Scenes from Panorama, day one: so hot, but so cool

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When we look back at the first day of the inaugural Panorama festival here in New York City, we're going to remember one thing above all else: the heat. On a day when the temperature kept threatening to crack triple digits, the music flying off of each stage was the only thing that could keep the festival's thousands of attendees cool. Major Lazer turned a typically quiet meadow into the site of the city's craziest dance party; Alabama Shakes blasted the crowds with light, sound, and color even as the sun was setting; Arcade Fire brought everyone back to life just as they could've been fading at the end of the night.

The Verge's James Bareham spent the afternoon posted up at the Panorama Stage, where he captured Friday night's biggest names (and the fans who watched them) in all of their sweaty glory. "The dark spaces in New York are always the ones being glorified: basement clubs, dark alleys, deserted subway tunnels," says Bareham. "Shooting the Panorama Stage was special because it brought out a completely different side of the city — the natural, beautiful side you don't see very often."

Grid View Franklin James Fisher and Lee Tesche of Algiers play the Panorama Stage.

The crowd watches Major Lazer on the Panorama Stage.

The crowd watches Major Lazer on the Panorama Stage.

Sunset over Randall's Island Park as Alabama Shakes play the Panorama Stage.

Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes play the Panorama Stage.

The crowd watches Alabama Shakes on the Panorama Stage.

The Verge's icon outside The Lab.