Electronic Dance Music: A History Curriculum

This blog post outlines a history curriculum for Electronic Dance Music. It covers the origins of the genre and the key figures who have shaped it.

Origins of Electronic Dance Music

Electronic dance music has been around for over a decade, but its roots can be traced back even further. This section will explore the origins of electronic dance music and how it has evolved over the years.

1970s: Early electronic music

The early 1970s saw the advent of electronic music, with artists such as Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder creating groundbreaking tracks that would lay the foundations for the genre. In 1974, Moroder released his track “I Feel Love”, which would go on to be one of the most influential electronic dance tracks of all time. The following year, Kraftwerk released their seminal album Autobahn, which would also have a huge impact on the development of electronic dance music.

1980s: The rise of club culture

In the 1980s, electronic dance music began to emerge from a number of different sources and quickly gained popularity in underground nightclubs. This new form of music was often played by relatively unknown DJs who created unique soundscapes by blending together tracks from a wide range of genres. As club culture developed, so too did the music, with new subgenres emerging and evolving over time.

The 1980s also saw the rise of the first commercial dance clubs, which helped to propel EDM into the mainstream. One of the most famous early clubs was Paradise Garage in New York City, which became renowned for its cutting-edge sound system and pioneering DJ, Larry Levan. Other influential clubs of this period include The Haçienda in Manchester, England and The Embassy in London, both of which helped to popularize house music.

1990s: The birth of EDM

In the early 1990s, a new style of music began to emerge that would come to be known as electronic dance music (EDM). This new style was influenced by a variety of existing musical genres, including house, techno, hip-hop, and disco. EDM producers would often use synthesizers and drum machines to create pulsing, hypnotic rhythms that would get audiences moving on the dance floor. The genre would grow to become one of the most popular forms of music in the world, with artists like Calvin Harris, David Guetta, and Skrillex achieving mainstream success.

The Development of EDM

The development of electronic dance music is often traced back to the rave culture of the 1980s and early 1990s. In the 1990s, electronic music began to take on a variety of different forms and styles, including trance, house, techno, and drum and bass. By the early 2000s, EDM had become a global phenomenon, with events taking place in every corner of the world.

2000s: The rise of festivals

The early 2000s saw the rise of festivals dedicated to electronic dance music, such as the Miami Winter Music Conference, which became a hub for DJs and producers to meet and exchange ideas. In 2003, the first Ultra Music Festival was held in Miami, which has since become one of the largest EDM festivals in the world. This era also saw the rise of superstar DJs such as Tiesto, David Guetta, and Skrillex, who popularized EDM to mainstream audiences.

2010s: The mainstreaming of EDM

From 2010 to present, electronic dance music continued to grow in popularity and infiltrated mainstream culture. This was due in part to the success of commercialized EDM artists such as Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, Calvin Harris, and Avicii. These artists found crossover success with pop audiences by incorporating elements of pop, R&B, and hip-hop into their productions. This commercial success led to increased visibility for EDM, which in turn led to more opportunities for exposure and growth.

The 2010s also saw the rise of various subgenres and subcultures within the broad umbrella of EDM. For example, the advent of “big room” house music was a direct response to the popularization of progressive house by artists like Swedish House Mafia. Big room productions were designed to be played in large clubs and festivals, with driving basslines and simple yet effective melodies. In contrast, the dubstep genre experienced a surge in popularity due to its incorporation into pop and hip-hop productions by artists such as Skrillex and Diplo.

The mainstreaming of EDM has led to increased scrutiny from both inside and outside of the music industry. Some have criticized the formulaic nature of commercial productions, while others have raised concerns about the often hedonistic culture associated with dance music events. Regardless, there is no doubt that electronic dance music has made a significant impact on popular culture in the 2010s.

The Future of EDM

Electronic Dance Music, or EDM, has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the underground club scene. What was once a niche genre of music is now one of the most popular genres in the world. With the rise of EDM, there has been a corresponding rise in the number of EDM festivals being held around the world.

2020s: The next decade of EDM

The 2010s were a transformational decade for Electronic Dance Music (EDM). A new generation of producers and DJs emerged, pushing the boundaries of what was possible with music production and live performances. In the process, they built a global community of passionate fans and created a multi-billion dollar industry.

As we enter the 2020s, it’s clear that EDM is here to stay. But what will the next decade hold for this ever-evolving genre?

One thing is certain: the 2020s will be defined by technological innovation. This has always been a key driver of EDM, from the early days of synthesizers and samplers to the present day where cutting-edge software and hardware allows producers to create truly unique sounds.

In the coming years, we’ll see even more advances in music production technology, giving artists even more tools to express their creativity. We’ll also see an continued increase in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music production, with algorithms becoming increasingly capable of creating realistic sounding tracks.

While technology will no doubt play a major role in shaping EDM in the 2020s, it’s also important to remember that at its heart, this is a genre that is all about people coming together to dance and have fun. As long as there are people who want to come together and lose themselves in the music, EDM will continue to thrive.