A Timeline of Electronic Dance Music History
A look at the origins and history of electronic dance music, from its early beginnings in the 1970s to its current popularity.
Pre-EDM
Electronic dance music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the 1970s. Back then, it was all about experimentation with new sounds and technologies. There were no rules and no one knew what the future would hold for this new genre of music.
The origins of electronic dance music
Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, is a broad range of percussive electronic genres made largely for nightclubs, raves, and festivals. It emerged in the early 1980s with the popularity of disco and electro music. EDM grew in popularity throughout the late 1990s and 2000s with the rise of genres such as trance, house, and techno.
The earliest forms of electronic dance music were created in the 1970s, including disco music, which was heavily influenced by electronic instruments such as synthesizers and drum machines. In the 1980s, new genres such as electro and techno were created, becoming popular in nightclubs across Europe and North America. By the 1990s, trance music had emerged as a leading form of EDM, followed closely by house music. In the 2000s, genres such as dubstep and drum & bass became popular, further expanding the reach of EDM.
EDM has continued to grow in popularity in the 2010s with the introduction of new subgenres such as future bass and trap. The rise of digital streaming platforms such as SoundCloud and Spotify has also aided in the growth of EDM, making it more accessible than ever before. Today, EDM is enjoyed by millions of people around the world at festivals, clubs, and concerts.
The first electronic dance music tracks
The first electronic dance music tracks were released in the early 1980s. These tracks were mostly influenced by disco music. One of the earliest electronic dance tracks is “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” by Indeep. This track was released in 1982 and is credited as being one of the first EDM tracks.
Other early EDM tracks include “Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force, which was released in 1982, and “Pump Up the Volume” by M/A/R/R/S, which was released in 1987. These two tracks are considered to be pioneer tracks in the EDM genre.
The Birth of EDM
In the late 1970s, a new form of music was born. This music was created by using synthesizers and other electronic instruments, and it was called electronic dance music (EDM). This new genre of music quickly gained popularity, and by the early 1980s, it had spread to nightclubs all over the world.
The first electronic dance music festivals
The first electronic dance music festivals began in the early 1980s and were mostly underground techno and acid house rave parties. These early raves were often held in secret locations and were not widely publicized. As the rave scene began to grow, however, more and more people became aware of these parties and began to attend them.
The first official electronic dance music festival was held in 1987 in Belgium. This event, called “Freedom,” was attended by over 10,000 people. It was followed by a number of other large events, including the “Second Summer of Love” in 1988 and the “Love Parade” in 1989.
As the 1990s progressed, electronic dance music became more mainstream. Major labels began to sign EDM artists and clubs began to feature DJ sets as a regular part of their programming. In 1997, the first Ultra Music Festival was held in Miami, Florida. This event drew over 30,000 attendees and featured some of the biggest names in EDM at the time.
Today, electronic dance music festivals are held all over the world and attract millions of attendees each year. These events are now a major force in the music industry, with some festivals generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.
The first electronic dance music clubs
The first electronic dance music clubs began to appear in the early 1980s. These clubs were typically underground venues that featured DJs playing a mix of electronic music and traditional club fare such as disco and funk. One of the earliest and most famous of these clubs was Club Zanzibar in Newark, New Jersey.
In the mid-1980s, the Acid House movement began in the UK, giving birth to a new style of electronic music known as Acid House. This new style of music quickly caught on in the club scene, and by the late 1980s, Acid House clubs were popping up all over Europe.
The 1990s saw the rise of Dance Music culture with the advent of rave parties. Rave parties typically featured a mix of electronic music and traditional club music, and were often organized illegally in warehouses or other large venues. These parties became increasingly popular throughout Europe and North America throughout the decade.
Today, electronic dance music is more popular than ever before. Major EDM festivals such as Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland attract hundreds of thousands of people each year, and some of the biggest names in EDM such as Skrillex, Calvin Harris, and Deadmau5 regularly headline stadium shows.
The Rise of EDM
Electronic dance music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the underground clubs of Europe. Today, EDM is one of the most popular genres of music in the world. In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of EDM and how it has evolved over the years.
The popularity of electronic dance music
EDM, or electronic dance music, has a long and storied history that can be traced back to the 1970s. While the genre has always been popular with clubgoers and partygoers, it wasn’t until the late 2000s and early 2010s that EDM really started to blow up in the mainstream.
