Intel on the Electronic Dance Music Demographics

Intel has released some interesting data on the demographics of electronic dance music fans.

Age

The median age of electronic dance music fans is 28, according to a 2013 study by EDM research firm Music Audience Exchange. That’s two years younger than the average concertgoer and four years younger than the average American.

Gender

There is no denying that electronic dance music (EDM) is a male-dominated genre. In fact, according to a 2016 study by the University of South Florida, nearly 80% of EDM fans are male.

This isn’t necessarily surprising when you consider that the vast majority of DJs and producers are also male. However, it does beg the question: why are so few women involved in EDM?

There are a number of possible explanations. For one, the culture around EDM can be quite misogynistic. Female fans are often sexualized and treated as objects, while female DJs and producers face significant obstacles in breaking into the industry.

Additionally, many people see EDM as being “for boys” – it’s seen as loud, aggressive, and not particularly welcoming to women. This perception likely discourages women from getting involved in the genre.

As a result of these factors, the number of women involved in EDM is quite small. However, there are some signs that this may be changing. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of female DJs and producers, and there is now a growing movement to make EDM more inclusive for women. With any luck, these efforts will help to level the playing field in the electronic dance music world.

Race

A 2014 study found that the electronic dance music (EDM) scene was predominantly white, with 74% of respondents identifying as Caucasian, 12% as Hispanic or Latino, 4% as Asian, 3% as African American or black, and 2% as mixed race. Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and other minorities made up the remaining 5%.

This is in stark contrast to the overall demographics of America, which is currently 62.1% white, 17.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% black or African American, 5.7% Asian, and 3.2% mixed race according to the US Census Bureau. So while the EDM scene may not be wholly representative of America as a whole, it is considerably more diverse than most people realize.

There are a number of possible explanations for this discrepancy. One is that minorities are simply not as interested in EDM as their white counterparts. Another possibility is that they are interested but don’t feel welcome in the scene, which has historically been dominated by white men.

Whatever the reason, it’s clear that the EDM scene has some work to do when it comes to increasing racial diversity. But given the current state of America and the recent increase in racial tension across the country, it’s perhaps not surprising that minority groups have been slow to embrace this particular genre of music.

Location

The research shows that the hotspots for Electronic Dance Music (EDM) in the United States are California, Florida, and New York. Together, these three states account for almost 40% of all EDM concerts in the country. Los Angeles and Miami are the two biggest cities for EDM, with New York, San Francisco, and Las Vegas also having a significant presence.

Music Taste

There is no single answer to the question of what kind of music EDM fans like. While some may prefer a particular sub-genre, such as techno or trance, others may enjoy a more diverse range of EDM styles. However, there are some general trends that can be observed among EDM fans when it comes to musical taste.

One trend is that EDM fans tend to be open-minded when it comes to music. This is likely due to the fact that EDM itself is a relatively new genre, and as such, has drawn from a variety of other genres and styles. This inclusive approach to music has led EDM fans to be interested in a wide range of music, including non-EDM genres such as hip-hop and Indie rock.

Another trend that can be observed among EDM fans is a preference for electronic music over other genres. This is perhaps unsurprising, given that the “EDM” acronym stands for “electronic dance music.” However, it is worth noting that this preference for electronic music does not necessarily mean that EDM fans are exclusively interested in dance music. In fact, many EDM fans also enjoy listening to non-danceable electronic music, such as ambient and IDM.

Income

Income is a major factor in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene. A recent study by the Eventbrite Music blog found that 43% of EDM fans make over $75,000 per year. That’s compared to just 27% of music fans overall.

This shouldn’t be too surprising. EDM concerts and festivals tend to be more expensive than other genres, and the fans who can afford to go are more likely to have higher incomes.

But it’s not just ticket prices that are higher in the EDM world. The equipment needed to produce and DJ electronic music is also quite costly. A decent laptop for producing tracks can easily cost $1,000 or more, and a good set of DJ turntables can run several thousand dollars. Obviously, not everyone who enjoys EDM has the income to support this hobby (or profession), but it is true that wealthier people are more likely to be involved in the scene.