Rave On: Global Adventures in Electronic Dance Music

Rave On: Global Adventures in Electronic Dance Music is a travel and music blog that covers the global Electronic Dance Music (EDM) scene.

Introduction

Rave On is an exploration of the global phenomenon of electronic dance music, or EDM. The book takes readers on a journey from the early days of the rave scene in the UK to the present day, chronicling the music, the culture, and the people who have made EDM what it is today. Along the way, we meet some of the biggest names in dance music, including DJs Pete Tong and Paul Oakenfold, producer Simon Reynolds, and DJ/producer Fatboy Slim. We also hear from some of the genre’s biggest fans, including actor Sir Ian McKellen and comedian Russell Brand. Rave On is required reading for anyone who wants to understand this hugely popular and ever-evolving musical genre.

The History of Electronic Dance Music

Electronic dance music has its roots in the disco era of the 1970s. Dance clubs began to experiment with new sounds, and DJs began to play extended versions of existing tracks that they mixed together. This new style of music soon became known as disco.

Early electronic music

The first electronic music was made in the early 20th century, with the earliest commercial recordings appearing in the 1920s. Early electronic music was used for entertainment, such as in films and on the radio. It also had a practical use in businesses and factories, where it was used to create sound effects.

In the 1930s and 1940s, electronic music became more experimental. This was partly because of the development of new instruments, such as the Theremin and the Ondes Martenot. These instruments were used by composers such as Edgard Varèse and Olivier Messiaen to create new sounds.

In the 1950s, electronic music began to be used in popular music. This was partly due to the development of new technologies, such as multitrack recording and synthesizers. These technologies allowed musicians to create new sounds that were not possible with traditional instruments.

In the 1960s, electronic music became increasingly experimental. This was partly due to the influence of composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Pierre Boulez. They used electronic music to explore new ideas in composition.

In the 1970s, electronic music became more popular in mainstream culture. This was partly due to the development of disco and funk music, which incorporated electronic sounds into their recordings.

In the 1980s, electronic dance music (EDM) began to develop as a genre of its own. This was partly due to the popularity of club culture and rave culture. EDM artists began to experiment with new sounds and production techniques.

In the 1990s, EDM became more mainstream with the rise of trance and house music. These genres incorporated elements of techno, acid house, and other styles of electronic dance music. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, EDM achieved mainstream success with artists such as Daft Punk, Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, and Above & Beyond

The birth of disco

The birth of disco can be traced back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, when a new form of music known as “house” began to emerge in nightclubs in Chicago. House was a combination of different genres, including funk, soul, and Latin music. It was characterized by a 4/4 beat, which became the signature sound of disco.

The first disco hits were created by DJs who would play extended versions of songs that were popular at the time. These “disco edits” often featured extended instrumental sections that allowed dancers to enjoy the music for longer periods of time. As disco began to grow in popularity, more and more clubs began to spring up around the country that were dedicated to this new form of music.

By the mid-1970s, disco had become a nationwide phenomenon, with hits like Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” becoming global anthems. As the popularity of disco continued to grow, so did the number of people who were involved in its production and consumption. In 1977, the first ever Disco ball was invented, further cementing disco’s place in popular culture.

By the early 1980s, however, disco’s popularity began to wane as newer musical genres like hip-hop and New Wave began to emerge. This decline was hastened by the 1979 film “Saturday Night Fever,” which depicted disco culture in a negative light. Nonetheless, disco continues to influence popular music today, with many contemporary artists drawing from its sounds and style.

The rise of house and techno

In the late 1980s, house music became the dominant form of club music in Chicago. House music was also influenced by disco, post-disco and R&B. The first house tracks were produced by DJs and producers from Chicago who were influenced by disco and especially by the work of italodisco artists such as Giorgio Moroder, Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra. The first house tracks were often piano-based and had a four-on-the-floor kick drum beat. House music was also influenced by funk and Soul music. One of the earliest house tracks, “On and On”, was released in 1985 by Jesse Saunders.

The Global Appeal of EDM

Electronic Dance Music, or EDM, has been around for decades, but it has only recently exploded in popularity around the world. In the past few years, EDM festivals have been popping up all over the globe, from the U.S. to China to Brazil. And it’s not just the festivals that are popular – EDM artists are now some of the biggest names in the music industry, with fans of all ages. So what is it about EDM that has made it so popular?

The United States

Despite its reputation as a melting pot, the United States has not always been hospitable to electronic dance music. The roots of the genre can be traced back to the African diaspora and the European club scene, but it wasn’t until the late 1990s that EDM began to take off in America. The turning point came when the head of A&R at Interscope Records, Jimmy Iovine, took an interest in the American rave scene and signed the then-unknown DJ duo known as Daft Punk.

