House Music in Italy: The Ultimate Guide
Contents
From the beaches of Riccione to the underground clubs of Milan, this is your ultimate guide to house music in Italy.
Find out where to go, what to expect and how to make the most of your experience.
What is House Music?
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. It was initially characterized by repetitive 4/4 beats, rhythms provided by drum machines, off-beat hi-hat cymbals, and synthesized basslines. While house displayed several characteristics similar to disco which preceded and influenced it, as both were DJ and record producer-created dance music, house was more electronic and minimalistic than disco. The mechanical, repetitive rhythm of house was one of its main components. This is often contrasted with disco’s focus on subtlety and flowing music.
The History of House Music in Italy
House music first came to Italy in the late 1980s, when nightclubs in major cities like Rome and Milan began playing imported American and British records. The genre quickly caught on with Italian clubgoers, who were drawn to its combination of catchy melodies, driving rhythms and synthesized sounds.
By the early 1990s, Italian producers and DJs had started making their own house music, infusing it with elements of Italian pop and electronic dance music. The resulting sound was unique and distinctly Italian, yet still recognizably part of the house music genre. Today, Italian house music is enjoyed by clubbers all over the world, thanks to its infectious energy and catchy tunes.
The Different Types of House Music
The first thing to understand about house music is that there is no one “type” of house music. The genre has evolved over the years, and there are now many different sub-genres and sub-styles within house music. This can be confusing for new fans of the genre, but it also means that there is a type of house music out there for everyone.
Here is a quick rundown of some of the most popular types of house music:
1. Classic House: This is the style of house music that was originally created in the 1980s. It is characterized by its simple four-on-the-floor beats, syncopated basslines, and often uses samples from other genres of music (such as disco or funk).
2. Deep House: This style of house music emerged in the early 1990s and is characterized by its use of soulful vocals, jazzy melodies, and often slower tempos.
3. Tech House: A more recent sub-genre of house music, tech house is characterized by its use of techno elements such as minimalistic beats and bleeps/bloops.
4. Progressive House: Progressive house is a style of house music that has been gaining in popularity in recent years. It is characterized by its use of complex melodies and often has a “buildup”/”breakdown” structure similar to that found in trance music.
5. Electro House: Electro house is a style of house music that incorporates elements from other genres such as electro and techno. It is characterized by its heavy use of synthesizers and drum machines, and often has a more “aggressive” sound than other types of house music.
The Best House Music Clubs in Italy
When it comes to house music, Italy definitely knows how to party. The clubs here know how to keep the energy up all night long, and the crowds are always ready to dance. If you’re looking for a place to hear some great house music, here are some of the best clubs in Italy:
-Space club, Milan
-Dock’s, Naples
-Rex club, Rome
-Amnesia, Ibiza
-El Divino, Florence
The Future of House Music in Italy
The future of house music in Italy is looking very bright. With the amount of talent that is coming out of the country, it is no wonder that the genre is quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of electronic music in the world. From well-known producers such as Stefano Noferini and Luigi Rocca to up-and-coming talents such as Leo Delgado and Marco Bailey, there is no shortage of amazing Italian house music producers.