1970s: The Early Days
The earliest known instance of electronic dance music being played in a club setting was in August 1973 at the Nashville, Tennessee club, The Gallery. On that fateful night, DJ Kool Herc spun two identical records back-to-back, extending the breakbeat by using two turntables. This new style of DJing, which came to be known as breakbeat or hip-hop DJing, quickly caught on with other club DJs.
1980s: The Birth of House Music
In the early 1980s, a new style of electronic music called house music began to take shape in Chicago. House music was heavily influenced by disco and originated in local Chicago clubs such as The Warehouse and The Clubhouse. House music soon spread to other major U.S. cities like Detroit and New York City, as well as to Europe. By the end of the 1980s, house music had become a global phenomenon.
1990s: The Rise of Trance Music
In the early 1990s, a new subgenre of house music called trance began to take hold in Europe. Trance music was characterized by its hypnotic rhythms and ethereal melodies. Trance quickly became popular with clubgoers and ravers alike, and by the end of the decade it had become one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music.
2000s: EDM Goes Mainstream
In the early 2000s, EDM began to cross over into the mainstream thanks to hits like Darude’s “Sandstorm” and Benny Benassi’s “Satisfaction.” In 2003, French duo Daft Punk released their highly acclaimed album Discovery, which featured such iconic tracks as “One More Time” and “Harder Better Faster Stronger.” In 2005, Swedish DJ Avicii released his debut single “Levels,” which would go on to become one of the biggest EDM hits of all time.
2010s: EDM Takes Over the World
In 2011, David Guetta’s collaboration with Sia on “Titanium” cemented EDM’s place in pop culture. In 2012, Swedish House Mafia released their hit single “Don’t You Worry Child,” which went on to become one of the best-selling dance singles of all time. In 2013, Avicii scored his first No. 1 hit with “Wake Me Up.” These days, it seems like every major pop star has collaborated with an EDM producer at some point or another. And there’s no sign that EDM’s popularity is slowing down anytime soon.
The rise of electronic dance music culture
The history of electronic dance music culture is often traced back to the club culture of the 1980s. One of the earliest examples is the 1985 track “Pump Up the Volume” by British group M|A|R|R|S. This track, along with others such as “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” by Indeep, are often credited with helping to establish the sound and style of early house music.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a new style of electronic dance music called rave or acid house began to emerge. This style was characterized by hard-hitting basslines and synthetic melodies. Rave music quickly spread across Europe and the United Kingdom, and soon found its way to North America. In 1992, the film “Trainspotting” helped to popularize rave culture in mainstream cinema.
By the mid-1990s, electronic dance music had begun to gain a wider following in North America, thanks in part to the popularity of artists such as The Prodigy and Chemical Brothers. In 1997, American producer Moby released his album “Play”, which featured a number of tracks that incorporated samples of old blues and gospel recordings. This album helped to bring electronic dance music to a wider audience in the United States.
In the early 2000s, electronic dance music experienced a surge in popularity, thanks in part to the success of films like “The Matrix” and “Blade Runner”. This new wave of popularity helped to propel artists such as David Guetta and Calvin Harris to international stardom.Today, electronic dance music is one of the most popular genres in the world, with festivals such as Tomorrowland attracting millions of visitors each year.
The Present Day
Despite its reputation as a relatively new genre of music, electronic dance music or EDM has a long and storied history. The earliest precursors to EDM can be traced back to the middle of the 20th century with the advent of electronic music instruments and the development of musique concrète and experimental electronic music.
The current state of electronic dance music
In the present day, electronic dance music (EDM) is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It has become one of the most popular genres of music, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
There are many different sub-genres of EDM, and new sub-genres are constantly being created. Some of the most popular sub-genres include: house, techno, trance, drum and bass, dubstep, and trap.
EDM festivals are now held in almost every country in the world, and they attract huge crowds of people who enjoy dancing to the music all night long.
The current state of EDM is extremely positive, and it looks set to continue growing in popularity for many years to come.
The future of electronic dance music
It’s hard to say what the future of electronic dance music will hold. With new technologies and trends constantly emerging, it’s difficult to predict where the genre will go next. However, one thing is certain – electronic dance music will continue to evolve and grow in popularity, with new subgenres and styles constantly emerging. So whatever the future holds, we can be sure that dance music will remain an exciting and ever-changing genre.