The release of Daft Punk’s album “Homework” in 1997 was a game-changer for electronic music in America. The album’s mix of thumping beats, catchy melodies, and futuristic yet approachable sound made it an instant hit with clubgoers and critics alike. It also helped to legitimize EDM in the eyes of the mainstream music industry. In the years that followed, other American artists like Moby, The Chemical Brothers, and Fatboy Slim would find similar success with a blend of pop appeal and underground credibility.

Today, electronic dance music is one of the most popular genres in America, thanks in part to its embrace by pop culture at large. A-list celebrities like Justin Bieber, Madonna, and Beyoncé have all collaborated with EDM producers, while films and television shows often feature pulsing dance tracks on their soundtracks. Even corporate brands are getting in on the action, with Bud Light hosting its own EDM-focused concert series called “Bud Light Party” featuring top DJs like deadmau5 and Tiësto.

With its global appeal and mainstream acceptance, electronic dance music looks poised to continue its upward trajectory for years to come.

Europe

The global appeal of EDM is on the rise, and Europe has been a big part of that growth. According to a report from the International Music Summit, the EDM industry was worth $6.9 billion in 2016, and it is expected to continue to grow in the years to come.

European countries have long been at the forefront of the electronic music scene, with Germany, France, and the Netherlands leading the way. In recent years, however, there has been a growing interest in EDM from other parts of Europe, such as Spain, Italy, Sweden, and Turkey. This is evident in the success of European festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra Europe, which attract visitors from all over the world.

What makes Europe such a hotbed for EDM? There are several factors, including the region’s rich history of electronic music (from early pioneers like Kraftwerk to contemporary stars like David Guetta), its strong club culture (especially in cities like Berlin), and its openness to new sounds and styles. With so many different countries and cultures represented, it’s no wonder that Europe has become a major player in the world of EDM.

Asia

Asia has always been at the forefront of global electronic dance music, with world-renowned DJs and producers hailing from Japan, China, South Korea, India, and more. In recent years, EDM has exploded in popularity across Asia, with massive festivals and club nights being held in major cities like Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, and beyond.

As electronic dance music continues to grow in popularity around the world, Asia is poised to play a pivotal role in its future. With a rich history of electronic music culture and a rapidly growing scene, Asia is poised to become a major player on the global EDM stage.

The Future of EDM

Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, has become a global phenomenon in recent years. With the rise of festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra, EDM has reached new heights in popularity. So, what does the future hold for this rapidly growing genre of music?

The rise of EDM festivals

Thanks to the internet, electronic dance music has become a global phenomenon. In the early days of EDM, festivals were small affairs, usually held in underground clubs or warehouses. But as the popularity of EDM grew, so did the size and scale of the festivals. Today, EDM festivals are some of the largest and most popular music events in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of fans from all over the globe.

The rise of EDM festivals has been a boon for the music industry, but it has also had a profound impact on the culture of EDM itself. As more and more people have been exposed to electronic dance music through these events, the sound and style of the genre has evolved and diversified. Today, there are countless subgenres of EDM, each with its own unique sound and fan base.

The future of EDM looks bright, with new festivals popping up all over the world and new subgenres continually emerging. It’s an exciting time to be a fan of electronic dance music!

The popularity of EDM streaming services

In recent years, there has been a boom in the popularity of electronic dance music (EDM). This surge in popularity has led to the rise of a number of EDM streaming services, which allow users to listen to their favorite EDM tracks on demand.

One of the most popular EDM streaming services is Beatport. Beatport was launched in 2004 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The company offers a subscription-based service that gives users access to a library of over two million tracks. Beatport also has a “pro” tier that allows DJs and producers to purchase and download tracks for use in their sets.

Another popular EDM streaming service is Spotify. Spotify was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The company offers a free, ad-supported version of its service, as well as a premium subscription that removes ads and gives users access to additional features, such as offline listening and higher-quality audio streams. Spotify also has a “Discover” feature that recommends new artists and tracks based on the user’s listening history.

EDM streaming services have become so popular that they are now starting to be used by major music festivals as a way to promote their events. For example, the Ultra Music Festival, which is one of the largest electronic music festivals in the world, partnered with Spotify to live-stream its 2018 event. This move allowed Ultra Music Festival to reach a wider audience and promote its brand to Spotify’s millions of users.

The popularity of EDM streaming services shows no signs of slowing down. As more people discover the joys of dancing to electronic music, these services are likely to continue to grow in popularity.