and completely spent – it was about the idea that deeper, more intense and far more danceable music was just as entertaining and important to those in attendance.

Before the 60 MPH winds and torrential downpours came and blew away Day Three, OWSLA-related DJ/producers Henry Fong and Alvin Risk played bass-heavy sets on Main Stage West that included DC-related anthems like Gent and Jawns’ trap banger “Turn Up” and Risk’s own classic moombahton collaboration with Tittsworth, “Pendejas.”

Though eventually cancelled, Electric Zoo did successfully showcase both the diversity and popularity of so many genres in American EDM at present. Of course, between the black-outfitted techno heads checking out Gesaffelstein to the kandi and bandana-wearing kids loving producers like Kill the Noise, there’s a world of difference. Missing out on sets by the likes of Skrillex and Diplo’s Jack U combination, Kaskade, Mat Zo and Bingo Players that could’ve bridged those gaps on the third day would have made the festival truly ideal. However, as it stood, it was two days well spent that showcased how far dance music and culture in America have come, and the promise of where the culture is headed, too.