How Electronic Music is Taking Over the Dance Floor
Contents
Discover how electronic music is becoming more popular than ever before, and learn about the different sub-genres that are making waves on the dance floor.
The Popularity of Electronic Music
There’s no denying that electronic music has taken over the airwaves in recent years. You can hear it everywhere you go, from the club to the grocery store. Even Top 40 radio stations are starting to play more and more electronic music. So what’s behind this popularity? Let’s take a look.
The history of electronic music
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, electronic music became more prominent in popular culture, with the advent of new wave, synth-pop and techno. These genres were developed by artists who used new technologies to create their sound, including synthesizers and drum machines.
The popularity of electronic music has continued to grow in recent years, with festivals and clubs devoted to the genre springing up around the world. In the United States, electronic dance music (EDM) is now one of the most popular genres, with a 2012 study finding that it was the second-most popular type of music among Americans aged 18-24.
There are a variety of reasons for the growing popularity of electronic music. One is that it is more accessible than ever before, thanks to the internet and digital technology. This has made it easier for people to find and listen to new artists and genres, and to share their favorite tunes with friends.
Another reason for its popularity is that electronic music can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It can be danced to at a club or festival, or simply listened to at home or on the go. And for people who want to create their own music, there are now a range of software programs and hardware devices that make it easy to get started.
So whatever your taste in music, there’s a good chance you’ll find something you like in the world of electronic dance music.
The rise in popularity of electronic music
The rise in popularity of electronic music has been meteoric in recent years. What was once the preserve of niche nightclubs and underground raves is now one of the most popular genres in the world, enjoyed by millions of people of all ages.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the genre’s growing popularity. One is the increasing accessibility of electronic music-making technology, which has made it possible for anyone with a computer to create their own tracks. This has led to a surge in the number of independent artists and labels, giving fans a wider range of music to choose from.
Another factor is the increasing mainstream exposure of electronic music, thanks to the success of festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival, which have helped to bring the genre to a wider audience. Electronic music has also been embraced by some of the world’s biggest pop stars, including Justin Bieber and Rihanna, who have collaborated with EDM producers on hits like “Where Are Ü Now” and “Work.”
With its massive global appeal, it’s no surprise that electronic music is now one of the most lucrative genres in the recording industry. According to a report by Goldman Sachs, the genre generated $7.4 billion in revenue in 2016, and is expected to grow to $11 billion by 2021. So whatever your taste in music, there’s a good chance you’ll be hearing a lot more electronic beats in the years to come.
The Different Types of Electronic Music
There are many different types of electronic music, from techno to dubstep to trance. It can be hard to keep track of all the different genres and subgenres, but luckily we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll give you a brief overview of some of the most popular types of electronic music.
House
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. It is characterized by a bouncy, consistent 4/4 beat and often features keyboard riffs, syncopated basslines and samples of other songs. House music quickly spread from Chicago to other parts of the United States and then to the rest of the world. Today, it is one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music and can be heard in clubs, festivals and radio stations all over the world.
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that originated in Detroit, Michigan, in the United States in the mid-to-late 1980s. The first techno tracks were produced by Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, known as the Belleville Three. Techno is generally repetitive instrumental music, often produced for use in a continuous DJ set. The central rhythmic component is most often in common time (4/4), where time is marked by the beats of a bass drum on each quarter note pulse, with heavy use of sub-bass frequencies.
Acid house and Chicago house are direct antecedents of techno. Prominent early techno artists include: Cybotron, Model 500, Kraftwerk, Front 242, Giorgio Moroder, Yellow Magic Orchestra and Afrika Bambaataa. In 1993, genres derived from techno such as trance and breakbeat hardcore achieved commercial success.
Trance
Trance is a genre of Electronic music that developed in the late 1990s. It is characterized by a tempo of around 140 beats per minute, repeated melodic phrases, and a musical form that builds up and breaks down throughout the song. Trance music is often used by DJs to help keep people dancing for long periods of time, and it is also popular at nightclubs and raves.
Dubstep
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is generally characterized by sparse, syncopated rhythmic patterns with prominent sub-bass frequencies. The style emerged as an offshoot of UK garage, drawing on a heritage of sound system music and drum and bass.
The earliest dubstep releases date back to 1998, and the genre gained mainstream popularity in the UK in the early 2000s. In the 2010s, dubstep entered the US mainstream with artists like Skrillex and Baauer. Today, dubstep is one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music, with a sound that has been described as “aggressive, dark, and menacing”.
The Future of Electronic Music
Electronic music has been around for centuries, but it has only recently gained popularity. In the past few years, electronic music has taken over the dance floor and become the preferred genre for many clubgoers. There are many reasons for this trend, but the most important reason is that electronic music is simply more fun to dance to than other genres.
The popularity of electronic music festivals
The popularity of electronic music festivals has grown exponentially in recent years, with more and more people flocking to dance the night away at these massive events. This trend shows no signs of slowing down, as electronic music continues to take over the dance floor.
There are a number of factors driving the popularity of these festivals, including the rise of social media and the fact that electronic music is now more mainstream than ever before. In addition, electronic music festivals offer a unique experience that cannot be found at traditional concerts or clubs.
As the popularity of electronic music festivals continues to grow, we can expect to see even more massive events popping up around the world. So if you love to dance, be sure to keep an eye out for the next big festival in your area!
The growth of electronic music sales
The global recorded music industry has been through a tumultuous few years, with traditional revenues from CD sales and digital downloads in decline as streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer take over.
However, one area that has shown consistent growth in recent years is electronic dance music (EDM). According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), sales of EDM increased by 3.5% in 2016 to reach US$2.4 billion, with vinyl sales also increasing for the sixth year in a row.
This trend looks set to continue, with the IFPI predicting that EDM could become the second biggest genre in the world by 2020. This would see it overtake rock music, which is currently the second biggest genre by market share.
